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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Interesting - but not my favorite. I thought there were just too many coincidences in this story to make it plausible.
I enjoyed it. It was another look into the aftermath of the civil war that I only recently became more aware of.
DNF- Doesn't seem to hold my attention. I keep finding myself skipping paragraphs. Doesn't seem like an authentic representation of Mr. March. Does a good job replicating writing style of late 1800s.
The father from the Marh family writes letters home during his time in the Civil War and reflects on his experiences.
The father from the Marh family writes letters home during his time in the Civil War and reflects on his experiences.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I admit, I spent the first half of this book (which I actually read for a class) trying to figure out why Brooks decided to use "Little Women" as a context for her book. Eventually, I found it didn't really matter--not because the book can or should stand by itself (it probably can, but it needn't), but because I was really most interested in the little bits of information about Jo, or Meg, or Amy, or Beth that were scattered throughout their father's narration. The historical detail in March is interesting, but as I read it, I felt it needed a broader canvas. It's supposed to be the intimate first-person perspective of one man, a man confronted with his own (mostly internal and ethical) reactions to the Civil War, but I found myself totally ambivalent toward him. On later review, I came to the conclusion I was supposed to feel a little bitter toward him, and I suspect Brooks wrote the book with a feminist slant.
It was only when Marmee's perspective suddenly jumped into the narrative toward the end of the book that I felt truly engaged by the novel, and it wasn't that I was more interested in Marmee's thoughts, or that I was already inclined to be sympathetic toward her because of "Little Women," it was that Marmee's perspective contradicted her husband's.
I was quite satisfied with the way the book ended, but I think the fact that the book absolutely cannot do without Marmee's brief first-person perspective highlights a larger structural problem.
It was only when Marmee's perspective suddenly jumped into the narrative toward the end of the book that I felt truly engaged by the novel, and it wasn't that I was more interested in Marmee's thoughts, or that I was already inclined to be sympathetic toward her because of "Little Women," it was that Marmee's perspective contradicted her husband's.
I was quite satisfied with the way the book ended, but I think the fact that the book absolutely cannot do without Marmee's brief first-person perspective highlights a larger structural problem.
I (embarrassingly) have actually never read Little Women but was nonetheless moved by this novel, especially by the chapters from Marmee's perspective. The poignancy of missed communication between spouses is not lost today. An interesting lens into the Civil War. Would recommend!
It started slow but picked up towards the middle
It could be read as a stand alone book but knowing the story of Little Women would help
It could be read as a stand alone book but knowing the story of Little Women would help
I found March rather self-indulgent in his narration of the story. I felt he placed too much importance on himself and the effect he had on others. I think my dislike for March resulted in me not really enjoying the book.
Remember Mr. March from Little Women? This book tells his story, a story only alluded to in Little Women. Mr. March is husband to Marmee and father to Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. For the better part of Little Women, the reader doesn’t know much about him because he is away serving as a chaplain for the Union forces in the Civil War. The little that is known of him comes mostly from the loving, encouraging letters he sends home to his wife and daughters.
With this little slip of a novel (only 273 pages), Geraldine Brooks picks up what Little Women leaves out, telling an engaging and heartbreaking story from Mr. March’s perspective. While Little Women is idealistic, romanticized and hopeful, March is raw and real. Mr. March bears witness to a gruesome war fought mostly in hand-to-hand combat and rife with disease and suffering. He does not come out unscathed. Who could? The book lays open Mr. March’s internal struggle over his personal inadequacies and failings which plague his thoughts and every decision he makes.
The book explores why it can be so hard for people who love each other to be honest with each other. How protecting loved ones by telling partial truths and hiding personal failings only serves to alienate and and cripple relationships. These characters are fictional and this story took place long ago, but Brooks captures something true here that could be said of any marriage or relationship in any age.
PS The movie, Little Women, is coming out soon and appears to be loaded with talented actors. Who is planning to see it?
With this little slip of a novel (only 273 pages), Geraldine Brooks picks up what Little Women leaves out, telling an engaging and heartbreaking story from Mr. March’s perspective. While Little Women is idealistic, romanticized and hopeful, March is raw and real. Mr. March bears witness to a gruesome war fought mostly in hand-to-hand combat and rife with disease and suffering. He does not come out unscathed. Who could? The book lays open Mr. March’s internal struggle over his personal inadequacies and failings which plague his thoughts and every decision he makes.
The book explores why it can be so hard for people who love each other to be honest with each other. How protecting loved ones by telling partial truths and hiding personal failings only serves to alienate and and cripple relationships. These characters are fictional and this story took place long ago, but Brooks captures something true here that could be said of any marriage or relationship in any age.
PS The movie, Little Women, is coming out soon and appears to be loaded with talented actors. Who is planning to see it?