I’m no student of literature. Nor am I an ambitious reader. And frankly speaking, my experience of reading classics has been…more bad than good.
For someone who reads books just for fun, the language of novels written in the 1800’s is a lot of hard work. That’s problem no. 1. Problem no. 2 is that many a times, the emotions or the way they are expressed is quite difficult to empathize with. Some of the romantic scenes seem even more alien than love scenes between actual aliens of sci-fi novels. And lastly, but by no means the least, it seems like the books of that period that got promoted to the classic pedestal had to have a tragic end.
Because of these reasons, I tend to steer away from classics. Thus my opinion of classics is based on a very few titles. Some of those I managed to get through are Wuthering Heights, Anna Karenina and The Great Gatsby.
Then one may ask, why do I even attempt to read classics? The answer is one title: Gone With the Wind. This was one of the first books that I read when I reintroduced myself to novels in my late teens and I WAS ABSOLUTELY ENCHANTED BY IT. I did face Problem no. 1 in the beginning and well (spoiler alert) even problem no. 3 in the end. But the emotions were bang on. And ever since then, I have been on a look out for a similar experience.
My friends, I can gladly say that I have found a close one.
I was quite aware of the primary plot of Little Women. I had seen an animated adaptation of the book as a very little woman and so remember only hints of it. And the idea of four sisters, so distinct and vibrant in character, has been used and overused in all forms of storytelling. However, knowing from experience that nothing beats the original, I thought I must give the book a try.
And thank god I did.
The language is a little different from what we use today. However, it is no Shakespearian tongue that you will need a guide to decipher the meaning. What I absolutely loved about this book is the light heartedness of the writing style. When we look at classics, either they are grave books meant for adults, or fantastical children’s books. Little Women I believe fills the void and is a classic meant for the YA, chick lit lover of present times.
It is funny, keeping the reader smiling throughout. The most difficult of times are dealt with in a very practical manner as would be in real life. The emotions and the love stories keep the story from going down the ‘children’s fiction’ path.
What I found distinctly amazing about this book, which I rarely find in any book, was the gray areas of the character’s personalities. Each girl has her flaws and you love them despite those shortcomings. Just like you love your sister or best friend regardless of her hot temper, vanity or brashness.
Over all, if you are a classic lover, or wish to flaunt how many classics you have read, or dread reading classics as much as I do, you must read this one. This could easily be your first classic as it is fairly simple, the emotions are quite relatable and most of all, it has the most picturesque happy ending.
PS. Make sure you read the edition with both the volumes (Little Women and Good Wives) and if you love it so much that you don’t want the story to end there, there are two sequels as well.
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