Anne Haselhurst
I think I first read Little Women when I was about 11 or 12 and like most of the girls who love it I identified with Jo. I subsequently read it innumerable times and always cried when Beth died and even harder at the poem Jo wrote about her. I couldn't convince my daughter to read it, for some reason, and now she is grown up, probably too old to read it for the first time, which I think is sad.
Eileen Nicholson
I read Little Woman almost 60 years ago- it was an old batterd edition given to me by an elderly neighbour and everything about it delighted me(even the red cover which left red stains on my hands.) The idea that I could read such a book with no illustrations and closely printed type amazed me. The only books I had were comic annuals or library books(the war!)It really did get me going as a reader and I loved the sisters seeing myself as Jo of course and my sister as Beth. My imagination was fired with their adventures long before I really understood every word I read. I don't think I even realised that the girls were from America and I certainly had no idea where that was. As time went on I read all the books and whilst they have not been as popular with others I could not wait to hear more of the adventures of this family. However I usually had to wait until Chistmas for the next book-it seemed to be forever
Sue de Verteuil
I still have my copy from the 1950s and read it occasionally. I think Jo, the character, demonstrates so much the rebelliousness of girls of the 50s and 60s. She gave me confidence to break the bounds and do something different, far removed from my parents' expectations.
Lindsey Harland
I was read Little women by my Great Aunt Mary and have reread it many times since, totally identifying with headstrong, flawed Jo, always trying to do her best and finding true love in the end. I even named my first 3 children Joanne, Bethany, and James before subseqently realizing I had inadvertently chosen names similar to the characters!
Pamela C. McGann
Like my sister, Carole, I read Little Women as a child and just really liked the book. Here in Canada I have watched the TV movies of this book several times and even own a video copy which I re-watch from time to time with my nieces and nephews. We all like the phrase "Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents," grumbled Jo, lying on the rug.
One of the best books for families.
Sylvia Vollans
As a child I longed for brothers and sisters, my only sister died at birth. Little Women is such a wonderful family story and Jo was my hero, independent, creative but brave and fearless too. The book was read so many times and the film was always a delight. I remember Amy was rather vain and wore rags in her hair and little Beth was so frail but so loved and missed by everyone. I too wrote stories and poems whilst in hospital, these were kept by my teacher and I was delighted to find that she still read them to her class many years later, all inspired by Jo who was thought to be rather eccentric like me. My life has had trials and tribulations and this book portrayed how families can overcome many setbacks by just getting through each day with hope and love.
Mary Pringle
I was 12 years old when I first read it, and it was the first book that I really loved. It changed me from a reluctant reader to a voracious one.
Jess Morrison
I have always loved this book & many years on still enjoy it.
Barbara Baldon
I remember not being able to stop reading this book and sneaking a torch into bed so that I could get to the end of it. I too desperately wanted sisters and was a tomboy - identifying very strongly with Jo. Having played with writing for many years I still aspire to Jo's success.
Su Green
Having pondered at considerable length on the titles on the shortlist and those on my bookshelves, Little Women wins for me as the ultimate watershed novel. I have never not taken something from this book since the first of my many readings aged ten.(I am forty-eight now). 1)It offers escapism and comfort when there's the need to cosy-up, 2) it impels to take stock and of what to value and of what to not, and 3)it inspires re. the love between the characters, their goodness, their livliness and their flaws.
Lesley Dolben
I read and re-read this text so very many times! I was Jo..I was that reluctant girl who longed for adventure and lost herself in fiction. I wept over Beth and sighed at the glorious Teddy. I even grew up to teach and married my very own Prof...
Barbara Wright
I identified with Jo as I was a typical !tomboy! but still had an eye for the lad
Carole Francis-McGann
I have loved Little Women (and Good wives, little men, Jo's Boys) ever since reading them as a primary school pupil in the fifties. I introduced them to my daughter (now 33) and son (now 30) who in turn also loved the book especially the opening lines .... "Isn't it dreadful to be poor" - a phrase they repeated to me whenever I told them we could not afford a particularly expensive treat!!. I still re-read Little women and its wise teachings on bringing up daughters in a materialistic world is as relevant today as when it was written in the 19th century. It will always be a firm favourite with me and my daughter.
Polly Sheridan
I first fell upon Little Women on television as a youngster. A quiet weekend afternoon with no one around to disturb me. The film starred Elizabeth Taylor and Janet Leigh et al, and I was immediately absorbed. I read it some time after that and, like other readers, have returned to the text many times at different stages in my life only to see something new and wonderful to enjoy each time. The individual passions and strengths of all the women are an inspiration to me. I hope dearly that both my daughters will come to nurture a similar enthusiasm for this book.
Sarah Campbell
Stands the test of time....I love it,daughter skipped it,but 8 yearold grandaughter loves the video,and my reading it to her
Carol Hackett
i still have my original copy, complete with the paper cover. i always wanted a sister, so reading about 4 sisters, and their lives - like Sharon Jackson, I dreamt of being like Jo.
Pat Almond
I, like the previous correspondant, was given this book when I was young and enjoyed it so much that I re-read over and over again until it fell to pieces! I considered it my book whereas the other books in the house were "boys" books and had been handed down from my older brother. I am a grandmother now and love talking about books with my grandchildren and with children I meet at work, (I'm a children's librarian). Happily, this book still attracts young people and helps thaem on the way to being joyful readers.
Jo Tatum
I have read Little Women at various stages of my life and identified with each of the women at different stages, and finally I'm Marmie. Anxious for my daughter's future and recognising the remarkable woman she is hoping she is able to ebrace her qualities and not be conformed to the world.
Sally Budd
As a child you can take it on one level and as an adult it appeals as a different experience as you the reader have matured. Of course I always wanted to be Jo but I loved the book so much its one of the reasons my younger daughter is called Amy and yes at times she can be quite like her.
Sharon Jackson
I was given a copy of this book a beautiful hard back fully illustrated version, which I still have somewhere, as a present from my late Grandfather when I was seven. I read and re-read it throughout my formative years and relied on it for refuge during a rough time in m y life when my parents separated. I was the eldest of five and when my Mum became a single parent I had to grow up fast, challenging when you are only ten! Jo March epitomised evrerything I wanted to be, she was strong determined and best of all a successful writer!
