My confession: I still prefer the movie and always will. But combined with the book, there is so much more depth to the characters that I can't help but love both. And hope that if I have little girls someday, they'll love both versions of the story as much as I do.
For years, my own mother has referred to me as "her Jo" when Little Women comes up in conversation. Jo is one of my literary heroines and I really do want to be just like her. The novel is simple, beautiful, and charming in so many ways, but dear Jo is always a little rough around the edges. I think that's what I love about her. She isn't perfect, but she's so real and so many of the things she feels are very similar to my own feelings. Absolute devotion to family, a craving for books, and a deep desire to write something meaningful. She is lovely, isn't she?
The thing I loved the most about reading the novel again was how much it made me laugh. Especially when Laurie is involved. I listened to most of it on CD in my car and laughed out loud at so many different spots. And now that I'm done, I guarantee that I'll be watching the movie again within the week. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie, I recommend both. And after you're done, I'd like to know what you think of the ending. Are you forever torn, like I am, about Jo's fate? Or do you think it's just right?
