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Summary
Summary
Introduction by Susan Cheever
Commentary by G. K. Chesterton, Katherine Fullerton Gerould, and Madeleine B. Stern
Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read
It is no surprise that Little Women, the adored classic of four devoted sisters, was loosely based on Louisa May Alcott's own life. In fact, Alcott drew from her own personality to create a heroine unlike any seen before- Jo, willful, headstrong, and undoubtedly the backbone of the March family. Follow the sisters from innocent adolescence to sage adulthood, with all the joy and sorrow of life in between, and fall in love with them and this endearing story. Praised by Madeleine Stern as "a book on the American home, and hence universal in its appeal," Little Women has been an avidly read tale for generations. This Modern Library edition includes notes that offer more description and insight than those of previous editions.
Includes a Modern Library Reading Group Guide
Author Notes
Louisa May Alcott was born in 1832 in Pennsylvania and grew up in Concord, Massachusetts. She is best known for her books for children. The daughter of philosopher and reformer Amons Bronson Alcott, she was also a supporter of women's rights and an abolitionist. Family debts led her to write the autobiographical novel Little Women (1868). The book was a huge success, followed by Little Men, An Old-Fashioned Girl, and several other novels.
Susan Cheever is the author of Home Before Dark, Note Found in a Bottle, As Good as I Could Be, and My Name Is Bill . She lives in New York City.
Reviews (2)
Horn Book Review
The complete text of Alcott's classic tale of Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy March is reprinted with a ribbon bookmark and a list of open-ended questions (""Do you think she overreacted, or was her anger justified?"") designed to stimulate thought. Repeated scratchboard illustrations head each chapter, giving the book a generic appearance. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
One of the most beloved American classics is beautifully and eloquently brought to life in this recording filled with passion and spirit. Four sisters in 19th-century New England grow from little girls to respectable young women. Each sister carries unique hopes for her future, but Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy learn that life often has other plans in store. Their coming-of-age stories are filled with hilarity, humility, friendship, heartbreak, and duty. Characters come alive with unique voices and mannerisms, flawlessly narrated by Susie Berneis. VERDICT This new recording of this time-honored novel is essential listening for fans of American literature.-Erin Cataldi, Johnson Cty. P.L., Franklin, IN © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
Playing Pilgrims "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents,"grumbled Jo, lying on the rug. "It's so dreadful to be poor!"sighed Meg, looking down at her old dress. "I don't think it's fair for some girls to have lots of pretty things, and other girls nothing at all," added little Amy, with an injured sniff. "We've got father and mother, and each other, anyhow,"said Beth, contentedly, from her corner. The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words, but darkened again as Jo said sadly? "We haven't got father, and shall not have him for a long time." She didn't say "perhaps never,"but each silently added it, thinking of father far away, where the fighting was. Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone, "You know the reason mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas, was because it's going to be a hard winter for every one; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure, when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much, but we can make our little sacrifices, and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't;"and Megshook her head, as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted. "But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've each got a dollar, and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from mother or you, but I do want to buy Undine and Sintram for myself; I've wanted it so long,'said Jo, who was a bookworm. "I planned to spend mine in new music,"said Beth, with a little sigh, which no one heard but the hearth-brush and kettle-holder. "I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils; I really need them," said Amy, decidedly. "Mother didn't say anything about our money, and she won't wish us to give up everything. Let's each buy what we want, and have a little fun; I'm sure we grub hard enough to earn it,"cried Jo, examining the heels of her boots in a gentlemanly manner. "I know I do, teaching those dreadful children nearly all day, when I'm longing to enjoy myself at home," began Meg, in the complaining tone again. "You don't have half such a hard time as I do," said Jo. "How would you like to be shut up for hours with a nervous, fussy old lady, who keeps you trotting, is never satisfied, and worries you till you''e ready to fly out of the window or box her ears?" "It's naughty to fret, but I do think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is the worst work in the world. It makes me cross; and my hands get so stiff, I can't practise good a bit." And Beth looked at her rough hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time. "I don't believe any of you suffer as I do," cried Amy; "for you don't have to go to school with impertinent girls, who plague you if you don't know your lessons, and laugh at your dresses, and label your father if he isn't rich, and insult you when your nose isn't nice." "If you mean libel I'd say so, and not talk about labels, as if pa was a pickle-bottle," advised Jo, laughing. Excerpted from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.Table of Contents
Oxford World's Classics Little Women | p. i |
Acknowledgements | p. vi |
Introduction | p. vii |
Note on the Text | p. xxviii |
Select Bibliography | p. xxx |
A Chrlonology Of Louisa May Alcott | p. xxxiii |
Preface | p. 3 |
1 Playing Pilgrims | p. 5 |
Part I p. 5 | |
2 A Merry Christmas | p. 15 |
5 Being Neighborly | p. 46 |
8 Jo Meets Apollyon | p. 71 |
9 Meg Goes to Vanity Fair | p. 81 |
10 The P. C. and P. O | p. 97 |
11 Experiments | p. 106 |
12 Camp Laurence | p. 117 |
13 Castles in the Air | p. 136 |
15 A Telegram | p. 154 |
16 Letters | p. 162 |
17 Little Faithful | p. 169 |
18 Dark Days | p. 176 |
19 Amy's Will | p. 184 |
20 Confidential | p. 192 |
21 Laurie Makes Mischief, and Jo Makes Peace | p. 199 |
22 Pleasant Meadows | p. 211 |
23 Aunt March Settles the Question | p. 218 |
24 Gossip | p. 229 |
Part II p. 229 | |
28 Domestic Experiences | p. 263 |
29 Calls | p. 277 |
30 Consequences | p. 289 |
31 Our Foreign Correspondent | p. 300 |
32 Tender Troubles | p. 309 |
34 Friend | p. 332 |
36 Beth's Secret | p. 357 |
37 New Impressions | p. 362 |
38 On the Shelf | p. 373 |
39 Lazy Laurence | p. 385 |
40 The Valley of the Shadow | p. 398 |
41 Learning to Forget | p. 404 |
42 All Alone | p. 416 |
43 Surprises | p. 424 |
44 My Lord and Lady | p. 439 |
45 Daisy and Demi | p. 444 |
46 Under the Umbrella | p. 450 |
Explanatory Notes | p. 474 |