Excellent Louisa May Alcott classic!

Any additional comments?

Because Little Women is one of my favorite American-authored classics, I greatly anticipated listening to Jack and Jill: A Village Story by Louisa May Alcott. Like Little Women, Jack and Jill includes well-defined characters and tight-knit family unity. Based on her own childhood experiences, Alcott captures what it was like to grow up in an a very loving family in a small New England town in the 19th century.

The story follows the lives of two 13-year-old neighbors, Jack and Jill. Similar to the nursery rhyme where “Jack and Jill went up the hill,” the two main characters in this story are destined for a fall. They go sledding on the first day of the season whereupon their adventurous natures and competitiveness get the better of them. After sledding down a particularly treacherous slope, both are seriously injured.

The rest of the story takes place over the next year when Jack and Jill are nurtured back to health by their widowed mothers, and their family and friends try to keep them entertained, despite not having TV, the internet, or cellphones. I particularly enjoyed the tone and reality of this story, from play acting with neighborhood friends, to infatuations and jealousy between a few of the girls, and heartache after the death of a beloved friend. 

I listened to the Audible version of Jack and Jill narrated by Becket Royce. Becket did an excellent job narrating this book, providing distinct and consistent voices for all characters. Her narration really contributed to my satisfaction of the story.  I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who enjoys the old classics.

4 people found this helpful

Old Fashioned Village Fun

I read this book previously and know I like everything Alcott writes. Listening to the book was no disappointment. The story takes place in a time when children amused themselves, lived with character and integrity and looked out for each other. The stories of their adventures were entertaining and brought to life wonderfully by the narrator.

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost.

2 people found this helpful

charming story

I highly recommend this book it is a charming story of life as it was meant to be for children and adults! Louise May Alcott does another excellent job in her writing!

Delightful and Timeless Story

I've loved this book since I was a young girl about the age of the two protagonists of this story. I generally love all of Alcott's work. Although this book isn't one of her best known, it should not be missed. I was so excited when I found this version, performed by a talented narrator who captured the spirit of the novel with humor, gentleness, and skill, not to mention actually sang the songs! As a nearly lifelong Alcott fan, I couldn't ask for more!

Amazing

This is one of my FAVORITE books EVER!!!

it is fun interesting and full ok f good advice. lots of adventure and laughs for everyone😊😋💕

A very inspiring story.

This book is very inspiring and makes one want to do better and try to follow the characters examples. I really like the story. I like most of Louisa M. Alcott’s books. The narrator was pretty good, too. I didn’t quite some of the voices she did, but it was good. I also don’t quite agree with some of the views Louisa May Alcott had, but other than that, it was really good. I would recommend this book to most Christians because it makes one try to improve themselves.

My favorite

Of all Louisa May Alcott's books, "Jack and Jill" was always my favorite. I never understood why it was never as well known as her other works. It was so unknown that when I wrote a book report on it in the 6th grade, back in the 60's, I received a great big fat red "F" because I was supposed to write a report on a "real" book. The teacher was too lazy to pick up the phone and call the library to verify and when I called him on it he said to prove it. I brought the book into school the next day and showed it to him and all he did was grunt, say something like, “Well, what do you know, it is real”. Then he grudgingly gave me a B- on my report.
Honestly, if you have a daughter who enjoys reading classics, this is the book for her!!!

Jack and Jill

This was a grand story of friendship from childhood to adulthood.We meet Jack and Jill sledding and end with a wedding.Becket Royce voices this wonderfully!I was provided this book by the author ,narrator or publisher.

A timeless Classic

What did you love best about Jack and Jill: A Village Story?

The valuable lessons and adventures this story can teach us.

Have you listened to any of Becket Royce’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Powerful, captivating listen.

Any additional comments?

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

Wonderful Story!!!

I had read some of Louisa May Alcott's stories when I was younger, but had forgotten just how good they are. This one is no exception. Full of little life lessons and fun adventures that are not only entertaining for young people, but witty enough to still remain interesting to adults also. This narrator does the voices so well, it truly helps in the understanding and enjoyment of the tale. I especially liked that she has a lovely singing voice and I loved listening to the old songs in the story, most of which I hadn't heard before.