Jo's Boys

Tragedy: Poor Jo Becomes Rich & Famous

After toiling in obscurity, suddenly Jo's stories begin selling. Money came in but so did visitors at all hours. I have no doubt, Ms Alcott was writing of her own vexing experiences with fame. C. M. Hebert does another solid job narrating. I think I have six of her titles. She is very good with Alcott's brand of humor. This is one of several books which follows Jo March's life after Little Women.

Here is romance, a bit of murder, high heroics, little things of interest and a tragedy. Jo and her professor husband, Mr. Bhaer have established Plumfield College. I am a bit vague concerning the philosophical underpinnings of Louisa May Alcott but I think she followed the Transcendentalists of Emerson and company. Think of them as an improvement association for mind, body and soul: no excuses and no shirking of responsibilities allowed. In any case, Plumfield was run on these principles.

Like all Alcott works, this book is packed with humorous anecdotes and funny incidents slyly tucked in among cleverly disguised advice and admonishments. Not bad advice either; it was solid in 1880 and maybe even more solid in 2009.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

My Favorite Louisa May Alcott Book

While I love Little Women and Little Men, this is the book that I return to over and over again. The lessons learned by the characters are immortal lessons which seem to have been set aside by our society (to our detriment).
The narrator was really quite wonderful. She gave subtle nuances to the different voices of the characters without sounding ridiculous. This is the exact performance style that makes listening to a book so pleasing. I will listen to it many more times!