“Rose in Bloom” is the sequel to Louisa May Alcott’s book “Eight Cousins,” where we met Rose Campbell and her boisterous crew of seven male relatives, most older than herself and some younger. They took her into their homes and hearts when she found herself an orphan, and she has pieced together a wonderful new life for herself on Aunt Hill, living with aunts Peace and Plenty.
Now in this sequel, everyone is older. Rose is a young woman, returning home after a two year tour of Europe, taken with Uncle Alec and her good friend Phebe. Phebe has received professional vocal training and is now ready to take her place as an artist, finally able to rise above her humble beginnings and make a name for herself. But she never forgets her roots; she holds a charity concert to aid poverty-stricken children and catches the eye of one of Rose’s cousins as well.
As Rose is reintroduced to society after her long absence, she finds that she has many admirers, but among the two she treasures most are her cousins Steve and Mac. Now, I’m going to interrupt myself right here to explain that at the time this book was written, it was quite common for cousins to marry each other. It wasn’t until some years later that it became taboo. At any rate, Steve wants to marry Rose, and he is full of life and vitality. Her friendship with Mac develops as he recovers from a sickness which leaves him unable to read, and she spends many afternoons reading to him. At the end, she has a hard choice to make, but I think she figured out who would make her truly happy. This book is a favorite of mine as I watched Rose grow from a spoiled, self-centered rich girl into a wiser, more well-rounded woman who knew how to use her wealth to bless those around her.
“Jo’s Boys” is the sequel to “Little Men” and is also the last of the books about the March family. All of the original Plumfield students are grown now, and a new batch has taken residence, but they all come back to visit and to share the things that are happening to them now. We see Nan as a skilled doctor, Nat as a talented musician, and Dan – well, Dan has had some trouble in his life. Jo took him in knowing that he was a loose cannon, and while Dan has made some progress and knows what’s right and wrong, he still has a hard time controlling his impulses. He returns to Plumfield in the hope that Jo can set him straight again, and she does her best, knowing that any real change will have to come from within him.
As should be expected, romance has struck these youngsters, and while you may already have guessed who will end up together from reading “Little Men,” there are a few surprises in store for you, each of them delightful. However, it was sad to read the ending of this book:
“Let the music stop, the lights die out, and the curtain fall forever on the March family.”
Such finality. Thank goodness I can go back and reread the books over and over again, and never really have to say goodbye.
While “Little Women” remains my favorite of all Alcott’s books, you definitely need to read her other works as well. She is a consummate storyteller, an artist of the written word.
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