Scan barcode
novaturient_bibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
This book didn’t surprise me with how great it was since I had really high hopes for it from the get-go, but it definitely did not disappoint in the slightest. All of the characterizations and individual struggles that the sisters had really correlated with those in the original book—never for a second did I doubt that I was reading about Jo, Beth, Meg, and Amy. Putting Beth’s perspective into poetry was really clever as well, and I loved how the poems tied into specific details within the chapters. The historical aspect was done well, too. The wartime struggles, the prejudice, the slang, the style…they all seemed very spot-on.
Overall, this book made me feel as pleased as punch. It lived up to my expectations of it and was an extremely enjoyable read.
Not to mention Jo being queer…literal perfection. I loved the execution of it and I could rave about this point for ages so I’ll just leave it at this: Wow. 10/10.
Overall, this book made me feel as pleased as punch. It lived up to my expectations of it and was an extremely enjoyable read.
Not to mention Jo being queer…literal perfection. I loved the execution of it and I could rave about this point for ages so I’ll just leave it at this: Wow. 10/10.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
This re-imagined Little Women set during World War II began when Jessica Spotswood posted a story idea she found daunting on Twitter. Her fellow authors joined with her to flesh out this story where Jo is queer and working in a factory, Amy has run away to join the Red Cross in London, Meg is a teacher and living at home with Marmee, and Beth watches over them all.
Each of the four authors assumed the story line of a different March sister. Spotswood wrote Meg’s chapters, Sharpe wrote Jo, Richmond followed Amy, and McCullough gave voice to Beth. I particularly liked how McCullough used poetry to show Beth following her sisters’ exploits.
With four authors, the four sisters had more equal roles than in the original work, which really focused on Jo. Having them each in a separate location helped, as they had fewer shared experiences. This was especially true for Meg and Amy.
And, while the time frame is World War II, this is NOT a soldier’s story, but more a story of how the women left behind dealt with their fears, and rose to the challenge of supporting those fighting overseas.
A favorite quote: A woman with ideas is terrifying to a certain kind of person.
Some libraries, including mine, have shelved this in the Young Adult section, others, as adult fiction. Jo’s relationship is depicted in way that is not at all graphic, but deals more with the feelings of love and connection between the characters.
Each of the four authors assumed the story line of a different March sister. Spotswood wrote Meg’s chapters, Sharpe wrote Jo, Richmond followed Amy, and McCullough gave voice to Beth. I particularly liked how McCullough used poetry to show Beth following her sisters’ exploits.
With four authors, the four sisters had more equal roles than in the original work, which really focused on Jo. Having them each in a separate location helped, as they had fewer shared experiences. This was especially true for Meg and Amy.
And, while the time frame is World War II, this is NOT a soldier’s story, but more a story of how the women left behind dealt with their fears, and rose to the challenge of supporting those fighting overseas.
A favorite quote: A woman with ideas is terrifying to a certain kind of person.
Some libraries, including mine, have shelved this in the Young Adult section, others, as adult fiction. Jo’s relationship is depicted in way that is not at all graphic, but deals more with the feelings of love and connection between the characters.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I was skeptical going into the book but in the end it was a nice read. I loved getting the different perspectives of each character and the letters from Jo to Charlie. My problems with the book is that I felt the pacing was odd and at times slow.
I was skeptical going into the book but in the end it was a nice read. I loved getting the different perspectives of each character and the letters from Jo to Charlie. My problems with the book is that I felt the pacing was odd and at times slow.
thirdactloves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
alannah_rose's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
4.0
paige_georgia_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fun, fluffy, and a fun “what if” for the March sisters. I’ve always loved the idea of Jo March being queer (even if my own personal headcanon for her is that she’s aromantic), so it was nice to see that. A few of Beth’s sections made me cry a little.
plandocalrisian's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you, NetGalley and Delacorte, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Although I didn't realize it was a middle grade story, I really did enjoy this heartwarming read. This Little Women retelling is set during WWII after Beth's death. A grief-fueled argument between the March sisters catapults them off in separate directions, as they seek to do their part in the war, while also finding themselves through journeys outside their comfortability. As a retelling, don't expect the same story, but that's what makes this novel worthwhile. It really explored the characters in exciting new ways, while keeping true to the essence of each of the March sisters. I loved that one of the storylines included a sapphic love story, it was raw and thoughtfully explored for a young reader's book. The four different authors were able to effortlessly dive into each of the sisters' stories, and the POVs flowed perfectly. If you like historical fiction and want more of the March sisters, I definitely recommend.
~Little Women retelling
~Multiple POVs (e/sister taken on individually by each of the four authors)
~Historical Fiction - World War II setting
~Middle Grade Level
~Focuses on bonds of sisterhood, being a woman in WWII, love and grief
~Sapphic Representation
~Beth’s chapters in prose
Although I didn't realize it was a middle grade story, I really did enjoy this heartwarming read. This Little Women retelling is set during WWII after Beth's death. A grief-fueled argument between the March sisters catapults them off in separate directions, as they seek to do their part in the war, while also finding themselves through journeys outside their comfortability. As a retelling, don't expect the same story, but that's what makes this novel worthwhile. It really explored the characters in exciting new ways, while keeping true to the essence of each of the March sisters. I loved that one of the storylines included a sapphic love story, it was raw and thoughtfully explored for a young reader's book. The four different authors were able to effortlessly dive into each of the sisters' stories, and the POVs flowed perfectly. If you like historical fiction and want more of the March sisters, I definitely recommend.
~Little Women retelling
~Multiple POVs (e/sister taken on individually by each of the four authors)
~Historical Fiction - World War II setting
~Middle Grade Level
~Focuses on bonds of sisterhood, being a woman in WWII, love and grief
~Sapphic Representation
~Beth’s chapters in prose
ebeubanks8's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was gonna be better, so I’m just disappointed.
elizabethgmoore's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
bookswithmaddi's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Great or Nothing has been on my TBR since the moment I saw it on Goodreads. A book with Joy McCullough about some of my favorite literary characters is an immediate win for me and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Great or Nothing is a retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women but reimagined during World War II. We are privy to the narrative of each of the four March sisters each of whom is written by a different author. The characters held true to the outline of Alcott’s characters while exploring the opportunities that a new time period and setting provides.
This book had so many strengths it’s difficult to know where to begin. The choice to utilize different authors for each of the different sisters added an element to this book that could not be recreated by a single writer. Each author had a distinct enough voice that the narratives didn’t blend together or get too confusing. Joy McCullough’s verse as Beth was particularly powerful and really encapsulated the strengths of her writing.
Another strength of this book was the clear research and work that had been done to make it historically accurate. The addition of pop culture references from the time period and significant events and mindsets worked to ground the reader in the time period. The way that these authors handled issues of racism and sexism of the time period was both graceful and powerful. The dissatisfaction of the women who were underappreciated was clear without being overbearing as they emphasized the importance of both leaving home to work and staying home to comfort. The commentary on the racial prejudices against Black soldiers and Japanese Americans was handled very well. It demonstrated imperfect white characters who needed to grow and change, and did, without creating a white savior complex.
I think the biggest flaw of this book is its pacing. The beginning moves slowly sometimes including details that seem unnecessary. Because of this, it feels like the end of the book ran out of space and had to end rather abruptly without a full resolve. I can totally understand the literary strategy of the way this book ended, but for me, I would’ve preferred slightly more resolve.
Overall, I absolutely adore this book and it will be one that I think about long after I have finished it. The end of it had me nearly in tears. It is a beautiful and powerful novel that revives and reimagines Alcott’s characters in powerful new positions.
Great or Nothing has been on my TBR since the moment I saw it on Goodreads. A book with Joy McCullough about some of my favorite literary characters is an immediate win for me and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
Great or Nothing is a retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women but reimagined during World War II. We are privy to the narrative of each of the four March sisters each of whom is written by a different author. The characters held true to the outline of Alcott’s characters while exploring the opportunities that a new time period and setting provides.
This book had so many strengths it’s difficult to know where to begin. The choice to utilize different authors for each of the different sisters added an element to this book that could not be recreated by a single writer. Each author had a distinct enough voice that the narratives didn’t blend together or get too confusing. Joy McCullough’s verse as Beth was particularly powerful and really encapsulated the strengths of her writing.
Another strength of this book was the clear research and work that had been done to make it historically accurate. The addition of pop culture references from the time period and significant events and mindsets worked to ground the reader in the time period. The way that these authors handled issues of racism and sexism of the time period was both graceful and powerful. The dissatisfaction of the women who were underappreciated was clear without being overbearing as they emphasized the importance of both leaving home to work and staying home to comfort. The commentary on the racial prejudices against Black soldiers and Japanese Americans was handled very well. It demonstrated imperfect white characters who needed to grow and change, and did, without creating a white savior complex.
I think the biggest flaw of this book is its pacing. The beginning moves slowly sometimes including details that seem unnecessary. Because of this, it feels like the end of the book ran out of space and had to end rather abruptly without a full resolve. I can totally understand the literary strategy of the way this book ended, but for me, I would’ve preferred slightly more resolve.
Overall, I absolutely adore this book and it will be one that I think about long after I have finished it. The end of it had me nearly in tears. It is a beautiful and powerful novel that revives and reimagines Alcott’s characters in powerful new positions.