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audreyc543's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
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
4.0
bogwitchreads's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of those surprise YA books that I hope to like and wind up absolutely loving. I have never actually read Little Women, so my familiarity with the story extends about as far as one singular movie adaptation, seen once, several years ago. I have found that I have a better chance of enjoying a retelling when I don't have a great affection for the original, but honestly in this case, I'm not sure it would have mattered because this was SO GOOD. I loved the dynamics between each of the sisters, and I loved how seriously the book took each of them and their desires.
As a retelling, I thought this was really strong in the sense that everything I hear people say they love about Little Women was very much present, but it also stood very well on its own. It also felt so grounded in history, but without being particularly heavy, and it was very clear how much thought was put into how the characters and each plot element would be impacted by the circumstances of this retelling. I highly recommend!
As a retelling, I thought this was really strong in the sense that everything I hear people say they love about Little Women was very much present, but it also stood very well on its own. It also felt so grounded in history, but without being particularly heavy, and it was very clear how much thought was put into how the characters and each plot element would be impacted by the circumstances of this retelling. I highly recommend!
lea's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
friendleghost's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
lorolemman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
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
moxiegirlzriot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Loved this Little Women retelling from points of view so often ignored. Love the representation of Jo, love the alternative for Beth, this may be my favorite version of this classic yet
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a delightful Little Women remix. Morrow uses the familiar characters so we'll to tell the story of the freedmen's colonies. She's did not shut from the devastating history, but the warmth of family and hope shines through. While there are counterparts for the characters from the original story, not everything tracks exactly the same, and there is a lot of satisfaction in the way it all comes together. I did struggle with the writing style a bit; there were sentences with a few too many clauses for me to follow successfully.
becbec624's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this book was really interesting to read. As someone who is not very familiar with Little Women, I thought this book was a great read. With the basic research I did on the original story before diving into this one, it was clear that the author really put some fun ties between this novel and the original story. I felt that the original development of the characters was wonderful with each of the main female leads feeling like their own person and all equally important to the story.
I felt this story lacked a bit in the development and concluding bits of the plot. Some story lines and relationships felt underdeveloped or cut short. If this book was just a tad longer, I feel like this wouldn't have been an issue.
Overall, I felt this was a really important story. The subject matter at times was uncomfortable to read but I think that it is so important to not shy away from tough topics but to speak about them and make them well known.
I felt this story lacked a bit in the development and concluding bits of the plot. Some story lines and relationships felt underdeveloped or cut short. If this book was just a tad longer, I feel like this wouldn't have been an issue.
Overall, I felt this was a really important story. The subject matter at times was uncomfortable to read but I think that it is so important to not shy away from tough topics but to speak about them and make them well known.
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.
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.