Cover to Cover 2

One of my favourite classical writers is Louisa May Alcott. I must have just started secondary school when I first read Little Women and its sequel Good Wives. I’m a stickler for reading books in order, but I’ve never been able to borrow a copy of Jo’s Boys (the third book in the series) to read, so although Little Men (the fourth book) crossed my path a few times, I never bothered to read it. Therefore, my liking for the books is based entirely on the impression that the first two books gave my young impressionable mind.

The plot surrounds four sisters; the March girls and their character flaws that they have to overcome: Margaret (Meg)’s vanity, Josephine (Jo)’s hot temper, Elizabeth (Beth)’s shyness and Amy’s selfishness. And as usual, there is a boy; by the name of Theodore “Laurie” Laurence, their rich next-door neighbour.

I particularly loved Jo’s character (related to her quite a bit) and was devastated when she did not accept Laurie’s marriage proposal and he ended up with her youngest sister and she ended up with Professor Bhaer! And Beth’s death will surely bring a tear to even the coldest of hearts, as Meg’s marriage to John Brooke and the birth of their twins will give hope to those who’ve lost it.

These two books are definite must-reads for all teenage girls.