laurengrubbsshaney's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
macmower's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emallovesreading's review
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
rmurphy22002's review
4.0
This was such a fun way to reread a familiar story — and true to fashion I did simply start crying when it came to Beth (sorry if this spoils little women). Honestly a very fun way to look at a character we don’t hear much from in the book and learn a bit about the life of the March family before the story picks up
teriboop's review against another edition
5.0
Marmee retells the Louisa May Alcott novel Little Women from the perspective of Mrs. March, who is known as Marmee, to her four daughters. Written as a series of diary entries, Marmee bares her every thought through the events covered in the original novel that cover the time period of December 24, 1861, through December 25, 1868. As the story opens, Marmee and her daughters, Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth, along with their housekeeper, Hannah, struggle to make ends meet during the Civil War while Mr. March is away at the front lines, providing service to Union soldiers as a preacher. By the end of the story, Mr. March has returned, and each girl has followed their own path in life.
This book closely follows the original novel with some embellishments to the thoughts and actions of Marmee. Miller expertly fills in some meat to the story using real-life events from the Alcott family that inspired Louisa May Alcott's novel. These embellishments give the original story more depth and feeling, at least from Marmee's perspective. As a fan of the original, I loved this perspective. It's a more adult version of Little Women. In the author's notes of the book, Miller mentions that Abigail Alcott, the mother of Louisa May, who Marmee is modeled after, was much more "rough" than her fictional version. Miller tried to show more of the personality of Abigail Alcott in a smoothed-out way. I think she succeeded quite well.
I look forward to future books by Miller. She did a fantastic job with [b:Caroline: Little House, Revisited|34200946|Caroline Little House, Revisited|Sarah Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491592154l/34200946._SY75_.jpg|55266038] that reimagines the character of Caroline Ingalls, mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, of the Little House on the Prairie series. Can't wait to see where Miller takes us next.
This book closely follows the original novel with some embellishments to the thoughts and actions of Marmee. Miller expertly fills in some meat to the story using real-life events from the Alcott family that inspired Louisa May Alcott's novel. These embellishments give the original story more depth and feeling, at least from Marmee's perspective. As a fan of the original, I loved this perspective. It's a more adult version of Little Women. In the author's notes of the book, Miller mentions that Abigail Alcott, the mother of Louisa May, who Marmee is modeled after, was much more "rough" than her fictional version. Miller tried to show more of the personality of Abigail Alcott in a smoothed-out way. I think she succeeded quite well.
I look forward to future books by Miller. She did a fantastic job with [b:Caroline: Little House, Revisited|34200946|Caroline Little House, Revisited|Sarah Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491592154l/34200946._SY75_.jpg|55266038] that reimagines the character of Caroline Ingalls, mother of Laura Ingalls Wilder, of the Little House on the Prairie series. Can't wait to see where Miller takes us next.
tpteacher's review
3.0
I was a little disappointed in this one. I really enjoyed ‘Caroline’ but ‘Marmee’ fell flat for me. It kind of made me not like her, actually. She wasn’t compelling nor did I feel it was an accurate portrayal of Marmee. But I guess we each bring our own idea of characters to a story. It also was pretty slow.
drewanabri's review
3.0
I think this might actually be more saccharine than the original Little Women. Overall, the story follows the basic gist of the classic novel, but since it's told in the form of a diary, the direct insight into the protagonist's thoughts provides even more room for overwrought sentiment and preachy moralizing.
And unfortunately, the author made the mistake of including the grim facts from Abby May Alcott's life while still keeping the saintliness of the fictionalized "Marmee" which makes for a very odd balance. The protagonist's husband is literally giving away his kids' last loaf of bread, and she's all "oh, isn't that nice and generous of him." Overall, a lot of the story just reads like a very weak-willed woman enabling an abusive, neglectful father.
And unfortunately, the author made the mistake of including the grim facts from Abby May Alcott's life while still keeping the saintliness of the fictionalized "Marmee" which makes for a very odd balance. The protagonist's husband is literally giving away his kids' last loaf of bread, and she's all "oh, isn't that nice and generous of him." Overall, a lot of the story just reads like a very weak-willed woman enabling an abusive, neglectful father.
alarason03's review
5.0
Marmee is a lovely book and a great complement to the Little Women story. Little Women has always been one of my favorite novels and I loved the opportunity to see the story from the perspective of the matriarch of the family. I thought the use of diary format worked really well. I loved hearing about some of my favorite parts of the Little Women story from her perspective and her take on the events. As a mother now, I also connected with her angst and worry over her children's well-being could really feel the angst that she went through especially surrounding Beth's illness and death.