I really don't know how to begin to explain my love for this book. I first read it when I was about eight or nine years old, and fell in love with it. Every once in a while I feel like rereading it again. I'm never tired of it. So I will do my best to explain why do I love this book so much, even if I know that some of its morals are puritanical and old fashioned. I live in another country, another century and in a completely different society, but there is something about the March sisters that makes me feel as if they were as alive as I am now.



Maybe my favorite thing about this book are the characters. From the very first chapter, Alcott manages to portray them lively and real. Their first lines show exactly who they are and how they see life. Every time I read the first scene, I feel like I'm there, waiting for Christmas to come and missing dad. I can even feel the warmth of the chimney.

Meg, today, is kind of a weird character. She's there to show how girls should behave and, in the second part, how to be a sensible and good wife. So, yes, she seems old fashioned and out-dated. But there's still some moments in which I think everyone can relate to this girl. When she goes to stay at the Moffat's house and acts plain silly, for example. I bet that most people have felt like that. Wanting to fit in a place or between some people and acting in a way you know is awful. And Laurie got to be the one who scolded her, for a chance. I also love her trying to make jelly and failing miserably (my mother has a similar story). And her whole relationship with good old John is just too sweet. I really loved her when she discovered her love for him after aunt March's intrusion. Hey, she did have som spunk in her. Well done, Margaret!

A dear friend described herself as "a Jo trying to be a Beth". Maybe we all should try to be like little Beth. She was the soul of the family even more than Marmee was. And her relationship with Mr. Laurence! She trying to be brave and go to practise in their piano was incredible. (Bonus poins for Mr. Laurence, for letting his door open to hear Beth without her knowing, and to Laurie, for guarding the door to avoid anyone interrupting his friend —and scaring the poor girl). And her decision to make him a pair of slippers was adorable, as well as him giving her a new piano. Beth was amazing in that part, too. She was painfully shy, but she nevertheless tried to conquer her fears and go to give Mr. Laurence her thanks in person. I simply adored that.

Amy doesn't get much love from most of the readers of this novel. Yes, she's terribly vain and superficial at first, but everyone forgets how much she changes from the beginning of the novel to the end. At first, we meet a girl who is utterly concerned about the shape of her nose, buying limes to fit in with her classmates and being a proper lady, whatever that means (and that can be explained by her being petted by everyone she meets). I think that those defects aren't as bad as the revengeful character she showed when burning Jo's book, anyway. And she does outgrow those flaws. She realises that there are things that are much more important than appearances and actually stops being so conceited. Actually, that's what makes her such a good match for Laurie. She can help him stay with his feet on the ground. And we can't forget her testament and her fears about not being good enough.

Also, I'll say that one of my favorite parts in the entire book is when Amy and Jo go to make calls. It's funny how often the two are contrasted, but they have similar characters. They both had bad tempers, as shown in the infamous book/theater/skating affair. Amy's rage was somewhat cold, while Jo's is obviously hot.

Laurie is another one I adore. His devotion for the four March sisters is heartwarming. He cares for them as if they were his own sisters. And I like how he was always trying to lighten the mood when things got intense in the house. Besides, even in his silly phase, he still had the sisters' best interests in mind. He'd drop everything he was doing to help them one way or another. And his puppy-love for Jo was sweet, even if he kept insisting a long after she said no. But in the end, he sees sense and marries little Amy, who is probably a much better choice than Jo.

Another character I adore is Professor Bhaer, and how he helped Jo to fulfill her dreams. He was adorable in his own way, quite different from Laurie's. His kindness with children and the way in which he treated everyone made me fall for him as hard as Jo did. His proposal is one the sweetest things I've read. Him telling Jo that his hands are empty and her answering "Not now" is one of my favorite moments ever.

Mr. and Mrs. March are also amazing. They both show how they care about their girls and are always there to guide them. Parenthood, you're doing it right!

I left Jo for the end, because she's my favorite character ever. When people ask me which literary character identifies me most, I always answer "Jo March". We both are tomboyish, love books and live to write. And I have a similar dreadful temper. After rescuing Amy from drowning, Marmee tells her:

"Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault."

I've always felt that those words could apply to me as (and to almost everyone, I'm sure about that). I try to keep them in mind when I feel that I'm going to lose my temper (what, shamefully, still happens pretty often. I'm still trying to get better). I see myself in Jo and her actions. I can get as absorbed as her when it comes to my books or my writing. And I love my family as much as she does. I'd do anything for them and to avoid them any damage.

In the end, Little Women is not about an amazing plot or a heroine trying to save the world. It's about three sisters, their love for each other and the lessons they learn. It has taught me a number of lessons about character, love and friendship, and I'm sure it will be doing so for many years to come.