Little Women

Little Women


little women

by Louisa May Alcott

I vividly remember the day I purchased my very first copy of this novel. I was seven or eight. The edition was a Puffin classic, with an illustration of the four March sisters prettifying the cover. It seemed impossibly long to me when I began, but I devoured it in record time (for a second grader 😉 ).

Beth was my favorite, the first time around. I wholly related to her meek, gentle nature as the introverted little girl that I was (I’m still introverted – I’m just no longer that little, and I’ve just about mastered the art of faking extroversion and even – gasp- enjoying it in social situations).

I have read this book four times, at the very least, at this point in my life. As I grew older, through my pre-teen and years of early adolescence, Meg and Jo became my role models. My character is a mix of these two girls’ traits… I adore girly, pretty things, am the oldest child in my family, and am proper and polite, as Meg is. I am passionate about my interests and creative, as Jo… I love to write and read and I wish to see the world.

Amy is the only sister I never particularly liked… I suppose if anything, I resented her. But I digress.

Shared below are also a couple of photographs I absolutely had to squeeze in. An art print I purchased from Modcloth of a quote I adore, and a close up of the flowers I pressed several months ago. In the future, I think I’ll write a ‘lil how-to. We’ll see.


♥ ♥ ♥

Lace & Lilacs

Little Women


11 favorite quotes

  1. “I’ve got the key to my castle in the air, but whether I can unlock the door remains to be seen.”
  2. “You are the gull, Jo, strong and wild, fond of the storm and the wind, flying far out to sea, and happy all alone.”
  3. “Be comforted, dear soul! There is always light behind the clouds.”
  4. “I think she is growing up, and so begins to dream dreams, and have hopes and fears and fidgets, without knowing why or being able to explain them.”
  5. “…because talent isn’t genius, and no amount of energy can make it so. I want to be great, or nothing.”
  6. “I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, 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 some day.”
  7. “Take some books and read; that’s an immense help; and books are always good company if you have the right sort.”
  8. “Meg’s high-heeled slippers were dreadfully tight, and hurt her, though she would not own it; and Jo’s nineteen hair-pins all seemed stuck straight into her head, which was not exactly comfortable; but, dear me, let us be elegant or die.”
  9. “You have a good many little gifts and virtues, but there is no need of parading them, for conceit spoils the finest genius. There is not much danger that real talent or goodness will be overlooked long; even if it is, the consciousness of possessing and using it well should satisfy one, and the great charm of all power is modesty.”
  10. “Simple, sincere people seldom speak much of their piety; it shows itself in acts rather than words, and has more influence than homilies or protestations.”
  11. “Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this!”

♥ ♥ ♥

Lace & Lilacs

xoxo,

Abby

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6 comments on “Little Women”

  1. My dad bought me this book when I was in elementary school! I tried to read it, but I didn’t get it. I don’t think I ever got through it. But my reading has improved a lot since elementary school ;P so I really should give this book another ago! It’s already on my TBR 🙂 -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

    • Hahah, funnily enough I feel the same way about ‘Harriet the Spy’, which I know is one of your faves. I really should go back and read all of the books I abandoned halfway when I was younger and didn’t have any patience lol.

      This book is one of my faaaaves, you must read it! It’s such a fantastic coming-of-age classic. XOXO

  2. Even though I have literally never heard of this novel, you’ve awakened my interest (especially if you have read it four times). It’s going on the list! <3 Thanks for sharing ^^
    memoleaf

  3. Uhh…who doesn’t hate Any after she throws Jo’s stories into the fire??

    I love Little Women! I’ve always been a Meg girl. Then, my senior year of high school, I got to play her in the musical version of Little Women (yes it’s a thing, it’s actually pretty good) 🙂