Some thoughts on my very first read of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I’m an absolute amateur in reading this kind of book, but I was really intrigued by the new film. Reading this book, I realized how influenced I was by the 1994 film, starring Winona Rider, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Susan Sarandon, and Christian Bale. I was also curious about the links between L.M. Montgomery’s work and Alcott’s, and I may say something about the links between Rilla of Ingleside and Little Women in the future. We’ll see. Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy!
I believe in open access scholarship. Because of this, since 2011 I have made A Pilgrim in Narnia free with nearly 1,000 posts on faith, fiction, and fantasy. Please consider sharing my work so others can enjoy it.
“A Pilgrim in Narnia” is a blog project in reading and talking about the work of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, the Inklings, L.M. Montgomery, and the worlds they created. As a "Faith, Fantasy, and Fiction" blog, we cover topics like children’s literature, myths and mythology, fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, poetry, theology, cultural criticism, art and writing.
This blog includes my thoughts as I read through my favourite writings and reflect on my own life and culture. In this sense, I am a Pilgrim in Narnia--or Middle Earth, or Fairyland, or Avonlea. I am often peeking inside of wardrobes, looking for magic bricks in urban alleys, or rooting through yard sale boxes for old rings. If something here captures your imagination, leave a comment, “like” a post, share with your friends, or sign up to receive Narnian Pilgrim posts in your email box.
Brenton Dickieson (PhD, Chester) is a father, husband, friend, university lecturer, and freelance writer from Prince Edward Island, Canada. You can follow him:
www.aPilgrimInNarnia.com
Twitter (X) @BrentonDana
Instagram @bdickieson
Facebook @aPilgrimInNarnia
There’s also a non-fiction book about Louisa May and Bronson Alcott and their links with the Transcendentalists, too, which you might find interesting. Basically everyone in that group except Ralph Waldo Emerson were poor as church mice, so he ended up bankrolling them. That’s why Louisa getting money for her books was so important.
I dunno but there’s bound to be someone. I mean, my favourite Pevensey is Lucy but some people like Susan.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Swallows and Amazons, but my favourite one of them was always Titty. But there’s other characters in those books who are just as likeable as Titty. There’s Nancy and Peggy and Dorothea and Roger and Dick.
Oh, of course! I answered that from my email.
Probably Titty, though maybe Nancy Blackett. Your question made me realize there may be something gendered in my favourites. Roger is definitely not my favourite, though he is the youngest. And yet part of what was in my mind was Lucy’s age in Narnia.
And now I’ve watched your video… I was under the impression that Louisa May Alcott was a Unitarian, and Unitarianism was broadly Christian back then. Agree about the moralistic tone of the book. I found it almost too much as a kid. I’ve reread it once since, I think.
Thanks for sharing your review. I can’t remember how many decades ago I read Little Women. I don’t even know if I still have a copy, but I’m thinking I should read it again sometime. I like the Winona Ryder movie, but I also like the 1978 version with Dorothy McGuire, Susan Dey, Greer Garson, Robert Young, William Shatner and Meredith Baxte among others. There was a BBC version I think done in the 70s, but I found the acting rather stilted in that. I loved the new movie except the flashbacks could be a little confusing to anyone not familiar with the story. I found a site with all of the versions ever done and thought you might be interested. .https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g30188109/little-women-adaptations/
Nice little discussion! I just finished a reread after seeing the new film, which I do think is the most creative and fulfilling adaptation I have yet encountered. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts after you watch it.
Agreed about Meg, it’s a pity Alcott was so bent on making her into an object lesson once she married! 😆
Also, are you sure your visual picture of Amy was the one ‘corrupted’ by the 90s film? Amy is definitely a blonde in the book…
That’s brilliant, Emily. I can’t wait to watch the movie when it comes out in a few weeks. I
have been corrected about the blonde-Amy. I like how she turned out in the book. I have nothing against blondes!
Object lessons indeed. It makes the moralistic lessons of C.S. Lewis and Margaret Atwood and Philip Pullman look absolutely subtle!
I first read Little Women as a child; it was one of the books that my mum recommended to me.
Jo March is my favourite (of course).
There’s an interesting homage to “Little Women” called “March” by Geraldine Brooks. It’s about Mr March.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13529
There’s also a non-fiction book about Louisa May and Bronson Alcott and their links with the Transcendentalists, too, which you might find interesting. Basically everyone in that group except Ralph Waldo Emerson were poor as church mice, so he ended up bankrolling them. That’s why Louisa getting money for her books was so important.
Thanks for this. I wonder who doesn’t think Jo is the best….
I dunno but there’s bound to be someone. I mean, my favourite Pevensey is Lucy but some people like Susan.
I don’t know if you’re familiar with Swallows and Amazons, but my favourite one of them was always Titty. But there’s other characters in those books who are just as likeable as Titty. There’s Nancy and Peggy and Dorothea and Roger and Dick.
I love that book. I’ll have to reread it
Awesome! Who’s your favourite character? Have you read the rest of the series?
Jo, yes, Jo. It has to be Jo.
It willb e a while before I get to Little Men, I’m afraid. But I’m not against it!
I meant who’s your favourite in Swallows and Amazons?
Oh, of course! I answered that from my email.
Probably Titty, though maybe Nancy Blackett. Your question made me realize there may be something gendered in my favourites. Roger is definitely not my favourite, though he is the youngest. And yet part of what was in my mind was Lucy’s age in Narnia.
And now I’ve watched your video… I was under the impression that Louisa May Alcott was a Unitarian, and Unitarianism was broadly Christian back then. Agree about the moralistic tone of the book. I found it almost too much as a kid. I’ve reread it once since, I think.
Alcott was a pretty famous Transcendentalist but really used general Christian ethics of contemporary American culture.
Thanks for sharing your review. I can’t remember how many decades ago I read Little Women. I don’t even know if I still have a copy, but I’m thinking I should read it again sometime. I like the Winona Ryder movie, but I also like the 1978 version with Dorothy McGuire, Susan Dey, Greer Garson, Robert Young, William Shatner and Meredith Baxte among others. There was a BBC version I think done in the 70s, but I found the acting rather stilted in that. I loved the new movie except the flashbacks could be a little confusing to anyone not familiar with the story. I found a site with all of the versions ever done and thought you might be interested. .https://www.oprahmag.com/entertainment/tv-movies/g30188109/little-women-adaptations/
I didn’t know abut the 1978 version, but anything with William Shatner in should be seen! I am looking forward to the new film, very soon I hope.
Nice little discussion! I just finished a reread after seeing the new film, which I do think is the most creative and fulfilling adaptation I have yet encountered. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts after you watch it.
Agreed about Meg, it’s a pity Alcott was so bent on making her into an object lesson once she married! 😆
Also, are you sure your visual picture of Amy was the one ‘corrupted’ by the 90s film? Amy is definitely a blonde in the book…
That’s brilliant, Emily. I can’t wait to watch the movie when it comes out in a few weeks. I
have been corrected about the blonde-Amy. I like how she turned out in the book. I have nothing against blondes!
Object lessons indeed. It makes the moralistic lessons of C.S. Lewis and Margaret Atwood and Philip Pullman look absolutely subtle!
Pingback: Rainbow Valley as Embodied Heaven: Initial Explorations into L.M. Montgomery’s Spirituality in Fiction | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: The World as a “Vale of Soul-Making”: A Brief Note on John Keats, C.S. Lewis, and L.M. Montgomery | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: L.M. Montgomery Articles on A Pilgrim In Narnia #lmmi2020 #LMMontgomery | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: MaudCast S01E06: Carolyn Strom Collins and the Anne of Green Gables Manuscript | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: 2020: A Year of Reading: The Nerd Bit, with Charts | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: 2020: A Year of Reading: The Nerd Bit, with Charts | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: The Pilgrim’s Progress and the Nursery Bookshelf: A Book’s Journey (Throwback Thursday) | A Pilgrim in Narnia
Pingback: Bunyan and Others and Me: Vicarious Bookshelf Friendship and a Jazz Hands Theory of Reading | A Pilgrim in Narnia