Monday 25 October 2010

Little Women and Werewolves - Book Review


Little Women and Werewolves by Louisa May Alcott and Porter Grand

What is it about:
Little Women is a timeless classic. But Louisa May Alcott’s first draft—before her editor sunk his teeth into it—was even better. Now the original text has at last been exhumed. In this uncensored version, the March girls learn some biting lessons, transforming from wild girls into little women—just as their friends and neighbors transform into vicious, bloodthirsty werewolves!

Here are tomboy Jo, quiet Beth, ladylike Amy, and good-hearted Meg, plus lovable neighbor Laurie Laurence, now doomed to prowl the night on all fours, maiming and devouring the locals. As the Civil War rages, the girls learn the value of being kind, the merits of patience and grace, and the benefits of knowing a werewolf who can disembowel your teacher.

By turns heartwarming and blood-curdling, this rejuvenated classic will be cherished and treasured by those who love a lesson in virtue almost as much as they enjoy a good old-fashioned dismemberment.


What did I think of it:
I really liked this book. I originally read Little Women in Dutch so don't know if Grand stuck to the original text or not, but it was a great read and the added werewolf stuff flowed right into the rest of the story. I really liked how Grand used the werewolves to add extra tension to exsisting storylines, making them better in my opinion. Had Jo been my favourite character when first reading the original Little Women, I now can safely say she's been dethroned in this book and her place has been taken by Mr. Laurence. I can recommend this book to anyone who likes Alcott's classic, but always thought it lacked some werewolves!

Why should you read it:
It's a classic that has now got werewolves!!

5 comments:

M.A.D. said...

Same here! The original classic was just dandy, but I also thought it fell flat. Like, if only it had ... shapeshifting creatures/people getting ate. Call it a whim.

This one's a definite improvement ;D

Nina said...

Great review! I have this book on my shelves and now I cannot wait to read it. Thanx!

Anonymous said...

I'm not a big Alcott fan. The addition of werewolves sounds like an improvement.

Anonymous said...

I owned a copy of Little Women when I was younger but I don't remember actually reading it. Sounds like werewolves could only liven up the story. ;) Glad you enjoyed it.

Sullivan McPig said...

The werewolves are definitely an improvement