Orphaned Rose is rich in aunts and cousins, and when Uncle Alec returns from sea, he endeavors to make her happy and healthy again. Rose goes on an island camping expedition, reads aloud to her cousin Mac (the "Worm," for Bookworm), allows Annabel to pierce her ears, celebrates Christmas with the family, and befriends and teaches Phebe, the orphaned housemaid.

See also: A Little Princess, The Secret Garden

"A happy soul in a healthy body makes the best sort of beauty for man or woman." (Uncle Alec to Rose, 50)

"Too much money is a bad thing."
"But I can give it away, you know; that is always the pleasantest part of having it, I think." (Rose to Uncle Alec, 85)

...it is hard to bear; for, though we do not want trumpets blown, we do like to have our little virtues appreciated, and cannot help feeling disappointed if they are not. (113)

"Polish is easily added, if the foundations are strong; but no amount of gilding will be of use if your timber is not sound." (Uncle Alec, 146)

"I remember hearing grandpa say that a love for good books was one of the best safeguards a man could have." (Archie, 192)

"This love of money is the curse of America, and for the sake of it men will sell honor and honesty..." (Mrs. Jessie, 192)

"Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any corset-maker, and I won't have her interfered with." (Uncle Alec, 200)

...in this queer world of ours, fatherly and motherly hearts often beat warm and wise in the breasts of bachelor uncles and maiden aunts; and it is my private opinion that these worthy creatures are a beautiful provision of nature for the cherishing of other people's children. (213) ( )

The story of Rose Campbell, a lonely and sickly girl who has been recently orphaned and must now reside with her maiden great aunts, the matriarchs of her wealthy Boston family. When Rose's guardian, Uncle Alec, returns from abroad, he takes over her care.

De la campaña de relectura de L.M. Alcott. Son libros que me transportan a una adolescencia en la que el mundo entero me estaba esperando. Porque algunos son románticos (este lo es mucho, pero supongo que no cuajará hasta la segunda parte en plan Papaíto piernas largas), pero a mí lo que me impresionaba era ver mujeres con la cabeza tan libre. Ahora soy consciente de lo que me han marcado estos libros.

Por lo demás no me acordaba nada de la trama, pero todo da lo mismo, lo que cuenta es vivir un rato en esas casas. Y esto, que se puede decir de F. H. Burnett, L. M. Montgomery, Alcott o incluso Daphne du Maurier era un lugar en el que refugiarse fuera de este mundo, y por eso a todas las he leído hasta emborracharme. Lástima que en aquella época fuera tan difícil conseguir libros. Las bibliotecas eran un animal mitológico, tenías que contentarte con lo que había en casa, comprar con lo que te dieran para tu cumpleaños (en una papelería, lo que hubiera, porque en mi barrio no había librerías) y hasta que no tuve edad para echarme al metro (ocho años, no tanto), no pude salir a buscar librerías de viejo por este mundo. Gracias infinitas a mi abuela, que siempre tuvo paciencia para eseñarme dónde estaban y cómo tenía que comprar. Las salidas con ella de los sábados por la mañana eran magia en estado puro.

Eight Cousins lacked a lot of the charm found in Little Women. The story was too sappy for my liking and I thought the main character was spoiled, or at least overly indulged. ( )

Review for audio only -- see my Kindle edition for a review of the book.

Marie Therese does a fine job narrating this children's book in the version 2 of LibriVox's recordings. ( )