Louisa May Alcott, página 9 de 40

Meg is the eldest and on the brink of love. Then theres tomboy Jo who longs to be a writer. Sweet-natured Beth always puts others first, and finally theres Amy, the youngest and most precocious. Together they are the March sisters. Even though money is short, times are tough and their father is away at war, their infectious sense of fun sweeps everyone up in their adventures including Laurie, the boy next door. And through sisterly squabbles, their happy times and sad ones too, the sisters discover that growing up is sometimes very hard to do.Based on Louisa May Alcotts childhood, this lively portrait of nineteenth-century family life possesses a lasting vitality that has endeared it to generations of readers.A wonderful story... As a child, I strongly identified with Jo because she is a writer. Jacqueline WilsonThe American female myth. Madelon BedellIt is an essential American novel, perhaps the essential American novel for girls Girls come to it on their own. Jane SmileyIn "Little Women", Alcott anticipated realism by twenty or thirty years. G. K. Chesterton

Louisa May Alcott ended Little Women (1868) with the words "So the curtain falls upon Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Whether it ever rises again, depends upon the reception given the first act of the domestic drama called Little Women." It was an immediate commercial and critical success, and readers demanded to know more about the characters. Alcott quickly completed a second volume, Good Wives (1869), and later Little Men (1871)and Jos Boys (1886). The novels follow the lives of the four March sistersMeg, Beth, Jo and Amy, each with a very different character. It has been argued that within Little Women one finds the first vision of the "All-American girl" and that her multiple aspects are embodied in the differing March sisters. But whatever the reason, generations of readers have loved these novels since they were first published.

Jo March es una joven poco convencional y con vocacion por la escritura, que lucha por tomar las riendas de su destino y poder ejercer la profesion que tanto le apasiona, a pesar de ser mujer. Jo y sus hermanos, Amy, Beth y Meg, recorreran el camino hacia la madurez y se enfrentaran a sus primeros amores, la muerte, las presiones sociales y los prejuicios de la burguesia americana conservadora. Una novela en que el optimismo y la fe en la libertad y el amor salen triunfantes.

Very few of even our best writers can compass a book for the young which shall be all that it ought to be, avoiding on the one hand extravagant sentimentality, and a standard so high as to be outside human nature altogether; on the other, vapid silliness which no grown girl can accept as fitting food for her mind at all, and which irritates, as all pretense and make-believe must. Some American books are, perhaps, the best of their kind for the present generation, leaving untouched our old favorites, which, however, have by this time acquired a certain musty and rococo air, and are not quite in harmony with the times. If we might single out one which seems to us perhaps the best of all, it would be An Old-Fashioned Girl. In this American story there is, beside its intrinsic value as work of art, a certain homely practicality and quaintness that lends it a special charm. Their very diction is as amusing to us as its plot, and things which we should write as humorous caricature is set down in the most matter-of-fact sobriety. The characters of this little book are so lifelike, the story is so pleasant, the morality so sound, and the whole tone and treatment so brisk and healthful, that no one can read it without both pleasure and amusement, while its influence over the young would be, we should say, decidedly powerful as well as useful.

"Dear Jo," wrote an old protege of Mr. and Mrs. Bhaers, "here is a case after your own heart. This poor lad is an orphan, sick and friendless. He has been a street musician .... I think there is something in him. Give him a trial." Readers of "Little Women" will re member Jo and his model school at Plumfield, where poor children are taught, not only how to read and to write, but how to amuse and humanize themselves. In this establishment, where each boy has a little garden of his own, a share in a menagerie of small pets, and various privileges not to be found in ordinary schools, poor Nat Wake soon makes himself quite at home ; and in the course of time becomes a great favorite with Aunt Jo and her family of odd boys. Very delightful and very natural is the way in which the social characteristics of these boys is described. We see them at school, at church, in the garden, in the fields learning, praying, working, playing, but always improving from rude, uncared-for waifs into useful and respectable members of society. The object of the book is evidently not so much to show what is, but what might be, done in school-reformatories, orphan asylums, &c. ; and though written especially for American readers, all the suggestions are applicable to parents, guardians, and teachers on every side of the Atlantic ; and if they would just try the experiment supposed to be carried out successfully at Plumfield, they might, after a while, exclaim with motherly Mrs. Jo: "Dear me! If men and women would only trust, help and understand one another as my children do, what a capital place the world would be!"Little Men is one of the very few stories about children that children can really understand and admire, and thar adults can read with both pleasure and profit.

Surely no book has gone forth with a simpler purpose, and just because Little Women is not "preachy" it has found its way to the hearts of its readers. Honest little girls, striving to be good and carry their burdens cheerily, have prized it through generations; it has given them a better grip on the small things of life, which count so much for true happiness; but brightest of all the gems the book contains is the radiance of mother-love which shines through it. The March girls loved their mother, made her their confidante, and turned to her through every trial of their lives; she was companion and friend as well as teacher and guide, and many a girl, and many a mother, has learned a lesson from the beautiful example these " Little Women " have set them. Louisa Alcott wrote many bright and wholesome stories after her "luck child" had found her a corner in the world of fame, but Little Women comes first on the shelf, and in the hearts of her admirers. This edition also includes the sequel to the original Little Women, Good Wives, telling the avid reader of the life of the March girls as young women.

Desde la publicación de «Mujercitas» en 1868, Louisa May Alcott había venido siendo considerada una escritora conservadora de novelas románticas para adolescentes. Sin embargo, en las últimas décadas

A beautiful Christmas story, including a forbidden romance, a ghost, a magic recovery and lots of intrigues.

Delicioso y emotivo relato que narra la historia de la familia March y sus cuatro hijas: los primeros amores de éstas, sus aspiraciones intelectuales, sus conocimientos de música, las labores hechas al calor del hogar y acompañadas por apasionantes lecturas por parte de alguna, y su conversacion fluida, amable y elegante, poniendo gran enfasis en el espiritu de la libertad individual, inusual para una epoca en que la mentalidad estaba dominada por un ideal romantico puritano.

Louise May Alcottek, garai hartako puritanismoaren aurka, heziketa aurrerakoia jaso zuen. Bere familia txiroa zenez, gaztetatik neskame gisa lan egin behar izan zuen. Horrek bultzatu zuen idaztera eta argitalpenen salmentei esker bizimodua ateratzea lortu zuen. 1868an Neskatxak argitaratu zuen, ospea eta dirua ekarri zizkion obra. Norberaren askatasuna eta besteekiko maitasuna aldarrikatzeko asmoz, gazteentzako beste hainbat eleberri idatzi zituen.

Little Women is a coming of age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832 to 1888). Originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, Alcott wrote the book over several months at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives of the four March sistersMeg, Jo, Beth, and Amyand details their passage from childhood to womanhood. Loosely based on the lives of the author and her three sisters, it is classified as an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical novel.

In "A Modern Cinderella; Or, The Little Old Shoe, and Other Stories," Louisa May Alcott weaves a collection of enchanting tales that merge whimsical fantasy with subtle moral lessons. Employing a rich narrative style reminiscent of both fairy tales and the emerging realism of the 19th century, Alcott invites readers into a world where social expectations are challenged, and virtues like kindness and resilience are rewarded. The juxtaposition of traditional Cinderella motifs with modern sensibilities not only reflects the evolving roles of women during her time but also critiques societal norms, making this work a compelling study of gender and class dynamics in the post-Civil War era. Louisa May Alcott, renowned for her seminal work "Little Women," was deeply influenced by her own experiences growing up in a progressive household, where her fathers transcendentalist philosophy and her mothers abolitionist activism shaped her worldview. These formative years instilled in Alcott a profound understanding of the challenges faced by women, propelling her to create stories that inspire empowerment. Her belief in the importance of moral character and individual agency resonates throughout this collection, marking her as a pioneer in womens literature. This collection is highly recommended for those seeking a blend of enchantment and social commentary, as it captures the essence of Alcotts visionary thinking. Readers of all ages will be charmed by the relatable characters and uplifting narratives that challenge the status quo, making it a timeless addition to any literary repertoire.

Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth - four "little women" enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England The charming story of the March sisters, Little Women has been adored by generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand, cried over little Beth's death, and dreamed of traveling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Future writers have found inspiration in Jo's devotion to her writing. In this simple, enthralling tale, both parts of which are included here, Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women. In her enlightening, thoughtful introduction, Elaine Showalter discusses Louisa May Alcott's influences, and her aspirations for Little Women, as well as the impact the novel has had on such women writers as Joyce Carol Oates and Cynthia Ozick.

Un clásico de la literatura juvenil que narra de manera emotiva y exquisita la historia de una familia formada por una madre, la señora March y sus cuatro hijas, Jo, Beth, Meg y Amy, y que tiene como telon de fondo la Guerra de Secesion norteamericana. En esta obra Louisa May Alcott lleva a cabo una bellisima descripcion de caracteres y costumbres, realizando, a un mismo tiempo, una innovacion critica contra el puritanismo y el conservadurismo imperante en la epoca, ensalzando el espiritu de la libertad individual y poniendo de relieve la importancia de la figura femenina en una sociedad que la ha mantenido siempre en un segundo plano.

Meg quiere casarse con un buen hombre y formar una familia; Jo sueña con convertirse en una escritora famosa; Beth se conforma con tener siempre un piano junto a ella con el que poder deleitar a su familia, y Amy esta firmemente decidida a entrar a formar parte de la alta sociedad. Ellas son las hermanas March, cuatro mujercitas en trance de convertirse en adultas, abiertas a la vida y sus complicaciones, en plena educacion sentimental. Esta deliciosa, divertida y emotiva historia, escrita sobre el lienzo de un salon burgues y con el telon de fondo de la guerra de Secesion, es la obra maestra de Lousia May Alcott, un ejemplo incomparable de novela de aprendizaje y un clasico inmortal leido con entusiasmo generacion tras generacion. La autora logro plasmar el crecimiento intelectual y emocional de sus mujercitas desde el espiritu de libertad individual y autenticidad o self-reliance que defendia el trascendentalismo, con una vision tan adelantada a su epoca que aun hoy conserva toda su frescura.

In "Hospital Sketches," Louisa May Alcott offers a poignant and vivid portrayal of life in a Civil War hospital, drawing upon her own experiences as a nurse. Through a series of sketches imbued with both humor and pathos, Alcott explores the challenges faced by medical staff and the resilience of wounded soldiers. The narrative style is both engaging and reflective, blending personal anecdotes with broader social commentary, revealing the emotional and moral complexities of war. Alcotts writing not only serves as a historical document but also critiques the wars brutal realities, capturing the spirit of an era characterized by both suffering and solidarity. Louisa May Alcott, best known for her classic novel "Little Women," was deeply influenced by her familys abolitionist leanings and her own experiences during the Civil War. Volunteering as a nurse provided her with firsthand insights into the horrors of battle and the strength of human compassion. These experiences shaped her narrative voice, emphasizing empathy and social justice, hallmarks of her literary contributions. "Hospital Sketches" is an essential read for those interested in Civil War history, womens roles in medicine, and the literary connections between personal experience and broader societal themes. Alcotts masterful storytelling and evocative prose invite readers to reflect on the lasting impact of war and the resilience of the human spirit.