Little Men (Little Women, #2) in Reading the Classics

Sep 23, 2009 Moira rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2009-50-new-books-challenge

I think the last time I read this book was about in 1989 and was surprised at how much of it I remembered. It is rag-tag and episodic, as the author herself freely admits, but genuinely involving. It gets dreadfully sentimental at many points, but so does Dickens. To a modern reader, or at any rate this one, it's interesting how much of it is an apologia for her father and his educational theories (famously his school was closed down; after Louisa's novel became best-seller, his own Record of a I think the last time I read this book was about in 1989 and was surprised at how much of it I remembered. It is rag-tag and episodic, as the author herself freely admits, but genuinely involving. It gets dreadfully sentimental at many points, but so does Dickens. To a modern reader, or at any rate this one, it's interesting how much of it is an apologia for her father and his educational theories (famously his school was closed down; after Louisa's novel became best-seller, his own Record of a School was republished to take advantage of her popularity), altho Louisa wisely skips over most of their actual content and focuses more on the entertaining day-to-day activities of the children. I still really like Nat, Dan and Nan, found Daisy and Demi creepy (sort of a G-rated version of 'Tis Pity She's a Whore), and Bess the Princess horrifying. Jo is less sympathetic than she was in the earlier March book(s) because she's been thoroughly domesticated -- she is the 'mother' to the dozen or so boys and takes care of their emotional needs, as well as moralizing a lot -- and married off to Bronson's alter ego, Professor Bhaer, who of course does all the educating, at tedious length.

'Naughty Nan' remains my favourite character; she's like an even wilder and unliterary Jo, and it is sad to see her tamed from being a tomboy (in one especially awful sequence she strikes out on her own and gets lost during an outing and is punished by being tethered to a chair the whole rest of the day afterwards, as Jo had been punished for 'running away' by her own mother in her youth). IIRC in the last book she doesn't get married at all and becomes a doctor, and thus Louisa rewards the two characters we most identify her with: Jo finds extreme domestic bliss despite her early rebellion and writing, and Nan remains independent with a respected career. It's sad to contrast their ends with the actual life of their creator, forced to turn out domestic potboilers to support her extended family and dying just days after her beloved, dotty despot, Bronson Alcott.

Possibly next I'll read some of her Gothic thrillers, altho I don't know exactly where they are in the house. Amusingly enough Little Women, like Catcher in the Rye, To Kill a Mockingbird, Jane Eyre, and a few other cherished childhood books, is always in reach of my bedside. ...more

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Jan 18, 2010 Tania rated it really liked it

The delightful continuation of the story that began with Little Women and four sisters who were completely different, and yet dedicated to a life of family and love. In Little Men, Jo and her husband are running a boarding school from their house. Their students are both from known families and orphans from the street, and we watch how the love and care they shower on the children makes a big difference in each life. It's a gentle read, never any incredible action but just an unfolding of lives ...more

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