Louisa May Alcott`s Little Men – BOOK REVIEW

AUTHOR: MADA B.

“It takes so little to make a child happy that it is a pity, in a world so full of sunshine and pleasant things, that there should be any wistful faces, empty hands, or lonely little hearts.”

- LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, Little Men

I want to begin this review by saying that Little Men is so underrated, overlooked sequel to our beloved Little Women. Personally I prefer Little Men cuz is a book that you can read it on every season from Autumn to Winter to Spring and Summer. I personally recommend you to read it on Autumn time cuz is so full of autumn vibe from the harvest to the Thanksgiving celebration. I never quite understood why this book is not popular enough... maybe is because people don't know that many about it cuz there are not that many screen adaptations? Shame, cuz has so many potential and so many life lessons that are so good for children nowadays.

Little Men is the sort of book I turn to when the world looks so blank, especially on this pandemic, just to remind me that as long as Mother Bhaer and Father Bhaer are watching over Plumfield, life can be full of beauty, compassion, goodness and life-giving treasure.

The way that Alcott describe the characters is one of the things that I love about this book. For example, the first chapter is about Nat short from Nataniel Blake. At twelve years of age, Nat was discovered by Mr. Laurence and brought to Plumfield. He had been living as a street musician. Although he has a habit of lying and, at first, was far behind the others in school, he is thoughtful, caring, and talented and quickly become one of Mrs. Jo`s favorite.

Both Mrs. Bhaer and Mr. Bhaer have a unique way too teach this children. They treat all of them equally even through they are not blood related some of them are orphaned, homeless, or physically and mentally challenged. This book show what challenges they are facing and how they try to resolve some of this challenges. The way Louisa May Alcott describes the events is so true to life and full of innocence.

Honestly, I cried at some chapters, for example at the Home again when Dan (first introduced as a neglected 14 old orphan) after breaking all the rules of the school, he is sent away but eventually comes back. And the way he address to Mrs. Jo, "Mother Bhaer, I've come home," sends through to the heart every time.

Another lovely fact about this book is that some of the girls are made similar to Jo`s personality. For example Nan, a charming presence, very much like Jo when she was at her age. She is an intelligent and fearless girl who was first introduced on Naughty Nan chapter. She is funny sometimes but also very mature for her age. Is one of the characters that makes a big difference on Plumfield school. A school not only for boys but also for girls.

The book also teach important lessons that can be applied even on the modern days. One of the lessons refers to Plumfield as a place where boys and girls are equal. And this reflect on the way Mrs. Jo address this matter. She thinks that if men and women would only trust, understand, and help one another as her children the world would be much better place "as her flock at Plumfield".

Mother Bhaer's character is describe as a very wise woman but also funny on some occasion for example flying kites in the field and climbing up the willow tree. I admire her because she is such a strong woman, from the girl on Little Women to the heroine of my womanhood on Little Men. On this book Louisa May Alcott show Jo`s development through the years as a grown woman and what complications she might have on her journey at the lovely Plumfield school. Is not easy for her to have so many children with so many difficult pasts but she manage to get through all this with faith and patience.

Little Men is a book about how the boys of Plumfield learned and loved and grew by the lessons Mrs. Bhaer and Mr. Bhaer give them. They learn to deny themselves and live for greater purposes than temptation offers (for example Dan who was so lost at the beginning but eventually he understands where his heart trully is and comes back at Plumfield). They learn about sympathy and love about faith and undertanding one and other.

We really need more books like this.

I hope you enjoyed this personal review of #LouisaMayAlcott's Little Men. I'd love to hear your thoughts please drop a comment below if you want and we can discuss this more forward. Have a blessed day and thank you for visiting TWIN MINDS OF CLASSICS.

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