Having just seen the lovely new movie version of Little Women starring Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Emma Watson as Meg, Florence Pugh as Amy, Eliza Scanlen as Beth and Laura Dern as Marmee and Meryl Streep as Aunt March, I decided to go back and reread Little Women by Louisa May Alcott.
The book was first published in two volumes in in 1968 and 1869 and was a surprising success even to Alcott herself. When asked by the publisher of her short stories to write a story about girls, Alcott replied she only knew about life with her three sisters.
The book was a well received by young women and girls and the rest is history. It is beautifully written and is an endearing tale of love and family devotion.
As for the movie, I enjoyed the freshness of the characters but I'm not sure why the director chose a non-linear path for the film. Someone unfamiliar with the story would be confused to see Beth several scenes after she dies.
Saoirse Ronan is the perfect Jo. She is impatient, energetic and flamboyant. If I hadn't seen the credits I would not have recognized Emma Watson as Meg. Hermoine has grown up.
If you haven't seen the newest version of Little Women, take a young woman you know to see it. You'll be glad you did.
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