Rose in Bloom is a sequel to Eight Cousins. The story begins when Rose comes back from a long trip to Europe. Everyone is well altered and as a joke, when she arrives home, she lines up her seven cousins to take a long look at them, just as they did to her when they first met. Rose Campbell, the heroine of the story, is sweet, kind, pretty, and ambitious.
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Rose in Bloom is a sequel to Eight Cousins. The story begins when Rose comes back from a long trip to Europe. Everyone is well altered and as a joke, when she arrives home, she lines up her seven cousins to take a long look at them, just as they did to her when they first met. Rose Campbell, the heroine of the story, is sweet, kind, pretty, and ambitious.
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Rose in Bloom is a beautiful gem of a book, penned by the same hand which authored the time-honored novel Little Women. This is the sequel to the charming volume entitled Eight Cousins. A more "grown-up" Rose Campbell returns to her family clan after travelling around the world with her friend Phebe as companion.
I love this book because Rose in independent, yet desires to serve others. Suffice it to say, she is a good role model for girls. I found her to be very much selfless. Even though Rose possesses personal wealth, she wishes not to shower herself with glories but to disperse it to those less fortunate. Creating a lifestyle considered progressive for a woman (especially in the 1800s), Rose in blooming into a mature woman of society with tender confidence.
Since I cannot describe Miss Rose Campbell as well as the author once did, here's a direct picture of our blossoming heroine:
"Not a remarkably gifted girl in any way, and far from perfect; full of all manner of youthful whims and fancies; a little spoiled by much love; rather apt to think all lives as safe and sweet as her own; and, when want or pain appealed to her, the tender heart overflowed with a remorseful charity which gave of its abundance recklessly. Yet, with all her human imperfections, the upright nature of the child kept her desires climbing toward the just and pure and true, as flowers struggle to the light; and the woman's soul was budding beautifully under the green leaves behind the little thorns." (Chapter 3, Rose in Bloom)
With her seven male cousins surrounding her, along with the odd assortment of various aunts and uncles, there are many who desire to see Rose grow. They cherish her presence among themselves and attempt to flatter her at every turn. Advances in love flourish as Rose once again settles among the people she knows best in the world.
Phebe Moore, Rose's befriended maid, too is experiencing her own way of making it into society -- only through a different course. Her life has always been destined to contrast Rose's, as her place on the social ladder started out on a much lower rung. Quickly she is learning how to climb higher though, and soon wins the heart of a familiar face, without intended design. However, the social implications simply couldn't converge for a winning marriage. So what can a girl do?
As usual, Louisa May Alcott has written another charming book. The story contains many good life lessons. As Rose tries life out on her own, sometimes becoming a bit too daring or risky with her choices, she soon makes her way back and settles into routine. In essence, the reader learns much of Victorian idealism and traditions of young adults during that time. I did so enjoy getting to catch glimpses of what all of those Eight Cousins became as they turn into adults.
In closing, enjoy some advice on life from dearest cousin, Mac Campbell ("the Worm" was always my favorite of Rose's cousins anyway):
"I have my dreams and aspirations, and some of them are pretty high ones. Aim at the best, you know, and keep climbing if you want to get on." (Chapter 2, Rose in Bloom)
PaulaV
Jan 17, 2008
Review on "Rose in Bloom"
This is a delightful book! A merry & warm-hearted heroine, Rose is easy to love. If you don't mind a bit of old-fashioned moralising you'll come to the end feeling inspired to make your life count, as Rose does. If you admired Charlie in "Eight Cousins" the book may be a tear-jerker. If you liked Mac you'll be cheering. Although Alcott did a fantastic job, there are just a few things I would've liked to have seen different. 1) Charlie's fate seemed so severe. He was so gorgeous & gallant in his own way, I don't know how LMA had the heart to write as she did. I would've preferred Rose to begin falling for Mac while Charlie was still around. It would've been poetic justice to see the conceited "Prince" get egg on his face as his nerdy cousin won her heart right under his nose. 2) I would've liked to have read a sample of Mac's poetry myself, but perhaps after building him up as so brilliant, Alcott felt she couldn't deliver the goods. Anyway, I loved this book and as I was an admirer of his in "Eight Cousins" I was pleased to see the right man win her heart in the end.
