The Inheritance [Turtleback]

The Inheritance, by Lousia May Alcott, tells the life of an orphan who's never known her family. The beautiful and pure Edith Adelon is an Italian orphan living with the rich aristocrats the Hamilton's. This beautiful orphan is the nicest and most humble out of the characters, and is disliked by the not-so-pretty cousin, sort of like a Cinderella story. But how could such a beautiful and talented young girl be so boring?
Nineteenth century stories are all about, beautiful young girls looking for a marriage of wealth, and handsome young men (there are never any non good-looking ones). Edith lives with the beautiful Amy, her equally handsome brother Arthur, the mean but still beautiful cousin Ida, and Lady Hamiliton. Edith is the friend and governess of the beautiful Amy. But, her position quickly changes when Edith saves Amy's life when she was hanging off a cliff. The heroic event won her a true place into the Hamilton Household.
One thing that really got on my nerves was Edith. How could someone be so perfect, beautiful, talented, and loyal to even her worst enemy? Sure, it's a book of course, but how could someone be the epitome of perfection and still get the guy? She is kind-hearted to the sickly and has an amazing voice. Her personality is so perfect, and quickly becomes one of the characters that you can't stand. No wonder why Lady Ida was so jealous, I would be too! Edith then becomes the love interest of the honorable Lord Percy and makes Lady Ida incredibly envious. Even the married Lord Arlington has a crush on Edith. Lord Arlington proposes twice to Edith, but she says "No" each time.
But somehow, a mysterious stranger gives her a package that tells Edith her true heritage. She's not a poor orphan at all! The elder Arthur Hamilton, Arthur's older brother, secretly married Edith's mom, and in fact Edith is of nobility! She's a descendant of the Hamilton's! It was such a random part of the book to have such a wonderful thing play into Edith's life. It wasn't strategically or carefully placed into the book, it was like Louisa May Alcott wasn't able to find a place to put that part in her book. But of course, like in any Cinderella story, Edith's family doesn't believe her and thinks Edith is a thief. Stealing a necklace that shows Edith her true Heritage. Wow, this is so repetitive to every story I've read before. "To be so bitterly deceived in one whom we have loved and cherished from a child, one whom we thought so innocent and true." It's so weird to find that now after how much they loved her and she's so pure, they can't believe her?
Wow, one hundred and fifty years after the book was written it was finally released. I've read Little Women, and The Inheritance, is nowhere near the greatness of it. But, of course, there is always a bad book in every collection. I would prefer watching the television movie instead of reading the book anyday.
Good thing the book wasn't very long, I don't know how long I would last reading about the perfectly beautiful Edith. Sure its cute, but it has as much cuteness as a five-year-old. The dialogue was also extremely cheesy, and truthfully, I would not recommend this book to anyone except my nine-year-old cousin.

Alcott's first novel is a tale of the greatest love one human being can show another--that of friendship, respect, and honor. I find Lord Percy and Edith model characters of the way men and women should treat each other (both sexes). Excellent picker-upper-of-a-story, too. How can you not helped but be inspired by their examples, especially in contrast to Lady Ida and Lord Arlington. 5-stars in my book--it's a keeper!

Pure love, selfless virtue, the highest honor and respect dwelling among jealousy, vengeful pride, deceit, bitterness, and brash passion--this is the setting for a beautiful story set in the lonely nineteenth century English countryside. The humble orphan Edith and the gentle, honorable Lord Percy awed me as two characters who best illustrate friendship and sacrificial love. Their silent strength reminds me of that Bible verse, "a soft answer turns away wrath." Although The Inheritance is slightly too perfect and too cliched, this mystery-love story presents a picture of true nobility-unselfish consideration of others, which is too little seen nowadays.