Eight Cousins
1887
An orphaned girl arrives at a house full of women, surrounded by seven boisterous cousins, in this spirited celebration of unconventional childhood. Rose Campbell is thirteen and exhausted when she comes to live at the Aunt Hill, a sprawling mansion ruled by six formidable great-aunts who believe in fainting couches and quiet manners. Then Uncle Alec arrives from abroad with revolutionary ideas about raising girls: sunshine, fresh air, and the freedom to climb trees. Under his guidance, Rose transforms from a pale, proper miss into a girl with dirt on her knees and a voice of her own. Alcott wrote this as a gentle manifesto for letting girls run free, but she wrapped her philosophy in enough warmth and humor to make it fly. The bond between Rose and the cousins, messy, loud, full of pranks and devotion, becomes the family she never thought she wanted. This is a book about blooming, both literally and figuratively, and about finding your people when you're not sure you fit anywhere.
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“If you dear little girls would only learn what real beauty is, and not pinch and starve and bleach yourselves out so, you'd save an immense deal of time and money and pain. A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“[She was] kept there in the sort of embrace a man gives to the dearest creature the world holds for him.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“It is necessary to do right; it is not necessary to be happy.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“[F]or in this queer world of ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people's children. They certainly get great comfort out of it, and receive much innocent affection that otherwise would be lost.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“Well, now there is a very excellent, necessary, and womanly accomplishment that my girl should not be without, for it is a help to rich and poor, and the comfort of families depends upon it. This fine talent is neglected nowadays and considered old-fashioned, which is a sad mistake and one that I don't mean to make in bringing up my girl. It should be part of every girl's eductation, and I know of a most accomplished lady who will teach you in the best and pleasantest manner.""Oh, what is it?" cried Rose eagerly, charmed to be met in this helpful and cordial way."Housekeeping!""Is that an accomplsihment?" asked Rose, while her face fell, for she had indulged in all sorts of vague, delightful daydreams.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“a love for good books was one of the best safeguards a man could have,””
— Louisa May Alcott
“Presently, out from the wrappings came a teapot, which caused her to clasp her hands with delight, for it was made in the likeness of a plump little Chinaman ... Two pretty cups with covers, and a fine scarlet tray, completed the set, and made one long to have a "dish of tea," even in Chinese style, without cream or sugar.””
— Louisa May Alcott
“If she really had any doubt, the look in Dr. Alec's face banished it without a word, as he opened wide his arms and she ran into them, feeling that home was here.””
— Louisa May Alcott
