Reviews

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

helenafaustina's review against another edition

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5.0

This book, [b:An Old-Fashioned Girl|781557|An Old-Fashioned Girl|Louisa May Alcott|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309205008l/781557._SY75_.jpg|3719102], by my favorite author, [a:Louisa May Alcott|1315|Louisa May Alcott|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1200326665p2/1315.jpg], is another one of my favorite books. It shows that even though one may know that following the status quo is not the right thing to do, and that one must act differently to be a good person, how very hard that is to do! The main character, Polly Milton, experiences this when she sees her very fashionable friends. Polly learns that one must be true to oneself, and with love, common sense, and a good conscience, this burden will become lighter. Even though this book was written a long time ago, it’s reoccurring message, “modesty has gone out of fashion,” hasn’t changed. If you too have the same struggles, you will be reassured by reading this book. Five stars all the way!

susannahhope's review against another edition

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4.0

Another Alcott story that is good, with great characters, but has feminist junk poked in. When I read it recently I gagged at parts of it, but overall, I still love this book, and Tom is my hero.

erikars's review against another edition

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4.0

This was a charming story, nice for spinning away a lazy day. Polly, the main character was almost a little too good -- it seems she had to have all the best of all four of the March girls[1] without an equally large helping of their follies -- but was just far enough from perfect to make her a likable character. Nothing too exciting happened, but the story and characters were enjoyable.

[1] Like Jo, she is jolly and likes vigorous activity, like Beth she is sweet and sympathetic, she has an artistic skill like Amy(musical talent), and she has Meg's skills to make a comfortable home.

salicat's review against another edition

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5.0

I can't believe I never put this on my shelf- it was one of my favorites growing up. Your typical sweet-country-girl-shows-the reader-how-awful-rich-people-are story. But Alcott pulls it off with her exquisite prose and dialogue. I would normally include character depth as well, but stereotypes run strong (see my second sentence). I had a hate-crush on Tom the brother. Damn those nineteenth century men.

readcover2cover's review against another edition

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3.0

I enjoyed it, but it was a little too "preachy" for my taste. Polly was sweet, but too perfect. I liked the other characters pretty well though. :) Despite some flaws, it was an enjoyable read.

eososray's review against another edition

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4.0

This is one of my favorite Alcott stories.

It's not clever or exciting but it's sweet and happy. Thankfully the moral of the story doesn't hit you on the head too hard and the characters are engaging if not entirely memorable.

bfg01's review against another edition

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lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

novelesque_life's review against another edition

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3.0

RATING: 3 STARS

Polly is invited to stay with wealthy friends in Boston and finds herself to be an old-fashioned country girl. She is not worldly about parties, boys or acting like she has money. She would prefer to help her elders, read books and spend her time with hobbies. Polly seems to be helping each of the Shaws more than receiving their patronage.

I LOVE Little Women so was excited to read another book by Alcott but I found this one to lack the heart and story of Little Women. An Old-Fashioned Girl I think is more simplistic and fluffy. You never get to really know Polly like you do the characters in Little Women and the storyline does not have much climax. It is a fair book and if I read it as a child maybe I would have liked it a lot more.

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moonaacre's review against another edition

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inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

annegirl's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

3.5