Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Just Finished Reading ~ An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa M. Alcott



"And Polly didn’t think she had done much; but it was one of the little things which are always waiting to be done in this world of ours, where rainy days come so often, where spirits get out of tune, and duty won’t go hand in hand with pleasure. Little things of this sort are especially good work for little people; a kind little thought, an unselfish little act, a cheery little word, are so sweet and comfortable, that no one can fail to feel their beauty and love the giver, no matter how small they are. Mothers do a deal of this sort of thing, unseen, unthanked, but felt and remembered long afterward, and never lost, for this is the simple magic that binds hearts together, and keeps home happy. Polly had learned this secret.

She loved to do the “little things” that others did not see, or were too busy to stop for; and while doing them, without a thought of thanks, she made sunshine for herself as well as others."

~ Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl



'“Things worry me sometimes, but I just catch up a broom and sweep, or wash hard, or walk, or go at something with all my might, and I usually find that by the time I get through the worry is gone, or I’ve got courage enough to bear it without grumbling,” answered Polly, cutting the brown loaf energetically.

“I can’t do those things, you know; there’s no need of it, and I don’t think they’d cure my worrying,” said Fanny, languidly feeding Ashputtel, who sat decorously beside her, at the table, winking at the cream pot.

“A little poverty would do you good, Fan; just enough necessity to keep you busy till you find how good work is; and when you once learn that, you won’t complain of ennui any more,” returned Polly, who had taken kindly the hard lesson which twenty years of cheerful poverty had taught her."

~ Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl



“Well, whatever you do, Will, don’t have a great, costly church that takes so much money to build and support it that you have nothing to give away. I like the plain, old-fashioned churches, built for use, not show, where people met for hearty praying and preaching, and where everybody made their own music instead of listening to opera singers, as we do now. I don’t care if the old churches were bare and cold, and the seats hard, there was real piety in them, and the sincerity of it was felt in the lives of the people. I don’t want a religion that I put away with my Sunday clothes, and don’t take out till the day comes round again; I want something to see and feel and live by day-by-day, and I hope you’ll be one of the true ministers, who can teach by precept and example, how to get and keep it.”

~ Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl



“To be strong, and beautiful, and go round making music all the time.” Yes, she could do that; and with a very earnest prayer, Polly asked for the strength of an upright soul, the beauty of a tender heart, the power to make her life a sweet and stirring song, helpful while it lasted, remembered when it died.

Little Jane’s last thought had been to wish with all her might, that “God would bless the dear, kind girl up there, and give her all she asked.” I think both prayers, although too humble to be put in words, went up together, for in the fulness of time they were beautifully answered."

~ Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl



"Polly tried to conquer the bad feeling; but it worried her, till she remembered something her mother once said to her, “When you feel out of sorts, try to make some one else happy, and you will soon be so yourself.”

~ Louisa May Alcott, An Old-Fashioned Girl



{Recommended Ages: Young Ladies 12 - 100 years}


~ An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

Have you ever read this nourishing novel? It is so refreshing!
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33 comments:

  1. Oh! This is one of my very most favorites! I think I will dust it off and read again!
    Thank you and God bless
    Mrs.O

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    1. So glad to hear it! It seems Little Women is what made Louisa May Alcott and this little title isn't often heard of... I was delighted by it!

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  2. "An Old-Fashioned Girl" was my favorite book for many years. : ) I read it for the first time when I was 12. At that time I wanted to be just like Polly, in fact I even began piano lessons to be like her! Your copy of "An Old-Fashioned Girl" is beautiful!!

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    1. Ah, thank you for sharing! I still want to be like Polly! :)

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  3. I have it on my shelf, and now I want to read it more than ever. Thanks for promoting this kind of soul-nourishing literature. We need it so badly today!

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    1. Don't we? We had it on our shelves for 6 years before I finally picked it up! I finished it within a week and my daughter gobbled it up in 1 day :)

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  4. Hello, I must say I have never read this book, but I will now have to find a copy of it! I hope our bookstore has a copy of it!
    I loved all the portions that you shared in this post. We all need to be a bit like Polly!
    Sending a hug... Roxy

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    1. Yes, we sure do! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find a copy. It is such a nice read :)

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  5. Thank you Jes, I loved reading those little excerpts from the book. I've ordered it from your link. When I come to your blog it's like meeting up with a good friend or a favourite book that actually never finishes. The lovely folk that follow you here; we may never meet in this lifetime, however, what a lovely tea party we'll have together in heaven. Blessings Gail.

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    1. What a beautiful comment Gail! Thank you so much for offering that today! I am glad you enjoyed the excerpts. The book is a gem and it was hard to narrow down all my favorites!

      And, thank you for ordering through our link! :)

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  6. Loved this book! And I enjoyed reading the quotes. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Great! So you read this one too? Such a sweet, little, (almost) forgotten novel! :)

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  7. I read all of these marvelous novels to my daughter when she was growing up but I think I need to treat myself to them again!! I just need to tell you that I love your wholesome blog so much! You inspire and challenge me. I just had the most revolting experience with a blog I've read a bit--a quilt designer's blog. This weekend she sent out a block called "Pussy Cat" which was kinda cute and I thought of my granddaughter...until I read the text. Disgustingly, she was making a point about how she supported Planned Parenthood and was going to "tell it like it is." All the $ she earned from selling the design would be to support PP and all the good work they do. I have been a counselor at a Pro-life pregnancy center for many years & I just couldn't let it go and so commented about the destruction of life at PP. All the other comments were very supportive and praising the "good work" that PP does... one even saying: "Abortion isn't the ONLY thing they do! They serve women in so many ways. . . " Such willful ignorance in supporting evil. Well, sorry for my rant... Just want to say again how lovely your site is. You enlighten and support all of us who want to be that Proverbs 31 wife.

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    1. Hi Lorraine, thank you so much for sharing here today and the encouragement you offered! That is sad to hear... I have had similar experiences with other blogs also... but I suppose we can't be too surprised. This is the way of the world right now and bloggers do represent it as well... The beautiful thing we have on our side is we can choose the "company" we keep. I hope your weekend is a lovely one and I am so glad to hear that you read these to your daughter! It makes me happy to know there are women walking around with these pleasant ideas in their hearts! :)

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  8. I hadn't heard of it, either! Thank you for sharing. I will definitely look for it at the library and the next book sale.
    When I feel overwhelmed by life, I often pull out the Little House books. Simple soul food in those pages!

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    1. Yes, those Little House books are gems too! Thanks for stopping by Debby! :)

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  9. I enjoyed this, Jes. Always looking for book recommendations.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I think you will like this one Amalia! Lots of homemaking references! :)

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  10. Hello JES, such a wonderful book! I remember reading this in school a LONG time ago. You have inspired me to read it again 😌 What publisher do you recommend? I know there are many versions of this lovely book. You have a lovely, wholesome blog- refreshing and wonderful.

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    1. Thank you! It is hard to say what publisher as the copy I have is from 1912... However, the Puffin classic I linked to in the post seemed to be unabridged. It is a good point that you bring up because it seems Louisa added to the book once the readers asked to share what happens to Polly when she grows up... Thence, there was an addition to the original story... Hope this helps! And have a lovely week!

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  11. Oh thank you for re-printing some quotes from this lovely book. I read it so many times as a child and have read it several times as an adult. I think it is time to pull it out again! I have the whole set of LM Alcott's books, and they are treasures. This is one of my favorites of hers. Blessings, Deborah

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    1. Hi Deborah, I am so glad to know these classics are still being treasured! I too have a set of LM Alcott books (they match the cover in the photo) and am enjoying them very much with my daughter!

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  12. I loved this book, and your sweet post did it justice.
    God bless!

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    1. So glad you were able to read this one too Laura! I hope you will have a lovely weekend! :)

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  13. Oh, I love all the quotes you shared and all the beautiful pictures. It sounds like a very sweet book!

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    1. It really is, Mrs. White. I think you would enjoy it very much!

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  14. thank you for reminding me that I purchased a copy of this at the library book store...now to go and retrieve it!
    Marybeth

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    1. Hi Marybeth, I do hope you find it! It is a little gem :)

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  15. I love this book! Thank you for reminding me to read it again!

    LeeAnne, Style N Season
    http://stylenseason.blogspot.com

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    1. You are most welcome Lee-Anne. Have a lovely week :)

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  16. Thanks! I downloaded on my kindle for free. I plan to start reading soon!!

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  17. That sounds really good Jes. I'll go get it on my kindle. Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home.

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