They were going to the store and asked if I wanted anything. I asked for a "Classics Illustrated", wanting to upgrade my tastes a little from Archie and Batman. They brought back this book. It was a "classic" and it was illustrated. I was furious at how anyone could be so obtuse. I read the book anyway, making sure nobody realized I actually was reading it. it wasn't half bad (maybe because it was only half there?), although I was somewhat mystified by Marmee. Not the person, the name. it took me a while to realize she was the mother. The fact that it was abridged was of considerable assistance to me in finishing it. I wonder now, some 50 years later, if I'm ready for the unexpurgated version. ( )

I read this book when I was 11 and I LOVED it. It's definitely a manageable read for that age and I couldn't put it down once I got through the first 50 pages or so. It definitely goes in my top 100 lifetime reads. I'm looking forward to reading the unabridged version which is nearly double in length. ( )