The Courtship of Jo March: A Variation of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women

by Trix Wilkins

It’s the classic story of four sisters we’ve come to love, and yet we can’t help but wonder. Why did Jo refuse Laurie? What might Laurie have done on the European Grand Tour? What became of Jo’s writing, Amy’s art, Laurie’s music? Would a school have existed without Aunt March? And could Beth possibly have been saved?

This re-imagining of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is for all who have ever wondered how things might have worked out differently for the beloved March sisters – the life Beth might have led, the books Jo might have written, the friends they might have made, and the courtship that might have been.

Also available as an eBook.

www.marchandlaurencelittlewomen.wordp...

TRIX WILKINS has always longed for an Austenesque ending to Little Women. She avoids housekeeping by going ice skating or on dates with her husband when they can find babysitting, and is still working out what to do with her degrees in journalism and international relations. The Courtship of Jo March is her first novel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Retellings, Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance

385 pages, Paperback

First published December 5, 2016

About the author

Trix has always longed for an Austen-esque ending to Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. When not indulging in rewriting fictional history, she cares for her two children and tends to avoid housekeeping by going ice skating – or on dates with her husband (when they can find babysitting!). She holds degrees in journalism and international relations from Sydney University and Macquarie University, and worked for Australian Associated Press before the kids made her a better offer. The Courtship of Jo March is her first novel.

Blog: www.marchandlaurencelittlewomen.wordp...
Bookshop: www.payhip.com/marchandlaurencelittle...
FaceBook: www.facebook.com/pg/March-Laurence-64...
Email: marchandlaurencelittlewomen@gmail.com

Reviews

[Sarah Grace Grzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:
As a “alternate sequel” to Little Women: 3 stars
As a single, unconnected “one off” novel: 4 stars.

First thoughts: this book is REALLY long! I think that’s the main reason I struggled to stay interested and finish it in a timely fashion. There’s a decent amount of unnecessary dialogue and description that could have been cut for a more precise and enjoyable novel, in my opinion.

Characters: I must say I am pretty impressed with Wilkins’ attention to detail with both characters and story. There were times during certain characters’ action or dialogue that I almost thought it actually was LM Alcott writing this. Most of the characters were pretty spot on. There were bits of dialogue or action that struck me as not being Jo, or Laurie, or Amy, etc. But all in all, the characters were pretty close to the originals!

As an alternate sequel to the famed novel Little Women, there are QUITE a few things that are different in this than the original story and its sequels. If fact, it’s ALL different. Amy marries Fred Vaughn, Beth marries Frank Vaughn, Jo marries Laurie, and Professor Bhaer is a “fatherly figure”. Beth starts a school for disadvantaged children, as opposed to Jo starting one for disadvantaged boys, and Laurie loses most of his wealth. Characters’ personalities were still the same for the most part, Marmee and Mr. March were the same, Meg, John Brook, and Daisy and Demi were all the same as well.

One thing I feel should have been fleshed out in more detail was WHY Laurie and Jo were a good match. I’m not sure how other fans feel, but I am a longtime devoted fan of LM Alcott’s classic novel, and never thought Laurie and Jo would be a good match, based on personality alone. The argued all the time, they are both stubborn as anything, they both have very quick tempers, both are prone to rash decisions, and on and on. While not all couples need to be polar opposites to make a marriage work, I do think there needs to be some balance. Each individual’s personality needs to balance out the other’s. In this case, there’s topsy turvy Jo, and rash, heedless Laurie. They don’t balance each other out. But Jo and Frederick Bhaer for instance, DO balance each other. Frederick is quiet, even-keeled, and calculating, Jo is rash, stubborn and quick tempered. That’s why they are such a great couple. They balance and complement each other.

But of course, those are just my thoughts. Each is entitled to their own opinion, and I did find Wilkins’ take on this story quite fascinating.

One of the main things that frustrated me was the number of typos throughout. Addresses such as “Mr.” did not have a period, chapter titles, and titles of works throughout the book were not capitalized, commas where were they shouldn’t be, and weren’t were they should have been, etc. It is basically in rough draft form, which was frustrating to me, the casual reader.

Overall though, I am impressed with this novel. Wilkins’ obviously put a lot of time, effort and research into it, for which I give her kudos.

CONTENT NOTE: There really wasn’t anything objectionable in this, although there were a few comments that could have been construed as mildly inappropriate. A couple of them made me cringe slightly, but for the most part, it isn’t anything that would make me not recommend this novel to someone for those reasons.

[sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have finally found the peace i've been searching for since i was 12...take that, louisa u jerk

[Tarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been one to ask yourself what life could have been like for Jo March if she hadn't refused her beloved Teddy? If she hadn't made the marital choice she did? I have thought about it. Apparently, Trix Wilkins has too, so I know I'm not alone in this mindset. In fact, Wilkins has published a beautiful story, one that appends on the Little Women story we cherish, and (I can't be spoiling anything here...) changes the ending.

Honestly, the novel starts out with a prologue that reads like a fairytale... and then we enter into the familiar story of the March sisters, altered just enough to give us a glimpse into another dimension, answering several “what if's” from the original story.

Laurie ... he's just as aggravating as ever, in a playful way, yet always the gentleman.

- - - - -
His [Laurie's] grandfather's words cut into his thoughts. “If you hope to marry Jo, you will need more than words. You cannot win her by persuasion Not Jo, not into marriage.”
“Persuasion is all I have, sir,” he replied.”
- Chapter 6, The Courtship of Jo March
- - - - -

Beth ... she's so shy it's crippling in public, but sweet as honey with her friends and family. To see her flourish in this story, is like catching a rare glimpse of something special.

Jo ... is just as high-spirited as in the original book, with a large streak of stubborn. She won't marry, or even think of marrying, until she's good and ready. I saw a lot of Louisa May Alcott reflected in the character of Jo, and I liked it. Many of Jo's thoughts on family values and political talk in this volume seemed to fit Miss Alcott's perspectives very well. Says her cheeky self...

- - - - -
“He can pursue whoever he likes, it's his prerogative...”
Chapter 8, The Courtship of Jo March
- - - - -

Of course, Little Women will always be a favorite classic of mine, but there's nothing wrong with adding a little imagination to the story, and pondering how life could have turned out differently for Jo March if her stubbornness hadn't gotten in the way.

One more thing I liked? That it has a plot that shows excitement in the art of words, as was Jo March's specialty in Little Women; her love for writing continues and mayhap even amplifies in this volume.

I would recommend The Courtship of Jo March for adult readers who are literarily inclined. (I.e., not completely a kid-friendly read like Little Women is. Perhaps 15 & up could enjoy it.)

- - - - -
“Is Jo March an an actual published author?” exclaimed Grace. “Oh my, how accomplished! Well, Laurie certainly aims high, we cannot fault him for that!”
- Chapter 9, The Courtship of Jo March
- - - - -

Emotion of every kind is presented in this moving novel – heartbreak, love, grief, passion, victory – it's all in there. If Little Women ever made you cry, this version will too. From Massachusetts, New York, London, Vienna, Paris... what a journey it is to travel into the unknown with the March family! I wouldn't want to gush too much and give away the author's plot secrets... but there are plenty of surprises to be found in this novel, and I truly enjoyed it.

[abjv · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I adored Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" as a girl, I couldn't understand many of the choices she made with her characters - Why didn't Laurie try harder? Did he try harder for Amy simply because she was beautiful? Why did Jo accept Fritz?

I honestly walked away from the original books feeling that the outside mattered more than what was within; Jo - wonderful, witty, warm - was so much lovelier than I was, and yet somehow not worth the bruised pride. And while I warmed up to Fritz in the end, I still couldn't help but feel that a mature Teddy was a far better match for her.

So it is with great appreciation that I recommend this book. The author does a marvellous job of adapting the original story so that the cherished characters remain loyal to who they were but continue along a different trajectory to explore who they could have been. Laurie's characterisation is particularly satisfying, as he is given more dimensions and the reader is given more reasons to appreciate who he becomes. Even Amy, the least likeable March, matures and becomes a true little woman, loving and serving the people around her. And dare I say that Beth's character is even richer than in the original?

All in all, the book is a wonderful appropriation and I highly recommend it for fans of the original series, especially ones who felt that the characterisation of Laurie fell short of its full potential.

[Erika Mathews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story. It’s an alternate story to the ending of Little Women, and in my mind, it’s excellent on its own merits without detracting from the book Little Women IS.

I wanted to read this book as soon as I knew it existed. Like many readers, I was saddened the first time I read Little Women’s ending - but I’m very much an “author knows best” reader, so I did come around to understanding and accepting her reasoning for ending Little Women as she did.

That said, there’s still so much potential for a book where things go differently! And that’s where this story shines. The Courtship of Jo March was a satisfying portrayal of what could have happened differently. I was impressed with this book - it wasn’t just a “happily ever after” story. It was its own plot with twists and turns, ups and downs, highs and lows. It’s definitely not smooth sailing to the ending.

It was fun to read a story where Beth lived up to some of her potential. It was fun to read a story where Laurie improved in character in ways that matter. Tommy was a great character as well. It was fun to read about stubborn Jo’s growth, even if it was slow. I appreciated how change didn’t AT ALL happen overnight. It all felt very natural and plausible. The characters really shone, just like the characters in the original book.

The writing style itself was slightly different from Little Women. It was very close, but it felt like a good deal more telling and less of the fun quirky family moments of Little Women.

I wanted this book to be longer though - at least by a year or two! There’s so much MORE potential to explore with these characters!

[Evita K · Rating 5 out of 5]

If, like me, you've longed for the ending to Little Women to have gone differently, this story is for you. Not only does the author allow us a deeper exploration into Jo, Beth, and Laurie's personalities and potential, but she does so staying true to the tone and language of the original. The prose is a blend of LMA and Austen, and works incredibly well in righting the wrong that many feel was done to the characters by mismatched pairings at the end of Little Women. The way the March sisters and Laurie make their way through situations and environments that push them beyond their comfort zones offers more depth than even the original, I think, and while that might sound a little blasphemous, keep in mind the century and a half between when Ms. Alcott and Mrs. Wilkins wrote their ideas, which undoubtedly gives us this difference. I for one am grateful for this rewrite. Without offering any spoilers, we see Beth moving beyond being just the tragic, angelic invalid; Jo investing fully into her potential as an author; and Laurie, stepping into manhood, without losing the boyish charm and tortured artist's soul that made him so appealing in Little Women, and which I sort of mourned as lost in his ending in Good Wives. We're given a more satisfying (and relevant to day's world) narrative. I'll be purchasing a hard copy to gift to my daughter, who, like me at her age, had the gut reaction that the ending was off, and wondered what-if? Now, with this story, she no longer has to wonder. It's simply fantastic.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book - it was hard to put down.
I liked Little Women since school, but never felt that the ending fit; it seemed a little 'out of character'. This new ending, sat much better and I felt that I could really see the characters choosing this path. The joy, loss, hard times, pains when one does not feel worthy of another, and then finding love and grace touched my heart. There were also plenty of laughs along the way!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I found this book on a Goodreads list of Louisa May Alcott Fiction and I am so happy I did. I loved the book Jo and Laurie by Margaret Stohl and Melissa De La Cruz and I had no idea there was another book with an alternate ending of Little Women. It appears this one is only available on ebook and not on Kindle. I had to get it through ibooks. This one gives you a little summary at the beginning of where we are in Little women when this one starts. Many men are in Jo March's life so I was a little nervous of which man would get her heart at the end of this one. And small spoiler alert, although it is in the description, Beth does not die in this one. I did shed some tears though but ended with a smile on my face. This one did my childhood heart so much good.

-"I was given to understand that Aunt March's disapproval had never dissuaded any Marches from their plans."

-No feeling can be expressed quite the same way in words as in music.

-"What is this song called, Aunty Beth?"
"Neither Rhyme Nor Reason."
"That name is like Aunty Jo. I like it."

[Clara Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! It's a story that explores what could have been if Beth had lived and Jo and Laurie had been able to be in love. Now I want to say that I am fine with the way Little Women ends, because that's the story I've known since I was 13 years old and first read the original story, crying over Beth dying and feeling satisfied with everyone's eventual happiness at the end. I guess I just accepted it because that was what the author wrote. But it is nice to think of what the story would have been had things gone differently.That's what The Courtship of Jo March does, and I enjoyed following along with Beth and Jo in their different outcomes. I thought the interactions between Jo and Laurie were well done and that the various plot lines were well written. I did have a hard time locating this book; I finally got a copy through interlibrary loan. Recommended for those who want to explore different outcomes for some of the beloved characters of Little Women!

[Franci Karou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recensione completa qui: https://coffeeandbooksgirl.blogspot.c...

Piccole Donne è uno dei miei classici preferiti. Conoscevo già tutte le versioni cinematografiche, ma ho recuperato il romanzo solo dopo - cosa di cui mi pento perché me ne sono innamorata e avrei voluto averlo letto prima. Ho sempre trovato il personaggio di Jo March meraviglioso e a me molto affine. Innanzitutto, ama la sua famiglia e la scrittura più di ogni altra cosa al mondo e questo solo basterebbe a renderla il personaggio splendido che è, ma è anche una ribelle, una giovane che non ama uniformarsi, che non aspira a ciò che le ragazze della sua età aspirano (un matrimonio rispettabile, una bella dimora e dei bambini di cui prendersi cura). Jo è uno spirito libero. Ha un grande cuore, è generosa e mette la felicità del prossimo prima della propria. Ma, in fondo, ciò che rende davvero felice Jo è avere la sua famiglia riunita sotto lo stesso tetto e scrivere, solo quello. Scrivere per lei è come respirare, nessuno infatti riuscirebbe a pensare al suo personaggio senza immaginarla con una penna in mano. E anche se, a volte, capita che si abbatta perché le cose non vanno come vorrebbe, c’è sempre qualcuno pronto a credere in lei e sostenerla. C’è la sua famiglia, e c’è Theodore Laurence. Laurie. O, semplicemente, Teddy, per Jo. Teddy è il suo migliore amico e in questo romanzo esploriamo ancora più da vicino il loro rapporto, perché l’autrice si focalizza proprio su questa coppia più che su altri personaggi.

Sebbene la prima parte, riassunta, sia la stessa del romanzo originale, nella variazione della Wilkins abbiamo modo di gustarci dei cambiamenti che ben si inseriscono nella storia e capaci di regalare delle belle soddisfazioni. È sempre palese il sentimento di Laurie per Jo (anche se sembra che solo lei non se ne renda conto o non voglia crederci), basta interpretare le sue parole, fare caso ai suoi sguardi ammirati. Per lui non si è mai trattato solo di amicizia, perché Jo, con il suo carattere audace, generoso, indomabile e indipendente ha sempre costituito, ai suoi occhi, l’unico esempio di donna che avrebbe potuto amare. A nulla valgono i tentativi di Jo, per spostare la sua attenzione da sé, di avvicinarlo a Kate Vaughn. La giovane è sicuramente ricca di qualità, ma non è Jo. Mi è piaciuto ritrovare i personaggi fedeli nella natura a quelli originali della Alcott, anzi viene dato forse più spazio alle passioni dei protagonisti, la scrittura per Jo come la musica per Laurie. Questa, addiririttura, in qualche modo farà da ulteriore coadiuvante, nel momento in cui Laurie la userà per conquistare la sua Jo, la sua eterna musa. Tra Jo e Laurie l’attaccamento è indubbio, anzi anche qui non manca quella parte del loro carattere che li vede improvvisare giochi e scherzi per alleggerire momenti o serate noiose. Allo stesso tempo, però, Laurie si dimostrerà costante nel suoi sentimenti, non solo una spalla cui appoggiarsi nel bisogno, o l’amico con cui ridere e divertirsi, ma anche una presenza stabile, la persona più affidabile e sincera che Jo possa avere al suo fianco.

Non vi nego che questa variazione ha saputo regalarmi delle splendide emozioni, nonostante conoscessi già alcune dinamiche vicine alla versione originale ma anche ritrovandomi davanti a degli aspetti del tutto nuovi. Continuo ad ammirare il personaggio di Jo che, anche con la sua incrollabile testardaggine, riesce a farsi amare come non mai. Il suo legame con le sorelle è sempre fortissimo, soprattutto con Beth, la più cagionevole. Sarà sempre in apprensione per lei, anche quando non necessario, ma la giovane riuscirà comunque a compiere le sue scelte e a fare il suo percorso, anche se questo potrebbe significare andare incontro a delle sofferenze in futuro. Non mancheranno, difatti, momenti più difficili da affrontare per ognuno di loro e in questi casi sentiremo quanto sia indispensabile il rassicurante conforto di un legame esclusivo come quello tra Jo e Laurie. Ma se per Laurie sarà naturale protendersi verso Jo e i suoi bisogni, verso l'amica di sempre e la persona più vicina al suo cuore, riuscirà lei ad accettare il sentimento dell’amico, ad aprire gli occhi e il cuore a ciò che si rifiuta di vedere davvero? Sappiamo che Jo sente di non essere fatta per la vita matrimoniale, per la vita in società e per tutte quelle cose che la allontanerebbero dall'unica cosa a cui è destinata. Ma se riuscisse a conciliare il suo sogno con quello di qualcun altro non sarebbe la situazione ideale? Lasciatevi conquistare da questo affascinante romanzo ricco di dialoghi appassionanti, di momenti carichi di tensione, di lettere struggenti e di personaggi che abbiamo amato e torniamo ad amare. Io l’ho trovata un’esperienza di lettura molto appagante e sono sicura che chiunque come me abbia sempre tifato per la coppia Jo-Laurie, non potrà che pensarla alla stessa maniera. Finalmente, viene resa giustizia a una storia che è stata fin troppo bistrattata, quella tra la fiera Josephine - "Jo" - March e il romantico Theodore - "Teddy" - Laurence.

[Andrea Lundgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: I read an earlier version of this story on the author's blog, so when I heard it was getting expanded and revised, I eagerly looked forward to the new edition. Like any author's attempt to write with the pen of another, the book has its challenges, but overall it was quite enjoyable. So here's a closer look (please keep in mind that I've read almost all of Alcott's novels, so I'm hardly an unbiased reviewer, though I do have some quibbles about how she handled Little Women, as noted in the articles "When An Author Gets It Wrong" and "The Good Wives Recipe To Marrying Off the Wrong Couples").

Narration: 3 out of 5. This is where the story is least like Louisa May Alcott's. The feel is off, primarily because Alcott's story had a clear and distinct narrator who not only showed us things but also told us a great deal about how the characters were feeling, why they were feelings such things, and whether their feelings were or weren't justified and reasonable. Modern readers may prefer the new narration, as it's more like third person close than third person omniscient, but I missed the continuity and storytelling flavor that the narrator brought. There were a few moments where it felt similar, but for the most part, the story was too immediate to have a 19th century feeling for me.

Content: 4 out of 5. The overall content of the story was delightful. This is Jo's story, and thus, there are a great many conversations between Jo and Teddy, Jo and Beth, Jo and her mother, with original bits of dialogue and wording woven in. And we get to see Teddy's side of things, exploring how he feels and why he does the things he does.

Unlike Little Women, though, there weren't a great many episodes included just to show what the characters were like and how they lived. There were no scenes of preparing for a mother's return, of discussing birthday gifts or sewing their way through the continents, of packing for a party, or discussing the girl's hobbies (though most of this has more to do with a lack of narrator than anything else). Every scene in this novel had something to do with the plot, which, again, may appeal to modern readers but felt rushed to me.

Also, this is the Happiest Ever After version of this story, and some of the Happilies seemed a bit too convenient and rushed for my taste. It reminded me of the line from Shakespeare where "Jack shall have Jill; Nought shall go ill; The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well."

Characters: 4 out of 5. This is where the book shines. Trix Wilkins nailed the main characters, with the exception of a few scenes here and there, and it really feels like we are watching Jo and Teddy interact. Beth was also excellent, and having always been a fan of hers, I quite enjoyed getting to see her live and love. I also enjoyed getting to read more of Mr. Laurence's interactions with Teddy from Teddy's point of view. Amy was harder for me to believe, and Fred more like the man from the first book than the second (though I suspect we're to blot all recollection of Good Wives from our minds). For the most part, though, this book is for fans of Jo and Teddy, and it delivers in that department beautifully (even though I did like some of the deleted scenes when it came to the ending more than the one that made it into the "book proper").

Artwork: Subjective. Aside from issues of capitalization, I liked the title and cover very much. The soft, curved lines and antique sepia color really fit the story, and it is a bit symbolic of a story that gives us Jo, not as she was, but as we wished she might've been.

World-Building: 3 out of 5. Writing in another time is always harder than writing a contemporary novel, and Wilkins thus faced many more difficulties than Alcott in this department. The one wrote what she lived and knew intimately, while the other would've had to research the time, and Wilkins notes that this "is in part an alternate real-time history regarding ideas and attitudes towards women and business practices..." Thus, some aspects do not feel necessarily all that historically accurate, and I was braced for that going into it.

However, some of the content just didn't make sense. I understand that she moved the story forward by a number of years, but even in the 1870s, a woman didn't dance all night with any young man. Young men didn't escort young women anywhere unless they were related or married, as that was primarily a chaperone's role (though of course young men could and did offer to tag along), and Aunt March of all people would've known this. At most, I'd have expected her to require Teddy to dance twice with Jo, take her in to supper and get her her refreshments, as was within the bounds of propriety, and nothing more.

And I can't imagine how he'd get Jo so many dresses. This is long before the off-the-rack gowns, and for a man to know the measurements of a woman he wasn't married too would be scandalous. Some of the references (like Teddy giving Jo paperclips and then calling them pins, when in fact they were invented to replace pins in holding papers together) seemed off and out of joint.

And finally, Kate's attitude towards slavery and marriage made no sense for a British woman of her time. Slavery had been outlawed in Great Britain for decades at this point, so she could easily claim the upper hand over Jo there, and even if she supported servants being kept in their places and the idea of nobility, that wouldn't have necessarily extended to believing that slaves should remain in slavery. It seemed odd, as did her desire to find a man who matched her talents, as though a musical man was to be preferred to one who had a brilliant career in parliament or business. Kate seems like a woman who would want to keep up her station in life and that her choice in marriage would be far more calculating and businesslike than based on a desire to share in musical accomplishments.

Overall Response: 14 out of 20, or 3.5 overall. Despite the detractions, the story was a grand "romp," as Jo herself might've said, and I enjoyed it. For ardent fans of Alcott, this might not be a perfect read, but it's a fun story with solid characters, even if the world-building was a little unbelievable, and those who have never read Little Women will certainly enjoy this as a romance in its own right.

For more reviews like this, click here.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is extremely important to me

[HEATHER WILKINS · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Courtship of Jo March, Trix Wilkins presents us with an alternate ending to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. The characters and setting are essentially the same, even the language reflects the original. However, our favourite characters all undergo life changes that will satisfy the loyalist of readers.
The focus, of course is on Jo March and her relationship with Theodore Laurance. His rejection by Jo sets him on a new course, to win her heart. But he is not the only one seeking Jo. She must decide who she loves best, and wait for the right man to ask the right question.
Jo’s special relationship with Beth is also developed to new heights. Jo nurses her through sickness, but someone else comes to rival her place in Beth’s heart.
If you love a good marriage proposal, there’s more than one here to enjoy. All the while there’s the desire for one more!
If you like your leading ladies to be strong and independent, you have it in Jo. At the same time she’s unsure of her own worth and needs to learn a lot about love and commitment.
If you want a man who will stay with his heart and never give up you will love Laurie in this book. The other men are all just what we want, honourable, generous and talented.
I like the original Jo March. I can identify with this Jo March and love her Laurie. You will too.

[NovElla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It was well written and cohesive. The writing felt consistent with the historical period and with most of Alcott’s descriptions, excluding some minor changes. As a fan of the original Little Women story, including the ending, I still loved this variation. The Jane Austen references were a fun surprise to find!

[Giorgia Zogu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED IT. I couldn't get myself to do anything but read. Thank you (!!!) for the ending this book (and Jo and Laurie) truly deserved!

[Natalie Flacco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. The author seamlessly continued the story and reimagines it in such a way. What a great companion piece to Alcott’s masterpiece!

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non che abbia mai avuto qualcosa contro Amy - anche se da piccola l'avrei voluta prendere a schiaffi praticamente sempre - ma sono sempre stata dell'idea che Jo sarebbe stata perfetta per Laurie. Questa scelta in Piccole donne diventò uno dei miei traumi peggiori quando fui agli inizi dell'adolescenza. A distanza di anni, ancora non l'ho digerita e vedere la stessa cosa anche nelle trasposizioni cinematografiche non ha aiutato a superare questa delusione. Finché non è arrivato questo libro. Dio benedica Trix Wilkins, una di noi. Quante volte desideriamo cambiare il finale, una scena o la coppia principale di una storia? Troppe. E la Wilkins ha esaudito un nostro desiderio dandoci finalmente un finale che dà tante soddisfazioni.

La storia di Piccole Donne rimane di base quella anche se la Wilkins mette il suo zampino anche riguardo al destino della povera Beth e in altre cose, oltre che sulla ship più amata da sempre. Jo è sempre la figlia maschiaccio dei March, la più indipendente e scatenata tra le sorelle. Una giovane donna intelligente che ha i suoi sogni da realizzare e anche una famiglia che ama tantissimo. A rendere felici le sue giornate contribuisce anche la presenza del suo amico più caro, Laurie, detto Teddy. Il loro è un legame speciale, intenso. Entrambi hanno carattere, ambizioni ma se Teddy è disposto a rinunciare a tutto per avere Jo al suo fianco, lei non è dello stesso avviso. Non si crede all'altezza di un ricco gentiluomo e la sua natura esuberante è una macchia su cui l'Alta società non passa sopra. Il cuore di Teddy si spezza varie volte ma non si arrende. Crescono, vanno incontro alla realizzazione dei loro sogni, e senza più incertezze, i due si ritrovano e niente li può più dividere.

Come nell'opera originale, ho adorato Meg e Beth. Hanno caratteri miti che mettono tenerezza, a differenza di Amy che è sempre stata più vanitosa e capricciosa. E, ancora adesso, penso che non era la persona più indicata per Laurie. Non so cosa avesse spinto la Alcott a tradire le lettrici con questo cambio di coppia ma ho sempre pensato che Laurie ed Amy non erano fatti per stare insieme. Non li ho reputati compatibili abbastanza da farmi dimenticare l'intesa bellissima che c'era tra lui e Jo. Teddy è un romantico, un sognatore ma che sa quello che vuole mentre Jo no. Pensa solo alla famiglia e alle sue storie. Odia dipendere da qualcuno e la prospettiva del matrimonio la terrorizza. Ma poi diventa adulta e l'idea di una simile unione non le sembra tanto male con la persona giusta. Jo e Laurie sono anime affini, due amici che condividono sia momenti belli che brutti, due persone che possono fidarsi l'un l'altro come di loro stessi. La loro è stata tra le prime storie che mi hanno fatto sognare.

La Wilkins ha rivoltato tutte le carte in tavola e ha dato vita a una rivisitazione agognata da tanto. L'autrice ha cercato di imitare lo stile della Alcott ed è stata brava abbastanza da omaggiarla riutilizzando i personaggi senza alterarli caratterialmente. Se dopo i vari film e riletture, vi si fosse spezzato il cuore, con questo romanzo lo riavrete indietro più palpitante che mai vedendo finalmente il finale che abbiamo sempre considerato giusto.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quanti di voi hanno amato l'opera di Piccole donne? Che sia per i film, che sia per il libro, ormai sono pochissime le persone che non l'hanno conosciuto almeno una volta, anche di sfuggita.
Io ad esempio, però, non ho saputo se non sino a qualche mese fa, che vi era anche la versione: piccoli uomini.
Ma magari ne parliamo un'altra volta.
Oggi sono qui per presentarvi una nuova opera firmata Vintage Editore che come sapete, ormai non lo nascondo, è diventata una delle mie case editrici preferite. Da amante degli storici, avere finalmente una casa editrice simile, in Italia, è una gioia per tutti noi amanti di tutto ciò che ne concerne anche perché, ehy, Vintage fa anche Gadgets per noi folli appassionate! Lo sapevate?
Mi sto dilungando di nuovo, d'accordo. Parliamo del libro di oggi: la delicata penna di Trix Wilkins riprende la storia delle sorelle March per regalarci un nuovo finale, quello che molte di noi hanno sempre desiderato.
Perché sì, io ancora non lo accetto quello che abbiamo avuto, d'accordo?
Quindi grazie Trix.
Questo romanzo è una variazione, quindi, della storia originale di Louisa May Alcott.
　
𝗦𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗩𝗘𝗧𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗢 𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘 𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗡 𝗩𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗥, 𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗟𝗔 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘!
　
Piccole Donne ci fece sognare sulla coppia composta da Jo e Laurie, ma arrivati al finale ci viene donato un colpo di cannone tremendo quando scopriamo che lui sposa Amy.
Io buttai il libro per aria, lo ammetto.
Per dare un senso logico al tutto, in questo romanzo le scelte di Amy saranno diverse da quelle dell'opera originale così da permettere alla nostra Jo un finale diverso da quello che per alcune di noi è stato deludente.
Una cosa bellissima è stata anche la storia di Beth, con un destino migliore rispetto all’originale.
　
" Preferirei soffrire per il resto della mia vita per averla persa, piuttosto che privarla della vita migliore che avrebbe potuto avere al fianco di un altro. "
　
Non è mai facile scrivere una versione alternativa di un'opera storica e per di più di grande successo come lo è Piccole Donne.
Tempo fa lessi una storia simile per Cime Tempestose e ragazzi miei, io non sono mai cattiva lo sapete, ma quel libro lo userei per bruciare la legna nel caminetto.
Invece per fortuna la nostra Trix ha creato un'opera coerente, scritta benissimo e non è uscita eccessivamente dai personaggi, rischiando un out character totale.
Che dire quindi se non che lo consiglio assolutamente? Agli amanti di Piccole Donne, a chi magari vuole iniziare leggendo questo e poi recuperando l'originale, magari, ma assolutamente lo consiglio.

[Giulia Cavalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Corteggiando Jo March Trix Wilkins riprende le fila della storia della più amata - dai lettori per lo meno - delle sorelle March un momento prima che questa viri sul piano della tragedia. Per chiunque non abbia letto Piccole Donne e Piccole Donne crescono il romanzo è chiaramente difficilmente comprensibile e pieno di spoiler, ma per tutti i fan della coppia Jo e Laurie Corteggiando Jo March regalerà grandi soddisfazione che i meravigliosi romanzi della Alcott non sono riusciti a concederci.

Ovviamente il paragone tra Corteggiando Jo March e le opere di Luisa May Alcott è inevitabile, ma, per quanta attenzione, visibile, va detto, Trix Wilkins ci metta nel mantenere uno stile di scrittura quanto più possibile simile a quello della Alcott, la capacità di coinvolgere dell'autrice novecentesca rimane qui ineguagliata, nonostante tutte le gioie che il romanzo ci dona, come la sopravvivenza della piccola Beth, che ci è permesso abbracciare per un maggior numero di pagine in questo proseguo.

Parlando di quello che avviene nel romanzo, la trama riprende le fila esattamente dal momento in cui Beth si ammala e Jo fa in modo di portarla in vacanza al mare, soltanto che, come si diceva, nella versione della Wilkins Beth si riprende dalla malattia e sopravvive. Ma perché allora il titolo è Corteggiando Jo March? Perché in questa versione di Piccole Donne Laurie non si dà per vinto dopo il primo rifiuto di sposarlo da parte di Jo e continua finché non riesce nel suo - nobile, ai nostri occhi - intento, regalandoci finalmente la grande gioia di vedere Jo e Laurie perseguire i loro sogni insieme.

Un romanzo che regala grandi soddisfazioni dal punto di vista della trama, curata e ben strutturata, leggermente fallace, a mio avviso, a livello di ritmo, perché in Corteggiando Jo March l'intento di emulare lo stile di scrittura della Alcott è piuttosto evidente, ma mente la Wilkins con lo stile se la cava piuttosto bene, cade sul ritmo del racconto, qui meno coinvolgente anche nei momenti che dovrebbero maggiormente coinvolgerci.

Anche i personaggi di Frank e Fred, quelli che, sinceramente, erano rimasti meno impressi nella mia memoria nella versione originale, qui non ricevono un grande approfondimento, mentre vengono trattati con un grande affetto che accomuna anche i lettori tutti i personaggi principali di Piccole Donne, che in Corteggiando Jo March ritroviamo un sacco di vecchi amici e otteniamo il finale che da moltissimo tempo vorremmo, anche solo per questo ne sarebbe valsa la pena.

[Federica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensione completa su On Rainy Days

4,5

Jo March è determinata a essere indipendente, non aspira al matrimonio e l’amore che conta davvero per lei, tanto da rischiare di trasformarsi in egoismo, è quello per la famiglia e le sorelle, soprattutto per la fragile Beth. Ad allietare la sue giornate c’è anche Theodore “Teddy” Laurence, l’amico di una vita che la sprona a essere migliore, a vivere della sua scrittura e a dare sempre tutta se stessa in ciò che fa.
Ma Teddy, a volte scanzonato e un po’ dandy, vuole il meglio per la cara Jo perché i sentimenti che nutre nei suoi confronti sono ben più profondi di una grande amicizia.
[…] Prendendo come punto di partenza gli eventi iniziali di Piccole donne crescono, Trix Wilking prende i personaggi più amati del romanzo di Louisa May Alcott e dà loro un destino alternativo rispetto a quello deciso dall’autrice, reinventando i momenti più famosi per dare a Jo e Laurie un finale del tutto diverso, quello che, in tanti, avrebbero voluto leggere sin dall’inizio per la protagonista effettiva di Piccole donne e per il suo migliore amico.
[…] la storia segue il complicato rapporto tra Jo e Teddy, dando loro la possibilità di crescere, approfondire i loro caratteri e renderli un po’ più coerenti rispetto ai sentimenti che, anche in Piccole donne, emergono tra loro e che alla fine sono liberi di essere analizzati più in profondità, fino al tanto sospirato finale.
[…] Trix Wilking riesce a regalare una lettura intensa, coinvolgente ed emozionante mentre rivoluziona il destino di Jo e Laurie, ma anche di Beth, creando dei momenti davvero provanti dal punto di vista emotivo, mentre – per quel che mi riguarda – riesce a far battere forte il cuore nel raccontare come loro tre, insieme agli altri, riescono a crescere e a cambiare il loro destino, verso un epilogo che rende davvero giustizia ai grandi personaggi creati da Louisa May Alcott.
[…] Una rivisitazione davvero ben fatta, scritta con un narratore in terza persona ma dal punto di vista interno dei diversi personaggi, che permette finalmente di giungere al lieto fine che, personalmente mi è sempre mancato leggendo il grande classico americano.

[Echo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retelling of the ending of Little Women? Yes, please.

I mean, look, I like Little Women a lot. But there are also things about the original that annoy me. Jo and the Professor are so, so badly matched. He assumes a fatherly role in her life (at one point, he even thinks to himself that her father isn't present, so he should provide guidance that he thinks her father would want provided), and his influence on her is subduing in a way that's ... honestly kind of ick. Jo is less Jo around him. Jo gives up writing because he discourages her. Laurie and Amy aren't bad together, but they're also just very much alike and they fight more than he ever fought with Jo. Jo and Laurie just ... made sense. They brought out the best in each other. She seems more herself when she's around him, and she seems to draw a lot of strength and comfort from his presence. She helped him to be more serious at his studies and live a better life, and he was happier for it. I always thought that, if he hadn't married Amy, Jo and Laurie would have ended up together when they were older, because they just were SUCH a good match even before Jo was ready for marriage. (I will forever be convinced that Alcott marrying them off to Amy and the Professor was the ultimate troll move when her publisher told her Jo had to marry someone.)

So ... a retelling with a chance for an alternate ending? Again, YES.

I really enjoyed this alternate ending. It picks up part way through Little Women and imagines how all of the characters' lives might have been turned out if things had happened just a little differently.

Wilkins did a really good job of writing the characters and their relationships in a way that felt pretty true to the original, and it does feel like a story that could have been just as plausible as the way things turned out in Little Women.

If you love Little Women but have ever wondered, "OK, but what if...?" then this is probably the book for you.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel bad giving 3 stars, because I really, really wanted to love this book. I mean, those of us who found this book were actively seeking it out for a reason. We all desperately wanted to see Jo end up with Laurie after reading Little Women! With that in mind, the temptation to read this book was too strong. I was hoping it would replace that lost part of my soul after Louisa May Alcott shattered my shipping dreams. Alas, it fell a bit short.

When I first started reading this book, I was thrilled because it was as if I were picking up Little Women again and stepping once more into their world, albeit with a much happier end in sight. The characters sounded like Alcott's beloved characters and I was excited to see where the book would take them. It was about halfway through however, when it started to read like a different book altogether and the characters grew unfamiliar. The strong narrative voice that carried over from Little Women began to fade and was replaced by some very disappointing and anachronistic dialogue.

I ended up feeling even worse as I finished reading the last page, because I realized what I wanted more than anything was to have Alcott rewrite Jo and Laurie's story and knowing that that will never happen is just awful :(

I have to give Wilkins credit for trying though, as we can all sympathize with her intentions behind writing this book.

*The timeline was also confusing as historical events discussed didn't necessarily match up with the time period. Marmee talks about writing a book as an Abolitionist in the 1870s, but that movement was beginning to wrap up. It would have made more sense if there were discussions on post-slavery conditions instead of debating slavery itself when it had already been abolished in the U.S.

[Sonia Donelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.esmeraldaviaggielibri.it/c...

Se avete amato Piccole donne questo libro non potete lasciarvelo sfuggire per nessun motivo al mondo, ma a mio parere non dovete farlo nemmeno se il libro da cui prende ispirazione non rientra tar i vostri preferiti o non lo avete mai nemmeno letto. Certo potrebbe esserci qualcuno che storcerà il naso, non tutti amano che i grandi classici vengano toccati, invece la sottoscritta adora le variazioni e i retelling quindi potrete ben capire che questo titolo mi ha chiamato a gran voce fin dal primo momento in cui l’ho visto in catalogo.

La figura di Jo March è sempre interessante, non esiste al mondo una donna più cocciuta e testarda di lei e ne darà ampiamente riprova in questo romanzo facendo ammattire il lettore e il povero Teddy. Perché Theodore Laurence è per tutti Laurie, ma non per Jo, per lei il suo migliore amico è Teddy. Jo non è cambiata di una virgola rispetto all’opera originale, farle cambiare idea sembra impossibile, è attaccata in modo quasi ossessivo alle sue sorelle, in particolar modo a Beth e vede in ogni uomo che si avvicina a lei e Amy come il nemico. Fosse per Jo le sorelle dovrebbero rimanere per sempre riunite sotto lo stesso tetto e non prendere in considerazione nessun pretendente. Se per Amy potrebbe anche chiudere un occhio, benché disapprovi l’uomo che ha scelto, per Bath pare non essere disposta a nessun sacrifico nemmeno per l’uomo migliore che potrebbe mai capitarle, un uomo che lei apprezza e che vede rendere felice come non mai sua sorella.

la recensione prosegue sul blog

[Libreria Tua E Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ammetto di essermi avvicinata a questo libro molto dubbiosa anche dopo l’introduzione, che la scrittrice ha inserito, per spiegarci il perché di questa ‘rivisitazione’ di un classico come “Piccole Donne”. È stato il primo libro che ho letto e sinceramente non ho mai immaginato un finale diverso da quello pensato da Louisa May Alcott: assolutamente perfetto così com’è. Naturalmente la scomparsa di Beth lacera sempre il cuore e sicuramente avremmo preferito tutti per lei un futuro diverso, ma senza quella perdita non sarebbe mai nato il romanzo di Josephine March.

Abbandonando le proprie inclinazioni e i propri gusti personali mi sono approcciata a questo libro con curiosità, ci vuole tanto coraggio per offrire una visione alternativa di questa storia.

La cosa che più mi è piaciuta è stato il grande rispetto per la scrittura originale, ritrovare i modi di dire che caratterizzano i vari personaggi mi ha permesso di calarmi completamente nel tempo e nell’epoca giusta. Le sorelle sono descritte meravigliosamente, con le stesse cadenze e caratteri. Molto molto piacevole!

Non svelerò nulla della trama visto che è una continua scoperta fino all’epilogo immaginato dalla Wilkins, che accompagna benissimo il lettore verso un tenero finale alternativo e una serie di vicende inedite (alcune delle quali non mi sono piaciute molto se posso farvi una confessione)!

Un libro assolutamente gradevole che si legge volentieri, ma spero non me ne vorrete se continuo a vedere il destino di Jo legato al meraviglioso Friedrich Bhaer!

Grazie a Vintage Editore per la copia omaggio!

[Andrew Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most amazing book and I was genuinely surprised. My wife had wanted me to read this book as she had said it was worth reading and she was right.
This book made me laugh audibly in parts as I read the well-crafted dialogue. And it certainly evoked emotions in me and challenged me to think about what happiness is.
Going into this book I had not expected too much and initially was obliging my wife. The more I read the more I got caught up in the world of late 1800's New England. This book had a depth to it that I was not expecting and I found myself marveling at.
I have never read Little Women and could never have imagined doing so in my life. This book, quite wittingly, has a good precise of the relevant parts of Little Women on the first few pages. It made it accessible for me to read as I quickly understood the key characters and their personalities. After reading this book I might even read the original Little Women.
Whilst not the typical book that I would read I can heartily recommend this novel to anyone. It had enough to capture my attention and then hold it.
I look forward to more works from this author.

[Eleonora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Questo romanzo l’ho amato fin da subito. Conoscendo già il classico di “Piccola Donne” avevo una forte curiosità sullo sviluppo di questa storia e si è rivelata magica. Inutile dire che il personaggio di Jo sia il mio preferito, mi ci rivedo tantissimo anche se per lei essere la donna che voleva diventare non sia stato così semplice come a noi oggi. La sua caparbietà è un esempio da seguire per le ragazzine. Devo dire che ho preferito anche il personaggio di Laurie, non visto come il classico uomo autoritario e padrone ma colui che amava talmente tanto lei da mettere da parte tutto e tutti e pensare prima al bene della propria amata anche se ció volesse dire perderla. Una storia d’amore sincera! Molto costruttivo anche tutto il contesto familiare intorno, soprattutto Beth che è sempre stara accanto ad entrambi, accettandoli per quelli che erano. La sua dolcezza verso gli altri nonostante il dolore immenso lasciato da Frank. Devo dire che ne vale proprio la pena leggerlo questo libro. Lo consiglio a pieni voti!

[Cozy readings Latteebiscotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

questo romanzo mi è piaciuto moltissimo. Il ritratto dei personaggi, l’opportunità di vedere scritto un nuovo finale per dei protagonisti che da ragazzina ho molto amato, sono stati elementi per me assolutamente irresistibili.L’autrice ci regala un capitolo del tutto nuovo delle vicende delle sorelle March, raccontandolo in modo raffinato e delicato, e mostrando una grande sensibilità alla profondità dei sentimenti, alle sfumature degli stati d’animo. La scrittura è molto curata, in grado di definire in modo completo ogni situazione, ma non eccessivamente descrittiva. Questo attribuisce al libro un sapore di altri tempi, e al contempo una piacevole scorrevolezza. Insomma la scrittura è abbastanza coerente con il romanzo canonico, ma la lettura risulta fluida.

[Zina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good that I want more! Now, I crave to know what happens next, so I would definitely read a sequel to this book. For me, this story made more sense than the original one; the characters were more true to themselves than in the end of Alcott’s book. There were some flaws (e.g. some situations weren’t typical for the XIX century), but I still liked it. I would rate this book 4.5, but I gave it 5 stars because it transported me back to the world of 'Little Women,' and I felt emotionally connected to the story.

[Soumya Suzanne James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully well written story of how Jo and Teddy's life would have looked like had their love survived the test of time.

The nuances and layers given to Laurie's character in this book and his yearning and relentless love for Jo, which was seen in his actions tugged on my heartstrings to no end.
Jo as a character still remains to be the same obstinate girl we all fell in love with, and the love she has for 'her Teddy' brings out a mellow side of her nature which was pure bliss for someone who has wanted to see Jo's undying, passionate love for the longest time.

In conclusion, a book definitely worth your time, especially if you have always been plagued by Jo and Laurie's love story in the original books that never came to fruition.

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first half of the book but then I felt like the pacing was too slow and that there were some unnecessary scenes during the second half, however I liked the story overall and I’m so happy to finally read a version where Jo and Laurie end up together