Book Review: Scribbles, Sorrows and Russet Leather Boots
Original review written 1/7/22
Title: Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots The Life of Louisa May Alcott
Author: Liz Rosenberg
Genre: Juvenile Non-Fiction
Listen to the audio book here!
What's it about?
The premise of this book is pretty simple. Louisa May Alcott lived a life devoted to family and others and this is the story of her life starting as difficult baby and toddler, through her trials and tribulations and her joys and successes. This is her story.
Other thoughts?
Usually this is the time I share all of my favorite characters, parts, least favorites and quotes. Not this time because these people aren't characters. They were real people. The family stuck together and, while there were characters weaving in and out of the Alcott family's lives, they were so overshadowed by the Alcott family. Much like the March family, the Alcott family close knit, all with different personalities and strengths but family was what was at the center of their world (well, maybe not Bronson Alcott as much), especially Ms. Alcott's.
I don't know what I expected. I knew that L.M Alcott's life was similar to Jo March's but that didn't quite prepare me for this book. Yes, it was kind of long and not very action packed. And, yes, there were times when it felt like there was too much of a focus on Bronson and Abby (Louisa's parents). I often found myself wondering if a child of 11-15 years old would really sit down and read over 400 pages about a girl who wrote some books in the late 1800's. And yet, I enjoyed this read.
What I found was a book front loaded with a lot of information about Mr. and Mrs. Alcott which, at first seems, off point but as you read more about her life, you realize that those seemingly insignificant things actually tinted her entire view of the world and and her life. I found Louisa May Alcott to be inspirational as a woman, strong, independent, talented woman a head of her time with no luck of love and selflessness. I had no idea she was so fierce.
So, while it wasn't perfect and I don't think I'd read it again, I was so thankful get to read this book and I feel like I'm a smarter, more inspired person because of it. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Louisa May Alcott's works or are looking for a strong female role model to look up to.
What do I rate this?
I give this book a
5
out of
10 journals
But that's just what I thought. What did you think? Were you inspired by Louisa May Alcott's story, or did you think it's a story that doesn't need to be retold? Let us know below.
