Rating: 
Summary: It's Great...
Review: I don't know why so many people put this book down! Well of course it's not as good as her other works... she was 17!! But I like to write stories too, and the amazing talent she had at 17 already surpasses mine as a college student! Quit reading it on the same level as the other books Louisa has written, and just enjoy the youthful simplicity of a budding talent! It's a great, simple, quick-reading story that people who are able to put their egos aside and get off their high horses can appreciate.
Rating: 
Summary: Be Sure to Read This...If You're Applying for Sainthood
Review: I just have to set the record straight; I am a huge fan of nineteenth century fiction. Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Dickens are the staples of my overflowing bookshelf. Therefore, I had to give Alcott's book three stars just because of the Romanticism and stunning descriptions that pervade the story. Alcott proves herself a budding author and literary spirit through this, her earliest work. Now, with the praise out of the way, I can get into the reason I wrote this review. I found the character of Edith so sickeningly good and sweet and holy and pious yada yada yada that I grew to despise the heroine. She was terribly spineless and so afraid of dislike from her contemporaries that she backed down from situations, preferring to sit in her room and cry. In fact, there were always tears "shining in her lovely eyes." UGH!!!
The characters were so stereotypical. Lord Percy was good and noble (and decidedly dull), the quintessential hero for his perfect lady love; Edith. Lady Ida was the jealous spinster desperately seeking for a husband who, suprise suprise, eventually repents her jealous ways in the forgiving arms of Edith. Amy was naieve and bubbling over with enthusiasm that eventually became nauseating, and the rest of the characters aren't even worth mentioning, they all eventually better themselves through the pure heart of Edith.
This book isn't bad, on the contrary, if you enjoy nineteenth century romanticism it makes for a quick read. The characters and unoriginality of the plot leave much to be desired, but, for, Alcott's seventeen year old attempt, it makes for an enjoyable hour's read.
Rating:
Summary: Be Sure to Read This...If You're Applying for Sainthood
Review: I just have to set the record straight; I am a huge fan of nineteenth century fiction. Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and Dickens are the staples of my overflowing bookshelf. Therefore, I had to give Alcott's book three stars just because of the Romanticism and stunning descriptions that pervade the story. Alcott proves herself a budding author and literary spirit through this, her earliest work. Now, with the praise out of the way, I can get into the reason I wrote this review. I found the character of Edith so sickeningly good and sweet and holy and pious yada yada yada that I grew to despise the heroine. She was terribly spineless and so afraid of dislike from her contemporaries that she backed down from situations, preferring to sit in her room and cry. In fact, there were always tears "shining in her lovely eyes." UGH!!!
The characters were so stereotypical. Lord Percy was good and noble (and decidedly dull), the quintessential hero for his perfect lady love; Edith. Lady Ida was the jealous spinster desperately seeking for a husband who, suprise suprise, eventually repents her jealous ways in the forgiving arms of Edith. Amy was naieve and bubbling over with enthusiasm that eventually became nauseating, and the rest of the characters aren't even worth mentioning, they all eventually better themselves through the pure heart of Edith.
This book isn't bad, on the contrary, if you enjoy nineteenth century romanticism it makes for a quick read. The characters and unoriginality of the plot leave much to be desired, but, for, Alcott's seventeen year old attempt, it makes for an enjoyable hour's read.
Rating: 
Summary: 19th-century teenage fantasy
Review: I love Louisa May Alcott's work, from her dark delvings into the human soul to her revenge tales to the wholesome family chronicles. Sadly, I could not love this book. Anyone who reads it will be unsurprised that Alcott wrote it at the age of seventeen -- it reads like the summertime fantasies of a teen longing for love and a Tall Dark Handsome Man with a Tragic Past.The heroine, Edith Adelon, is a penniless Italian orphan who lives on a rambling estate belonging to the Hamiltons, filthy rich aristocrats. Edith's humility and goodness make her a favorite in that place, of everyone except Lady Ida. Ida is not wealthy, though she is an aristocrat, and (by the standards of the day) is aging to old-maid-hood. Enter Lord Percy, a friend of the family, and a Tall Dark Handsome Man with a Tragic Past. He and Edith fall in love, until a hidden secret threatens to change all of their lives. I can see why this dripping-with-sentiment little novel was buried away for so long. Alcott would never have been able to stand it being read when she was a serious writer; it reads almost like a parody, but with the dead seriousness of the bad work. It is also saddled with terrible characterization and a storyline that would make a seasoned reader cry. There is also a rather alarming message about social classes and whether they should be defied. The main problems are the characters. They are pretty much two-dimensional stereotypes; the good ones are completely devoted to one another because of random acts of utter goodness that they did in the past, or simply because they say or do something that seems selfless and noble. The bad ones lurk in the background, making not-so-devious plans out of sheer malice. Edith is beautiful, self-sacrificial, humble, sweet, virtuous, brave -- essentially, she's all good things. She never so much as trips on her skirt, and we're even treated to the stereotypical "bringing soup to the sick." Percy is the male counterpart in every way: handsome in a wussy kind of way, chivalrous, sensitive, tragic, willing to shatter class boundaries for the one he loves, virtuous, self-sacrificial, strong'n'silent, brave -- yep, he's all good things as well. Both of them are so good and saintly that it's difficult to sympathize with them. Lady Ida is cartoonish in her badness, but she's also the most three-dimensional character in that she has a reason for acting as she does, even if we're not supposed to care because it's her own fault. Lord and Lady Hamilton are the usual stiff uppa-clahss parents; Amy is pretty dull in her relentless enthusiasm and girlishness. The plotline itself is like an update of Cinderella with a few improbable twists. When Edith discovers The Secret, her response is so unrealistic and saintly that you'll have to swallow a groan; so is her protection of the ridiculously-tempted boy Louis. Likewise, Lady Hamilton's response to Edith's saving Amy's life is simply ludicrous. The book lacks her trademark humor, wit, and passion, the little quirks and embarrassments and snatches of humor that make her characters human. They blush, they shed tears, they flit around or glide or stride. But they don't emote. The dialogue is earnestly comedic, using phrases and words that no one would actually use. (Percy's comment about a Edith's love "sanctifying" a scarf is particularly funny) Why two stars? One is because Louisa is Louisa -- she gets an extra star for that alone. The second is because there is some truly breathtaking descriptive scenes in this book. But if you read this book, then "Long Fatal Love Chase," then "Behind a Mask," then "Little Women," then you will get an idea of how her writing changes. My recommendation? Read it if you're a die-hard fan of Louisa's works. Otherwise, pass it by and watch the TV movie, or read "Little Women."
Rating: 
Summary: A good fast enjoyable read.
Review: I really enjoyed Little Women so when I heard of a newly discovered Louisa May Alcott novel I decided to pick it up asnd read. For people who enjoy rading Ms. Alcott's books this is a good novel. It can be very black and white at times but, it has a interesting heroine. It has all the elements of gothic literature - a long hid secret, a run down building, etc.
For the beginning of her writing adventure, she wrote this at 17!, it has staying power. A good fast enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book!
Review: I thought The Inheritance was one of the best books I've read. I could not put it down and I have read it four times! The plot and characters were so captivating and descpitive! It was easy and quick to read(making it even more enjoyable) A great book for all ages! I strongly recomend it!
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming, but a little silly.
Review: If you're a hopeless romantic like me, you'll find "The Inheritance" to be adorably cute and sweet. You're heart will go pitter-pat with excitement and you'll throughly enjoy it. If, however, you're like my sister and more for the realistic, down-to-earth, no-happy-endings type of romance or not romantic at all, you'll most likely be disappointed, so don't even read it because you'll only find it silly and frivolous. I personally LOVED it.
Rating:
Summary: my favorite!
Review: in this book mrs. Alcott finaly stops writing about the 4 little women and comes up with extaordernery characters! i loved this book and recomend it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Nicest and Purest of Alcott's Romances
Review: Influenced by the melodrama of the contemporary theater and the popular gothic novels of the time, Louisa May Alcott weaves a tale far removed from the reality of her everyday life in Boston. With a charm reminiscent of Jane Austen's novels, The Inheritance sets love and courtesy against depravity and dishonor--and with the help of a secret inheritance, allows virtue to prevail.
Rating:
Summary: Great book to curl up by the fire with
Review: It was more like a movie than anything else; each time I put the book down I was afraid I'd miss a really good part. For her first novel, I'd say that LMA did a good job, though her later writings are much better. I wouldn't suggest this book for an introduction to LMA, unless you promise to read some of her later writings also. This is a must-read (and must-have!) for all LMA fans, and a collection of her novels isn't complete with out it.
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