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Shima's Reviews > Good Wives
Good Wives
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[Spoilers up ahead! Though I advise you to read them so maybe they can convince you to never read good wives]
I'm so happy this book is over, because this little book gave me so much heartaches, headaches and agony I couldn't bear to read it more than a chapter at a time and it took ages to finish.
Though it wasn't my first time reading this book, It still struck me as much as the first time.
I remember when I was 11-12, I loved little women with all my heart -though not a favorite book- It still had a especial place in my bookcase.
I remember finishing it and dreaming of Joe's future as a successful writer and her happy home with Laurie, full of music and writing.
Then I read this book and well you can not begin to imagine how disappointed and depressed I was.
and now after about 4-5 years, I read it again -this time in English- and if not more, i'm still as disappointed as I was then.
My brain can understand that a lot of concepts in this book are related to the society of the time, but my heart certainly can't. It is truly hard to see sweet Meg and strong Jo give up their castles and dreams to go and be good little wives to poor , old men.
The entire talks about how women should apologize first in fights, take care of children and husband and never complain is just terrible and no matter how much you tell yourself - hello this book wasn't published yesterday!- you can't help but be angry and upset.
Then as childish as it seems - and probably is- Jo and Laurie not ending up together is like a big bucket of cold water dumped right on your head! Even worse, Laurie marrying Amy after Jo rejected him was so forced and terrible I wanted to smash my ipad!
These were actually Laurie's thoughts:
"If you can't have one sister you should get the other and live happily!"
"Amy ls like a part of Jo, She is the nearest thing i have to her"
"After Jo she is the only women who can make me happy"
Yeah, that's really romantic. Imagine this proposal
"Your sister rejected me but between all the other women in the word I chose you, because you remind me of her and I'm sure you can make me happy, just not as happy. so let's spend the rest of our lives together? "
WOW isn't that just dreamy?!
So I really really beg of you, If you loved little woman DO NOT read this because it will forever ruin the happy image of four strong sisters you probably have in mind. It will be one of those dreams gone with the wind.
I'm so happy this book is over, because this little book gave me so much heartaches, headaches and agony I couldn't bear to read it more than a chapter at a time and it took ages to finish.
Though it wasn't my first time reading this book, It still struck me as much as the first time.
I remember when I was 11-12, I loved little women with all my heart -though not a favorite book- It still had a especial place in my bookcase.
I remember finishing it and dreaming of Joe's future as a successful writer and her happy home with Laurie, full of music and writing.
Then I read this book and well you can not begin to imagine how disappointed and depressed I was.
and now after about 4-5 years, I read it again -this time in English- and if not more, i'm still as disappointed as I was then.
My brain can understand that a lot of concepts in this book are related to the society of the time, but my heart certainly can't. It is truly hard to see sweet Meg and strong Jo give up their castles and dreams to go and be good little wives to poor , old men.
The entire talks about how women should apologize first in fights, take care of children and husband and never complain is just terrible and no matter how much you tell yourself - hello this book wasn't published yesterday!- you can't help but be angry and upset.
Then as childish as it seems - and probably is- Jo and Laurie not ending up together is like a big bucket of cold water dumped right on your head! Even worse, Laurie marrying Amy after Jo rejected him was so forced and terrible I wanted to smash my ipad!
These were actually Laurie's thoughts:
"If you can't have one sister you should get the other and live happily!"
"Amy ls like a part of Jo, She is the nearest thing i have to her"
"After Jo she is the only women who can make me happy"
Yeah, that's really romantic. Imagine this proposal
"Your sister rejected me but between all the other women in the word I chose you, because you remind me of her and I'm sure you can make me happy, just not as happy. so let's spend the rest of our lives together? "
WOW isn't that just dreamy?!
So I really really beg of you, If you loved little woman DO NOT read this because it will forever ruin the happy image of four strong sisters you probably have in mind. It will be one of those dreams gone with the wind.
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Reading Progress
September 19, 2013
–
Started Reading
September 19, 2013
– Shelved
October 30, 2013
–
Finished Reading
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rated it 3 stars
May 25, 2016 06:50AM
Thanks for your review! I enjoyed Little Women very much (even thought it got a little too preachy for me at times) but can't seem to get into Good Wives. Just the title annoys me greatly. I'm only three chapters in but I'm not enjoying it, I was content with the ending of the first book so, even though I really hate not finishing a book (I usually don't and just take months and months to read a book I don't like) I'm going to be brave and put that book down right now.
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Fieschi wrote: "Thanks for your review! I enjoyed Little Women very much (even thought it got a little too preachy for me at times) but can't seem to get into Good Wives. Just the title annoys me greatly. I'm only..."Thank you for reading it.I'm honestly always surprised when someone takes the time to read one of my reviews! :) I know what you mean about little women, the older I got, the more and more preachy I felt it was!
Yes, Put this terrible book down :)
I think you're absolutely right about Laurie - am annoyed to this day that he didn't go back and chase Jo (giving up after a couple of letters from abroad? Not even returning home to comfort her after Beth? What!!). I know it is a bit Austen to wish Laurie did the Darcy courtship but that is exactly what I wish had happened.
your expernence was just like me , but I haven't read it in English.I also read if about 4,5years ago and when I knew that Joe and Laurie's sad end I was hurt.I read the book over and over again but till now I still can't subscribe to it. I just can't escept it, the first book was sweet like candy but the next one was cold like ice. Thank you for letting me know your feeling!
Trix wrote: "I think you're absolutely right about Laurie - am annoyed to this day that he didn't go back and chase Jo (giving up after a couple of letters from abroad? Not even returning home to comfort her af..."I know right? Jo and Laurie could have been Lizzy and Darcy and instead, they basically ended up as in-laws!
Notice wrote: "your expernence was just like me , but I haven't read it in English.I also read if about 4,5years ago and when I knew that Joe and Laurie's sad end I was hurt.I read the book over and over again bu..."It makes me happy to know it wasn't just me! When I read it first I used to think there was something wrong with me for not liking the second book, like I was a disloyal fan! :))
Natalia wrote: "THANK YOU"Your welcome, Thank you for reading! ;)
I felt exactly the dame way. I'll raje your words to express how I feel about good wives because I just ended it and I can't think, I just feel so disapointed and so angry. It ruins little woman for me, that's for sure.
I agree only with how Laurie is awful about the 'other sister, last chance' part. But otherwise I don't agree. Jo did NOT love Laurie. And I agree with her. He's a great idiot, and he didn't even deserve Amy. Also you might want to check out this link on why Jo refused Laurie.
Good thing Little Men is more considered as the second part and not this one, huh?
Well, it's a old book, it's not a romantic o happy ending story
Oh thank you for your review! I've just finished Little Women and while being in awe started to search for the continuation. I've come across some spoilers in Wikipedia which made me suspicious but your review made me sure that I'd better not spoil the good memories of the first book. Thank you!
I liked both the books and I have them together on my shelf (In the same book) So for me its always been the two of them together. So I would recommend to try it and see what happens. And the author can end end the story however she deems fit.
I don't agree at all! I think that Louisa May Alcott did this specifically to make the books more interesting. She didn't want to make the same old boring "happy" ending. Instead, she added a new twist, making the book much more interesting and much more happier...which is shown pretty clearly in "Little Men".
I really liked Shima's review: it's on point and it's exactly what I thought and felt - "My brain can understand that a lot of concepts in this book are related to the society of the time, but my heart certainly can't.". What a tedious and disappointing story.
I feel the same way about the themes of this book. There are soooooo many bad morals, it is really not an enjoyable read
I was so upset when I learned that the book I own doesn't have the Good Wives part. Thankfully, I read your comment first before reading the second part.I was so amused by how strong the little women's views are of themselves thinking that this was written during a time women are not valued as much as men, I just know that this second part would ruin that experience for me. So, I'll just pretend part 2 does not exist.
These were my exact thoughts after reading the book. You put them into words perfectly. Laurie ending up with Amy really did it for me.
No bc this is the biggest “same� I’ve ever said. I read it in my first language around 12 years old too. Now I’m 16. I reread and when I got to the second book I started remembering the trauma lol. I literally ripped some pages out at the time. How did Jo and Laurie not end up together. Not a question bc there can’t be an answer that I will se as so. I’m still so mad I’ll burn that book. YES idk how anyone could think his relationship with Amy is okay lmao idk I just got my trauma back and it feels nice to know I’m not alone. Thank u Shima
I'm here to say that I read it and I didn't like it either, this was another Jo, for me, a complety another history
Just because you don't like the the end of the book doesn't mean it isn't good. and this book is only divided in 2 editions, because in the original edition the book would be complete and not divided into two parts, if that were the case wouldn't you like the book just because of the end?
I've read this too late, already looking up spoilers because the first part of the book was simultaneously tedious and heart breaking. Definitely going to forget this ever happened for a while ✌️
Totally agree with you!! I was so in love with "Little Women" when I was a secondary student and felt somewhat incomplete because of not being able to find the other three books of the series. Recently I've just got all of them, and started to read "Good wives" with a high interest. It should be fine if I don't read the parts where Laurie and Amy become a couple. How can it be? Jo and Laurie's love and friendship is outstanding from the beginning. I'm disappointed that Laurie falls in love with Amy after being rejected by Jo for just some months. Why does he made it sure that he wouldn't give up Jo but in the end, he got married with her sister? Then he turns back and informs Jo that he is now with Amy, but she is still the one that he loves a lot?? My heart breaks T_T
I hope you dont mind, but I quoted you on my portuguese review of this book. I couldnt express myself better than you!!
This book was divided when it was published in Britain. The author had no say over it or the title. I’m reading this for a WEA course on the making of the American girl in literature. It does have its faults, but also very interesting on middle-class women in American society at that time. In my 60s I see the Jo/Laurie relationship differently and realise they wouldn’t have made a good marriage.
I have to disagree, I think the course of the second half of the story took a very practical approach. Jo and Laurie weren’t well suited, and much of what went on was reality for the times. Stories don’t need to be ideal life situations to be good writing.
Wait a minute. You are being too harsh. If Marmee advised Meg to be apologetic hasn't she also told her to bring John into the mix process of raising kids, taking Help from Hannah and going out to enjoy other stuff as well and hadn't John helped her to do so. Also Jo may have given up writing but partly because of the dilemma of whether to write what sells or what comes to her naturally. And also wasn't opening a school for boys also her ambition and don't forget the fact that the Professor came and helped her build her dream on HER estate. ???????
I agree with the Laurie argument though. It sure is disrespectful to consider one person as a replacement of another. But I don't believe his beliefs remain the same by the end of the story.
I’m sorry, but I am entirely convinced that anyone who wanted Laurie and Jo to end up together didn’t understand a single thing about Jo’s character and simply do not respect her ability to know her own feelings. Jo has, from beginning to end, dreaded the idea of Laurie having feelings for her. It was her absolute worst nightmare. But here you are, saying Laurie should have ignored Jo’s “NO� completely and, what..? Forced her to marry him even though she couldn’t have been more clear that she did not want to�? That’s just crazy to me.
I'm confused. All these plot points are included in my edition of Little Women. Do some people not read those parts??
