Louisa May Alcott is best known for her classic coming-of-age novel "Little Women." But she tackles an entirely different part of growing up in "An Old Fashioned Girl," the story of a country mouse living with a wealthy urban family in late 19th-century America. Polly Milton travels to stay with her aunt and uncle in the city, for the first time, but she immediately sticks out because of her outdated clothing and lack of fussiness. Her cousin Fan Shaw (also about fourteen) is already dressed like a young woman, and hangs ...
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Louisa May Alcott is best known for her classic coming-of-age novel "Little Women." But she tackles an entirely different part of growing up in "An Old Fashioned Girl," the story of a country mouse living with a wealthy urban family in late 19th-century America. Polly Milton travels to stay with her aunt and uncle in the city, for the first time, but she immediately sticks out because of her outdated clothing and lack of fussiness. Her cousin Fan Shaw (also about fourteen) is already dressed like a young woman, and hangs out with a gang of shallow, trendy girls. Polly befriends old ladies, sings Scottish airs, and reads books on history. Can she fit in? What's more... does she really want to? Fast forward about five or six years: The Shaw family learns that Polly is returning to the city, intending to give music lessons to help support her brother. Time hasn't really changed Polly -- she's still sweet-natured, moral and pleasant to everyone. But the Shaw family is in serious financial trouble -- and Polly will help out the only way she knows how. As in "Little Women," Alcott's writing is still pretty readable for modern readers, although most people will not know what a "pannier" is. She also writes a good understated love story, in Polly's gradual interest in her cousin Tom. You'll know that these two really need to get together, but it's going to take them awhile. So sit back and enjoy the ride. Polly may put you off at first with her air of vague goody-two-shoes-ness, but she improves over the course of the book. Somewhat more realistic are the spoiled little brat Maud, the grumpy Tom, and the pretty but air-headed Fan. Grandmother isn't quite so engaging; she seems like an idealized older person who exists just to dispense wisdom. Louisa May Alcott managed to wrap a lesson about peer pressure around a real story. Fans of her work will love "An Old Fashioned Girl," even with its few moralistic flaws.
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This is one of those books you just can keep coming back to, enjoying it just as much as you did the first time. I love this book, as it just gives you joy and happiness each time you read it. Of course, Polly is a bit to good, but even she has her flaws. The characters are fascinating, and you really love them as you read through the book. This book is still just as engaging and charming as ever, and it really gives you a sense of how the heart can change. If you like a happy ending to your books, read this one! Though it is quite far from action packed thrillers, it really is full of truth. Though there have been rumors of L.M Alcott preferring to right novels of a more tragic air, I really think that her heart was in these books, such as Little Women and An Old-Fashioned girl. Good for teenage girls in particular, though I'm sure others enjoy it just as much.
hnc5795wcnu
Apr 11, 2007
A timeless story of the value of old-fashioned morals such as kindness, meekness, and charity all woven into a great tale!
patty11g
Apr 4, 2007
Old Fashioned Girl
Once again Louisa gets to the heart of what living life is all about. She dives deep into the soul of her characters, birthing mirror images of the readers in our present day world. Old Fashioned Girl is a reminder of what life is all about.