Why You Should Invest in Reading Little Women

"Oh, my girls, however long you may live, I never can wish you a greater happiness than this."
-Little Women

Most people have heard of Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott. It’s a well known classic about four sisters in the late 1800s. It has been made into many movies, and the book has been adapted for younger readers. There is no doubt that this book is a beloved treasure.

So if it is such a great book, why is it that even many book lovers have never read it? I think you would be surprised at the amount of avid readers who either gave up on it halfway, or were too afraid to start it in the first place. Maybe they watched the movie, or read an abridged version, and decided that was enough

To be honest, I get it. Little Women is forty-seven chapters long with a steady, episodic story line. It’s easy to get burnt out while reading it. If that happened to you, I certainly am not blaming you.

However, I am going to explain to you why reading this book is more than worth your time. If you are wondering if it should be on your future reads list, or if you have tried to read it before but got bogged down by the long passages, this post is for you. I am going to share some aspects of this book that are priceless.

Relatable Characters

First of all, all four sisters have very real desires, personalities, and faults. None of their motives are far fetched, because they are true to human character. When one of them does a good thing you are glad for them. But when one of the girls makes a terrible mistake, you understand that just as well, if not better. Their actions aren’t made out to be heroic or evil, just honest. And that’s what they are.

The story is full of bad decisions, hurtful disagreements, and painful consequences. But there is also thankfulness, joy, and forgiveness. The March family is both different from everyone else, and yet just like everyone else at the same time.

Louisa May Alcott based the book off of her own life and family. The likeness is easy to see if you know anything about her. She grew up in a family of girls and loved to write. Life for her was a lot like it was for the March sisters.

The honesty in her writing shines through the characters and story in a beautiful way.

Deep Emotions

Little Women is well known for its sad events. I would probably go so far as to say that it was the first truly sad book that I ever read. I remember sitting in the back corner of my house, shocked. I couldn’t believe that there was a book that could make me feel so much. It was unlike anything I had ever encountered before in my reading.

Now, of course, I am much more exposed to tragic stories. Little Women is no longer the saddest book I’ve ever read. Yet the emotional attachment I felt with the characters still stands out in my memory, and that has to stand for something.

So what is it that makes Little Women memorable emotion-wise? There are many books that make you feel keenly the feelings of their characters. What’s different about this one?

I would say that the thing that makes the sorrow of this book so special is the fact that the heartache comes from the small moments. Louisa May Alcott is very talented at bringing all the little details and hurts together to tell one story. Even the big, plot shaking scenes find their weight in the unnoticed and unimportant moments before them.

That is what makes Little Women so emotionally beautiful. Louisa May Alcott does not wait till the climax to tug at your feelings; she is doing that the whole book. It may just take until the key moments to realize it.

All Stages of Life

Little Women is the perfect example of discovering something new every time you read it. This book grows with you as you grow older. As you gain new experience with life, you will view the story in new ways.

A good example of this is Marmee. She is the girls’ mother, and always ready with a bit of advice or wisdom. To me, she has never been a character that I related to. But people have pointed out that as they got older and took on the position of mother, they relate to her even more than they do to the girls.

This is why I can never answer the question, “Which March sister are you most like?” I have seen myself in all of them at different stages of my life. They all represent a different side of me. Jo displays my love of writing, Beth my desire to serve others in small ways, Meg my older sister personality, and Amy my selfishness (I’m sorry, it’s true).

That is what makes this story truly timeless. The characters never grow old.

Beautiful Traits

A very apparent theme in this book is the theme of character. Marmee is raising young ladies who will be kind, and gentle, and hardworking. Even if her advice is not always heeded by her daughters, it certainly has been noted by many a reader.

As the girls grow up, they learn how to use the work of their hands, their minds, and their hearts to serve others gladly. When they are younger that is simply taught through games and examples, but as the story progresses you start to see the girls reflecting the values their mother instilled in them.

I found such wonderful advice and beautiful examples in these pages. There are dozens of quotes and lessons that can be found throughout the book. The book is an inspiration to act in love and gentleness.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the answer to the question is a hearty yes! Little Women is absolutely, without a doubt, no question about it, worth the investment of your time. You will fall in love with the characters, and sympathize with their heartache.

Yes, it’s a long book. Yes, it will take more commitment than some of the other books you could read instead. But this book is a true classic, unlike anything else.

Have you read Little Women? If so, which character did you find yourself in the most? Did you cry while reading it? Let’s chat in the comments!

"Love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride."
-Little Women