BBC #18, Little Women

One of my favorite stories is Little Women by Louisa M Alcott. I read it when I was in elementary school. I've watched the movie at least half a dozen times. I love it.

Which is why I was surprised when I finished the book the other day and discovered it didn't end where I thought it ended. Turns out the first book Ms. Alcott published was entitled Little Women and it was the FIRST half of a story. The second half was called Good Wives and was published shortly thereafter. In 1870 (or 1871) the books were first published together. Since that time MOST companies print them together and simply call it Little Women. That's the version I read in Elementary school and the version the movie is based off of. For some reason the cheapo company I bought my book from only printed the first half, considering Good Wives to be another book. *Grumble Grumble*

Luckily for me I own an ipod touch and Kindle has a free version that includes BOTH books. I read the second half on my ipod.

Like I said, I love this story. I was completely wrapped up in it. The day I got the second half I stayed up until almost 2 in the morning reading, even though I had work in the morning. My husband made fun of me because I started talking like the characters. I told him a bath sounded simply splendid. I don't normally say splendid.

My childhood memories of the second half of the book did not compare with what it actually entails. Maybe it's because I'm actually in that part of life now--newly married and in my early 20's. Maybe I just connect to it more. It's the real love story part of the book!

It's also really tragic. (SPOILER!!!). When Beth and Jo talked about how she was dying, I cried. Maybe it's because I just watched someone close to me die, but the emotions shared at that part of the book did a number on me. When she died I cried again. If it weren't for the chapters about Amy in the middle, I think I would have cried straight through that part.

This book is well written. It's a classic for a reason. I see myself reading it to my daughters in the future. I give it 3 thumbs up.