Little Women

I'm reading the book Little Women right now. It is a fantastic book. It follows the movie or I should say the movie follows it pretty well for the first half. Then after Meg's wedding it still follows the main points but doesn't tell all the little stories that are in the book. Oh and the characters are younger in the book to start which makes it different. For example I like Laurie better in the book because he's really just friends with all the girls first and for some reason I don't like him/his character much in the movie. Anyway! I'm not quite finished with the book yet but am thinking about it.

What I really like is the way Marmee teaches the girls when they're young. She doesn't just leave them to become whatever they will but encourages them to be righteous, good, and overcome their weaknesses. Which isn't really the message we get in books anymore. A lot of characters these days seem to be without religion probably because the authors don't want to scare readers off with preachy characters. For me it was nice because popular parenting style now seems to be that you're a bad parent if you're trying to change or improve your children at all, you're just supposed to love them. Which is good, you should love them no matter what their weaknesses and strengths are, but it seems to me (not a parent yet, so my perspective probably isn't very good) that parents should guide their children like Marmee does in the book.

Another thing that was interesting to me, since I'm still a newlywed is a story about Meg and John after their married and have their first kids, which are twins.  It talks about how Meg is obsessed with her children and has neglected John since they were born and so he starts to spend time with his friends more, which makes Meg feel neglected.  I liked that Meg recognized that they were both unhappy, talked to her Mom about it for help, and then worked to make a change.  Again, I think the worldly view now would be that if they fell out of love they should just get a divorce or if it wasn't working out then there was nothing they could do about it.  Instead, Meg's example is to be aware of your marriage relationship and work to improve it and improve yourself and to think of your spouse and his/her needs, too.

So far the book is great.  I recommend it.  It's fun to read about the older traditions, like visits and calling cards and their dress.  The author will describe their clothes and I'm like, "What is that?" because she's describing things I've never even heard of.  I still don't know, I should have looked them up as I came upon them, but didn't and now there's now way I'd be able to find that part of the book.  And the author also describes their character and their faults, which makes the people real and interesting.

Love it!