I'm a day late with this discussion post, I know, and I apologise. I should have been able to make my post yesterday only that I had a guest over and was busy the whole day.
As I mentioned before, I'm really enjoying my ride through Alcott's Little Women. Sometime last week, I came across a blogger who found she could not finish this book since she found it too good and sweet. I suppose one could make a complaint of that. But for some reason, this does not seem to bother me. I feel like I'm getting a glimpse into a way of life of ordinary folk during Alcott's time. And sometimes one needs to read something that isn't depressing. I do find myself wondering, though, about Alcott's state of mind or views about women at this point. I still find it so hard to believe, while reading Little Women, that she also wrote Behind a Mask (an amazing little novel by the way…powerful!). However, I will leave this thought for another day, and move on to a quick summation of my feelings on the next eight chapters I've read for this read-along.
I love how this novel is episodic in nature and so detailed. There is so much we learn about each character and we grow to love them for themselves….even Amy! While each episode seems to have a moral attached to it, I find that I don't mind it at all! Some times a person needs to be reminded about the simple things of life and, in a world where everything is fast becoming amoral, I guess we need to be reminded about morality. I think, perhaps, my favourite chapter among these we've read is The P.C. and P.O.. I enjoyed those little tid-bits that the sisters, posing as the Pickwick crowd, wrote for their paper. I also couldn't help but wonder at how creative people had to get to keep themselves occupied without things like the tv, radio, computers, video games, and I found myself wishing that we had such an opportunity to really use our brains and creativity! With machines being so much a part of our lives we are almost becoming brain dead!! I was reminded of the times when my sister, cousin and I would spend weeks getting ready for our summer holidays as children. How? We would write songs that would fit the rhythm of a trains that we might sing them during the long hours of the journey! And the stuff we used to come up with in order to fill our summer days with fun. I pity children who don't know how to do those things any more, and even we didnt have as much to go as our parents did (I love listening to their childhood stories…they sound like something out of Enid Blyton!).
I'm also really excited about the whole Brooke-Meg business. When Meg began noted that only one of her gloves had been returned I thought to myself 'Ah ha! Mr Brooke!'. 
Jo's reaction to learning of the latter's interest in her sister really surprised me. But then she is still a child, not wanting to grow up yet, and that's understandable. The whole Rigmarole game in Camp Laurence was simply hilarious. I loved how each addition was so different from the others, so spontaneously showing the age, gender and temperament of each participant!
I would like to go on a bit more, and like last time list the books mentioned in these chapters. However, I'm in a bit of a hurry with this post. My mum just called to say she would be here in ten minutes, and I'm really excited! Also, I need to get things ready to welcome her. I'll likely fill in the extra details in next week's post.
Hope you all had a lovely time reading these eight chapters. What did you think of them? Do you find yourself getting more involved with the characters? Do you find things are too sweet and moralistic? Or is it just fitting? Do you feel nostalgic while you read this novel? Tell me all! 
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I’m loving this book, Risa! Yes, there is a moral to each ‘episode’ but I think the main audience is young readers and, as you say, society is increasingly amoral, so it doesn’t hurt in the least for them to be exposed to simple & timeless homilies. (homilys?)
I think my favourite chapter this week was Meg Goes to Vanity Fair. Meg is emerging as my favourite sister and her growing maturity is endearing. I also am excited about Mr. Brooke and the growing interest there.
Last year, I read March by Geraldine Brooks. It’s her account of Mr. March’s time away from the family: what happens to him, and what he says in his letters home, his illness and so on. It’s, of course, the opposite point of view from Little Women but one that I think enriches the experience of reading the latter. I’m thinking I’ll reread it soon.
Thanks again for hosting. See you next week!
I’d been thinking Meg reminded me of someone. I figure I’ve got it now….she reminds me of Wendy from Peter Pan. Alcott is constantly talking of the motherly tone that Meg uses with her sisters and Laurie, and that puts me in mind so strongly of Wendy with the Lost Boys.
I haven’t heard of the novel March before. I’m not sure that I will read it since I generally avoid takes and prequels/sequels of stories that have not been written by the original writers.
I’m going to read Little Women in November after finishing Wuthering Heights. I like Wuthering Heights, but It will be nice to read something good and sweet after it.
Oh! That’s good!
I wasn’t able to take to Wuthering Heights, so I gave up on it almost as soon as the read along began…
I’ve been reading this for a children’s literature course – if I didn’t have to read it, honestly I would have given up on it. By coincidence I wrote a posting about this novel at the weekend – http://allthingsbooker.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/adults-and-children-a-different-reading-experience/
I find the moral lessons so heavy handed. But on the plus side, Alcott cleverly structures her book to keep the readers interested – so each chapter focuses on a different sister which keeps us wanting to read on. Jo is by far the most interesting character for me. I love the description of her bossing everyone around with their christmas show.