empearl1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
husnaibrahim_'s review
4.0
This version really stands out as one of my favourites. I appreciated how it delved into some crucial aspects of American history, especially the portrayal of the Northerners' involvement in slavery and their subsequent attempts at becoming white saviors during the following years. I think the way it tackled the concept of freed individuals reclaiming their narrative, both physically and through writing, was compelling. Plus, I found the dynamics within the March family more intriguing this time around.
The resolution, where each character gets their happy ending, even though it might not be entirely realistic, seems to work well in the context of this story. I particularly liked how Meg's happiness was prioritized right from the start. As the oldest sister, she often got the short end of the stick in previous versions, so this felt refreshing. Her relationship with Wisdom was also done really well, and the deliberate inclusion of his interactions with their father added depth to it.
Also whilst I've always had a soft spot for their mother, Amy somehow always manages to emerge as my favorite March sister in almost every version. Maybe it's because, like Amy, I'm the youngest sister, and I see a lot of myself in her. Plus her journey from youthful innocence to a confident and sophisticated young woman, especially in this retelling, is something I really enjoyed. What's really fascinating to me is how she retains her childlike playfulness around her sisters but transforms into a composed high-society figure outside the family circle. You can see this shift in her interactions with —her romantic interest— Joseph Williams compared to her interactions with her family, and it just adds another layer to her character that I truly appreciate.
In contrast to how Amy is usually portrayed in other versions, this one shows something different. She still has her moments of self-doubt about her talents and often finds herself comparing to Jo, but this version handles it uniquely. It actually brings out the fact that, deep down, they're just typical sisters. They're so different yet can't help but look up to each other or sometimes feel a bit inferior when making those comparisons.
What makes this version stand out is how it ditches that typical competitive and self-doubting sibling dynamic. Sure, there's still the usual bickering, but everyone here gets to follow their own paths without tripping over those nagging doubts. Plus, I think that Jo is a little less overbearing here.
Now, as for Beth's ending in this one, it feels just right. In other adaptations, she often feels like she's in the shadows. But in this one, justice is done to her character. I've also always believed that Beth's quiet nature aligns better with what Jo probably envisioned for herself. There's an African proverb that says, "he who makes the loudest noise is an empty barrel." While this saying may not directly apply to Jo, it's intriguing to consider that, in most versions, Jo might be depicted as the unmarried sister by choice, because she is so persistent about it being so. Yet it seems to realistically apply more to Beth if anything.
So it’s interesting to see how this adaptation offers a fresh perspective on this aspect of the story, which I find particularly interesting.
The resolution, where each character gets their happy ending, even though it might not be entirely realistic, seems to work well in the context of this story. I particularly liked how Meg's happiness was prioritized right from the start. As the oldest sister, she often got the short end of the stick in previous versions, so this felt refreshing. Her relationship with Wisdom was also done really well, and the deliberate inclusion of his interactions with their father added depth to it.
Also whilst I've always had a soft spot for their mother, Amy somehow always manages to emerge as my favorite March sister in almost every version. Maybe it's because, like Amy, I'm the youngest sister, and I see a lot of myself in her. Plus her journey from youthful innocence to a confident and sophisticated young woman, especially in this retelling, is something I really enjoyed. What's really fascinating to me is how she retains her childlike playfulness around her sisters but transforms into a composed high-society figure outside the family circle. You can see this shift in her interactions with —her romantic interest— Joseph Williams compared to her interactions with her family, and it just adds another layer to her character that I truly appreciate.
In contrast to how Amy is usually portrayed in other versions, this one shows something different. She still has her moments of self-doubt about her talents and often finds herself comparing to Jo, but this version handles it uniquely. It actually brings out the fact that, deep down, they're just typical sisters. They're so different yet can't help but look up to each other or sometimes feel a bit inferior when making those comparisons.
What makes this version stand out is how it ditches that typical competitive and self-doubting sibling dynamic. Sure, there's still the usual bickering, but everyone here gets to follow their own paths without tripping over those nagging doubts. Plus, I think that Jo is a little less overbearing here.
Now, as for Beth's ending in this one, it feels just right. In other adaptations, she often feels like she's in the shadows. But in this one, justice is done to her character. I've also always believed that Beth's quiet nature aligns better with what Jo probably envisioned for herself. There's an African proverb that says, "he who makes the loudest noise is an empty barrel." While this saying may not directly apply to Jo, it's intriguing to consider that, in most versions, Jo might be depicted as the unmarried sister by choice, because she is so persistent about it being so. Yet it seems to realistically apply more to Beth if anything.
So it’s interesting to see how this adaptation offers a fresh perspective on this aspect of the story, which I find particularly interesting.
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review
5.0
Nicholas Cage should steal this book, because it's a national treasure. It's tender, bittersweet, sweeping in historical scope in a way the original didn't quite capture, surprising, and deeply moving. Read it to feel deep empathy with young women who were formerly enslaved. If you're a white American person and you think you don't want to feel deep empathy with formerly enslaved women, then you especially need to read this book.
onarosebeam's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
So far this is my absolute favorite Little Women anything! As a black woman with two sisters, I felt so deeply near to this narrative. Especially being aspec I related so deeply to this characterization of Jo and Lorie's relationship and her own identity. So honestly this book was written specifically for me but everyone else should read it too.
I hope anyone who loves any iteration of Little Women will read this version. Bethany C. Morrow's writing is so beautiful. It explored a much lesser known environment in the same pocket of time, AND kept the same story structure while making it it's complete own version. This has definitely leapt up to one of my favorite books of the year.
I hope anyone who loves any iteration of Little Women will read this version. Bethany C. Morrow's writing is so beautiful. It explored a much lesser known environment in the same pocket of time, AND kept the same story structure while making it it's complete own version. This has definitely leapt up to one of my favorite books of the year.
gentleladybug's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hjoyner12's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I was hoping for more similarities between this and the original little women. My favorite things about it were the ways it reflected on sisterhood and life experiences of young women, as well as the different experiences and perspectives of black people during and after the civil war. I did feel like the book was slow and a bit boring and the romance was not compelling.
venkarinas's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lediamond4's review
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I’m thoroughly confused by this book. At first I was concerned that it would be TOO similar to the traditional “Little Women”. I was concerned that it would come across as a fan fiction. But it seemed so far removed from the original that I’m now wondering what the point of the title was. Sure, the girls all had the same nicknames. Sure, it’s set during the Civil War. Sure, there’s a character named Lorie. But that’s pretty much all I picked up on. Of course they have similar dynamics and Jo is still a writer. But it just confused me. The author has also said she hasn’t even read Alcott’s “Little Women”. So again, why the reimagining? Why not just write your own story?
I didn’t necessarily think this was a bad book, I’m just confused by it. I do think it lacked in character development. It seemed more heavy on plot and things happening to the characters than the actual characters themselves. I wonder if this had simply been sold to me of “four Black sisters growing up in the South during the Civii War” than maybe I would have enjoyed it more. I don’t think that me comparing it to Alcott’s story is fair, but at the same time it is supposed to be a “remix”.
Hm.
I didn’t necessarily think this was a bad book, I’m just confused by it. I do think it lacked in character development. It seemed more heavy on plot and things happening to the characters than the actual characters themselves. I wonder if this had simply been sold to me of “four Black sisters growing up in the South during the Civii War” than maybe I would have enjoyed it more. I don’t think that me comparing it to Alcott’s story is fair, but at the same time it is supposed to be a “remix”.
Hm.
hk_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75