Little Women is one of the most timeless classics of our modern world, especially for girls. Louisa May Alcott wrote this book in the 1860’s, basing them off of her own family life during and after the Civil Wars. It became so popular that her publisher had her continue the series, giving us Good Wives (or the 2nd volume of Little Women), Little Men, and Jo’s Boys. I’ve read all of the books, and they’re some of my favorites to read when I want something comforting and quiet to read.

But although I enjoy the books, I’m not an absolute die-hard fan of every sentence.

I love the realistic family dynamics and dialogue Louisa wrote into the book — and although she has a unique writing style that some people may find coarse, I personally enjoy it. But Alcott was a transcendentalist, and her often unbiblical worldview can be seen even in the everyday conversations of the March girls.

“A core belief [of transcendentalism] is in the inherent goodness of people and nature” (Wikipedia), and that belief is all over Little Women as the girls remind each other to “be good” and feel defeated when they haven’t “been good.” Mrs. March also gave the girls their own copies of Pilgrim’s Progress to use as their “guidebook” throughout their teenage year, suggesting that Pilgrim’s Progress is as good a guide as the Bible, or maybe even a better one.

I also don’t understand Louisa’s sense of right and wrong sometimes: Meg often feels ashamed for wanting a comfortable, luxurious life and for enjoying wearing pretty things. True, contentment and gratitude are important character traits to have, and maybe the dress she wore at Belle’s party wasn’t appropriate. And she should’ve had self-control instead of abusing John’s money when she felt like Sally was pitying her about getting an expensive new dress. But still — what’s so wrong with her desire for that life? If she worked hard and earned her place in that class of society, why should she feel ashamed for that?

But that’s not to say I don’t enjoy the book or that I wouldn’t recommend the series to other people. I still have my own copies of the series, and I enjoy reading the cozy story again and again (not to mention watching Greta Gerwig’s incredible 2019 adaptation). Some of my favorite quotes come from Little Women, like

“There are many Beth’s in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”

“I want to do something splendid…something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.”

“The humblest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them.”

“Just because my dreams are different than yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.”(Technically that one’s from the 2019 movie.)

If you’re wanting to read something that draws you into a cozy but realistic world, with beautiful characters and dialogue, then you should read Little Women. Being aware of the underlying worldview is important, but the story and themes are still enjoyable — and I guarantee you’ll be able to relate to at least one of the March sisters,if not more than one. And no one can forget Laurie Laurence — best played by Timothee Chalamet in my humble opinion. (I’m a fan of the 2019 movie adaptation, if you can’t tell.)

(I’ll review Louisa’s other book An Old-Fashioned Girl in a few weeks, but the review is pretty much the same.)