Louisa May Alcott first wrote Little Women as a submission for a newspaper column's call for "a girls' book" -- and that really is, at its heart, what Little Women is. I'm sure there must be some men who enjoy it (I don't know any) but it is a book about and directed towards young women. A unisex book, this very much is not.
Alcott patterned the titular "little women" of her book after herself and her three sisters, which may explain the very lifelike characters and very obvious failings of each girl (except for Beth, of course, who has no failings -- more on that later). Gentle Meg is sweet and nurturing, but her vanity and covetous nature often lead to heartbreak. Tomboy Jo is always blundering into one mishap after another, though she has a heart of gold and a fervent desire to do good. Pretty Amy is spoiled and pettish, but quick to repent of her wrongdoings. As for character development -- the book is rife with it (and should be, since it takes place over the course of fifteen years), and the girls' natures are tried and changed throughout.
The language is antiquated and can be difficult, not to read, but to endure without eye-rolling at times. Despite their clearly-outlined weaknesses, the girls speak like "Mary Sues" at times, parroting their elders and, when criticized, falling docily into line. Also, there's the issue of the character of Beth. *sigh* There is a reason why nobody ever says that Beth is her favorite character. Because Beth doesn't really have much of a personality. Sure, she's sweet and good, but that's it. The only chapter in which one really starts to feel any sort of emotion about Beth is where she visits the Hummels when the baby has scarlet fever. Other than that, she's relatively forgettable. Perhaps the personality was true to life -- Alcott modeled the character of Beth after her own younger sister, Elizabeth Sewell Alcott -- but when compared to the vivacious and entertaining personalities of Meg, Jo, and Amy, Beth fades into the background and becomes largely forgettable.
I think I loved this book more when I was a teenager, because it is more a teenager's (or even a child's) book. Not necessarily because it has a happy ending (it doesn't in the fairy tale sense), but because it truly is a story about "little" women coming of age. Nevertheless, I will keep the paperback on my shelf, to hopefully share with a daughter of my own someday.
Rating: *** and 1/2
This book is well loved by so many. It spurs many children on to become strong readers for life and the childhood copy of Little Women will become worn from much loved reading. This book will be loved by most girls, but boys will enjoy it as well. Jo's tomboyish behavior and the neighbor boy, Laurie's presence will attract the attention of boys. It makes a great choice for bedtime reading with chapters of perfect length to read one per night and short enough that if begged by the kids, you can read two. In addition to Little Women, it would also be beneficial to read a biography of Louisa May Alcott.
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