lediamond4's review against another edition
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
alt_air's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
dbuchheister's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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
4.5
thewhiteviolet's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
karisjmadison's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
biblioemily's review against another edition
5.0
Probably one of the best things I've read this year. Morrow nails Alcott's tone/style but brings so much, especially about how Northerners were also complicit in slavery and wanted to be white saviors in the aftermath (or still keep Black people beholden to them)
akacya's review against another edition
4.0
2023 reads: 235/350
this book reimagines little women and follows four black sisters during the civil war. the family has put down roots in the freedmen’s colony of roanoke island. meg is a teacher who longs for love and her own family, jo is a writer working to make her voice heard, beth is a seamstress looking for her purpose, and amy is a dancer who wants to know what awaits her in the world outside of her house.
though i have no interest in reading the original little women, the premise of this book easily drew me in. additionally, i enjoyed the author’s a song below water duology, so i had a good feeling that i’d like this book (and i was right!). i don’t read many books set in historical settings, but i really appreciated this aspect of the book and even learned something new. before this book, i had never heard of the freedmen’s colony (which is not fictional), so i’m glad this was highlighted.
overall, this was a great book, and i can’t wait to read more of this author’s books as well as the other books in the remixed classics series.
this book reimagines little women and follows four black sisters during the civil war. the family has put down roots in the freedmen’s colony of roanoke island. meg is a teacher who longs for love and her own family, jo is a writer working to make her voice heard, beth is a seamstress looking for her purpose, and amy is a dancer who wants to know what awaits her in the world outside of her house.
though i have no interest in reading the original little women, the premise of this book easily drew me in. additionally, i enjoyed the author’s a song below water duology, so i had a good feeling that i’d like this book (and i was right!). i don’t read many books set in historical settings, but i really appreciated this aspect of the book and even learned something new. before this book, i had never heard of the freedmen’s colony (which is not fictional), so i’m glad this was highlighted.
overall, this was a great book, and i can’t wait to read more of this author’s books as well as the other books in the remixed classics series.