Little Women

(Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition)

By: Jane Smiley - introduction, Louisa May Alcott

Narrated by: Christina Ricci

Little Women is recognized as one of the best-loved classic children's stories, transcending the boundaries of time and age, making it as popular with adults as it is with young listeners. The beloved story of the March girls is a classic American feminist novel, reflecting the tension between cultural obligation and artistic and personal freedom.

But which of the four March sisters to love best? For every listener must have their favorite. Independent, tomboyish Jo; delicate, loving Beth; pretty, kind Meg; or precocious and beautiful Amy, the baby of the family?

The charming story of these four "little women" and their wise and patient mother, Marmee, enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War-era New England was an instant success when first published in 1868 and has been adored for generations.

Public Domain (P)2012 Penguin Audio

Wish I'd read it sooner!

I’m not sure why I didn’t read Little Women long before now. Maybe it’s because my mom never read it and neither did any of my school friends when I was young. For similar reasons, I never even watched a Little Women adaptation, so really didn’t know much of anything about what it was about. It wasn’t until around last year that I saw some of my friends on Goodreads talking about LW and it occurred to me that I’d never read it and maybe I should give it a chance.

This was a new-to-me classic that I enjoyed very much. The March family was lovable from the start and it was fun to learn the girls’ different personalities and see life and that period of history through their eyes. Some aspects of it reminded me of the Little House on the Prairie series, which was good since I also enjoyed that series a lot, but it was its own unique story. Even the sad part, though it almost made me cry in a public location, was handled so tenderly that it didn’t tarnish she shine of the rest of the story for me.

I actually don’t feel like I have a favorite character because I liked the majority of them for different reasons, though I did have a soft spot for the pearls of wisdom Mrs. March would drop where appropriate.

I am *slightly* conflicted about a certain plot point related to a certain relationship a lot of readers seem to wish had turned out differently. I’m not sure how to talk about this without spoilers, and since I’m not aware of a way to do spoiler code here on Audible, I guess I’ll be vague here: I didn’t hate what happened with that relationship, but also am not sure I’m okay with the attitude Alcott apparently had behind the reason she had this relationship turn out the way it did. I almost wish that if she had that much problem with people wanting these characters to be together, she would have bucked the norm and had character in question not marry at all rather than spite the readers by putting her with someone else. *shrug*

That being the only thing I really had any issues with, though, I’m giving this book 4.5 stars, which rounds up to 5 stars since we can’t do half stars. I really enjoyed it.

On the topic of the audio performance, I thought Christina Ricci did an excellent job. She reads clearly, putting appropriate emotion in her voice where needed, and I also appreciate that she sounds close to the ages the sisters were supposed to be (as apposed to a much older voice actress trying to sound younger, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn’t). She was a great choice of narrator for this story.

Great tale

Alcott's tale is a classic worthy of your time. Ricci's reading of it is good, although sometimes it sounds awkward, especially in its version of Hannah and Mr. Bhaer.

Overall enjoyed this classic

It was a slow start to get me engaged in this book and I found the voices irritating at the beginning. I’ve never read this book or seen the movie so I had no preconceptions. About halfway through I finally connected with the characters and loved all the hidden truths and wisdoms of life that stand the test of time.

Oh I loved it

How a book that was published in 1868 is still so relevant. Everyone should read this book. It’s beautiful and has so many lessons that need to taught and applied to life.

Such a beautiful story, 10 out of 10!

I love it so much, this was so great. And CR did such an incredible job reading this. I had no idea she would be this great to listen to.

An American Classic, Made New

Last Christmas, I had a craving for some pre-consumer culture American literature. A friend suggested Little Women. I was working on a big art project at the time, so I put on my headphones and let Christina Ricci read to me. For days.

I think Christina Ricci was a good choice for this book. At times, I felt that a teenaged niece or neighbor was reading to me. While I appreciated her frank modern dialect and total lack of trying to sound historic, she did miss some of the old cadence and seemed to misunderstand some of the old expressions. Overall though, her read was very sweet and very fitting for the subjects.

I had a very minor technical issue throughout: there were a lot of pickups (probably because of mispronunciations) and the audio quality was very different with them, so with good quality headphones it was a little jarring at times.

Also, this is a very long book. If you're like me, you'll want a little time away from the Marsh family by the end of it. But it was a very good way to pass the holidays.

Best Book Best Story Line. A true classi

what a wonderfully written book and a wonderful story. I just couldnt get enough and will read again. a must read for all girls

Wholesome goodness.

A good wholesome story, enjoyed reading/listening with my 6th grader for school. The narrator was a little high pitch.

Lovely story

I loved the movie, so it's no surprise that I loved the book too. I just wish that the narrator used different voices for the characters, or at least the male ones. It was kind of confusing to have everyone sound exactly the same. Otherwise she was a great narrator.

Stunning reading, Ricci does not disappoint.

I love this audio version of the beloved novel. I can not recommend Christina Ricci’s performance enough. Simply splendid. Will enjoy again and again.