An Old-Fashioned Girl

I'm not someone who typically enjoys rereading books, but An Old-Fashioned Girl is one of the rare novels that I come back to again and again and again. The story is simple and charming and sweetly romantic, populated with people I would like to know and who I enjoy following from childhood to adulthood. They're not perfect, but they're goodhearted and while not unafraid to do so, they still face their flaws honestly. Although written more than a century ago, Louisa May Alcott's lessons on the acts and attitudes that "render home what it should be---a happy place where parents and children, brothers and sisters, learn to love and know and help one another" still ring true for me every time.

When fourteen-year-old Polly Milton goes to stay with her friend Fanny for the summer, she finds that the Shaw family's wealthy city life couldn't be more different from her country upbringing. With her plain clothes and more practical interests, Polly is out of place among a crowd focused on following the latest trends and presenting the right image. One of the few people who doesn't pressure her to fit in is Fanny's brother, Tom, but he's also one of the most annoying people Polly has ever met.

Over the next six years, Polly's annual visits challenge the Shaw family to question their values even as Polly feels pressured to conform to societal expectations, though she remains old-fashioned at heart. As Polly navigates the highs and lows show more of growing up, friendship, love, and fortune, her greatest challenge is being true to herself. show less

This classic romance, set in England, was written back in the day (1869) for younger folks, geared especially towards young girls, who, today, would probably vomit at all this upright, old-fashioned morality. Personally, I like old-fashioned ways.

Polly is the old-fashioned girl, but also a strong female character, in this novel. She was from a poor family, but her family was very close and loving. She learned at an early age that "a kind little thought, an unselfish little act, a cheery little word, are so sweet and comfortable, that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver, no matter how small they are." (p. 31) You see Polly living by this one rule of thought throughout the novel.

When Polly first visited her friend, show more Fanny, she did feel a bit out of sorts at times because of their fine house and the fine gowns Fanny wore around all of her other snarky little friends. Fanny was constantly trying to dress Polly up so she wouldn't be embarrassed of her friend's plain dresses. But, Polly refused to be anything other than what she was. This attracted Fanny's brother, Tom, who, of course, thought this refreshing to see, and eventually earned respect from Fanny.

Polly wasn't one to even date or show more than just friendship between her and male friends. The one time she did cave and play the game, it hurt a few of her friends. Fanny was hurt because she happened to be interested in the one guy Polly was flirting with, when she really was only interested in Tom. And the recipient of the flirtatious act was being fooled into believing there was a growing relationship. This didn't sit well with Polly, so she ended it to save her friendship with Fanny, and to avoid hurting the guys heart.

Tom and Polly's friendship would grow through good times, and especially through bad times. Polly stuck by Tom's side, as his friend, as he continued to make bad decisions in life, but only because she could see he had such a good, kind heart. When Tom and Fanny's dad lost his business and they had to downsize, Polly was there offering a supportive role, whereas, most of their high-falutin' friends became scarce. Tom, who had been kicked out of college and foolishly threw away his father's money, and became so far in debt himself, was so ashamed of himself that he promised Polly he would make things right by all. He left for the west (California) to work for Polly's brother and to pay off his debts. When Tom returns home for a visit is when their long-time love is discovered. Yes, a typical romance story, but I did find myself happy and pulling for them, even without all the sexual innuendos found in today's novels. show less

E’ il primo vero romanzo che ho letto, e gli sono affezionatissima! Questa è stata per me la terza o la quarta lettura, non ricordo, ma è la prima fatta “da adulta”, e volevo farla da tantissimo tempo! Da piccola ho amato davvero molto questo romanzo, molto più di Piccole Donne, e ricordo mi aveva commosso moltissimo. Però… non credevo proprio che avrebbe potuto commuovermi ancora così tanto anche adesso! Invece la lettura mi ha catturata come fece la prima volta a dieci anni! Non c’è niente da fare, Polly ti conquista! Da piccola volevo essere come lei, e già allora mi rendevo conto che la cosa che più mi mancava per esserlo era soprattutto la saggezza di sapere in ogni occasione cosa è giusto e opportuno fare. Una show more cosa di cui sento la mancanza ancora adesso! ;) A parte questo, il libro è davvero delizioso, la Alcott mescola buonismo e ironia al punto giusto, senza risultare quasi mai stucchevole. Certo, in alcune parti ci fa proprio la morale, entrando nella narrazione coi suoi giudizi personali e molto di parte, ma ci piace così! :) E poi rimedia mirabilmente con la freschezza con cui descrive i suoi personaggi! Un’immagine su tutte: le confidenze d’amore tra amiche, parlando “in codice” per iniziali e soprannomi! :)

http://www.naufragio.it/iltempodileggere/3135 show less

When I began my reread of An Old-fashioned Girl, I looked at the 2 stars I'd rated it years ago and was baffled. But then I finished it and nodded. Yes, indeed, this is an interesting novel, not terrible, but not one I care to revisit.

Let me give some details, so if I ever think I need to read it again, I'll know why I shouldn't.

The first part of the book, when Polly is 14 and visiting the Shaws for the first time, is enjoyable enough. It has some realism to the characters and the country-mouse-in-the-city is rather fun. Polly is awfully good and wholesome, but we know that will be the case from the title, and she is an admirable main character for children of 1869 to read about.

The second part, however, is where I started to have less show more fun, and began to feel like I was reading a Sunday School story - albeit one with interesting characters and troubles. Alcott uses Polly and the Shaws to promote her ideas about home and family being of primary importance, and purposeful work in aid of others as paramount to a happy life. Several sections are flat and strawmannish, so Alcott can have the characters tell each other these things. I don't think Alcott is wrong in anything she promotes, it's just so preachy and stops the good story.

I did find it amusing in a looking at history way that she defends herself as not a "rampant women's rights reformer" even as she argues that women are just as capable as men, perhaps moreso because they can be mothers, too, and they ought to have the vote, as well as meaningful work.

Also amusing: at the beginning of the last chapter, she speaks directly to the reader about how rather than deal with the fuss of unhappy readers, she'll finish the story by letting the romantic pairs all marry off to a happy ever after (and then reneges and leaves one a lifelong spinster).

Somehow I feel fond of the book and glad I've refreshed my memory on the details, but really, it's not a pleasant reread! show less

What a sweet little book. It sort of eddies on in a wholesome way, showing us little Polly’s good influence on everything she touches. L.M.A didn’t make her an absolute angel, she has her own struggles, so at no point did I get fed up with her. It did make me wonder what Alcott’s opinion of me would be, as I sat on the couch in my pyjama’s, having a little snack while reading this book…

While I certainly read (and loved) "Little Women" when I was a kid, "An Old-Fashioned Girl" was the Louisa May Alcott book I read over and over. I loved the story of Polly and her old-fashioned, farmer girl values set in a city that moves a little too fast for her.

I recently came across the book again on a trip to the library and couldn't resist picking up for another read. I found it still held up fairly well-- the story is both charming and sweet and only terribly preachy in a couple of spots.

I'll admit I have some nostalgic feelings for the book -- I knew some of the passages by heart--but still enjoyed it immensely.