Books by Louisa May Alcott

Book SynopsisJust two years after the extraordinarily successful publication of LITTLE WOMEN and GOOD WIVES, Louisa Alcott's brother-in-law died, leaving two sons. She immediately decided to write a sequel to provide for her sister and nephews, and LITTLE MEN, published in 1871, became a tribute to her father's theories of education. The story is set in Plumfield, a school run by Jo and her German husband, Professor Bhaer, and they follow the precepts of Grandpa March in cultivating the little mind - 'not tasking it with long hard lessons, parrot-learned, but helping it to unfold as naturally and beautifully as sun and dew help roses bloom'. The different ways in which the children, good and bad, respond to this kind of nurturing make up the episodes of the novel which instantly proved as popular as its predecessors, selling 42, 000 in the first year after its publication.

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Book SynopsisPuffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childRediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Good Wives. Three years on from Little Women, the March girls and their friend Laurie are young adults with their futures ahead of them. Although they all face painful trials along the way - from Meg's sad lesson in housekeeping to Laurie's disappointment in love and a tragedy which touches them all - each of the girls finally finds happiness, if not always in the way they expect.

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Book SynopsisPuffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childRediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Jo's Boys. Ten years after the school at Plumfield was founded, Jo's boys - including wanderer Dan, sailor Emil and musician Nat - are grown up and discovering more about the world. But life after childhood can be confusing and frightening, and it is Jo and the warm-hearted March family who can comfort and guide the boys when they need it the most...

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Book Synopsis The beautiful 150th anniversary edition of Louisa May Alcott''s classic tale of the four March sisters, featuring new illustrations and an introduction by New York Times bestselling author J. Courtney SullivanFor generations, children around the world have come of age with Louisa May Alcott''s March girls: hardworking eldest sister Meg, headstrong, impulsive Jo, timid Beth, and precocious Amy. With their father away at war, and their loving mother Marmee working to support the family, the four sisters have to rely on one another for support as they endure the hardships of wartime and poverty. We witness the sisters growing up and figuring out what role each wants to play in the world, and, along the way, join them on countless unforgettable adventures.Readers young and old will fall in love with this beloved classic, at once a lively portrait of nineteenth-century family life and a feminist novel about young women defying society''s expectations.

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Book SynopsisThe heartwarming classic is now available in an affordable softcover edition featuring a striking cover and distinctive interior design elements, making it ideal for classic fiction lovers, readers in high-school or college literature courses, and fans of annual reading challenges and Required Reading lists.The Little Women softcover edition: Presents Louisa May Alcott''s beloved coming-of-age novel of the four March sisters, viewed by many literary scholars as one of the most widely read novels of all time; its 1868--1869 publication helped secure Alcott''s place in literature''s pantheon of great writers Explores such important themes as women''s struggle to achieve personal growth vs. maintaining domestic responsibilities; the necessity of work; the ramifications of gender stereotyping; and the importance of being genuine to oneself. Is ideal for Louisa May Alcott aficionados, fans of literary fiction an

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Book SynopsisWritten in six weeks, and at first thought by its editor to be 'dull', this story of an American family - four sisters and their mother living through the months while father is away in the Civil War - has a universal and enduring appeal. The reason is clear. Louisa Alcott based her story on her own experience of family life. 'Not a bit sensational', she wrote, 'but simple and true, for we really lived most of it. ' When published in 1868, the book was illustrated by May Alcott, Louisa's mother. GOOD WIVES, a sequel to LITTLE WOMEN, was published in 1869, taking up the story of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy three years on. In 1912 an English artist, Millicent Etheldreda Gray, with a reputation for closely-worked studies of domestic settings, was commissioned by Hodder and Stoughton to paint twelve watercolours for this most long-lasting of all family stories. A new feature film of LITTLE WOMEN written and directed by Greta Gerwig was released in December 2019, starring Saoirse Ronan as Jo, Florence Pugh as Amy, Emma Watson as Meg and Eliza Scanlen as Beth.

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Book SynopsisA restless tomboy with a wild imagination, Jo March bridles against societal conventions. She has no interest in becoming a lady; she will become a writer. Fortunately for Jo, her family supports her ambitions and understands her eccentricities.

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Book SynopsisThis special edition of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless Little Women is illustrated with movie stills from Greta Gerwig’s star-studded film adaptation—including eight full-color removable mini-posters! Readers have been falling for the timeless story of sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy as they navigate hardship and adventure in post–Civil War Concord, Massachusetts, for more than 150 years. This paperback edition of the classic novel is illustrated throughout with gorgeous black-and-white photos from the film adaptation written for the screen and directed by Greta Gerwig—and starring Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Emma Watson, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Chris Cooper, Louis Garrel, James Norton, Bob Odenkirk, and Meryl Streep—and is perfect for a new generation of fans. It is the ultimate introduction to Louisa May’s Alcott’s classic tale as well as a must-have for fans of the fi

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Book SynopsisPuffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childRediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Little Men. With two young sons of her own, and twelve rescued orphan boys filling the unusual school at Plumfield, Jo March - now Mrs Jo Bhaer - couldn't be happier. But the boys have a habit of getting into scrapes, and their mischievous antics call for the warm and affectionate support of the whole March family to help avoid disaster...

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Book SynopsisComedy / adapted from the novel by Louisa M. Alcott / Casting: 5m, 7f / InteriorThe story of LITTLE WOMEN, Louisa M. Alcott''s famous novel, is so well known and so well loved that it is hardly surprising that many attempts have been made to portray its characters upon the stage. None has yet been so successful, however, as this brilliant dramatization by Peter Clapham. The structure of the play faithfully covers that of the novel, interweaving the lives of the March girls, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, and Laurie, the boy next door, as they grow up happily together, yet the action is contained neatly in one set. All the overtones of gaiety and the undertones of sadness are here, bringing the story completely to life in a way which is both accurate and dramatically satisfying.

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Book SynopsisIn time for the new major feature film in late 2019, a timeless new edition of one of the most beloved novels in American literature.

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Book SynopsisThis paperback will feature two Christmas-themed stories by the author: "A Christmas Dream, and How It Came to Be True," a tale inspired by Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol; and "How It Happened."

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Book SynopsisLouisa May Alcott's classic Little Women tells the story of the four March sisters as they come of age in 1860s New England.When Little Women was first published in 1868, it became an instant bestseller. The book’s gentle lessons and charming story of four adventurous sisters coming of age in Civil War-era New England was originally written as a children’s book, but it quickly captured the hearts and attention of readers of all ages. Featuring colorful sprayed edges and a heat-burnished cover with foil stamping, this edition of Little Women is a stylish addition to your bookshelf.

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Book SynopsisLittle treasures, the FLAME TREE COLLECTABLE CLASSICS are chosen to create a delightful and timeless home library. Each stunning, gift edition features deluxe cover treatments, ribbon markers, luxury endpapers and gilded edges. The unabridged text is accompanied by a Glossary of Victorian and Literary terms produced for the modern reader. The lives of four teenage sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – unfold in this treasured classic. Living in Massachusetts the March sisters are struggling though poverty and the effects of the American Civil War, which has taken away their father. Through happy and sad times, the sisters pull together with help from their mother, Marmee. Despite squabbles and desperate times, the sisters have a contagious sense of fun that leads to many adventures and eventually they learn exactly what it takes to grow up. Little Women was released in 1868 to commercial success and favourable reviews from critics. It has since become a true literary classic, made into countless adaptations, and a worldwide success that is loved by many.

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisLouisa May Alcott'sLittle Womenwas a critically acclaimed bestseller upon its publication in 1868. It tells the story of sisters Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March each a young woman with a distinctive and relatable personality, a rare feature for a children's novel at the time. The novel continues to resonate with readers as a timeless tale of growing up.This is the first modern edition of Little Women to feature the complete illustrations of Clara Miller Burd, originally executed in 1926. Burd's brilliant colour plates and detailed drawings bring the world of the March family to life. An introduction by Alice A. Carter, an expert on Golden Age illustration, explores Burd's life and the work of early 20th-century women illustrators. This new edition, handsomely bound in cloth, will be the perfect gift for all devotees of Little Women.

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its incredible range of best-loved, essential classics.Little Men is the delightful unofficial sequel to Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, reprising the much-cherished characters of the March family and friends, as well as some unforgettable new ones.The warm-hearted and fiesty Jo March returns (now as Jo Bhaer) and, together with husband Friedrich and the inheritance of an estate from Aunt March, opens Plumfield Estate, an unconventional school based on individuality and diversity. Jo's own boys, a number of rescued orphans, and her nieces are all encouraged to be kind, helpful, and self-sufficient, tending their own gardens and running their own businesses. Fun and learning go hand in hand, and pillow fights are even permitted on Saturdays.Personal relationships are key to the school, as well as to the novel, and the lovable characters get up to plenty of scrapes and adventures, but in the end, even the troublesome among them find redemption in the l

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Book SynopsisHow can you forge your own path in times of war, uncertainty and hardship?Meg longs for marriage; Amy wants to be a painter; Beth is content to stay at home; while Jo wants adventure and a life without limits. Four decidedly different sisters, growing up during the American Civil War, each facing their own unique challenge.Little Women tells the story of the March sisters. Through parties, travel, illness, arguments, dinners, love affairs and ice skating escapades, we follow these unforgettable women as they come of age.First published over 150 years ago, Little Women is a quintessential American classic which has become a stage and screen favourite ever since, capturing the hearts of millions of readers across the world.

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Book SynopsisJo's Boys is the final book in the Little Women series, one of the most beloved classics in children's literature.

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Book SynopsisThis Ladybird Classic is an abridged retelling of the classic story of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, making it perfect for introducing the story to younger children, or for newly confident readers to tackle alone.Beautiful new illustrations throughout and a gorgeous larger format with ribbon marker bring the magic of this classic story to a new generation of children.

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Book SynopsisEight Cousins (1875) is a novel by American author, feminist, and abolitionist Louisa May Alcott. Based on her experience of being raised by a father dedicated to education reform, and grounded in her radical beliefs on the role of women in society, Eight Cousins is a masterpiece of children’s literature that explores themes of family, death, and perseverance. Rose Campbell is a young girl when her parents pass away. Orphaned, she is taken to the Boston home of her great aunts, the Campbell sisters, who raise her while awaiting the arrival of their brother Alec, Rose’s legal guardian. An heiress, Rose must adjust to the rhythms of New England high society while also learning that the limitations placed on women—which her uncle disdains—must not be allowed to restrain her. When Alec returns from business overseas, she is introduced to her male uncles and cousins. Although she is nervous at first—and still in mourning for her affectionate father— she soon finds herself appreciative of her new male role model, who educates her, rejects the oppressive women’s fashion of the day, and encourages her to take control of her life and fortune. Although her more conservative aunts are first wary of Alec’s influence, they too grow to understand his moral and political principles, creating the harmony necessary for Rose’s upbringing and development into a capable young woman. Although less popular than Alcott’s “March Family Saga,” Eight Cousins is a brilliant work that captures the power of love and community over prejudice and convention, and—like each of the author’s works—has long been read and adored by children and adults alike. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Louisa May Alcott’s Eight Cousins is a classic of American literature and children’s fiction reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisA BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisation of the evergreen classic novel by Louisa May Alcott. With their father away fighting in the American Civil War, the four March girls are facing a lean Christmas with their mother. But the sisters’ close bond and determination to make the best of things enables them to find happiness despite their poverty.As the years go by we follow their fortunes as they journey into womanhood. Meg the beauty, Jo the tomboy, shy Beth and precocious Amy will encounter adventure, hardship, joys and disappointments, and learn to meet the challenges of life as they become independent and make their way in the world. While marriage and motherhood may beckon for the sisters, their most enduring love is always for each other. First published in 1868 and never out of print since, this iconic coming-of-age tale is a perennial favourite that has touched the hearts of generations of readers. This moving BBC Radio 4 dramatisation stars Natasha J Barnes, Julianna Jennings, Bryony Hannah and Samantha Dakin as Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, with Tara Ward as Mrs March and Alex Lanipekun as Laurie. Duration: 2 hours 20 mins approx.

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Book SynopsisThis edition of Little Women contains a retold novel, an introduction, notes on the author, notes on the period when the book is set, the book's themes, a simple glossary, and a free CD (running time 2 hours). The book on the CD is read slowly and clearly to aid comprehension. Little Women is an American novel, set in a small town in New England at the time of the American Civil War, and tells the story of the four March sisters: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as they grow up. As their father is away fighting in the Civil War he is absent for most of the novel, and their mother is away visiting poorer families who need help, so the story's focus is on how the girls cope with growing up, financial shortages, family tragedies and romantic rivalries. The novel was published as two volumes in 1868 and 1869 and was very successful, with the reading public demanding a sequel. In the novel, Jo wants to be a writer and independent. The girls also come to terms with the boy next door, Laurie, whom they meet and make friends with. Laurie proposes to Jo at the end of the novel, and is a major character in the story. Little Women is a sentimental story but it also explores various themes from a female perspective, such as importance of work, and the struggle between family duty and individual ambition, and gender stereotyping.

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Book SynopsisRose in Bloom, by Louisa May Alcott, is a gripping story which continues Rose Campbell, the beloved protagonist from Eight Cousins. Rose, now a young lady, returns back to her family after a two-year absence to discover a world full of fresh experiences, difficulties, and choices. Set in the late 1800s, the narrative covers issues involving women, societal norms, especially the nuances of romance. While reconnecting with her cousins and friends, Rose navigates the complexity of adolescence, encountering issues that put her integrity and beliefs to the test. Rose's emotional maturity, relationships with family and friends, and growing understanding of love are all explored in Alcott's outstanding narrative. The story covers many perspectives on life, marriage, and individual fulfillment via Rose's contacts with numerous people.

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Book Synopsis'I have to write. That's what I am. My sister Meg is beautiful, my sister Beth is good, my sister Amy is, well, she is what she is, but I'm the writer of the family. What shall I do?' Christmas Eve, 1862. With their father away on the frontline of the American Civil War, the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy – journey into adulthood, each determined to pursue a life on their own terms. But growing up means contending with love and loss, as well as the myriad twists of fortune that shape a life. Published in 1868, Louisa May Alcott's Little Women was an immediate critical and commercial success, and remains one of the best-loved novels of all time. This joyful and spirited adaptation was first produced at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Watford Palace Theatre in 2022, directed by Brigid Larmour. An earlier version was staged at the Gate Theatre, Dublin, in 2011. It provides rich opportunities for any amateur company looking for an uplifting version of a classic story that's guaranteed to delight audiences.Trade Review'Stylish, humorous and compassionate, this is a lovingly crafted adaptation of an American classic... re-establishes the book's evergreen credentials... a clean, crisp, faithfully episodic adaptation that successfully evokes both the love and the tensions between the four sisters' * Daily Telegraph *'Anne-Marie Casey's adaptation is pacey and full of life, trimming lots of the story's fat and focusing on key characters and incidents so as to keep things moving in only two hours of action' * WhatsOnStage *'A loving staging of the story... both wholesome and exhortatory... Casey bottles the story's magic, which sweeps us from the trials of the Civil War to the buzz of New York... charming' * Daily Mail *'A classic, charming retelling of the novel that doesn't seek to do anything other than celebrate the story... full of gentle humour, humanity and emotion... a bit of traditional charm, great storytelling and the perfect family show' * Reviews Hub *'A boldly traditional adaptation... carefully crafted... thoughtful and multilayered' * The Stage *'Heartbreaking... Anne-Marie Casey's script bounces along briskly, oscillating between quick-fire quips and moments of poignancy... as comforting and filling as Christmas dinner' * The Arts Despatch *'Beautiful... makes us look again at Louisa May Alcott's radical rite of passage classic' * Belfast Times *'A classic retelling of the beloved novel, celebrating the story in a manner which is true to the text... Anne-Marie Casey's adaptation hits all the big moments of the book... a well-presented, highly respectful interpretation of a classic tale... incredibly hard to resist' * No More Workhorse *

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Book SynopsisHarperCollins is proud to present its new range of best-loved, essential classics.

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Book SynopsisThe Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Louisa May Alcott illuminates the world of Little Women and its author.

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Book SynopsisThis authoritative, accurate text of the first edition (1868–69) of Little Women is accompanied by textual variants and thorough explanatory annotations.

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewA delightful adaptation, faithful to the spirit of Louisa May Alcott's novels * Sunday Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisJo’s Boys (1886) is a novel by American author Louis May Alcott. Written while Alcott was living in the historic Thoreau-Alcott House in Concord, Massachusetts, Jo’s Boys picks up ten years after the events of Little Men, which followed the young sons of Jo Bhaer (née March) and Professor Friedrich Bhaer at their newly established Plumfield Estate School. As with the rest of the series, Jo’s Boys was inspired by the educational reforms theorized and practiced by her father. Plumfield boys Tommy, Emil, Nat, Dan, Demi, Rob, and Ted have all grown up, taking with them into the world the lessons they learned at the Plumfield Estate School. Split into sections following the lives of each young man, Jo’s Boys traces the impact on Jo and Friedrich Bhaer’s experimental form of education across a number of diverse—and often difficult—situations. Each character navigates the realities of college, marriage, and work with varying degrees of success, often finding that what they can most rely on is a well-grounded sense of morality, as well as a strong and abundant understanding of themselves as individuals. Emil, Professor Friedrich Bhaer’s nephew, becomes a sailor, gets promoted to second mate, and is faced with the challenge of rescuing his fellow shipmates after a wreck leaves them stranded. Tommy enters medical school but finds it difficult to dedicate himself to his work while weighing his complex affections for Nan and Dora, both of whom he could see himself marrying. The novel’s most compelling character is Dan, who becomes a sheep-herder in Australia before returning to America, being arrested out West, and ultimately discovering his deeply entrenched need to dedicate his life to others. Although originally written for children, Louisa May Alcott’s Jo’s Boys, alongside the other novels in her “March Family Saga,” has long been read and adored by children and adults alike. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Louisa May Alcott’s Jo’s Boys is a classic of American literature and children’s fiction reimagined for modern readers.

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Book SynopsisWith inspiring new foreword from Caitlin Moran, enjoy this timeless tale of four sisters - Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth - experiencing both hardship and adventure in Civil War New England. In this simple, enthralling tale, Louisa May Alcott created four of American literature's most beloved "little women".

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Book SynopsisLittle Women tells the brilliant tale of the four March sisters, sensible Meg, tomboyish Jo, timid Beth and artistic Amy. As their father goes off to fight in the Civil War, they must acclimatise to their recent poverty and begin to navigate the adult world. These vivid, complex and relatable characters have captured the hearts and mind of readers for over a century, marking Little Women as a masterpiece of children''s literature and a true American classic. This wonderful edition contains the original and unabridged text, perfect for children aged 8+.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.

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Book SynopsisThis timeless classic is now an easy-to-read chapter book!The four March sisters--Meg, Amy, Beth, and feisty Jo--share the joys and sorrows of growing up while their father is away at war. The family is poor in worldly goods, but rich in love and character.

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Book SynopsisLittle Women, Louisa May Alcott’s masterpiece of Children’s literature, is the story of the March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. Living in a small Massachusetts town, the girls and Mrs. March must make do while Mr. March is away serving as an Army Chaplain during the Civil War. At the story’s center lies Jo who, as she approaches adulthood, must reconcile her duties to her family with her desire to become a successful writer.The many appendices in this Broadview edition include materials on the early women’s movement, the novel’s composition, and Alcott’s literary influences.Trade Review“Broadview Press’s Little Women provides a definitive text along with the most comprehensive historical overview yet offered. Alton not only gives us a text based on the first edition, she also presents the genesis and development of Alcott’s most famous novel using the author’s own public and private writings. For the first time in one edition, we now have the complete story of the March family! It is a wonderful scholarly achievement that has long been overdue.” — Daniel Shealy, University of North Carolina at Charlotte“Anne Hiebert Alton’s edition for Broadview is unique in supplementing the text with Alcott’s sources for and correspondence about the novel, with those of Alcott’s works that she attributes to Jo and her sisters, selections from the text that she alludes to most frequently, such as Pilgrim’s Progress, and excerpts that demonstrate Alcott’s feminism. A number of these selections are not readily accessible elsewhere, and some will prove unfamiliar even to Alcott scholars. Alton and Broadview are to be commended for bringing them together in a single volume.” — Elizabeth Keyser, Hollins UniversityTable of ContentsAcknowledgementsIntroductionLouisa May Alcott: A Brief ChronologyA Note on the TextList of AbbreviationsLittle Women, or Meg, Jo, Beth and AmyAppendix A: The Composition and Publication of Little Women Entries from Louisa May Alcott’s Journals about Little Women A Manuscript Page of Little Women Correspondence concerning Little Women Nineteenth-Century comments/reviews of Little Women Appendix B: The Sources for Little Women Louisa May Alcott’s Journal entries Early versions of Little Women stories: “The Sister’s Trial” “Merry’s Monthly Chat” “My Polish Boy” Appendix C: The March Girls’ Writings “Norna; or, The Witches’ Curse" “Aunt Sue’s Scrap Bag” from Merry’s Museum “The Masked Marriage” “The Greek Slave” “The Rival Painters” Appendix D: Literary Influences Bronson Alcott’s Influence Louisa May Alcott’s comments about books & reading Jean de La Fontaine, “The Jay in Peacock’s Feathers” Hans Christian Andersen, "The Steadfast Tin Soldier” “The King & the Beggarmaid” tales Selections from John Bunyan, The Pilgrim’s Progress Appendix E: Feminist Issues Excerpts from the Proceedings of the Women’s Rights Convention Selections from Louisa May Alcott’s journals & letters “Louisa M. Alcott’s Defence of Woman Suffrage” Selections from Louisa May Alcott’s other writings Works Cited & Recommended Reading

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