Little Women

LOUSIA MAY ALCOTT was born in Pennsylvania in 1832 the second of four daughters. After a period of serving as an army nurse she published HOSPITAL SKETCHES in 1863 followed by Gothic Romances and lurid thrillers. In 1868-9 she published LITTLE WOMEN which proved so popular that it was followed by two sequels and several other novels. She died in 1888. <p>This Penguin Classics edition of Louisa May Alcott's inspiring tale of sisterhood <i>Little Women</i> is edited with an introduction by Elaine Showalter.<br><br>The charming story of four 'little women' - Meg Jo Amy and Beth - and their wise and patient mother Marmee was an instant success when first published in 1868. Enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England the March sisters have been adored for generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand cried over little Beth's death and dreamed of travelling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Future writers have found inspiration in Jo's devotion to her writing. In this simple enthralling tale both parts of which are included here Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women. <br><br>In her enlightening thoughtful introduction Elaine Showalter discusses Louisa May Alcott's influences and her aspirations for <i>Little Women</i> as well as the impact the novel has had on such women writers as Joyce Carol Oates and Cynthia Ozick. This edition also includes notes on the text by Siobhan Kilfeather and Vinca Showalter.<br><br>Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) grew up surrounded by American writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau. Drawing on her experience as a volunteer nurse in the Union Army during the American Civil War she published <i>Hospital Sketches</i> in 1863 followed by gothic romances and lurid thrillers such as <i>A Modern Mephistopheles</i> and <i>A Long Fatal Love Chase</i>. In 1868 she published <i>Little Women</i> which proved so popular that it was followed by two sequels.<br><br>If you enjoyed <i>Little Women</i> you might like Elizabeth Gaskell's <i>Wives and Daughters</i> also available in Penguin Classics.</p> <p>This Penguin Classics edition of Louisa May Alcott's inspiring tale of sisterhood <i>Little Women</i> is edited with an introduction by Elaine Showalter.<br><br>The charming story of four 'little women' - Meg Jo Amy and Beth - and their wise and patient mother Marmee was an instant success when first published in 1868. Enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England the March sisters have been adored for generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo's hand cried over little Beth's death and dreamed of travelling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Future writers have found inspiration in Jo's devotion to her writing. In this simple enthralling tale both parts of which are included here Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature's most beloved women. <br><br>In her enlightening thoughtful introduction Elaine Showalter discusses Louisa May Alcott's influences and her aspirations for <i>Little Women</i> as well as the impact the novel has had on such women writers as Joyce Carol Oates and Cynthia Ozick. This edition also includes notes on the text by Siobhan Kilfeather and Vinca Showalter.<br><br>Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) grew up surrounded by American writers such as Ralph Waldo Emerson Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau. Drawing on her experience as a volunteer nurse in the Union Army during the American Civil War she published <i>Hospital Sketches</i> in 1863 followed by gothic romances and lurid thrillers such as <i>A Modern Mephistopheles</i> and <i>A Long Fatal Love Chase</i>. In 1868 she published <i>Little Women</i> which proved so popular that it was followed by two sequels.<br><br>If you enjoyed <i>Little Women</i> you might like Elizabeth Gaskell's <i>Wives and Daughters</i> also available in Penguin Classics.</p> &quot;The American female myth.&quot;<br>—Madelon Bedell <b>Playing Pilgrims</b><br><br><br>&quot;Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents&quot;grumbled Jo lying on the rug.<br><br>&quot;It's so dreadful to be poor!&quot;sighed Meg looking down at her old dress.<br><br>&quot;I don't think it's fair for some girls to have lots of pretty things and other girls nothing at all&quot; added little Amy with an injured sniff.<br><br>&quot;We've got father and mother and each other anyhow&quot;said Beth contentedly from her corner.<br><br>The four young faces on which the firelight shone brightened at the cheerful words but darkened again as Jo said sadly?<br><br>&quot;We haven't got father and shall not have him for a long time.&quot; She didn't say &quot;perhaps never&quot;but each silently added it thinking of father far away where the fighting was.<br><br>Nobody spoke for a minute; then Meg said in an altered tone &quot;You know the reason mother proposed not having any presents this Christmas was because it's going to be a hard winter for every one; and she thinks we ought not to spend money for pleasure when our men are suffering so in the army. We can't do much but we can make our little sacrifices and ought to do it gladly. But I am afraid I don't;&quot;and Megshook her head as she thought regretfully of all the pretty things she wanted.<br><br>&quot;But I don't think the little we should spend would do any good. We've each got a dollar and the army wouldn't be much helped by our giving that. I agree not to expect anything from mother or you but I do want to buy <b>Undine and Sintram</b> for myself; I've wanted it so long'said Jo who was a bookworm.<br><br>&quot;I planned to spend mine in new music&quot;said Beth with a little sigh which no one heard but the hearth-brush and kettle-holder.<br><br>&quot;I shall get a nice box of Faber's drawing pencils; I really need them&quot; said Amy decidedly.<br><br>&quot;Mother didn't say anything about our money and she won't wish us to give up everything. Let's each buy what we want and have a little fun; I'm sure we grub hard enough to earn it&quot;cried Jo examining the heels of her<br>boots in a gentlemanly manner.<br><br>&quot;I know I do teaching those dreadful children nearly all day when I'm longing to enjoy myself at home&quot; began Meg in the complaining tone again.<br><br>&quot;You don't have half such a hard time as I do&quot; said Jo. &quot;How would you like to be shut up for hours with a nervous fussy old lady who keeps you trotting is never satisfied and worries you till you''e ready to fly out of the window or box her ears?&quot;<br><br>&quot;It's naughty to fret but I do think washing dishes and keeping things tidy is the worst work in the world. It makes me cross; and my hands get so stiff I can't practise good a bit.&quot; And Beth looked at her rough hands with a sigh that any one could hear that time.<br><br>&quot;I don't believe any of you suffer as I do&quot; cried Amy; &quot;for you don't have to go to school with impertinent girls who plague you if you don't know your lessons and laugh at your dresses and label your father if he isn't rich and insult you when your nose isn't nice.&quot;<br><br>&quot;If you mean libel I'd say so and not talk about labels as if pa was a pickle-bottle&quot; advised Jo laughing.