Glad I waited for this release!

What a wonderful reading by Barbara Caruso! She brings this book to life. I almost bought the other unabridged version, but I held out for another one to be released--and I'm glad I did! This reading is so much better. If you love Little Women, don't hesitate to buy this.

43 of 44 people found this review helpful

Timeless Listen

I first listened to this book, read by this narrator, at age thirteen, and I was thrilled to find it again. The book itself can only be called comfortable, and Caruso's warm, gentle but expressive voice seems meant to read it. She speaks by turns as the motherly Mrs. March, the rough and wild tomboy Jo, gentle Meg, prim Amy, shy, quiet Beth, or even such characters as Laurie, pensive and mischievous by turns, and his gruff but kindly grandfather, and never fails to sound natural. I have been disappointed with other renderings of the story, such as the recent film, simply because they were not as well acted as this one. I always feel as if I'm listening to it being read by the author herself. Maybe it's classified as a book for children and teens; maybe it was written over a century ago. But the story of the four sisters can never be outdated or outgrown.

20 of 20 people found this review helpful

definitely worth a listen

I agree w the first reviewer - the narrator is absolute perfection for this particular story. In listening, I realized that my beloved childhood book was most certainly abridged, for this one does go on a bit :-)

And it reflects some odd notions of the time. Of course, the puritan work ethic reigns supreme, but also the place of women, class distinctions (even tho the March's were poor; evidently the Irish were poorer). A LOT of sentimentality, so if you didn't like this as a child, you're not going to like it as an adult.

But if you keep the time frame and point of view of the author in mind, it's really a delightful listen.

25 of 26 people found this review helpful

Timeless nuggets of wisdom

What did you love best about Little Women?

I have to admit that I read this at the request of my wife who was covering it with our home schooled children. I was not excited about it as I prefer more "sensational" writings as the character "Joe" puts it. However, I found that it was indeed splendid! I particularly enjoyed the characters, who were vivid and real, and grew through the experiences and trials of life that face us all.

What did you like best about this story?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and especially the embedded pearls of wisdom and truth judiciously placed throughout. Even though the cultural norms are far different than our own, I found the stories easily understandable and very enjoyable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This was certainly a book that I did not want to "put down"!

Any additional comments?

I wish I had read it earlier!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

such a wonderful story!!!

I loved listening to this. It had been years since I first read the story and i was so pleasantly surprised to re-experience it. the narrator was fantastic.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Louisa May Alcott's Classic

If you could sum up Little Women in three words, what would they be?

I adored this book when I first read it over 40 years ago. It's timeless, funny and warm without being too saccharine or sentimental. The ending is drawn out a bit long, but doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the story. I'm a picky reader/listener and Barbara Caruso did a top drawer job narrating. She reads with enthusiasm and gives honor to Louisa May Alcott.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

CLASSIC well read

I thought this was great. Of course the book is good its the narration that I thought could be done a tad better but was the best i have heard so far.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Head's Up #3!

Why pay $5.95 for this "Audio Book Du Jour" when the kindle edition is $0.00 (Caution...there are multiple Kindle editions - make sure you select the right one) and after you "purchase" that book the Audible audiobook is $2.99. ***After purchasing the free Kindle book you actually have a choice of 4 different versions of the Audiobook at the $2.99 price. Narrated by Barbara Caruso, Flo Gibson, Lorelei King or Laural Merlington. Obviously this is not a review but I didn't know where else to post.

31 of 36 people found this review helpful

Aspiring Motherhood

As a mother to both one girl and one boy, this book rightly found its way into my heart. What more could a mother pray for than that her children walk in Truth, humbly serving their family and neighbors with contentment - whatever their social standing?

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Sweet Family Story

a Very heartwarming story about the march family and their daily lives .. many lessons are illustrated in a very fine way i like the way she let us develop with each character as if i lived with them , they are very funny and warm and i liked Lauri very much he is faithful and such a good friend .. but i have to say i really got bored and most parts of the story as it was SO SO LONG ..fun read though

5 of 6 people found this review helpful