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Little Women  By  cover art

Little Women

By: Louisa May Alcott
Narrated by: Barbara Caruso
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Editorial reviews

Barbara Caruso's rendering is wonderful. She skillfully combines the voices of a fairly large cast. Just as splendidly, she presents the text in an old-fashioned style, tone and pronunciation befitting the setting of the story. The four sisters, though each unique, must be a challenge even for several voices, but Caruso's solo voice always enthralls. The performance is worthwhile no matter what previous experience with Little Women the listener has.

Publisher's summary

Most people know this book from the Academy Award-winning motion picture starring Winona Ryder. Now, introduce them to the sparkling American classic behind the movie: a charming portrait of the joys and hardships of the four sisters in Civil War New England. Separated by the war from their beloved parents, these "little women" struggle to find their place in the world.
Public Domain (P)2005 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"Barbara Caruso gives a delightful reading of an old-fashioned, reassuring classic. For all ages." (Lawrence Eagle Tribune)

What listeners say about Little Women

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Head's Up #3!

Why pay $5.95 for this "Audio Book Du Jour" when the kindle edition is $0.00 (Caution...there are multiple Kindle editions - make sure you select the right one) and after you "purchase" that book the Audible audiobook is $2.99. ***After purchasing the free Kindle book you actually have a choice of 4 different versions of the Audiobook at the $2.99 price. Narrated by Barbara Caruso, Flo Gibson, Lorelei King or Laural Merlington. Obviously this is not a review but I didn't know where else to post.

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75 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Glad I waited for this release!

What a wonderful reading by Barbara Caruso! She brings this book to life. I almost bought the other unabridged version, but I held out for another one to be released--and I'm glad I did! This reading is so much better. If you love Little Women, don't hesitate to buy this.

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60 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Timeless Listen

I first listened to this book, read by this narrator, at age thirteen, and I was thrilled to find it again. The book itself can only be called comfortable, and Caruso's warm, gentle but expressive voice seems meant to read it. She speaks by turns as the motherly Mrs. March, the rough and wild tomboy Jo, gentle Meg, prim Amy, shy, quiet Beth, or even such characters as Laurie, pensive and mischievous by turns, and his gruff but kindly grandfather, and never fails to sound natural. I have been disappointed with other renderings of the story, such as the recent film, simply because they were not as well acted as this one. I always feel as if I'm listening to it being read by the author herself. Maybe it's classified as a book for children and teens; maybe it was written over a century ago. But the story of the four sisters can never be outdated or outgrown.

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59 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

definitely worth a listen

I agree w the first reviewer - the narrator is absolute perfection for this particular story. In listening, I realized that my beloved childhood book was most certainly abridged, for this one does go on a bit :-)

And it reflects some odd notions of the time. Of course, the puritan work ethic reigns supreme, but also the place of women, class distinctions (even tho the March's were poor; evidently the Irish were poorer). A LOT of sentimentality, so if you didn't like this as a child, you're not going to like it as an adult.

But if you keep the time frame and point of view of the author in mind, it's really a delightful listen.

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43 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Timeless nuggets of wisdom

What did you love best about Little Women?

I have to admit that I read this at the request of my wife who was covering it with our home schooled children. I was not excited about it as I prefer more "sensational" writings as the character "Joe" puts it. However, I found that it was indeed splendid! I particularly enjoyed the characters, who were vivid and real, and grew through the experiences and trials of life that face us all.

What did you like best about this story?

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and especially the embedded pearls of wisdom and truth judiciously placed throughout. Even though the cultural norms are far different than our own, I found the stories easily understandable and very enjoyable.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This was certainly a book that I did not want to "put down"!

Any additional comments?

I wish I had read it earlier!

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26 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • GK
  • 04-04-14

Louisa May Alcott's Classic

If you could sum up Little Women in three words, what would they be?

I adored this book when I first read it over 40 years ago. It's timeless, funny and warm without being too saccharine or sentimental. The ending is drawn out a bit long, but doesn't take away from the enjoyment of the story. I'm a picky reader/listener and Barbara Caruso did a top drawer job narrating. She reads with enthusiasm and gives honor to Louisa May Alcott.

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17 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • C.
  • 04-14-11

such a wonderful story!!!

I loved listening to this. It had been years since I first read the story and i was so pleasantly surprised to re-experience it. the narrator was fantastic.

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11 people found this helpful

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Little Women

Great book. I read it when I was a kid but had forgotten how good it is.

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Aspiring Motherhood

As a mother to both one girl and one boy, this book rightly found its way into my heart. What more could a mother pray for than that her children walk in Truth, humbly serving their family and neighbors with contentment - whatever their social standing?

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

I know it's old, but I still can't stomach it

"Morale" shoved down your throat. Women who need men for their fulfillment, and to "fix" their lives. Personality traits treated as terrible faults to be corrected. Women considered "independent" because they're allowed to make a little bit of money, but still most careers are closed to them. And of course women must both marry and have children, or they'll become cranky and miserable when they grow old.

Yes, I know it was written in 1868 and "things were different back then", but it is still presented as a novel to be read for entertainment rather than a document of how crazy the values were back then.

I would never, ever let children read this. They might take the "lessons" to heart and become misogynistic little monsters who believe they are progressive and support women's independence.

Taken as a document of how people and values were 150 years ago, it's fairly interesting and very well written. Narrator does a good job.

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7 people found this helpful