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47 pages 1 hour read

Eight Cousins

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1874

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Book Brief

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Louisa May Alcott

Eight Cousins

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1874
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Boston, Massachusetts • 1870s

Publication Year

1874

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12-17 years

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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.

Heartwarming

Inspirational

Contemplative

Humorous

Bittersweet

Reviews & Readership

4.2

38,905 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

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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 Its period-specific views may also feel outdated to modern audiences, yet its charm endures.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 this

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.

4.2

38,905 ratings

72%

Loved it

21%

Mixed feelings

7%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Boston, Massachusetts • 1870s

Publication Year

1874

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

12-17 years

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