Eight Cousins

"I decided to read this book because I have enjoyed other books written by Louisa May Alcott. If you liked Little Women you might like this book and if you liked this book, you might like Little Women. Both of these books have characters that get into your heart. I also recommend looking into other classic literature if you liked these books. This book really lets you wear the shoes of the characters. I really loved this book."

"Not quite as good as I remembered, and a notch or two below the great Little Women, but those who think of Louisa May Alcott as a stodgy 19th century moralist will be astonished at some of the shockingly modern opinions she expresses. Rose, a rather droopy, recently orphaned 13 year old is handed over to the care of a clutch of fussy aunts. Not until dynamic Uncle Alec takes over does Rose recover her health and spirits, as he promptly banishes corsets, coffee, and "ladylike" pursuits in favor of housework, hearty food, and the companionship of her 7 rambunctious male cousins. Dr Alec is a bit of a Renaissance man (he can sew, cook, speak several languages, and practice medicine) and a clear devotee of Rousseau: Rose's "geography" lesson consists of learning to sail a boat and visit merchant ships from China. There's the usual Alcott paean to self-reliance and anti-snobbery, (Rose and Dr Alec both admire the quietly independent housemaid Phebe for her skillful common sense and work ethic), but also some delightful ridicule of then current fashion trends that kept women from being able to move or even breathe healthily. Best of all is Alcott's critique of "the gospel of getting on"; Rose's Aunt Jessie, the most sensible of the aunts declares, "This love of money is the curse of America, and for it men will sell honor and honesty".<br/><br/>Just finished a 3rd read and feel I must mention some disturbing elements; notably the shockingly offensive descriptions of Fun Se, Uncle Alec's Chinese protege. I also found myself getting increasingly irritated at Alec's relentless mocking of the female characters; I agreed with most of his advice but he came off as bullying and paternalistic. And the advice that Rose and other "good women" are responsible for modeling the morals and behavior of al those irresponsible boys was just plain nauseating.<br/><br/>Far too much advice and not enough plot and character. Pity."