Rose in Bloom: A Sequel to Eight Cousins

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant & Heartwarming
Review: Actually, I must say that I was very surprised after finishing both "Eight Cousins" and "Rose in Bloom". Everytime we hear of Alcott's masterpieces, it is inevitably always "Little Women". However, I think that we have done this series injustice for in many ways, these two books surpass "Little Women". The story is touching and the interaction between the characters heartwarming. Once you're into the novels, you'll find yourself unable to leave the world of Rose and her cousins willingly. Definitely a must-read!

Rating:
Summary: Pleasant & Heartwarming
Review: Eight Cousins had always been my favourite book, I believe. There was a charm to it, and after hearing about Rose in Bloom, I was determined to see if the sequel had the same magic. On the most part, it was absolutely what I had hoped. I enjoyed reading it, and couldn't put the book down, for I continued to want to know what happened--except once, when I felt compelled to leave it until I could handle reading once again. I'm still quite upset with one occurance in the book(Which involves one particular favourite character of mine.), but other than that, I was quite pleased. The ending was happy, the charm was still there, just that one point, that seemed to make the entire book seem not as perfect as it could have been. However, on the most part, I reccommend this book to any fan of the original Eight Cousins, or any of Ms. Alcott's other works. Despite a slight amount of dissatisfaction, it is still a lovely read.

Rating:
Summary: Charming, though may be slightly disappointing.
Review: Eight Cousins had always been my favourite book, I believe. There was a charm to it, and after hearing about Rose in Bloom, I was determined to see if the sequel had the same magic. On the most part, it was absolutely what I had hoped. I enjoyed reading it, and couldn't put the book down, for I continued to want to know what happened--except once, when I felt compelled to leave it until I could handle reading once again. I'm still quite upset with one occurance in the book(Which involves one particular favourite character of mine.), but other than that, I was quite pleased. The ending was happy, the charm was still there, just that one point, that seemed to make the entire book seem not as perfect as it could have been. However, on the most part, I reccommend this book to any fan of the original Eight Cousins, or any of Ms. Alcott's other works. Despite a slight amount of dissatisfaction, it is still a lovely read.

Rating:
Summary: Blooming Again
Review: For all those who thought that Rose's story ended with Eight Cousins here is the truth about what happened to these beloved characters.

The innocence found in the first book is slowly lifted here as Rose enters into the real world after her return from Europe. All but one of the characters from the first book make a return in this charming sequel.

The cousins are older as well and have found love. The heartwarming challeneges these lovers go through are refreshing in their innocence. Even Jamie is not immune to the talk of love and his innocene candor on the matter is very amusing.

Rose In Bloom answers many questions one has at the end of cousins. Yet like any fan will know not everyone can be happy with all the outcomes of the sequel.

A great book for fans of Eight Cousins.

Rating:
Summary: An old favorite
Review: Growing up as a classic bookworm, my two favorite literary friends were Anne Shirley and Rose Campbell. While I also read the Little Women Series (how could I not?) Eight Cousins and Rose in Bloom struck a chord in me that Jo and her sisters did not (except maybe in Little Men.) These were the books that I read and re-read, and since I never owned Rose in Bloom, I doubt that anyone else in town had a chance to read it in between times that I had it checked out of the library. In fact, the books engaged me emotionally to such a degree that I found I had to put Rose in Bloom down for a while mid-book because one incident upset me so, which is something that I rarely do. If you are looking for the kind of book that you will get good use out of for many years, this is it.

Rating:
Summary: a really great read
Review: I'm not the biggest fan of Alcotts 'Little Women' series, so I expected more of the same when I picked up 'Rose in Bloom', but to my surprise I really enjoyed it. The story focuses on Rose, who returns home with her guardian Uncle Alec and friend Phebe to her six aunts and seven boy cousins (introduced before in 'Eight Cousins'). But they are no longer boys and girls but young men and women. Rose has to decide how to live her life as an independent, strong-minded young woman, when going against the traditions of society marked one as 'odd'. Although Alcott does moralize quite a bit, the characters are interesting, and the idealised setting adds charm to the book.

Rating:
Summary: Rose is back from abroad and learning to become a woman
Review: Rose In Bloom is the sequel to Eight Cousins. She has just come home from being abroad for the past two years with her guardian Uncle and beloved Phebe. She finds many young suitors after her and her money, being an heiress to a large fortune. She has become a strong minded woman and is determined to use her money for good even when she is laughed at by most of society. Her, and her family's morals will inspire you to be like her cousin Mac, and "keep good company, read good books, love good things, and cultivate body and soult to the best of my power". This book also gives an excellent look into the life of the eighteen seventies, I enjoyed these two books more than her Little Women series, which is saying a lot. I recommend this book to people who want to better themselves, and/or those who like history. Sensation seakers and trash novel readers may not enjoy it.

Rating:
Summary: Love, Loss and Growing Up
Review: This sequel to "Eight Cousins" is one of Louisa May Alcott's masterpieces. I loved it as a girl, I loved it as a teenager, and I love it now. Even though it was written in Victorian times, it has a truth and honesty to it that survives into today--and the problems that Rose encounters as a young woman will be familiar to any modern reader.

Why are women fascinated by--and drawn to--the bad boys of this world? That question did not originate with James Dean or "The Leader of the Pack." It is very much alive in this book, as Rose returns from Europe to find her eight cousins very much grown up--and very, very interesting. In particular, her wild and handsome cousin Charlie, now grown into a wild and handsome man, captures Rose's heart. But Charlie is on a dangerous path to alcoholism and self-destruction. Will Rose see this in time, and will she turn to the man who really loves her with all his heart and soul? And what of her dear friend Phoebe, whose ethnic background might keep her from the man she loves?

Sounds like a 2002 soap opera. But it isn't--and it is written with such depth, such love, and such talent that it has survived over a century. Alcott was so much more than "Little Women" and this book, among others, proves it.

Rating:
Summary: A true classic
Review: When I was a kid, my parents bought me the hardback version of Louisa May Alcott's books ~~ but the series didn't include this book. I have always loved "The Eight Cousins" and when I found out about this one ~~ I was a kid then ~~ I fell in love with Rose and her cousins even more. Now that I am an adult, I still love this book.

Rose isn't a sickly child anymore and she's on the threshold of becoming a fine woman ~~ and two of her cousins were in love with her. This book talks about her journey into adulthood and the dilemma she faced in choosing her husband ~~ and it's a wonderfully written book.

I highly recommend this book to everyone who has read "The Little Women" or even "The Eight Cousins" as Alcott's writing style is timeless. This is a classic book that I bought for my own children to read. This should be in everyone's library.