47 pages • 1 hour read
Louisa May AlcottEight Cousins
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1874A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott follows the young orphaned heiress Rose Campbell as she transitions from childhood to adolescence under the unconventional guardianship of her Uncle Alec. Moving in with her great-aunts, she forms friendships, especially with Phebe, a young servant. The novel explores each life lesson Rose learns and the personal growth she experiences during her transformative year. The book includes racist language about Chinese people.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Louisa May Alcott's Eight Cousins is widely praised for its warm, wholesome narrative and strong female protagonist, appealing to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with moral lessons. However, some find it didactic and less engaging than Alcott's other works. Its period-specific views may also feel outdated to modern audiences, yet its charm endures.
Who Should Read Eight Cousins?
A reader who enjoys Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott would likely appreciate heartwarming, classic tales of family and personal growth. Fans of Alcott’s Little Women or L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series, which emphasize strong, relatable female protagonists and wholesome storytelling, will find this novel appealing.
RecommendedReading Age
12-17yearsLexile Level
1150LBook Details
Historical Fiction
Relationships: Friendship
Life/Time: Coming of Age
Relationships: Family