Orphaned Rose is rich in aunts and cousins, and when Uncle Alec returns from sea, he endeavors to make her happy and healthy again. Rose goes on an island camping expedition, reads aloud to her cousin Mac (the "Worm," for Bookworm), allows Annabel to pierce her ears, celebrates Christmas with the family, and befriends and teaches Phebe, the orphaned housemaid.

See also: A Little Princess, The Secret Garden

"A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman." (Uncle Alec to Rose, 50)

"Too much money is a bad thing."
"But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantest part of having it, I think." (Rose to Uncle Alec, 85)

...it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want trumpets blown, we do like to have our little virtues appreciated, and cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not. (113)

"Polish is easily added, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of gilding will be of use if your timber is not sound." (Uncle Alec, 146)

"I remember hearing grandpa say that a love for good books was one of the best safeguards a man could have." (Archie, 192)

"This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it men will sell honor and honesty..." (Mrs. Jessie, 192)

"Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any corset-maker, and I won't have her interfered with." (Uncle Alec, 200)

...in this queer world of ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people's children. (213) ( )

The story of Rose Campbell, a lonely and sickly girl who has been recently orphaned and must now reside with her maiden great aunts, the matriarchs of her wealthy Boston family. When Rose's guardian, Uncle Alec, returns from abroad, he takes over her care.

Eight Cousins lacked a lot of the charm found in Little Women. The story was too sappy for my liking and I thought the main character was spoiled, or at least overly indulged. ( )

Review for audio only -- see my Kindle edition for a review of the book.

Marie Therese does a fine job narrating this children's book in the version 2 of LibriVox's recordings. ( )

When I was in my early teens, there was a trifecta of authors that I devoured: Jane Austen, L.M. Montgomery, and Louisa May Alcott. I even made an informational web page about them on Angelfire... those were the days...

Anyway, revisiting a book like Eight Cousins reminds me exactly how I was influenced by these characters. A lot of my world view was shaped by this innocent wholesomeness, exemplified by Rose, the main character. Her ladylike presence automatically inspired people around her (namely, men) to be their best selves! So much gentility and respect! This impressed me mightily! I subconsciously stored this fascinating social education away, only to find that's not quite how it goes...

But while it's a bit out of place in the modern age, and occasionally some would say naive, I'm glad it was part of my youth and wouldn't trade it for anything!

In this book, orphaned Rose comes to live with her guardian uncle, and her neighbors are 7 boy cousins and a bunch of other corresponding aunts and uncles!

She arrives a tired, droopy little thing who survives on strong coffee, is proud of her tightly cinched little waist, and is about as uneducated as most girls of her class... but Uncle Alec changes all that. By the end of the book she's well on her way to being a truly healthy young girl with high spirits and noble ambitions, who can also make her 7 cousins toe the line.

There are some delightful episodes, such as the "freedom suit" her uncle orders for her (the opposite of a corset). And, pay particular attention to the development of Mac, her bookworm cousin... because there's more to come in the next book!! ( )