Heartfelt Bonds and Timeless Struggles: A ‘Little Women’ Review
“Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”
I was browsing through Audible; I had about 3 credits to spend, and I was looking to enjoy something specific, something a little more classic and hopefully British. A tempting choice was literally anything by Jane Austen. However, I decided to try something different, something that might surprise me and also something that could prepare me for watching a film. I naturally settled on “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. To my genuine surprise, this book was not British at all, but I decided to give it a go regardless. The narration by Laura Dern and cast had me hooked almost instantly. I am excited to see Laura Dern as Marmee March in the Greta Gerwig adaptation.
“Little Women” follows the lives and loves of the March sisters, four wonderfully beloved characters with unique personalities and endearing adventures. We follow the girls as they experience life within their own world, each growing slowly into mature women. The lessons learnt about adapting to the needs of others, and their realisation of the value in that, is truly a wonderful thing to experience. There are moments of selfishness, as that is part of the human condition. Their willingness to sacrifice for family and friends, and their realisation of the value in that, is a worthwhile lesson. The development of the older girls, and Marmee, having experienced both wealth and then the opposite, is a lovely comparison to how the younger girls are willing to sacrifice their own material things or even time to help their sisters. I felt that a major theme of the book was the idea that we are supposed to help each other, and that caring for another despite your own needs is not a sacrifice in the true sense of the word. There is joy in being.
Initially, my disappointment was apparent; I had really wanted to listen to something uniquely British. However, I was captivated by these women’s lives and stories. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the narration. I found the entire thing to be wonderfully delightful, and I cannot wait to make my partner watch this movie with me. “Little Women” offered a touching look at family, friendship, the joy of being a woman, and growing up. I am beyond glad that I gave it a chance.