The Inheritance

Author: Louisa May Alcott
Publisher: Penguin Classics
Publishing date: 1998
Pages: 208

The story follows young Italian girl Edith Adelon whose parents died when she was but a little child. She had endured many sorrows before an English gentleman took mercy on her and gave her home among his family. Edith is very beautiful but for her poor and friendless lot, she often finds herself abandoned by others and her heart suffers from the deficite of love. But one day Edith learns a big secret that could change everything, had she decided to share it with others...

"By gentle words and silent acts of kindness, he had won her reverence and her trust, which now had deepened into woman's truest, purest love."

Do you remember the book that Jo March writes in Little Women? Well, this is the one. I was so excited when I found out about the existence of The Inheritance, and I bought it as soon as possible. Now that I have read it, I have to admit it was a little bit of a dissapointment. Do not get me wrong, it was really nice story and quite well written, considering how young Loisa May Alcott had been when she wrote it. But I just haven't recognize her in the book at all. It was ever so much different from my beloved Little Women. I could see her being influenced by gothic romance novels, and for some reason it just didn't feel natural. I felt like all of the characters were too black and white, and our main heroine was that repentant type of a person who always puts others afore her, whom I really am not the biggest fan of. Also, I was a little bit frustrated about some words that Loisa May Alcott repetitively used, even though it really wasn't necessary. She just kept saying how noble and gentle the heart of Edith was, and at some point is started to feel rather compulsory. I am genuinely sad that I cannot add The Inheritance to my all time favourite books, among which Little Women has the most special a place, but that is how I truly felt about this book. At the same time, though, it was really fascinating to read the very first novel from Louisa May Alcott's quill. And I am really glad I had a chance to see her journey from her debut novel to the bestseller of a book that is Little Women. When I overlook the previously mentioned flaws, I would say The Inheritance is still a sweet little story that I would recommend to all passionate and deeply romantic souls...

Rating: 3/5