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May. 19th, 2009 08:20 pmBook 39: Little Women, Louisa May Alcott. 388pp
I've probably read this book a hundred times, albeit most of those readings would have been in my early teens. I think the last time I read it all through was when I was 17, and the impression I got then was far different from the early teen years impression.
Again reading it I see it in a bit of a new light. I can look back now and see how it had a quiet, steady, and powerful influence on my life - what choice wisdom is tucked into the story and the characters. Good morals, a desire to do what is right, and a cast of characters that is very true-to-life and leave examples worth following. I could always identify with Jo - saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, impatient, klutzy, stubborn, and prickly. At various stages I identified with the other girls as well, but not in the same way.
Reading it this time I found pleasant but a little strange at the same time due to the odd quaintness of a writing style I'm not really used to anymore. Louisa borders on being moralistic and preachy without quite preaching, uses the passive tense way more than she should, and yet there is still a lot of charm there. It's not a writing style I care to imitate myself, although I found oh-so-many terms and phrases as I read through that popped up in my diaries many a time.
But as far as the story goes, it's as solid as ever and I love it just as much. I bordered on tears many times and pretty much the last fourth of the book had the rain falling nicely. Couldn't help myself. I guess I am a sentimental old fool. Or I'm just pregnant.
I've probably read this book a hundred times, albeit most of those readings would have been in my early teens. I think the last time I read it all through was when I was 17, and the impression I got then was far different from the early teen years impression.
Again reading it I see it in a bit of a new light. I can look back now and see how it had a quiet, steady, and powerful influence on my life - what choice wisdom is tucked into the story and the characters. Good morals, a desire to do what is right, and a cast of characters that is very true-to-life and leave examples worth following. I could always identify with Jo - saying the wrong thing at the wrong time, impatient, klutzy, stubborn, and prickly. At various stages I identified with the other girls as well, but not in the same way.
Reading it this time I found pleasant but a little strange at the same time due to the odd quaintness of a writing style I'm not really used to anymore. Louisa borders on being moralistic and preachy without quite preaching, uses the passive tense way more than she should, and yet there is still a lot of charm there. It's not a writing style I care to imitate myself, although I found oh-so-many terms and phrases as I read through that popped up in my diaries many a time.
But as far as the story goes, it's as solid as ever and I love it just as much. I bordered on tears many times and pretty much the last fourth of the book had the rain falling nicely. Couldn't help myself. I guess I am a sentimental old fool. Or I'm just pregnant.
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