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Mar 01, 2009 Sara rated it it was amazing

Former-fashioned? Sure. Out of date? Not at all. Despite being written more than a century ago, this charming and sweet book has some very important themes and messages for today. In classic LMA manner, this volume is meant to exist morally inspiring for Tweens and teens who already have the moral premise of archetype conservative Christian values. To evaluate a LMA book exterior of that bent is to essentially judge a fish's ability to climb a tree. In my opinion, this book is highly entertaining and in Old-fashioned? Sure. Out of appointment? Non at all. Despite existence written more than than a century ago, this charming and sweet book has some very important themes and messages for today. In classic LMA fashion, this book is meant to be morally inspiring for Tweens and teens who already accept the moral premise of classic conservative Christian values. To evaluate a LMA book exterior of that bent is to essentially judge a fish'south ability to climb a tree. In my opinion, this book is highly entertaining and inspiring. As a life long LMA fan and a young mom, I enjoyed many of the characters and their story arcs. Admittedly, this book is not without sermons and information technology is difficult to follow the conversations in places where the speaker changes but the formatting seems to hide that fact. In that location is no question that I enjoyed this volume every bit a young mom and await forwards to sharing it with my children. ...more

Nov 22, 2009 Manybooks rated it really liked information technology

Although this here Louisa May Alcott novel, although Jack and Jill is in many means incredibly preachy and moralising, and definitely much more then than her Little Women, and although I always do tend to cry my eyes out at one particular part (fifty-fifty more so than when Beth dies in Little Women), I keep rereading and enjoying Jack and Jill.

At present I am indeed more well aware and appreciative of the fact that many of the letters presented and promoted past Louisa May Alcott in

Jack and Jill are rath Although this here Louisa May Alcott novel, although Jack and Jill is in many ways incredibly preachy and moralising, and definitely much more so than her Little Women, and although I always practise tend to cry my eyes out at one detail part (even more and so than when Beth dies in Little Women), I continue rereading and enjoying Jack and Jill.

Now I am indeed more than well aware and appreciative of the fact that many of the messages presented and promoted past Louisa May Alcott in

Jack and Jill are rather massively outdated, that at that place are gender inequality and obvious social stratification and often rather overtly presented, but that has besides not stopped me from calling Jack and Jill ane of my personal favourites, and a novel that I do and continuously relish and cherish (over and over and over again). And sometimes, that is actually all one tin and should wait of reading textile to be considered a classic and perennial favourite, namely that information technology has personal reread potential and reread entreatment (equally for me, any book, any novel, that I relish rereading and often, any tome that has that special and magical entreatment, is to and for my feelings peachy literature, potential issues, potential bug even with outdated content and/or possible stylistic problems e'er quite notwithstanding and even at least personally above my own criticism). And while Jack and Jill certainly exhibits many instances of particularly moralising preachiness and is thus past no means a "perfect" novel by any stretch of the imagination, it has every bit had, and from the very first fourth dimension I read Jack and Jill as a young adult, that very and oh and so special rereading magic which make certain books personal favourites, and thus, at least to and for me, enduring and much loved literary classics. ...more

Rereading books you loved as a child tin make y'all encounter both; all of the wonderful things in them, and all of the flaws. I think the parts about Temperance passed me by equally a kid, maybe I didn't realize the secret lodge was nearly forbearing to drink.

And no ane ever accused Louisa of being light handed with the morals. But the strange thing is, her sense of right and wrong is not far off the mark. Nosotros would be better people if we learned to protect and intendance for those effectually united states, if our mother'south pri

Rereading books you loved as a child can make you meet both; all of the wonderful things in them, and all of the flaws. I call back the parts about Temperance passed me past as a child, maybe I didn't realize the secret society was about forbearing to drink.

And no one e'er accused Louisa of being light handed with the morals. Merely the strange thing is, her sense of right and wrong is not far off the mark. Nosotros would be improve people if we learned to protect and intendance for those around the states, if our mother's pride in us was justly earned, if we thought to ourselves, how can I be useful? how can I set up a good instance without judging others?

And I don't think information technology is wrong to write a book, whose goal is to set a good example for people, while entertaining them at the same time. I hope that no ane tells me years from now, "The Hunger Games was a good book, but so preachy with the morals."

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Aug 05, 2011 Carly marked information technology as to-read

What is up with people criticizing the morals that Louisa May Alcott had in her books, proverb it's a proficient story "except" for the moral talk? Louisa May Alcott was a Christian! Morals are a Skilful thing (gasp) for humans to acquire, whatever religion or creed, and I wish at that place were more than authors like her today.

I read books by women like Louisa May Alcott considering I wish the world were more like the style she painted information technology, non this depraved rock we currently live on. I'k putting this i on my to-read list

What is up with people criticizing the morals that Louisa May Alcott had in her books, saying it's a expert story "except" for the moral talk? Louisa May Alcott was a Christian! Morals are a Good thing (gasp) for humans to learn, whatever religion or creed, and I wish there were more than authors like her today.

I read books by women similar Louisa May Alcott because I wish the world were more like the fashion she painted it, not this depraved rock we currently alive on. I'thousand putting this one on my to-read listing because I love her books and I hope she was as "heavy-handed" with the moral talk in this one every bit she was in her others!

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May 03, 2011 Josiah rated it actually liked it

When reading the books of Louisa May Alcott, one must remember that her career was at its zenith a fair while ago. Her creative merits should be viewed in the context of contemporary literature for young readers as it stood when she was active, and that puts a different camber on how her works are to be regarded nowadays. Viewed through that prism, Jack and Jill is a remarkably progressive novel, one that likely stood head and shoulders over nearly any other juvenile story of the fourth dimension. If the New When reading the books of Louisa May Alcott, one must remember that her career was at its zenith a fair while agone. Her creative merits should be viewed in the context of contemporary literature for young readers as it stood when she was agile, and that puts a dissimilar slant on how her works are to be regarded present. Viewed through that prism, Jack and Jill is a remarkably progressive novel, 1 that likely stood caput and shoulders over nearly any other juvenile story of the fourth dimension. If the Newbery Medal had existed in 1881 to give to the Most Distinguished Contribution to American Literature for Children, I would not have been surprised to run into it go to Jack and Jill...and it probably would have been the third or fourth career Newbery Medal won by Louisa May Alcott (as of 2020, no author has won it more than twice).

If you're expecting just a dainty, old-fashioned story of 1800s village life in Jack and Jill, so you will be surprised. Louisa May Alcott takes on a number of difficult issues in the volume, including astringent, lasting wellness bug in children, the realities of death when information technology hits shut to home, and the bittersweet poignancy of that imperceptible shift that occurs when children begin to morph into adolescents, whether they're ready or non. If I were to compare this book to a much later one, it would have to be Susan Patron's The Higher Ability of Lucky and its sequels, which took a like tone in giving gratis range to the expression of its characters about the wan doubtfulness of letting go of childhood and moving frontwards from at that place. Similar Susan Patron'southward acclaimed novels, Jack and Jill is about much more than only that ane issue, of course; there are ample characters and stories for a couple of full-length books at least, a tribute to the richness of thought that Louisa May Alcott put into this book. Interesting people never exist in a vacuum; neither practise skillful, nuanced characters in a volume face their troubles and moments of triumph without their friends and family going through similar situations effectually them.

Jack and his friend Jill (which is merely a nickname for her, by the fashion, a playfully trite reference to her close friendship with Jack) may be the principal focus of the book, merely not at all by a huge measure out. In the starting time chapter catastrophe strikes as the two friends injure themselves pretty seriously in a sled crash during the heart of winter. Jack and Jill are confined to bed for a long time; Jack has suffered a broken leg and a gash on his head, merely Jill's malady appears to be far worse. Her back has sustained much damage, and she can't fifty-fifty walk anymore. Until the swelling goes down (if it fifty-fifty does), information technology's impossible to predict the long-term effects of Jill's injuries. Her female parent manages to evade directly addressing the subject of the dubious prognosis with Jill for some time, but there certainly is a real chance that Jill may never walk again. How deplorable it would be to lose the gift of physical mobility because of an ill-considered ride on a sled.

While laid up in bed, Jill begins to call back that she really has zippo at all to offer to her friends or to her mother any more, and her signature spunk noticeably fades. She determines that the but way for her to do something tangibly positive for the ones she cares about is to become besides-behaved and expert as possible. Information technology's not easy to touch such a change on an firsthand basis, but striving to practise then gives Jill a goal that she can work toward minute past minute as she bears with her interminable time abed; and sure enough, her character does see comeback even as she lies there helplessly in her room.

Jill'south changes to herself do not go unnoticed past her friends. Possibly the second-most emphasized story in the book is that of Molly Loo and her toddler blood brother, Boo (once again, just a playful nickname), living without a mother with their father and a maid hired to go on business firm. Without any outside urging, Molly Loo decides that it's time to claim responsibility and start taking care of their business firm; she also begins tending to Boo, learning at a very young age what information technology means to exist in charge of the domestic share of a family's daily labor. Molly adapts her methods when what she'southward doing doesn't work, and keeps on trying when information technology would be much easier to give in and go back to the mode things used to be. Her eventual reward is that the household runs much, much better every bit a direct result of her sustained efforts, though information technology takes her begetter a long while to discover the change since he works all the time. Through goose egg but the force of her own will, Molly has changed the fortunes of her family and given herself a foothold for the future.

Jack, Jill, Molly and all of their other friends, each of whom we are given the opportunity of getting to know in this volume, are speeding toward adolescence, and they know that major changes are upward alee fifty-fifty as their personal issues, big and pocket-sized, find degrees of resolution. Nothing in their past has prepared them completely for what becoming a teenager and so an adult is like, but they do have the smaller issues that they have worked through all of their lives from which to learn. What's upwardly ahead are, mostly, just more complex versions of the same problems that they've known previously, and if they tin confront those days in the future with the same conclusion and willingness to adapt that they take carried with them to this point, so they at least have the tools to create success in any situation they run into, still life may twist and turn and surprise them as they, themselves, abound and change. They can hold on to each other and to the families that love them, and they will be all right no matter how night the nights get.

Louisa May Alcott was far alee of her time in the writing of Jack and Jill, in my stance. More than a hundred years afterwards writers are just beginning to consistently touch on on the kind of deep wisdom found in this volume and how it applies to new young teenagers, and unpacking the sort of experiential communication that Louisa May Alcott expertly wove into her writing many decades before any of the new guard of authors was even built-in. It really is impressive to see how out-of-the-box Louisa May Alcott was in her writing, and how keenly relevant a book like Jack and Jill still is today for kids going through the exact aforementioned sorts of concrete and emotional changes that afflicted their forefathers. I would guess that Jack and Jill will not lose its ability to inspire and to teach for some other hundred years, or five hundred, or even a grand. Some books are timeless in the rendering of their theme even as the specifics of the characters' daily lives inevitably becomes sometime-fashioned, but information technology's the core effectiveness of the theme and how it is presented that makes the book worthy of lasting. Jack and Jill is merely such a novel, and I hope that kids will never stop reading it and learning about themselves through its realistic characters and memorable stories. I would give three and a half stars to Jack and Jill.

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I loved this. I read Louisa May Alcott when I was very young but didn't recollect much of her books. This was so lively and whimsical with its great cast of characters. People are but not that gracious and loving towards each other anymore then it was nice to visit that time. I loved the catastrophe and how it wrapped up all of the young people's futures. I loved this. I read Louisa May Alcott when I was very young but didn't remember much of her books. This was so lively and whimsical with its peachy bandage of characters. People are just not that gracious and loving towards each other anymore so it was nice to visit that time. I loved the ending and how information technology wrapped up all of the young people's futures. ...more

May 28, 2019 Wendi rated it information technology was amazing

Dearest this tale of 19th century American children by the author of Little Women. Didactic but warm and sweet. Missionary work begins with taking yourself in mitt.

Oct 15, 2015 Diana Maria rated information technology it was astonishing

What a pleasant surprise and a delightful relief to re-read this darling book which is accounted by many as former-fashioned. I say, balderdash and humbugs!! for information technology is as wholesome equally homemade butter scraped over homebaked bread. The friendship, the industriousness, the cheerfulness, the love and sesibility and sense! If there is something birthday moral, uplifting written with care, love with genuine knowledge of children'due south minds and souls, with traditional views on education, business firm-keeping, friend What a pleasant surprise and a delightful relief to re-read this darling book which is deemed by many as old-fashioned. I say, balderdash and humbugs!! for it is as wholesome as homemade butter scraped over homebaked staff of life. The friendship, the industriousness, the cheerfulness, the honey and sesibility and sense! If at that place is something birthday moral, uplifting written with care, love with genuine knowledge of children's minds and souls, with traditional views on pedagogy, house-keeping, friendship, dear , good sense, good taste, exquisite sense of fashion and of life in full general it is this. It is e'er considered outdated, for Alcott fought with a pen, good morals and beloved. And I consider it GREAT!
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Feb 24, 2020 Emma rated information technology it was astonishing

I read this back in February. Hither's my thoughts! :)

I loved this little book so much! Information technology was the nearly perfect and cozy winter evening read. Louisa May Alcott's books just bring me so much joy, encouragement, and condolement. With every book I choice up by her, it reminds me all over again why I love her books so much.

First off, every single graphic symbol became and so existent to me. I loved them all: Jack, Jill, Frank, Gus, Ed, Merry, Molly Loo, Ralph— all of them.

I admire Jill's cheerful spirit, Jack's courag

I read this dorsum in February. Here'southward my thoughts! :)

I loved this niggling book then much! It was the most perfect and cozy wintertime evening read. Louisa May Alcott'due south books but bring me then much joy, encouragement, and comfort. With every book I pick up by her, information technology reminds me all over over again why I love her books so much.

First off, every single character became so existent to me. I loved them all: Jack, Jill, Frank, Gus, Ed, Merry, Molly Loo, Ralph— all of them.

I adore Jill's cheerful spirit, Jack's backbone and good heart, Frank's sense of doing what'south right, Gus for his kindness, Merry for her perseverance, Molly for making the all-time of things, Ralph for his kind middle and ambition, and Ed— for being everything he was. *tears*

I particular affiliate was and so beautifully written, and so lovely and heartbreaking I tin can't tell you lot. I wasn't expecting it at all only alas! Louisa May Alcott knows how to surprise me and intermission my heart... and then piece it back together with her beautiful words. It brought a lot of things into perspective, what's actually important in life. And then with many tears, I was left with a smile and and so encouraged.

I love L.M.A.'s writing and this story so very much! She will forever be my favorite author.
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Quotes I loved:

"for faithfulness in fiddling things fits ane for heroism when the slap-up trails come."

"Our actions are in our own hands, but the consequences of them are non. Think that, my dear, and think twice before you practise annihilation."

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So Jack and Jill become sledding and an accident causes them to be bedridden for months. In those months, they encounter with their friends, they talk, they play, they are merry, and go through several "adventures" (well they can't move much because the sled accident left them pretty busted, but hey I couldn't find a ameliorate word). It'south very sweetness. Unrealistically so. Borderline nauseatingly so. Anybody is very one dimensional, everyone is a skilful Christian and a perfect soul, and they will let you lot know e So Jack and Jill go sledding and an accident causes them to exist bedridden for months. In those months, they meet with their friends, they talk, they play, they are merry, and become through several "adventures" (well they can't move much because the sled blow left them pretty busted, merely hey I couldn't find a better word). It's very sweet. Unrealistically so. Borderline nauseatingly and then. Everyone is very one dimensional, everyone is a expert Christian and a perfect soul, and they will allow you lot know exactly why.

It's a very preachy book, in which the author seeks to pass on proficient morals and values, from a Christian signal of a view. Some of those morals are quite questionable* but overall it's not a bad child's volume. Were I a 12 twelvemonth onetime Christian male child and I would probably love it. As a 26 year quondam, however it is kind of grating - I confess I couldn't finish it. So I gauge what I'thousand saying is preach to the choir sis, only non to me.

* He obeyed orders, and that is what we all must do, without always seeing why, or daring to apply our ain judgment.
Wow she really said screw critical thinking huh?

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I get the sense Alcott felt compelled to write several books 'in the manner of' Little Women for reasons other than actually having more than stories to tell. The March sisters are so alive and complicated and flawed, and don't tend to larn their morals patly at the terminate of each chapter. Whereas I find the characters of her other childrens' novels -- even in Little Men, and to an extent in Jo's Boys -- to be flat and uninspired, simultaneously precocious and gentle-hearted, sweetly tamed by the ever-w I get the sense Alcott felt compelled to write several books 'in the mode of' Lilliputian Women for reasons other than actually having more stories to tell. The March sisters are so alive and complicated and flawed, and don't tend to learn their morals patly at the terminate of each chapter. Whereas I detect the characters of her other childrens' novels -- fifty-fifty in Footling Men, and to an extent in Jo's Boys -- to be apartment and uninspired, simultaneously precocious and gentle-hearted, sweetly tamed by the ever-wise, ever-forgiving Mother figure. And the worst of it is, they're pretty boring, actually. ...more

Splendid story about self-comeback and friendship in the face of trials and illness. But information technology manages to be so brilliant and cheery throughout!

When I was thirteen years sometime, and read and reread this book a hundred times, I'd take given information technology 5 stars. The fact that it remains a three star book into adulthood is no modest accomplishment for an author from some other age.

Louisa May Alcott'south style is very openly didactic and so grates a little on modern ears. We're used to having our literary sermons served up in more sneaky ways.

The story presented characters that quickly became existent and multifaceted to me. I sympathized with their plights a

When I was xiii years old, and read and reread this book a hundred times, I'd have given it five stars. The fact that information technology remains a three star book into adulthood is no small achievement for an author from another historic period.

Louisa May Alcott's style is very openly didactic and then grates a footling on mod ears. We're used to having our literary sermons served upward in more sneaky ways.

The story presented characters that apace became real and multifaceted to me. I sympathized with their plights and their motivations. (Of course, I starting time met them all 32 years ago.) I felt that the hours I spent reading the book were spent amid old friends, and the book made a pleasant reunion.

The thing I constitute difficult to believe is how hands the mothers were able to guide the pliant and compliant children. This seemed very unreal. But then over again, Louisa May Alcott was never a female parent.

And, it wasn't only the mothers and children, total-grown characters who were behaving badly could be brought to repentance and present a change in beliefs by chance overheard comments or small-scale nudges in chat. Again, tin this be real?

I reread the book as function of a immersion in the decades following the Civil War for a project. It served that purpose well. I was able to come across the earth (even if it was arcadian) through the eyes of an 1880 woman, and it made a very pretty picture.

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Mar 29, 2018 Alyssa Nelson rated information technology really liked information technology

I was interested in Jack and Jill past Louisa May Alcott considering the merely book I've read by her is Little Women, so I wanted to see what her other works contained. It's adequately like in fashion and content; information technology'southward a realistic fiction narrative almost growing up and ever striving to be a better person. I dear the characters she follows in this series, especially the titular characters: Jack and Jill. They are 2 friends who go seriously injured during a sledding accident. Through their families' I was interested in Jack and Jill by Louisa May Alcott because the simply book I've read by her is Piddling Women, and then I wanted to see what her other works contained. Information technology's fairly like in style and content; information technology's a realistic fiction narrative about growing upwardly and ever striving to be a better person. I dear the characters she follows in this series, specially the titular characters: Jack and Jill. They are two friends who go seriously injured during a sledding blow. Through their families' and friends' assist, they're able to recover and learn how to be more than conscientious.

The chief themes in this are learning how to be kind to others and put their happiness before your own, likewise every bit learning how to accept responsibleness for yourself. While it's not a thrilling book, I found it to be enjoyable, since the characters are so likeable and relatable. Their friendships with each other and how they accept care of each other is incredibly heartwarming, and it's a pleasant, happy, feel-good read. However, it is also a product of its time and does have some antiquated ethics; it is also a quite a scrap more than preachy than Fiddling Women was, but information technology at the very least mostly preaches kindness and doing right past others, which are certainly great qualities for anyone to larn. On the whole, Jack and Jill is a nice middle grade coming of age story.

Also posted on Purple People Readers.

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April 22, 2014 Anna rated it it was amazing

Read this with a view towards what age would listen to a read-aloud version. I call up it needs to exist at least 10-12 years quondam, as the characters are in their middle teens. The language is somewhat advanced and archaic for today'southward children (unless they are properly homeschooled ;) ) and the moralistic tone may turn some of them off. Actually, Alcott had some advanced ideas for her day and historic period, probably because her parents were leaders in alternative pedagogy. In Jack & Jill, the children are allowe Read this with a view towards what historic period would listen to a read-aloud version. I recall it needs to be at least 10-12 years old, equally the characters are in their middle teens. The language is somewhat avant-garde and archaic for today's children (unless they are properly homeschooled ;) ) and the moralistic tone may turn some of them off. Really, Alcott had some advanced ideas for her day and age, probably considering her parents were leaders in culling education. In Jack & Jill, the children are allowed a year off of regular schoolhouse to residuum their brains and learn in a not-traditional way. So if y'all are homeschooling, you will find an ally here. ...more

This was a cute book about growing children, their fun adventures, painful misadventures, and learning to love and serve God. Information technology was filled with Alcott'due south feature lessons about patience, goodness, and godliness. As usual, the children had supportive adults in their lives who taught them with much patience, love, and care, and about chiefly, by setting examples with their own actions. The volume was quite engaging and drew me in completely. I laughed along with the characters when joy This was a beautiful book about growing children, their fun adventures, painful misadventures, and learning to love and serve God. Information technology was filled with Alcott's characteristic lessons nearly patience, goodness, and godliness. As usual, the children had supportive adults in their lives who taught them with much patience, dear, and care, and most importantly, by setting examples with their own actions. The book was quite engaging and drew me in completely. I laughed forth with the characters when joyous things happened, and cried right with them when sadness took agree. Ed Devlin's death was particularly grievous, and even now, the story of his short but sweet life lingers in the air. ...more

A sweet and comforting read, just what one tin can expect from Louisa May Alcott. I don't enjoy the moralizing like I used to in Alcott's works, only in another sense, it's refreshing to read a children's novel that consciously imparts lessons. I constitute it a little difficult to keep some of Jack and Jill'south friends straight every bit they were not completely fleshed out, but I enjoyed their side plots in add-on to the main story about Jack and Jill'southward convalescence. I think Merry was my favorite of their friday A sweet and comforting read, only what one can expect from Louisa May Alcott. I don't relish the moralizing like I used to in Alcott's works, but in another sense, it's refreshing to read a children'southward novel that consciously imparts lessons. I found it a lilliputian hard to keep some of Jack and Jill'due south friends direct as they were not completely fleshed out, but I enjoyed their side plots in improver to the main story about Jack and Jill's convalescence. I think Merry was my favorite of their friends. And, of grade, I loved how effortlessly Alcott's well-crafted prose and storytelling flows across the pages. All in all it's a wholesome story well worth reading, especially for the immature. ...more

I don't think I ever come up away from an Alcott without a happy sigh. Her books (at to the lowest degree the ones that I like to read) are sweet good, let full or existent sorrows and trails. Yes, many items are dated, but the lessons, the courage of the characters, and the sweetness of the stories is enduring. I don't call up I e'er come up away from an Alcott without a happy sigh. Her books (at least the ones that I similar to read) are sweetness good, let total or real sorrows and trails. Yes, many items are dated, but the lessons, the backbone of the characters, and the sugariness of the stories is enduring. ...more than

Dnf. I reached chapter 6 and decided that the volume was depressing me besides much to continue. Any Goodreaders who stumble across my review need to keep in heed that my opinion of this volume is biased by my personal circumstances. Essentially I'm having a rant, rather than recommending readers against information technology.

A common theme in Victorian children'south books is stoicism in pain and suffering. That's understandable in an era without anaesthetic and when childhood decease was sadly common. I guess parents wanted

Dnf. I reached affiliate 6 and decided that the book was depressing me besides much to continue. Whatever Goodreaders who stumble across my review demand to keep in mind that my stance of this book is biased by my personal circumstances. Essentially I'yard having a rant, rather than recommending readers against it.

A common theme in Victorian children'south books is stoicism in pain and suffering. That's understandable in an era without anaesthetic and when childhood death was sadly common. I estimate parents wanted their kiddies to be prepared for the inevitable suffering they would feel. So poor crippled Jack and Jill are typically depicted as being brave and stoic in their pain as a broken leg is set, a serious back injury examined, and weeks of solitude in bed are endured. Withal Jack and Jill aren't angels and their discontent is occasionally expressed in sadness, rudeness and general pettiness. Only Jack and Jill determine that they will be proficient. Goodbye bad behaviour, they are going to exist well behaved patients from now on.

You know what, this sucks. It's quack. And information technology's painful to read. Crying when you are injure isn't something to be aback of. Struggling with existence unwell isn't something to be hidden. I'm not advocating that we all throw tantrums when nosotros're sick. What I'1000 really proverb is that society hadn't quite loosened its grip on Victorian stoicism. We still celebrate sufferers of chronic affliction, disability or injury who overcome, who are unflinchingly positive, or soldier on. We gloat the brave moments and ignore the sobs in the night, the trauma of pain and sickness, and the all too familiar sense of loneliness and loss. In its rawest expression, we rob patients of the uncomplicated right to exist honest almost their experiences and struggles, and instead place on them the expectation of an indefatigable grin and spirit.

I'm sure somewhen Jack and Jill recover and get on with their lives. I know things volition be better for them in later chapters. Simply right now, in my position of being chronically ill, I don't want to read about their stoic suffering.

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Sep 24, 2020 Katja Labonté rated it it was amazing

v+ stars & nine/10 hearts. This is my second-favourite Alcott book. It is just and so sweet and beautiful and humorous and real. I dear, love Jack, and Jill, and then many of the others—Molly, Frank, Ed, Gus... It is a beautiful glimpse into life every bit it was for children in the late 1800s and it is full of cute little lessons. It is perfect for all ages, and really just satisfies and leaves you happy.

A Favourite Quote: "...both were rather the worse for so much idleness, since daily duties and studie

5+ stars & nine/ten hearts. This is my second-favourite Alcott book. Information technology is but so sweet and cute and humorous and real. I beloved, love Jack, and Jill, and then many of the others—Molly, Frank, Ed, Gus... It is a beautiful glimpse into life equally it was for children in the late 1800s and it is full of beautiful fiddling lessons. It is perfect for all ages, and actually only satisfies and leaves yous happy.

A Favourite Quote: "...both were rather the worse for so much idleness, since daily duties and studies are the wholesome bread which feeds the mind better than the dyspeptic plum-cake of sensational reading, or the unsubstantial bon-bons of frivolous amusement."
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: "Merry ... residue[ed] a infinitesimal at the gate to look down the street, which was a glorified sort of avenue, with brilliant maples lining the style and carpeting the footing with crimson and golden."
A Favourite Humorous Quote: "It would take been [a] very successful [tableau] if, of a sudden, i of the rowers had not 'defenseless a crab' with disastrous consequences. The oars were not moving, but a veteran, who looked very much similar Joe, dropped the ane he held, and in trying to plow and pummel the black-eyed warrior behind him, he tumbled off his seat, upsetting two other men, and pulling the painted boat upon them as they lay boot in the cambric deep. Shouts of laughter greeted this mishap, but George Washington never stirred. Grasping the banner, he stood business firm when all else went down in the general wreck, and the icy waves engulfed his gallant crew, leaving him erect amid a chaos of wildly tossing boots, entangled oars, and red-faced victims....
"'Quite exciting, wasn't it? Didn't know Gus had and so much presence of mind[.] If we did not know that Washington died in his bed[,] I should fearfulness that we'd seen the last of him in that shipwreck[.]'
"Much defoliation reigned behind the scenes; Ralph was heard scolding, and Joe set every i off once again by explaining, audibly, that Grif tickled him, and he couldn't stand it."

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Just finished something that demanded maximum concentration, hadn't been to the library yet, had this in the Complete Works on kindle...

Gets only 2 stars because I know I read this as a child and I didn't remember it at all. Reading it as an developed, I mainly discover how Alcott recycles people or incidents from her ain past every bit characters or situations in the books. Then hither we have the invalid girl (combined here with the tomboy girl), the invalid boy, the too studious male child, the would-exist creative person, th

Merely finished something that demanded maximum concentration, hadn't been to the library yet, had this in the Complete Works on kindle...

Gets but two stars because I know I read this as a child and I didn't remember it at all. Reading it equally an developed, I mainly observe how Alcott recycles people or incidents from her own past every bit characters or situations in the books. And then here nosotros have the invalid daughter (combined hither with the tomboy daughter), the invalid boy, the too studious boy, the would-exist artist, the wealthy rescuer, the family spinster, the missing male parent, the saintly mother. And the kids put on a show, the family goes to the shore, people accept idealistic ideas nigh how to heighten children, etc. Ah, well, write what you know.

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1880 YA. I read this long ago when I was a youngster. Borrowed it from the library.

So this story is about a couple of teenagers who take a bad sledding blow. Jack breaks his leg & suffers a concussion & "Jill" (really Jane) hurts her back. Nosotros actually don't really know the extent of Jill's back injury, since at that place were no MRIs back then. The residual of the volume is about her long recovery, their lives afterwards & those of their friends. In that location is a death of a character.
Jill does finish upwards able to

1880 YA. I read this long ago when I was a youngster. Borrowed it from the library.

And so this story is about a couple of teenagers who take a bad sledding blow. Jack breaks his leg & suffers a concussion & "Jill" (really Jane) hurts her back. We actually don't really know the extent of Jill'due south dorsum injury, since there were no MRIs back so. The rest of the book is almost her long recovery, their lives afterwards & those of their friends. There is a death of a graphic symbol.
Jill does stop up able to walk again.

I remember liking this book back in the day. When I reread information technology all these years afterwards, it just doesn't do it for me. The sledding accident & Jill getting trapped on the boat were the best parts. The rest was just filler. Dull filler. Preachy & dull. The views on women & how they were treated won't get over well present.
Interesting just if y'all desire to read all the author's books.

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Mar 13, 2007 Jenne rated information technology liked information technology

I just read an commodity about this novel ("Missionary Positions: Taming the Fell Girl in Louisa May Alcott'south Jack and Jill" by M. Hines), then I wanted to reread the book.

It was definitely more full of those glurgey Victorianisms (wholesome and pure!) than I remember, but when I was younger I but read these books pretty much at face value and didn't really call back about the imperialist subtext and what have you.

I nevertheless tin can't quite tell if she'south being serious with some of the moralizing. I want to

I simply read an article about this novel ("Missionary Positions: Taming the Savage Girl in Louisa May Alcott's Jack and Jill" by K. Hines), so I wanted to reread the volume.

It was definitely more full of those glurgey Victorianisms (wholesome and pure!) than I think, but when I was younger I but read these books pretty much at face value and didn't really remember about the imperialist subtext and what have you.

I still tin can't quite tell if she's existence serious with some of the moralizing. I want to think she wrote books like this to pay the hire and actually preferred the "sensational" stories that were supposedly shameful. Even so, I can't really exist bothered to read a agglomeration of scholarship on the subject.

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Louisa May Alcott wrote this book to encourage 2 piffling child invalids in her life. As a result, this book centers around ii little invalids and the trials, joys, physical challenges, etc. they face up. Like to Little Women in the babyhood relationships in the neighborhood and the call to consider others.

This book moves a little slower than Trivial Women every bit the invalids are bound to their bedrooms, and so a common living room. There were a few times I was tempted to quit considering of the slownes

Louisa May Alcott wrote this book to encourage two little kid invalids in her life. Equally a result, this book centers effectually 2 little invalids and the trials, joys, physical challenges, etc. they confront. Similar to Little Women in the childhood relationships in the neighborhood and the telephone call to consider others.

This volume moves a footling slower than Little Women as the invalids are bound to their bedrooms, then a mutual living room. In that location were a few times I was tempted to quit because of the slowness, merely I persevered because it was Louisa May Alcott's piece of work. Overall, I was glad that I listened to this work equally Alcott'south little moral lessons are encouraging to hear.

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I read an abridged version of this when I was trivial, which, if I recall, ended with Chapter 18--May Baskets, with the bit near Ed from Chapter 20 beingness moved to an earlier affiliate. So this was the first time that I heard about Frank and Jack Minot's temperance activities, or Pebbly Beach, or the kids taking a break from school for years on the insistence of Mrs. Minot (!), or the ultimate fates of Jill Pecq, Merry Grant, and Molly Loo. Those last six capacity were completely new to me, and the I read an abridged version of this when I was piffling, which, if I think, ended with Affiliate 18--May Baskets, with the bit near Ed from Affiliate 20 being moved to an earlier chapter. And then this was the first fourth dimension that I heard about Frank and Jack Minot'due south temperance activities, or Pebbly Beach, or the kids taking a break from school for years on the insistence of Mrs. Minot (!), or the ultimate fates of Jill Pecq, Merry Grant, and Molly Loo. Those last six chapters were completely new to me, and they permit me savor the volume in a style that I hadn't earlier. ...more

Dec eighteen, 2017 Jeana rated it really liked it

This story starts out at Christmastime, when Jack and Jill (best friends who are teenagers) get into a pretty horrible sledding accident and are bed-ridden for months. Not a ton of stuff happens, but we see how the kids become along as they're healing. Yes, information technology's full of morals and lessons but is that really so bad to read near when morals are becoming harder and harder to notice these days? I liked reading about the sweet innocence of these kids and while information technology was a bit preachy, I didn't listen it at al This story starts out at Christmastime, when Jack and Jill (best friends who are teenagers) get into a pretty horrible sledding accident and are bed-ridden for months. Non a ton of stuff happens, but we run across how the kids become forth as they're healing. Yep, it's full of morals and lessons only is that actually and then bad to read near when morals are condign harder and harder to discover these days? I liked reading about the sweet innocence of these kids and while information technology was a bit preachy, I didn't heed it at all. ...more than

"...for faithfulness in little things fits one for heroism when the neat trials come."

"...for busy minds must be fed, but not crammed; and then yous boys will go and recite at sure hours such things every bit seem most important. But there is to be no studying at nignt, no shutting up all the best hours of the solar day, no hurry and fret of getting on fast, or skimming over the surface of many studies without learning any thoroughly."

"...for faithfulness in little things fits i for heroism when the great trials come."

"...for busy minds must be fed, only not crammed; so you boys will go and recite at certain hours such things as seem most important. Merely there is to be no studying at nignt, no shutting up all the best hours of the 24-hour interval, no hurry and fret of getting on fast, or skimming over the surface of many studies without learning any thoroughly."

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I don't remember this well enough to write a review. I read it during the summer about the aforementioned time as I read Under the Lilacs. It wasn't a favorite. I don't think this well enough to write a review. I read information technology during the summertime nearly the same time as I read Under the Lilacs. Information technology wasn't a favorite. ...more than

Aug thirty, 2019 Joey rated it really liked it

"No existent trying is ever in vain."

4.5 stars! Louisa May Alcott never fails to deliver. Her characters are always SO loveable, and their growth is always so axiomatic and well done. I don't know why I didn't read this sooner. I'm just weird :/

Jack and Jill was published in 1880 subsequently having been serialized for the public, as the introduction to my edition notes; information technology was one of her final novels, although she was to alive another eight years after it'due south publication, in which time we need only business ourselves with the agreement that she wrote a number of short stories throughout them. This novel revolves effectually the younger members of Harmony Hamlet, and--more than specifically--around two children named Jack and Jill, who were involved in Jack and Jill was published in 1880 later having been serialized for the public, as the introduction to my edition notes; information technology was one of her final novels, although she was to live another eight years after it's publication, in which time nosotros demand only concern ourselves with the understanding that she wrote a number of short stories throughout them. This novel revolves effectually the younger members of Harmony Village, and--more than specifically--around two children named Jack and Jill, who were involved in a rather terrible blow at the beginning of the novel, and, through their affliction, larn to exist better people.

From what I can encounter, the novel has two main purposes. The first is to be a story nearly the characters who inhabit information technology, and the second is to be a lite or lantern of morality for those who read it (an unsurprising addition, considering our writer seems to have written this work mainly for children, if adults tin can too read information technology). Some of the morals which are presented to u.s. are a bit abhorrent, but there are some surprisingly amend ones, too.

1 of the better morals might exist found in the affiliate on the Debating Club. In this chapter, we read well-nigh the debate club which the boys of Harmony Village accept formed. What is upward for word this time around is the question of co-didactics. Should it happen in colleges? Alcott makes it articulate from the beginning that her position on this issue is in favor of co-ed schooling, and, although she has some questionable reasons for believing as such, that is enough to afford it a point. (I justification is that, for whatever reason, women have a morally edifying consequence upon men. That is a bit odd. Other, improve reasons given include: women are just as smart, and women are fun to be around.) Personally, I would have loved to see the women compete in the Debating Guild. It is a bit aggravating that the concept is not really brought up, fifty-fifty though the girls are described to have been watchers of the entertainment. That some of the boys recall that women "ruin" the fun of debating is a cherry on top, I suppose, although our author hastens to add when this is revealed that 2 of the best-loved boys, Ed and Frank, disagree with this assessment.

Another morals are bit worse, or things which I feel shouldn't exist taught to children in any way bated from historical. (The meaning here being, one might not desire to force children to speak the Pledge of Allegiance in school, but 1 might wish to teach them that it was, at one indicate in history, a matter that occurred, if you become what I mean.) Intense patriotism--to the indicate of putting dual American flags upon a bunny-house as roof, and veneration of the Founding Fathers and Columbus--is 1 of these things. It pops up in the novel quite a lot, simply it most notably credible within a chapter about the myths surrounding George Washington delivered by the young people of Harmony Village to their elders (on the George Washington Twenty-four hours, January. 21, now commonly associated with Presidents' 24-hour interval).

One interesting moral which the text wishes to impart (to some extent) is the thought that one tin find a silver lining in whatever night cloud. But what makes this philosophical position most interesting is that at one indicate the silver lining isn't proficient enough, such to the point that the but recourse left is to pray to the Lord God. This happens very late in the novel, when Jill is accidently degree into the oceans, and that ocean begins to comport her abroad; she realizes that she is in a dire position, and thinks with some solace that her friends will mourn her loss, only then she realizes something so very human being: she doesn't desire to die in this fashion! Thus, in her moment of pain, she prays to the Lord, and immediately she is saved. The whole scene is, I think, masterfully put down, with the mountain and people under which she is alone sailing, without their even being aware, an example of something poignant. I wrote in my notes the question as to whether God will always stop the worst from occurring, but that is not the intended idea I wished to impart through those notes; however, I have also forgotten the original idea, and it thus must be caste to the void.

I appreciate the character of Molly. She isn't taken care of by her parent and Bathsheba Dawes, but is instead taken care of by the families surrounding her and her friends; information technology feels quite like the parenting style evoked in the maxim 'it takes a village to raise a child'. Her arc is more than-or-less almost becoming a better parental figure to Boo and acting more than cleanly, if non to say more than ladylike. I found her transformation a chip bloodshot. The gender nonconformity characterized in Molly's more tomboyish behavior is one of the reasons why she is one of the ameliorate characters of the novel, and seeing her become less like unto this is sad to me, which, I feel, is a double reason why I similar that Alcott doesn't fully end her career every bit a less-ladylike woman, stating that she does not become a housewife (she is never married) and thus continues in her idiosyncratic ways in her adult life.

I also appreciate the character of Merry. Her life is a bit sad to me, for she lives vicariously through Ralph at 1 bespeak (which is quite a thing to read, I might add; when she talks virtually how she wishes to have a more interesting life whilst her friend is doing all that he needs to proceeds that life is super depressing), and this trait of hers continues even until the final chapter (where she mentions that her life isn't altogether interesting); I can merely hope that her eventual union to Ralph and relocation to Italia brings with it a growth in ambition, for we know non much most her time-to-come. One cannot only think that, because Merry is something of a romantic, she might find such a life more interesting than Harmony Village, so maybe even an ambition is unnecessary.

I might also question the character arc which Jill goes on. She is a scrap peppery in the get-go of the novel, and throughout we see her become less and less so, to the point at which she gains a meekness that makes the term 'proceeds' seem near horrible.

I notice information technology fantastic that the male characters in this volume were able to take feelings. These feelings sometimes disharmonism with the culture of masculinity in Harmony Hamlet (such to the point that Jack is afraid to prove his feelings to his mates in fear of them laughing at him), simply I still liked it. The book's creating of that more toxic atmosphere as well makes the men'southward more than vulnerable moments hitting the harder, similar when, early on in the novel, Jack claims that men practise not cry, only for united states to somewhen view a human being weep very tardily in the novel.

I think the best chapter of the book is the final chapter. Entitled "Downwards the River", it details a picnic which the main kid-characters go along. They hash out numerous things, and one of these things is the future; this give-and-take on the hereafter brings upwardly the fact that fifty-fifty people with ambitions die. Ed, i character, is killed off from a random sickness a short time before the ending, and they dwell upon his decease. But they also see that, like acorns falling to the ground, only a few of those with ambition will rise/grow into a tree; 1 must have promise. The whole affiliate seems to be pervaded with that feeling of hope, and, although Alcott does requite a chip of data about the lives of our characters (mainly about the women, really), she seems deliberately to hibernate the future from u.s.a. readers, assuasive us to share in that feeling if we volition.

I by and large don't like writing conclusions. If I am to be honest, I think they are a bit difficult to codify. Nevertheless, I recollect information technology is probably necessary to give a final thought. Jack and Jill is largely a product of its time, so that the 'test of time' applied to this wears the unfortunate mark of failure, at least in my optics. But it also has withstood serious weathering. In my listen, a more authentic review score would be iii stars, merely I plant some of information technology and then appealing--like the handbasket-telegraph, although I oasis't mentioned it at all in this review--that I want to beget it an extra star for the pure enjoyment.

Quotes:

"[information technology is good to acquire] that cheerfulness tin modify misfortune into love and friendship; that in ordering one's self aright i helps others to do the same; and that the ability of finding dazzler in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely."

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As A.Thousand. Barnard:
Behind a Mask, or a Adult female's Power (1866)
The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne'due south Temptation (1867)
A Long Fatal Dearest Chase (1866 – first published 1995)
First published anonymously:
A Modern Mephistopheles (1877)

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on Nov 29, 1832. She and her 3 sisters, Anna, Elizabeth and May were educated by their father, philosopher/ t

As A.M. Barnard:
Backside a Mask, or a Woman's Power (1866)
The Abbot's Ghost, or Maurice Treherne's Temptation (1867)
A Long Fatal Love Chase (1866 – start published 1995)
First published anonymously:
A Mod Mephistopheles (1877)

Louisa May Alcott was born in Germantown, Pennsylvania on November 29, 1832. She and her three sisters, Anna, Elizabeth and May were educated past their father, philosopher/ teacher, Bronson Alcott and raised on the practical Christianity of their female parent, Abigail May.

Louisa spent her childhood in Boston and in Hold, Massachusetts, where her days were enlightened by visits to Ralph Waldo Emerson'southward library, excursions into nature with Henry David Thoreau and theatricals in the barn at Hillside (now Hawthorne'due south "Wayside").

Like her character, Jo March in Little Women, immature Louisa was a tomboy: "No boy could exist my friend till I had beaten him in a race," she claimed, " and no daughter if she refused to climb trees, leap fences...."

For Louisa, writing was an early passion. She had a rich imagination and often her stories became melodramas that she and her sisters would act out for friends. Louisa preferred to play the "lurid" parts in these plays, "the villains, ghosts, bandits, and disdainful queens."

At age fifteen, troubled by the poverty that plagued her family, she vowed: "I volition do something by and by. Don't care what, teach, sew, act, write, anything to help the family unit; and I'll exist rich and famous and happy before I die, see if I won't!"

Confronting a lodge that offered fiddling opportunity to women seeking employment, Louisa determined "...I volition make a battering-ram of my head and make my way through this crude and tumble world." Whether as a teacher, seamstress, governess, or household retainer, for many years Louisa did any work she could find.

Louisa'south career as an author began with poetry and short stories that appeared in popular magazines. In 1854, when she was 22, her start book Bloom Fables was published. A milestone along her literary path was Infirmary Sketches (1863) based on the messages she had written home from her mail as a nurse in Washington, DC every bit a nurse during the Ceremonious War.

When Louisa was 35 years sometime, her publisher Thomas Niles in Boston asked her to write "a book for girls." Lilliputian Women was written at Orchard Firm from May to July 1868. The novel is based on Louisa and her sisters' coming of age and is set in Ceremonious War New England. Jo March was the beginning American juvenile heroine to act from her own individuality; a living, animate person rather than the idealized stereotype then prevalent in children's fiction.

In all, Louisa published over 30 books and collections of stories. She died on March 6, 1888, only two days after her father, and is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concur.

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