Reviews

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow

a_devine_read's review against another edition

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

In this book, Morrow offers a new version of Little Women. The March sisters are freed slaves living in the Colony of Roanoke.
Opinion
I must confess to have never read the original Little Women. I honestly have no interest in it whatsoever. Re-writings though? Sign me up.
This book was a fabulous read. It gave insight into what it was like for a newly freed people in the 1860s. I truly had a love/hate relationship with reading this book. I loved the story but when I would read about what "new experience" the March sisters had, I was saddened. This story portrays an ugly part of our history as it is beginning to change. 
After reading about Morrow's research, I certainly started thinking about the history that I had been taught. Very few people of color were represented and fewer still the amount of women. I can only hope that this book, and others like it, can help set a precedence that we need to seek the truth in our history.
For those looking for a good book to read, this is it. For those looking for something that will leave them wanting more intellectually, this book is also it. It is a solid book that will offer what you want, be it a good read or to be taught more about what happened than you learned in your  history class.
Many thanks to Net Galley and to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC of this book. Many apologies for taking so long to have read it.

miyei_is_reading's review against another edition

3.0

I was very interested to read this retelling of Little Women, but while it was fascinating from the unique point of view, the version didn't come close to the original. I loved the freedman colony twist, and it certainly brought up some interesting conflict and growth. However, I felt like the author didn't dig as deep into the lessons and morals that made the original story so powerful and heartwarming.

So while it's a lovely story, loyal fans of Alcott may be disappointed.

k_lupin's review against another edition

challenging hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

mznayluv's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective

4.0

sunrae_booknook's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring slow-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

5.0

mary00's review against another edition

3.0

I struggled to stay interested in this one, although I did enjoy looking for the parallels and differences with the original Little Women and thought the concept was clever. I thought the author used too much telling instead of showing in the narrative, as a result of trying to cram too much into the story.
I wonder if this would have worked better for me in paper. I listened to the audio version.

2 1/2 stars

spacerkip's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Aroace Jo is for all the girlies who cried during the hilltop scene in the 2019 movie, only to realize everyone around them was crying for different reasons.

atrailofpages's review against another edition

4.0

I LOVE Little Women, and so I was excited to read this remix of the story. This is more of an historical story of the March family who were once enslaved and no longer are. They are living in the Freedmen’s Colony on Roanoke Island and experiencing life and doing work they enjoy, such as Meg and her teaching.

I always love stories about family and sisters, which is why I’ve always loved Little Women. This one was definitely a remix. The way it played for all the girls was different when compared to the original and so it caught me by surprise.

Jo has always been my favorite. Love a girl who is brave enough to speak up and express her opinion, and plus I love how blunt she is! I adore her and Lorie’s relationship. Such good friends that could be more.

I actually liked Meg in this one since I always found her a bit dull, but what I appreciated in here is that she knew what she wanted and went for it, she didn’t care what others thought of her, or what her sisters thought. She had a goal and she fought for it.

Beth’s story was similar with her being ill, but she didn’t allow that to stop her reach her goals.

Then Amy, I always found her a bit annoying, and she still kind of is, but she was more tolerable and actually really funny in this remix. She loves dancing and goes to a bigger city to pursue her passions. Another March girl that has a goal and fights for it.

All in all, I really enjoyed the story. I didn’t know about some of the history in this book and appreciated learning more and it makes me want to do more research on this bit of history. I will say I felt like the end was very rushed. It had such good pacing through the book until the end where everything just suddenly came together and it ended.

If you love Little Women, I recommend this one! I received an advance review copy for free(thank you NetGalley), and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

larenlit's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

eletricjb's review against another edition

4.0

Replace Uncle Tom's Cabin with this on every single school reading list, right now. Replace Little Women with it, too; it's had its time.