Louisa May Alcott

Rose in Bloom Louisa May Alcott

A teenage Rose Campbell, raised by her wise and protective uncle Alex to be sensible and well adjusted, faces society in 19th century Boston. Because she has beauty, a kind nature, and lots of money, she is quite the matrimonial catch. But the men she loves most are her seven boy cousins, now grown into young men. Modern readers get some very interesting insight into the romantic customs of the Civil War era as Rose goes to parties and other social events. Two of her cousins are the charming and handsome but unstable Steve, and the homely bookworm Mac. She gets to know the reclusive Mac when he had eye troubles and she had to read to him so he could continue his studies while resting his eyes. At first she hated Mac's books, but as time wore on, she became genuinely interested in history and good literature.