A review by diyashasen
March Sisters: On Life, Death, and Little Women, by Kate Bolick, Carmen Maria Machado, Jane Smiley, Jenny Zhang
informative
medium-paced
3.25
Despite always aspiring to be a Jo (and sometimes a Beth), I’m definitely more of a Meg or Amy… so it was interesting to read each author’s interpretations and relationships with the more ancillary March sisters.
Unsurprisingly, Carmen Maria Machado’s was easily my favourite, but Jenny Zhang’s essay was pretty notable (I would definitely say the most relatable). Jane Smiley writes well, but she gives a lot more credit to Amy’s agency as a ‘feminist heroine’ than I think is deserved. In fact, I wish all of the authors (with the exception of Machado) spent more time delving into the archetypes of ‘older sister’, ‘middle child’ and ‘younger sister’.
A lovely collection of essays for die-hard Little Women fans such as myself; I’m tempted to visit the Orchard House again this winter after this read!
Unsurprisingly, Carmen Maria Machado’s was easily my favourite, but Jenny Zhang’s essay was pretty notable (I would definitely say the most relatable). Jane Smiley writes well, but she gives a lot more credit to Amy’s agency as a ‘feminist heroine’ than I think is deserved. In fact, I wish all of the authors (with the exception of Machado) spent more time delving into the archetypes of ‘older sister’, ‘middle child’ and ‘younger sister’.
A lovely collection of essays for die-hard Little Women fans such as myself; I’m tempted to visit the Orchard House again this winter after this read!