Book and Movie Introduction: Little Women

The last two months have been quite hectic, with a viral infection affecting the whole family, kids’ exams, and the hustle and bustle of the festival season. In the midst of all this, my riyaz seemed to get lost, and today I found myself feeling a bit lost too. On days like these, what lifts my spirits are books, often biographies of people I admire, or movies. Today, I turned to Netflix for some cheer, and I’m grateful I did. It suggested the movie Little Women, based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The movie did exactly what I needed—it made me feel better and filled me with hope, reminding me that life, in its own time, can be kind enough to bring what I’m searching for.

The novel Little Women has been a companion of mine since my college days, when I first read it. It felt so warm, so real—full of life lessons without ever being preachy. The story revolves around a family with four daughters and the people in their lives. Each of the girls has a distinct personality: one dreams of being a traditional woman, marrying, and settling down; another is a tomboyish spirit who wants to break the barriers of womanhood (the story is set in the 1800s). The youngest is shy and reserved, while another sister is more calculative and has clear ambitions. The novel is set during a challenging time for the family, and we can relate to their big and small struggles. Through it all, there is a warmth that the older generation in the family brings, creating a sense of comfort. It’s a beautiful read, especially in today’s world, where life often feels so busy, mechanical, and dry.

The book has a rating of 4.2 by around 55,000 people on Goodreads, which shows I’m not the only one who’s passionate about it. It’s available on Amazon for around 190 rupees—a sum we often spend on less than half a pizza. I can guarantee a lifetime of companionship for such a small price, especially if you’re old-fashioned like me and the story resonates with you.

When it comes to movies based on books, I’ve often been disappointed. While reading, I usually create my own mental version of the story, and if the movie portrays something vastly different, it can feel unsettling. However, this adaptation of Little Women, written and directed by Greta Gerwig, was an exception. It perfectly captured what my imagination had created, and watching it felt like reliving the book—one more time out of many. It has got a rating of 7.8 by around 2.5 lac people. I truly thank the creators of this movie from the bottom of my heart for giving me such a wonderful experience. And I recommend you to watch it.

Let me wrap up this write-up with a couple of lines from a popular Bollywood song that beautifully resonate with the storyline of Little Women:

थोड़ा है थोड़े की ज़रूरत है, ज़िन्दगी फिर भी यहाँ खूबसूरत है|