Little Women

I was nine years old when I first read "Little Women" by Louise May Alcott.   I was smitten, and since then I lost count of the times I've re-read it.  And the other books in the series too.

It reminds me of those cosy old Sunday movies, the ones with the happy endings, where love always triumphs in the end, where girls wear ribbons in their hair and long swishy skirts, and the men are gentlemen and wear gloves and hats and open doors and ask yo to dance. 

In turn I've wanted to be Meg and be domestic and responsible, I've always imagined her in her little house with her Brooke and her children, a kitchen with pretty curtains and a basket full of embroidery near the fireplace. 

I've envied Beth's goodness and kindness, and how everybody loved her for this.   And I also  so wished I was as pretty and sophisticated as Amy, and be able to paint beautifully and travel around Europe visiting museums and walking French parks.

But in the end it was always Jo who captured my imagination.  The fire in her soul, her determination, her breaking the conventions of society.  There's a rebel in each one of us - or at least we'd like to thing so!  We ride and never worry about the fall I guess thats just the cowboy in us all, sings rightly Tim McGraw).  And I've always wanted her to marry Laurie (am I alone in this?).  Jo - unconsciously - inspired my choices growing up.  Leaving home, settling far away from the family and from what was expected to a good Italian, Catholic girl in the 80's.

I don't know why I started collecting copies of this book.  I guess I wanted to hold on to the dreams I've always had reading it.   I want to feel cosy and worry-free like the 9 year old I once was.

Shouldn't we start wearing Cameos and ribbons in our hair again?

Comments

[Beth]

Ahhh! Someone else with this sickness :) I have several copies of Little Women, the rest of that series and Alcott's other books too - Rose in Bloom, A Garland for Girls, etc.

I just can't resist them! Anytime I see a beautiful old copy of any of her books on the shelf at a thrift shop or at a yardsale I have to bring it home. Have to! It doesn't matter if I already have it (or two copies of it) the more the merrier.

I spent my childhood pegging my best friends into the sisters' characters - who was most like Meg? or Jo? Although my name is Beth, I identified with Amy, the artist. Nowadays I feel the beauty of Meg's simple domesticity and yet struggle, like Jo, with patience and propriety.

My most treasured copy of Little Women? My Grandmother's, of course.

Now, here's my big confession. Almost every year I have a bit of a ritual - I re-read Little Women and then watch every version of the movie, starting with Katherine Hepburn as Jo, then June Allyson and Elizabeth Taylor, then finishing up with Winona. I then have the same debate over which movie I prefer and every time I decide I love the second (June Allyson) best for how well it sticks to the book, but I am torn every time by the lush detail in the last (and Gabriel Byrne as the Professor - Yum)

*ahem* you know those moments where you've been talking enthusiatically about something and suddenly realize you aren't cool? yeah.... ;)

[Megan]

My mother named me Meg after Little Women's Meg. She only used Megan because she thought Meg wasn't a full name, but to my family I am only ever called Meg. And do you know what? I've never read the book. I don't know why.

[Ali]

Love that book. One of my sadnesses about only having boys is never getting to read it to my daughter.

And I've always been Jo and nothing else (I thought everyone was?)

[capello]

i have never read little women. please, don't hate me, i've just never been given the opportunity.

[linda]

You have the neatest collections. First jugs, then this! How sweet. I actually haven't read Little Women either, but I've seen the movie, does that count? I loved watching Little House on the Prairie when I was little and have thought that living way back then would be wonderful. Then I remember how they didn't have air-conditioning...

[Alex]

What a sweet post... and what a nice collection. LOVE your tradition!
I never read the book but have the movie with June Allyson at home and start watching it at the beginning of December as a part of my very own Christmas tradition ;-)

[kirsten]

ah, this book is an old friend of mine, too, and there is nothing better than reading a vintage copy of it!
it's a frequent re-read for me - and i love reading that first chapter in December - maybe this year i'll read it to my daughter.

[Anastasia]

I love this story!! your collection is fabulous and I can tototaly relate to your wanting to buy every copy!!!