Yes, I finally read it. It was so sugary sweet it passed the threshold of cavity jokes and went right in to I just can't help loving it land. Sort of like pixi-stix. ( )

this is the first classic I had ever read and I loved every page of it! ( )

The classic that's been adapted so many times. While being very preachy, the charming characters manage to sweep you away. Surprisingly feminist for its time. ( )

I found that this novel was overly moralistic and sickly sweet for my tastes but well written nevertheless.

I can see the attraction for its target audience. Just not for me. ( )

So, I clearly read this at the wrong time in my life being an old crotchety professional woman in my 30's -- as much as I love literature from the 1800's, and as much as I understand that times were different when Alcott wrote this beloved young girl's tale -- I had a hard time not eye-rolling and occasionally gagging from the syrupy goodness and heavy-handed preachiness. Perhaps I would have bought it more as a sweet little girl -- though without doubt, I was never as sweet as the March clan even on their worst day.

Now that I got the negative out of me, I will admit that the little ditties of the girls' lives were entertaining and despite the novel's role as almost a cultural icon, I was clueless as to the conclusion, so I read on eagerly. I actually liked little snot-nosed Amy and her maturation the best. I think Alcott was conflicted regarding her notions of womanhood. She created the independent, non-conformist, bold Jo March - our herione. Yet, she tirelessly pumps up marriage and the love of a man as being the best life has to offer. Her little asides to readers about 'being kind to spinsters, who missed the bloom of life' ' and 'boys loving their mothers above all else forever' just seemed over the top to me, even for the late 1800's. Oh, and I kinda wanted to smack Marmee around -- Is that wrong?

So, I can see the attraction for a young girl and I do understand why it has endured. I am glad I finally read it, but count me out on the sequels. Although, I do plan on next reading Geraldine Brooks' Pulitzer Prize winning 'March' - which was really why I finally made the sugary plunge in the first place after all these years. ( )