Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: Audiobook Review
I received this book for free from Library for review consideration, opinions expressed are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links as indicated by an asterisk. Purchases from these links provides a small commission to me at no extra cost to you.
Little Women by Louisa May AlcottFormat: Audiobook
Source: Library
Goodreads
Blurb:
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is an emotionally beautiful story with a charming, close-knit family who focus on appreciating the simpler things in life. Excellent on audio.
Synopsis:
In picturesque nineteenth-century New England, tomboyish Jo, beautiful Meg, fragile Beth, and romantic Amy come of age while their father is off to war.
My Thoughts:
I attempted to read this book as a child, found it boring and did not finish. As an adult, I decided to give it another chance and made it part of my books to read for the Classics Club. I absolutely loved the book and what surprised me most is the lessons it taught about being a mother.
I admired the patience and love that exuded from the girls’ mother, whom they call Marmee. She was very relatable and admitted in the story that she did not always have patience, but worked hard on it for years to achieve. Marmee allowed the girls to learn their lessons themselves rather than preaching to them how to act. She helped her daughters develop into caring, thoughtful young ladies who were not obsessed with status and marrying well as their peers did. Although they lived poorly and simply, the little women valued their lives and each other. If I could be like any mother in fiction, Marmee would be it.
The “little women” themselves are charming and as different as kids could be. I face the same looking at my 3 sons and marvel at how their individual personalities shine. The closeness of the sisters was beautifully touching and poignantly written. The kind of closeness we hope our kids have with their siblings. The author drew me into this family and I felt as close to them as if I was their aunt.
The narrator of this audiobook was wonderful. Her soothing voice fit perfectly with the patient and loving Marmee and she handled the male voices with equal ease and drama.
This is a wonderful coming of age story and the trials and tribulations of a family fighting their poverty to learn the valuable lessons in life. While it’s considered a young adult book, I think it’s timeless and I certainly appreciated its value more as a mother myself. One of my favorite classics, it’s heartwarming, emotional, charming and happy. When I need a pick me up or a reminder of the finer things in life, I will be re-reading this one!
Favorite Quotes:
“I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
“…the love, respect, and confidence of my children was the sweetest reward I could receive for my efforts to be the woman I would have them copy.”
“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.”
“Beth ceased to fear him from that moment, and sat there talking to him as cozily as if she had known him all her life, for love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride.”
“My dear, don’t let the sun go down upon your anger. Forgive each other, help each other, and begin again tomorrow.”
“…we all have our temptations, some far greater than yours, and it often takes us all our lives to conquer them.”
I listened to this for free on audio (I downloaded it from my library), or you can get it for free with an Audible trial here*. Now that I’ve read it and loved it, I’ve got my eye on the beautiful Puffin in Bloom edition* to add some whimsy to my library and it’s sure to be a classic I enjoy reading time and again.
Other Posts and Books Like This You Might Enjoy:
Classic Literature Recommendations
An Honest Review of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees – historical fiction about the author’s life, 4*
Have you read Little Women? Did you read it as a child or an adult? How did your age impact your enjoyment of the book? What did you read as a child that stuck with you? I’d love to hear your thoughts and as always happy reading!
Definitely a classic! and lovely review Tanya –
Are you an audio fan?
just posted one today as well – non fiction
COLD TANGERINES
I never read, or attempted to read, Little Women as a child or even teen. I finally read it a couple of years ago and was surprised by how much I liked it. Since reading it, I have become a fan of LM Alcott, reading a bio of her, as well as her Civil War Sketches. She was truly a remarkable American author.
Like you, I admired Marmee so much–in fact, as an older reader, I related much more to Marmee than to the girls, even Jo.
>“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.”
Isn’t that the truth!
I love that quote Jane! I haven’t read her bio and didn’t know she did sketches as well. I also listened on audiobook to the Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott. I enjoyed it very much and it’s very much in line with the spirit of Little Women. It’s historical fiction but seems like that really could have been what her life was like. Have you read it?
Yes, I agree that I related more to Marmee than the girls…although if I was anyone, it would have been Jo too. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me. I’ll have to check out her bio and drawings.
I’ve been toying with reading the Lost Summer of LMA–glad to hear you liked it. I also visited her home in Concord, MA last year, which as a real treat.
The sketches are not drawings but reminiscences of her time as a Civil War nurse. Amy/May was the artist in the family, though LMA could certainly paint with words.
Lost Summer of LMA also characterized Amy and May as the artists in the family. I’m sure visiting Concord was a fun literary vacation. 🙂
I loved this one as a child and it remains one of my all-time favorites. I tried to convince my mom to let me call her Marmee but she never gave in!
I tried reading this book as a child and found it boring, too. I think part of the problem was that my mom tried to read it to me when I was about 5, and that’s just too young. I liked more fanciful stories than this when I was that age. So I went through childhood expecting it to be horrible. I’m sure I’d love it if I’d just sit down and read it – which I will some day. 🙂
I haven’t yet read this one, I wish I put it on my classics club list !
You know, I haven’t read this book for so long. I need to read it again now that I’m a mom! I just love how the book struck you as a mom. Fantastic review!! –Lisa
Thanks Lisa! Being a mom certainly gives us a new perspective 🙂
Wonderful review of a lovely book 🙂 I haven’t read this in many years. You’ve reminded me that I’m definitely due for a re-read!
Thanks Jennifer as always.
Five stars for an audiobook is a huge deal! I hate to admit it, but I’ve never read this one. I have it on my list, too!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did Allison. I quite enjoyed the narrator’s portrayal of the girls, and she certainly had that kind, soothing voice that suited Marmee well. I like tackling the classics on audiobooks, that way I can be sure to get them done. I have limited time with my Kindle and so have to reserve actual reading for more current books.
I remember liking this book as a kid, but I am sure I would be able to appreciate it more fully if I reread it as an adult.
I listened to this one on audiobook too and loved it 🙂 Jo is one of my all time favorite book characters!
I admit I related most to Jo out of the girls. Of course as the mom of all boys, I guess it’s good that I am more a Jo than a Meg 🙂