A Year of Louisa May: Little Men

Meghan Hanet's Channel:
/ @meghanthestorygirl4581

[@dynesteefields4396]

I started reading this, but only because I wanted to see Jo and Laurie's relationship. Surprisingly, I didn't hate this book despite the fact that I didn't like Jo's ending. I don't hate the ending of Little Women anymore, because Laurie and Jo are still very close. I thought that they'd be more distant, but nope!

[@AliasTwiggy66]

I had a similar reading experience-- I think the two biggest differences between Little Men and Little Women are that Little Women dealt with fewer characters and explored character growth in more depth. I agree that the larger cast of characters in Little Men felt less intimate. Though the boys did learn lessons, their faults felt more generalized and the lessons more preachy than those in Little Women. By the end of the book there also seemed to be more moral tales told by adults to the children instead of watching life lessons unfold.

[@katehowereads]

AliasTwiggy66 That’s such a good point that the boys faults felt more generalized and it feeling like moral tales told instead of watching life lessons unfold.

[@LifeBetweenWords1]

BUMMER! I just finished Little Women and have never moved along in the series. I was hoping LM would live up to it!

[@katehowereads]

Life Between Words I was so sad to not love it. Meghan remembers loving Jo’s Boys more so I’m hopeful that will be the case for me.

[@kathybolton2240]

I was disappointed too. Managed to read half way and just couldn't keep going. Hoping Jo's Boys is better.

[@katehowereads]

Kathy Bolton Fingers crossed!

[@anitahayne8621]

I was at Barnes and Noble and I purchased Little Women. I would have never considered buying it or reading it without your recommendation and year long challenge. Loved seeing the Alcot home. Thanks for the inspiration and videos. You also introduced me to Elizabeth Gaskell and I love her writing. Keep the recommendation coming.

[@snowflakepanda8135]

I do also love little women and feel "meh" towards little men while reading it now. However, I suppose that the reason of why it is filled with lessons is because it's a book for her nephews to perhaps to learn from more than it being a source of entertainment. Loved your review by the way!

[@DebMcDonald]

In defence of Louisa, she was writing what her publisher asked for and what sold at the time. No way I’m bailing on #louisamay2020,! Can’t wait for Work, Hospital Sketches, and Long Fatal Love Chase. Especially now I’ve read Eden’s Outcasts. Trying to pace myself and not read ahead.

[@katehowereads]

Deborah McDonald That’s very true! I can’t imagine what it’s like to write when you’re being pressured from a publisher for something specific. I’m so glad you’ll continue to join in!

[@meghanthestorygirl4581]

I love what you had to say here. I agree there were way too many characters and not enough depth!

[@mairieliza]

I totally agree! Little Men contains almost nothing of what I love about Little Women. We don’t get nearly enough time with the March sisters and the moralizing is insufferably repetitive.

[@katehowereads]

Mairi MacNeil Totally agree! It made me miss their time at Orchard House so very much.

[@RaineyDayReads]

I definitely thought this book was sweet, but it did not pack the same punch for me either! I agree that Jo just didn’t seem very Jo like in this one.

[@katehowereads]

Rainey Day Reads I hope she might seem more like Jo in the next one!

[@naomisbookshelf]

It did not live up to my expectations. I didn't hate it but it was not up to par. I struggled with the lack of an overarching theme to the stories. It felt disjointed to me.

[@katehowereads]

Naomi’s Bookshelf I agree with all that! I’m hoping the other books will become new favorites.

[@BlatantlyBookish]

I liked Little Men, but I didn't love it. I had many of the same issues with it that you had, but I also didn't feel like I needed a sequel to Little Women. I keep asking myself, would there be any version of a Little Women sequel that I'd like? And I'm not sure there is. I personally don't like that Jo married, so continuing forward with the timeline of the March sisters is bound to disappoint me. In fact, following the remaining March sisters' quiet married lives of domesticity would never be something that interested me. It's the sequel I never needed. The fact that I didn't absolutely hate it speaks to Louisa's talent as a writer, and I'm curious to see what I think of Jo's Boys.

[@katehowereads]

Blatantly Bookish I totally agree that this is the sequel I never needed. Especially with the Jo and Laurie drama that unfolds. I can never get that out my consciousness for me to feel that they’re being around each other regularly as friends after that feels very awkward.

[@Nyledam89]

I disliked quite a few things about this book honestly and I don't think it's bad if you don't love all the books in this readalong. That's just how it is sometimes, so I wouldn't worry about it. :)

[@novellenovels]

I’m gutted you didn’t love it but I did. I will admit it’s not as good as little women though 😊

[@katehowereads]

Novelle Novels I wanted to love it 😭 I’m feeling hopeful about Jo’s Boys.

[@novellenovels]

Kate Howe I’m being naughty and starting jos boys tonight