folkloriannina's review
4.0
I liked the idea a lot and really enjoyed reading this book, especially as a big fan of the "little women" movie. It was just a little confusing which parts they had actually taken from the original book and which ones were more like an additional timeline. Sometimes it felt more of a continuation of the original story than a retelling. That was confusing. But I still liked it a lot.
justiner16's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lekhoury's review
4.0
The premise of setting Little Women against the backdrop of WWII immediately drew me in. These characters have been re-imagined countless times, but having four different authors voice each of the March sisters was an inspired decision that gave each character their own distinct rhythm and tone. I’ve read several versions of Little Women, and this was probably the first time that I connected with Beth and Meg’s characters and by far my favorite adaptation (shockingly upsetting the 2019 film adaptation’s deathgrip on my soul.) I’ll likely be going back to other adaptations with a new appreciation, which is the highest praise I can give to any retelling.
**SPOILERS**
BETH:
The story starts several months after Beth has passed and the chapters alternate between the lives of Meg, Jo, and Amy. However, in a stroke of BRILLIANCE, we get Beth’s omniscient perspective on her sister’s actions and feelings at the end of every chapter. Beth’s narrative is delivered in beautiful and haunting VERSE that had me in tears. The fact that her narrative is both physically and rhythmically displaced from the rest of her sisters gives it such a poignant quality. In death Beth is even more out of sync with her sisters than in life and this is the first adaptation/retelling that I have read that really confronts how much of a burden that must have been for her. Beth has always served as a sweet but flat plot motivator in my mind, but Joy MCCullough breathed life into a character that I’m sad to say I had never really given a second thought to.
MEG:
Meg’s chapters brought greater depth to her story than I expected. I’ve never particularly connected with or cared for Meg’s story before. Maybe this new found appreciation stems from finding myself in a place in life that has me finally relating to Meg’s themes but Jessica Spotswood’s Meg felt distinct. In this story Beth has died before Meg marries John, who has been drafted and is sent away to basic training before he can propose. Meg is instead left to battle Sallie’s offers and snipes without the support of her husband and with a new understanding of how brief and cruel life can be. If anything, I think this makes the decision to choose a life of love over a life of means even more difficult for her.
JO:
Lesbian Jo is an absolute revelation, and Tess Sharpe did an incredible job with this beloved spunky character. I do wish that her story had been a bit longer and Jo had the chance to progress a bit more. Compared to the other characters, Jo’s storyline didn’t seem as complete, even if it was just as fun.
AMY:
As always, I loved Amy’s stubbornness and bravery, and Caroline Tung Richmond marvelously showcases Amy’s tireless resolve to be “great or nothing” in the face of a world that wants to make her small. The one change in this adaptation that I took issue with was how Laurie’s motivation in proposing to Jo was changed. It was reframed in a way that would be easier for Laurie and Amy to work through but I thought it belittled the real feelings and relationship that had developed between Laurie and Jo. People fall in love, fall out of love, then they do it again. Just because Laurie was rejected the first time doesn’t mean he wasn't in love at all. It’s okay if Laurie is learning about himself and the different types of love he feels for the March girls. It’s not okay to take the easy way out and erase something that I think made Laurie and Amy’s relationship stronger. He had to earn her trust in a real way that finally made him grow up. Conversely, this Laurie is already more mature than the Laurie that Amy first encounters in other adaptations and isn't quite as in need of the intervention that his relationship with Amy provides. This story is more about Amy's growth than Laurie's.
**LAURIE:
Caroline admits that she pictured Timothee Chalamet as her Laurie, and I have to admit that I did as well. So if anyone needs some more Theodore Laurence of the Timothee variety in their life, Caroline DOES NOT DISAPPOINT.
Finally, thank you to Random House Childrens, Tess Sharpe, Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Jessica Spotswood, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**SPOILERS**
BETH:
The story starts several months after Beth has passed and the chapters alternate between the lives of Meg, Jo, and Amy. However, in a stroke of BRILLIANCE, we get Beth’s omniscient perspective on her sister’s actions and feelings at the end of every chapter. Beth’s narrative is delivered in beautiful and haunting VERSE that had me in tears. The fact that her narrative is both physically and rhythmically displaced from the rest of her sisters gives it such a poignant quality. In death Beth is even more out of sync with her sisters than in life and this is the first adaptation/retelling that I have read that really confronts how much of a burden that must have been for her. Beth has always served as a sweet but flat plot motivator in my mind, but Joy MCCullough breathed life into a character that I’m sad to say I had never really given a second thought to.
MEG:
Meg’s chapters brought greater depth to her story than I expected. I’ve never particularly connected with or cared for Meg’s story before. Maybe this new found appreciation stems from finding myself in a place in life that has me finally relating to Meg’s themes but Jessica Spotswood’s Meg felt distinct. In this story Beth has died before Meg marries John, who has been drafted and is sent away to basic training before he can propose. Meg is instead left to battle Sallie’s offers and snipes without the support of her husband and with a new understanding of how brief and cruel life can be. If anything, I think this makes the decision to choose a life of love over a life of means even more difficult for her.
JO:
Lesbian Jo is an absolute revelation, and Tess Sharpe did an incredible job with this beloved spunky character. I do wish that her story had been a bit longer and Jo had the chance to progress a bit more. Compared to the other characters, Jo’s storyline didn’t seem as complete, even if it was just as fun.
AMY:
As always, I loved Amy’s stubbornness and bravery, and Caroline Tung Richmond marvelously showcases Amy’s tireless resolve to be “great or nothing” in the face of a world that wants to make her small. The one change in this adaptation that I took issue with was how Laurie’s motivation in proposing to Jo was changed. It was reframed in a way that would be easier for Laurie and Amy to work through but I thought it belittled the real feelings and relationship that had developed between Laurie and Jo. People fall in love, fall out of love, then they do it again. Just because Laurie was rejected the first time doesn’t mean he wasn't in love at all. It’s okay if Laurie is learning about himself and the different types of love he feels for the March girls. It’s not okay to take the easy way out and erase something that I think made Laurie and Amy’s relationship stronger. He had to earn her trust in a real way that finally made him grow up. Conversely, this Laurie is already more mature than the Laurie that Amy first encounters in other adaptations and isn't quite as in need of the intervention that his relationship with Amy provides. This story is more about Amy's growth than Laurie's.
**LAURIE:
Caroline admits that she pictured Timothee Chalamet as her Laurie, and I have to admit that I did as well. So if anyone needs some more Theodore Laurence of the Timothee variety in their life, Caroline DOES NOT DISAPPOINT.
Finally, thank you to Random House Childrens, Tess Sharpe, Joy McCullough, Caroline Tung Richmond, Jessica Spotswood, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
claireandthebooks's review
4.0
So I LOVED this book omg. I feel like I have to separate it into sections for each character for me to really have cohesive thoughts, so here it is.
Amy: My favourite March sister, at least partly because of Florence Pugh’s portrayal of her in the 2019 adaptation of Little Women. I’ve always felt that Amy could do a lot if she decided to, and the use of her quote ‘Great or Nothing’ as the title of this book was part of what drew me to this book. Amy’s determination to get into the Red Cross, while slightly inspired by selfish reasons, really was such a brave thing for her to do, especially for a character that is often seen as petty and immature. The revelation that Laurie never really loved Jo was also a great addition, because it never sat well with me that Amy was Laurie’s second choice, and despite her protestation at first, decided to accept it. While she didn’t learn to speak up until the end of the book, it was great to see in Amy’s chapters how race and prejudice played into Amy’s relationships with the people around her, something that isn’t addressed enough in historical fiction books. Amy and Laurie’s relationship was so sweet, and the cliffhangers always had me excited to get back to her chapters, which I looked forward to the most.
Beth: The choice to have Beth’s chapters written in verse was definitely a good one, and I loved the way they humanize her through these. Because Beth died young, the only options were to see her as an angel, resigned and at peace with her death, or a tragedy. The way she speaks of her life and the things she wished for and lived was beautiful, and her encouragement of her sisters and family as she watched over them, still quite helpless, was hauntingly gorgeous.
Jo: Jo March, my beloved. Jo going to work on planes makes so much sense to me, honestly, and even though she couldn’t be fighting alongside others for her country, she found a way to help. I was reading reviews and knew I had to read this book when I heard that Jo was queer, something that makes a lot of sense to me and made me happy honestly. The fact that she found someone to confide in and someone who truly understood her in Charlie is the sweetest thing, and their relationship made me so happy, something that I was a little wary of since it meant introducing a brand new character to a beloved classic. But I was happily surprised to see that she got into Jo’s life and story in a similar way to Professor Bhaer in the original book that made a lot more sense for Jo. Also the little quoting of nobody by Emily Dickinson made me smile.
Meg: Meg, a character that most are quick to overlook. The line from the 2019 adaptation comes quickly to kind: Just because my dreams are different from yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant , and I think the author found a good balance between Meg’s decision to stay home and go the more ‘traditional’ route that Jo and Amy don’t understand from her and her loyalty to her pupils. I loved to see how much Meg cared for her community and the children at the school, becoming a role-model for them even though she felt that she was struggling to hide her grief. Her relationship with John is a lot more realistic, and I liked how it wasn’t her entire plot point but something more steady while everything else was going on. I also really loved the integration of Sallie Moffat and her relationship with Meg and how she played on Meg’s vanity.
All in all, it’s obvious that a lot of thought was put into this book, and it was wonderfully written in a way that felt realistic to the time period and the characters. The sisters’ fight didn’t seem out of place or silly, but rather something that while could be seen as ridiculous looking back, really affected them. I especially loved how while each sister sees fault in her sisters, they all have a preconception of the others that we as readers see to be untrue when are shown the perspective of said sister. The book keeps at its core the relationship between the sisters and how we are viewed by others compared to how we truly are. We see that they can each be considered selfish or in the wrong, but can turn around and see their good sides and strengths. In this, they make the March sisters more human, and therefore characters that, while already beloved, are more relatable to readers.
So at the end of the day, I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering it!
Amy: My favourite March sister, at least partly because of Florence Pugh’s portrayal of her in the 2019 adaptation of Little Women. I’ve always felt that Amy could do a lot if she decided to, and the use of her quote ‘Great or Nothing’ as the title of this book was part of what drew me to this book. Amy’s determination to get into the Red Cross, while slightly inspired by selfish reasons, really was such a brave thing for her to do, especially for a character that is often seen as petty and immature. The revelation that Laurie never really loved Jo was also a great addition, because it never sat well with me that Amy was Laurie’s second choice, and despite her protestation at first, decided to accept it. While she didn’t learn to speak up until the end of the book, it was great to see in Amy’s chapters how race and prejudice played into Amy’s relationships with the people around her, something that isn’t addressed enough in historical fiction books. Amy and Laurie’s relationship was so sweet, and the cliffhangers always had me excited to get back to her chapters, which I looked forward to the most.
Beth: The choice to have Beth’s chapters written in verse was definitely a good one, and I loved the way they humanize her through these. Because Beth died young, the only options were to see her as an angel, resigned and at peace with her death, or a tragedy. The way she speaks of her life and the things she wished for and lived was beautiful, and her encouragement of her sisters and family as she watched over them, still quite helpless, was hauntingly gorgeous.
Jo: Jo March, my beloved. Jo going to work on planes makes so much sense to me, honestly, and even though she couldn’t be fighting alongside others for her country, she found a way to help. I was reading reviews and knew I had to read this book when I heard that Jo was queer, something that makes a lot of sense to me and made me happy honestly. The fact that she found someone to confide in and someone who truly understood her in Charlie is the sweetest thing, and their relationship made me so happy, something that I was a little wary of since it meant introducing a brand new character to a beloved classic. But I was happily surprised to see that she got into Jo’s life and story in a similar way to Professor Bhaer in the original book that made a lot more sense for Jo. Also the little quoting of nobody by Emily Dickinson made me smile.
Meg: Meg, a character that most are quick to overlook. The line from the 2019 adaptation comes quickly to kind: Just because my dreams are different from yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant , and I think the author found a good balance between Meg’s decision to stay home and go the more ‘traditional’ route that Jo and Amy don’t understand from her and her loyalty to her pupils. I loved to see how much Meg cared for her community and the children at the school, becoming a role-model for them even though she felt that she was struggling to hide her grief. Her relationship with John is a lot more realistic, and I liked how it wasn’t her entire plot point but something more steady while everything else was going on. I also really loved the integration of Sallie Moffat and her relationship with Meg and how she played on Meg’s vanity.
All in all, it’s obvious that a lot of thought was put into this book, and it was wonderfully written in a way that felt realistic to the time period and the characters. The sisters’ fight didn’t seem out of place or silly, but rather something that while could be seen as ridiculous looking back, really affected them. I especially loved how while each sister sees fault in her sisters, they all have a preconception of the others that we as readers see to be untrue when are shown the perspective of said sister. The book keeps at its core the relationship between the sisters and how we are viewed by others compared to how we truly are. We see that they can each be considered selfish or in the wrong, but can turn around and see their good sides and strengths. In this, they make the March sisters more human, and therefore characters that, while already beloved, are more relatable to readers.
So at the end of the day, I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is considering it!
zackarinareads's review
5.0
If you loved Greta Gerwig's version of "Little Women" and thought to yourself "what a perfect movie! If only it was also a bit gay!" then "Great Or Nothing" is just the thing for you!
I adored it! The entire concept is so good: This is a "Little Women" retelling that takes place during the second world war. The perspective shifts between the four March sisters, each having their own adventures and struggles and each voice written by a different author.
I had high expectations for this book ever since it was announced and I was kind of scared it wouldn't live up to them but it did!
There was no March sister whose story was boring but I especially loved Beth's prosaic interludes and of course, Jo March. Oh my god, she's perfect.
To conclude, if you liked "Little Women" (maybe the book but especially the movie), do yourself a favour and read this brilliant retelling! If you haven't read "Little Women" yet, that's forgivable, I guess, but the movie is a must watch (it also has Timothée Chalamet and Soirse Ronan in it if you need any more convincing arguments ;)).
I adored it! The entire concept is so good: This is a "Little Women" retelling that takes place during the second world war. The perspective shifts between the four March sisters, each having their own adventures and struggles and each voice written by a different author.
I had high expectations for this book ever since it was announced and I was kind of scared it wouldn't live up to them but it did!
There was no March sister whose story was boring but I especially loved Beth's prosaic interludes and of course, Jo March. Oh my god, she's perfect.
To conclude, if you liked "Little Women" (maybe the book but especially the movie), do yourself a favour and read this brilliant retelling! If you haven't read "Little Women" yet, that's forgivable, I guess, but the movie is a must watch (it also has Timothée Chalamet and Soirse Ronan in it if you need any more convincing arguments ;)).
ameliaflint's review
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
Very cute. Unremarkable but fun retelling of Little Women.
maggiealert's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
mora55's review
lesbian jo has some rights i guess. the separation between the march sisters and laurie made me sad, and the quote “i did care deeply for her but i think i got that mixed up with love” made me ANGRY bc caring deeply CAN BE LOVE say what you MEAN (romance). i thought it was interesting how beth's sections painted her as angry under the surface, not always the paragon of virtue everyone thought she was. i also thought the choice to start the book retelling at this part of the og little women before diverging and retelling this part was neat.
sarahbess's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
janinereader's review
3.0
For a retelling of a story as classic and beloved as Alcott's, McCullough did a good job. I like how the perspectives of all the girls were told in distinctive ways, like how Beth's was through poetry. The book was shorter than the original and did not feel as developed as a result of that (for example, little went into Beth's illness/death which took away the emotionality that is so prevalent in Alcott's) but for a retelling in a more modern (WW2) setting, it was an overall good read.