Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women: A 10 Minute Book Talk with Brenton Dickieson

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Brenton Dickieson

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!

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About Brenton Dickieson

“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
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22 Responses to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women: A 10 Minute Book Talk with Brenton Dickieson

  1. Yvonne Aburrow's avatar Yvonne Aburrow says:
    January 23, 2020 at 8:24 pm

    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.

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  2. Yvonne Aburrow's avatar Yvonne Aburrow says:
    January 23, 2020 at 8:40 pm

    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.

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  3. successbmine's avatar successbmine says:
    January 24, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    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/

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  4. Emily Austin's avatar Emily Austin says:
    January 30, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    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…

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    • Brenton Dickieson's avatar Brenton Dickieson says:
      February 1, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      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!

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