Louisa May Alcott

“ For she describes, as no one else can describe, the tyranny under which a loyal and chivalrous gentleman suffers most terribly. The pen, which more than any other quickened the public heart till the black slavery of centuries was broken, will render a service not less considerable, if it so wake the conscience of men and women that pink and white tyranny of women over men shall be impossible. ”

“ She succeeds best—indeed, she only succeeds at all—in her real pictures. Her descriptions are as faithful and as varied in their fidelity as life itself, so long as she restricts herself to what she has actually seen and known. ”

“ Her boys and girls are so fresh, hearty, and natural, the incidents of her story are so true to life, and the tone is so thoroughly healthy, that a chapter of the 'Old-Fashioned Girl' wakes up the unartificial better life within us almost as effectually as an hour spent in the company of good, honest, sprightly children. ”

“ This vivid and pointed novel of modern society presents to us in a story, which will not be called exaggerated, some of those phases of life around us which are none the less dangerous because they are called contemptible. ”

“ The extravagance of the newly rich, who have never learned the use of money, and the failure of the substitutes by which people who live by sensation try to supply the place of honor and religion, have never been portrayed more precisely. ”

“ Lifelike in all their delineations of time, place, and character, they are not only intensely interesting, but full of a cheerful morality, that makes them healthy reading for both fireside and the Sunday school. ”

“ Eddie goes away to school, and when he comes home for the holidays we have lots of fun, playing cricket, croquet, base ball, and every thing. If you ever want to play any of those games, just come to our house, and you will find plenty children to play with you. ”

“ Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy are friends in every nursery and schoolroom, and even in the parlor and office they are not unknown; for a good story is interesting to older folks as well, and Miss Alcott carries on her children to manhood and womanhood, and leaves them only on the wedding-day."—Mrs. ”