In case anyone finished part 1 of Little Women early and wants to go ahead and start discussing, here's the next thread.

I haven't finished it (by any means) but did read Ch.13 last night.  I finished our first section with praises for this book, but was almost bored to tears last night.  Maybe the Rig-marole game was something you had to be there to appreciate.  :)  I know there were definite signs of things to come involving guy/girl stuff, but other than that I'm not sure I saw the purpose for this chapter.  Maybe I need to look over it again, and sift for some nuggets.  ??  Or maybe I'll just continue in the hope that the next chapter is better. 

I think my favorite chapter in this section is #22-'Pleasant Meadows.'  It is Christmas Day, one year later.  I like the observations that Mr. March gives of his four daughters.  Each one has shown that she has grown up a bit since he has left.  I think that the girls did mature a lot when Marmee went to Washington and the girls were left on their own.  Realizing that they may lose someone (or more than one) person they loved caused them to change their outlook on life.  This is especially the case with Amy and her living away from the doting family and with Aunt March.

I am seeing more of the guy/girl stuff as well.  The teasing, blushing, and insecurity.  Ah.. teenagers!  

:)

Deb

Last night after I read a few chapters, I couldn't believe I was at Ch.16.  I didn't think I could've read that many chapters that night, so I went back to check and sure enough, I'd completely skipped Chapter 13.  I'm amazed that I could skip an entire chapter and not even realize it.  The story flowed just fine.  I guess many of the chapters are complete little stories by themselves.  I think I'll use the ribbon bookmark that is part of the book from now on.  :)

I liked the Christmas-one-year-later too, it was really sweet and satisfying to see how all the girls had changed over the year.  I loved it when Meg stood up to her aunt, because she usually tries to be ladylike, but there she just couldn't keep quiet!

Of all the girls, I think Amy is my favorite so far.  She's so funny and even though she's a bit vain and immature on the surface she's still basically sweet.

It just hit me as I was reading this post...anyone else read Prodigal Summer by Kingsolver?  She used four daughters w/ different personalities as her protaganists, just like  Alcott in LW!  Don't know why I didn't see it before...maybe because I'd never read LW.

No.  Is that a good one?  (Do they each tell the story through their eyes the way the females did in The Poisonwood Bible?)

Ooops...I meant the Poisonwood Bible.  Sorry. Teresa; I got so excited about making a reading connection.  Do you see any similarities in LW and PBible? 

PSummer is good...told through different viewpoints of people who are connected somehow and they each have a different take on taking care of the environment and the circle of life.

Hmm... now that I think about it the youngest girl in Poisonwood Bible (I forget her name) was kind of like Amy (i.e. the prettiest, thought she was more sophisticated & grown-up than she was etc)

It's been quite a while since I read it, but I do remember it was told entirely from the females' point of view.  The girls all had different personalities the way the March girls do, but they each actually told their story first person in alternating chapters.  (So the style of the novel was different in that way.)  I'd have to go back and see if any of the characters match up with Little Women.  (Darn!  I was hoping there was another Kingsolver book about a family of "little women" to look into.)

I have decided to drop out of this discussion group and finish the book on my own.  I am a bit disappointed in the way this is organized (it appears that we only are disussing the first half of the book and not the rest.)  This is surprising, as Howard's End went well. 

I think having discussion groups for books is a good idea, but I am frustrated with this one.  Maybe people are too busy, maybe they don't like the book (I know that a few people have dropped out for these reasons) but rather than continue waiting for others to be interested in carrying on a conversation, I think I will leave as well.

Will "unwatch" these topics now, but wish everyone who continues a good read.

Deb

I think this is just a very busy time of year for everyone. I've enjoyed reading the comments so far, though!

I have to admit, I haven't finished part 2 yet.  I'll be back when I do so or for the final part.  It's just difficult finding time to read w/ the seasonal activities. 

I'm sorry you're disappointed, Deborah.  I didn't take part in the previous discussion, so I can't compare.  I hope you enjoy the rest of the book.

I am dropping out of the discussion group as well.  The book just couldn't hold my interest.  I thought for sure Amy's whining would have caused her to fracture her jaw bone and end up mute for several months.  Alas, not a chance.

The part where her mom reveals John Brooks intentions to her was interesting.  She sees Jo as growing up, or she would never have taken her into her confidence, but Jo struggles because she doesn't want anything to change.  Suddenly she's been given information of what the future will hold and there's not a thing she can do to prevent it from happening.

I've always found that to be a poignant scene. For all her bluster and take-charge personality, Jo is very vulnerable. She often seems, in the first part of the book, to feel totally unequipped to grow up and deal with the changes that requires. Maybe that's why Professor Bhaer seems like a good choice for a mate for her--as an older man, he was able to help her continue her path to adulthood after Beth's death pushed her along the way.

I thought for sure Amy's whining would have caused her to fracture her jaw bone and end up mute for several months.

LOL! Amy is my least favorite March sister, that's for sure. I think that's why I was disappointed she ended up with Laurie--he deserved better. It seemed like her personality was very vividly drawn when she was a child, but she becomes more elusive and not as clearly drawn as an adult.

Hmmm, I actually prefer Amy to all the sisters but Jo.  I like how she asserts herself with Laurie when they meet in Europe.  She pushes him to be the best version of himself, the way Jo used to, but is more sympathetic where Jo was always more brusque.