Rose in Bloom

By: Louisa May Alcott

Narrated by: C.M. Hebert

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

This is the charming, human account of the adventures of lovely, wealthy Rose Campbell as she grows into young womanhood.

Rose's greatest attraction undoubtedly is that she's such a "real girl". She has her trials and disappointments, her temptations and failures. But with the aid of loving counsel and a level head, she manages to turn out into a thoroughly lovable, admirable woman.

When Rose returns home from a trip abroad with her dear uncle, Dr. Alec, and her devoted companion, Phoebe, she discovers that her riches do not bring happiness in themselves. She learns that balls and parties bring pain as well as pleasure, and discovers how to weather love affairs while also helping her eight gallant cousins over their ups and downs. This is an unusually delightful book.

(P)1997 Blackstone Audio Inc.

better read than listened to

I think this recording skipped a chapter. Narrator is slightly better than that in the free one

Rose

This was well done. There were a few times that I noticed that the reader changed the words. There was a place that as missed in the editing and still had the original recording from the end of a tape.

Rose Campbell Chooses

C. M. Hebert does a delightful narration of "Rose in Bloom", part two of "Eight Cousins". She has quite a number of excellent performances of Alcott stories to her credit. Beneath the warm lighthearted glow of her stories, Louisa May Alcott deals with very substantial issues which each person must decide. Each must decide or decide by not deciding what kind of a person one is going to be. Through tiny steps, thoughts and deeds, we each slowly, step by step, choose the person we become.

For Rose Campbell, she must decide whether to be the queen of ballroom gaiety or something more substantial. She has inherited vast wealth and can do as she likes. For her seven grown up cousins, a time to choose has also arrived. In fact, we find the die was cast in their childhood and now we watch the results. The choices become fewer and fewer as they become men and women reaching their potential or falling tragically short.

Some say Louisa May Alcott is only an author of children's books. I do not. While children can read and enjoy her books, there is much food for thought for adults.

The thought occurred to me that Ms. Alcott, Jane Austen, Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte, all maiden women, (well, Charlotte did marry but only a few months before her death so I am not sure that counts) all had a better insight of how men think and what motivates them than all the creators of these modern caricatures of men we find on television, movies and in books.

Very enjoyable sequel.

Audio was well done. Good Alcott story of Rose and the rest of the Campbell clan. Easy listening. Recommended book.

Beautiful story

Beautiful continuation of Eight Cousins. A coming of age story. A warm, feel good read.

Charming

I first read the books Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom at 10. Now, in my late 50's, I find them more charming and engaging than ever.

One of the best books ever

This book was so good it is full of all the love the author put into this book 📚 anyone how loves good books that help you along in life will love this book and eight cousins. And as you are happy and sad with rose and her final blooming you will love her all the more

Verbose and silly

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I can't imagine

Has Rose in Bloom turned you off from other books in this genre?

Perhaps. It left a really bad taste.

Did C.M. Hebert do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No

What character would you cut from Rose in Bloom?

All of them.

Any additional comments?

As an English teacher, I am not put off by the quaint and Victorian, but this was the worst listening experience I've had.