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My enjoyment rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Personal Copy
Book Challenge: What's in a Name: Life Stage (Old & Girl)
Polly Milton first visits her “city” cousins when she is an adolescent. Often teased for her “country” and old fashioned ways, Polly must maintain her sense of self even in the midst of relatives and their unfamiliar, sophisticated ways.
Many years later, Polly returns to her urban setting, this time as a music teacher. Her relatives still consider her old fashioned, but her standards, maturity and independence prepare her for the trials she will face, and endear her to a certain beau – but not the one the reader expects!
Louisa May Alcott, in spite of writing during the 19th century – explores very modern and timeless topics: unemployment, economic discrepancy, physical separation from loved ones, family, and romance. She also writes fluidly, without the denseness of writes of her time.
Polly was such kind, selfless, and genuinely real character. A young woman determined to maintain her ideals, her morals, and use them to attain her dreams.
The only disappointing part of this book was the ending. After a marvelously crafted family saga and romance, the author short changed us on Polly’s romantic future.
Overall, though, this was a delightful book.
This one looks good to me-I keep meaning to retread Little Women but I think I would like anything by Alcott.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one by Alcott. Too bad about the ending. I hate when that happens!
ReplyDeleteWithout giving away the exact ending, did you not like who Polly ended up with, or how she ended up with him? I thought the ending seemed a bit rushed but otherwise I agree that it covered a lot of current topics. I agree too about Alcott's writing not being as dense (certainly Dickens is dense!)
ReplyDeleteI blogged on this book as well, you can read it here: (2 posts)
http://louisamayalcottismypassion.wordpress.com/2011/10/02/a-continuing-discussion-on-an-old-fashioned-girl/
and
http://louisamayalcottismypassion.wordpress.com/2011/10/09/controversy-wrapped-in-sentiment-louisa-may-alcotts-genius/