Eight Cousins

I finished this book last week, I think, but I'm just now getting around to writing about it! I'm sorry that it has taken so long.

There were so many things that I really loved about this book and some things I thought were quite thought-provoking.

One of the threads that is developed throughout the book is one of self-improvement. After Rose has met Uncle Alec and wants to please or impress him, she begins to realize that she is not the person she wants to be. As she learns to make sacrifices (such as letting Phebe enjoy the fireworks and taking Phebe's place), and as she allows herself to be directed by Uncle Alec into new interests (such as housekeeping and cooking), she realizes that she is becoming a more responsible, well-rounded individual. I think this is interesting because of the connections between self-improvement, the Transcendentalist movement, and Louisa May Alcott's life. Her father was one of the main contributors to the commune called Fruitlands, and while the experiment was a failure on the whole, it does seem that Louisa appreciated the principles of self-awareness and self-improvement even if she didn't believe that we should live in communes to accomplish the goals of Transcendentalism.

Another thing I thought was interesting is the emphasis on freeing women from certain constraints - such as boredom, corsets, and under-development. : ) I wonder what the girls who read this book originally would have thought of these ideas? No corsets? No restrictive undergarments and skirts? Is Louisa crazy?? : ) Or maybe these ideas were becoming more attractive to women by this time. I'm not sure, but it would be interesting to try to find out! Louisa must have had some very strong opinions about corsets and how girls should be brought up (do you remember the scene in Little Women when Marmee tells Lawry's tutor that she doesn't believe in corsets?).

She also must have had some strong ideas about how boys should be brought up and what they should be allowed to read. I thought it was interesting that she spent so much time describing how Aunt Jessie viewed the adventure books her boys were reading and also her opinion of what they should be reading. Very interesting. I agree with her, it's just interesting to think about how those opinions would have been received by Louisa's audience.

Finally, I really appreciated Louisa's ability to draw me into a story. It is such a sweet story, and I love the tone in which she writes. It's very positive and you can tell she believes that people can be good-hearted. Does that make sense?

Before I started reading this book, I was getting rather discouraged about the way things are going in our country and life in general. But when I read really good books like this one (or the Anne of Green Gables books), I am reminded that life is good and beautiful. I guess it's because that's the perspective on life that Louisa conveys in her books, but I must say it's refreshing!!

I also liked the relationship between Rose and Mac. It's so sweet! Makes me wish they would get together in the sequel, though I don't know if marrying your cousin was acceptable then. Maybe it still was... ; )

Wow, ok. I think I'm done. : )