So…. ages ago on 9EB I confessed to never having read Little Women and there was much shock and awe and I was like, “yeah, how good can it be?” I’m only up to chapter six and I’ve already cried. The writing is exquisite. I urge you to join me, or share your insights if you’ve read it already, or read it again and discuss it anew. Or just share what you’re reading. Is there already a thread on this? Probably is. I’m always so behind on stuff.

I love Little Women. When you finish it I really recommend reading a biography of Louisa May Alcott’s life - her childhood was so interesting growing up around the transcendentalist writers - Emerson, Thoreau, Longfellow - and the influence on Little Women is fascinating. She was a remarkable woman.

Little Women was the most wonderously devastating book I ever read. I envy that you get to experience it for the first time as an adult, I think it will be even more impactful. Jo is the person I wanted to be for my entire childhood. Katherine Hepburn’s character in the movie of Jo is an absolute icon in my life.

I’ve seen the movie - the one with Winona Ryder and Susan Sarandon - so I know the basic gist and the sad parts. I love how she uses The Pilgrim’s Progress to show the internal journey of the characters. Very much like Jane Austen showing these huge internal journeys of character played out in closeted domestic settings. I loved that Mrs March says to Meg and Jo, “I’m angry every day of my life, Meg, but I’ve learned not to show it.” Love the honesty.

Book Club

RichardParker

So…. ages ago on 9EB I confessed to never having read Little Women and there was much shock and awe