Little Women - Read the Book/See the Movie
I read Little Women by Louisa May Alcott for the first time last year and I adored it. I thought it was a wonderful book and I listed it as one of my top ten reads of 2009. I saw the film with Winona Ryder years ago and decided to revisit it again as part of the Read the Book/See the Movie Challenge hosted by C.B. James.
I can truly say that both the film and the book are wonderful. Little Women (1994), the movie, is one of those films that you can revisit again and again preferably at Christmas time. The book and the film open on Christmas eve and there are lots of snow and ice skating scenes that somehow it seems appropriate family viewing for the yuletide season. The perfect movie to watch curled up on the couch with a cup of tea. The acting by a stellar cast was excellent. Susan Sarandon was the perfect Mamie and her daughters are played superbly by Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes and Trini Alvarado.
If you want a richer experience then read the book before seeing the film. You'll get to know the characters so much more. My one gripe is that Jo didn't end up with Laurie. I never expected the ending when reading the book because I'd forgotten about the film version. I did so want her to marry Laurie especially since he was madly in love with her. The feeling was reinforced when I saw the movie. I mean honestly, who can resist Christian Bale?
I've never actually seen this movie although I read the book as a child!
ReplyDeleteYou have made me want to read the book and watch the film again, glad that you enjoyed it, it is one of my favourites!
ReplyDeleteI love both the book and the film but I haven't read Good Wives yet so I don't know the second half of the story as it is in the book. Part of me doesn't want to read Good Wives because I know Bad Stuff happens and it makes me sad!
ReplyDelete@booksnob - Rachel, the movie includes both books: Little Women and Good Wives. The unabridged version of Little Women also includes Good Wives. It's Part 2 in the book.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite books and movies. They both make me cry!
ReplyDeleteWinona Ryder is perfect for Jo! And Christian Bale is fabulous as ever :) This movie started off my crush on him! :D
I only read Little Women for the first time about two years ago and fell in love with it! I've not seen the film yet, but it is on my long list of ones that I want to watch.
ReplyDeleteI love this book! I think it's one of those novels you read as a child and then it sticks with you for the rest of your life. I totally wanted to be Jo.. I absolutely worshipped her.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for Amy.. I have a friend who has just had a baby and her partner loved the name Amy. My friend had to veto it because she said in her head she always associates it with Little Women!
(No offence to any Amy's out there!)
Aw, I loved this movie as a kid and immediately went out and bought the book after seeing it. Unfortunately, I'm not sure I ever finished the book - it was a bit thick for me back then! Hopefully one day I'll get back to it...
ReplyDeleteI've *never* seen the movie, and haven't read the book (which I loved) since I was about 12. Clearly, this needs to change...
ReplyDeleteConfession: I do not like Christian Bale. I hate his mouth! That actually kind of ruined this film for me when I watched it - I love Laurie but I didn't like Christian Bale in the part.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's so funny - I just re-watched this movie. Isn't that an often-said lament - Why didn't Jo end up with Laurie???
ReplyDeleteI read the book as a child and absolutely adored it - I will have to watch the film! Thanks, Hannah
ReplyDeleteI bet this movie is awesome. I need to check it out! Thanks for posting about it.
ReplyDeleteOh, I am so hoping to do this movie/book combo for the challenge sometime before the end of the year! I read the book as a child, but somehow I think I will like it much better as an adult with perspective. I watched this movie countless times with my girls when they were growing up.
ReplyDeleteI finished Little Women only this morning!
ReplyDeleteI really liked it, but I had already seen the movie and so I found that when I was reading it I was was picturing the characters from the movie.
Ill write a review of it soon so keep your eyes out for it!
I read that book years ago and saw the movie when it originally came out. Now your review makes me want to revisit both. :)
ReplyDeleteI read both Little Women and Good Wives as a child and loved this big-screen adaptation (also the older one). I wanted Jo to marry Laurie too but Gabriel Byrne playing the Professor helped too!
ReplyDeleteI love the film too. I watch it every year at Christmas. I haven't read the book since I was a child but I'd love to reread it sometime.
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