An Old Fashioned Girl
Author:
Louisa May Alcott 
Illustrator:
W. H. Morse
Publication:
1870 by Roberts Brothers
Genre:
Classic Literature, Fiction
Pages:
378
Current state:
This book has been evaluated and information added. It has been read but content considerations may not be complete.
Book Guide
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An Old-Fashioned Girl was first serialized in 1869 and consisted of only six chapters. For the finished product, however, Alcott continued the story so it ended up with nineteen chapters in all. The book revolves around Polly Milton, the old-fashioned girl of the title, who visits her wealthy friend Fanny Shaw in the city and is overwhelmed by the fashionable and urban life they live—but also left out because of her "countrified" manners and outdated clothes.
From the SeaWolf Press edition
In this story Polly, the little country school teacher, has a hard time with a wealthy city family. By their actions they try to show the difference between them and the well-meaning little country girl. But Polly has the courage to face odds and to come through despite reverses that would discourage a less hardy soul. She shows her grit and ability in helping the rich family when they in their turn are faced with bad luck. How she is amply repaid for her good deeds forms a thrilling climax to the novel.
From the dust jacket of the Rainbow Classic Edition
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Louisa May Alcott
1832 -1888American
Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29, 1832, the second daughter in a family of four daughters of transcendentalist philosopher, Bronson Alcott an... See more
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An Old-Fashioned Girl 
Reprinted in 2020 by SeaWolf Press
Reprint illustrated by Jessie Willcox Smith
Available formats: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook
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A beautiful unabridged 150th Anniversary Edition with 12 original illustrations. This edition includes:
- 12 Original illustrations from either the first or early edition
- A beautiful cover that replicates an early edition cover
- The complete text in an easy-to-read font similar to the original.
- Properly formatted text complete with correct indenting, spacing, footnotes, italics, and tables.
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Content Guide
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Reviews
An Old Fashioned Girl
Reviewed by The Plumfield Moms
In 1869, Alcott published six chapters of An Old Fashioned Girl for Merry’s Museum Magazine. In these chapters, we meet 14 year old Polly. Polly is a country girl with unrefined manners and customs who visits her elegant city friend Fanny Shaw. In 1871, Alcott re-published those six chapters along with a sequel set six years in the future. In the introduction to the novel, Alcott apologizes for the serial feeling of the first six chapters of this complete story. In truth, I am not a huge fan of the first six chapters (and frankly, I don’t think that Alcott was either). The sequel, however, more than makes up for it. The young adult portion of the novel is fascinating and almost feels like Alcott is taking a second pass on her character Amy March from Little Women, and in so doing is giving Amy more moral fortitude and depth of character. Odd as this little book is, it has a special place in my heart and is one that I like to return to when I want something wholesome, romantic, feminine, and nostalgic. I think that certain aspects of An Old Fashioned Girl may remind readers of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm or Daddy Long Legs.
An Old-Fashioned Girl
Reviewed by Jenny Phillips
Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women, is one of my favorite writers. Her book, An Old-Fashioned Girl, is an inspiring story of 14-year-old Polly
Read the full review on The Good and the Beautiful Book List
Literature I & Young Ladies Tea
Reviewed by Sara Masarik
Diane and Sara love this book. At our site you will find a review on how Diane used it in her Literature I course and how Sara hosted a Young Ladies Literary Tea with it.
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