Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott, Emily Bauer (Narrator), Laura Dern (Narrator)

Hollywood icon Laura Dern breathes new life into Louisa May Alcott's classic coming of age tale that follows the lives of four sisters against a backdrop of the American Civil War. This autobiographical novel takes place in and around the girls' New England home. With their father away at war, Meg, the oldest and prettiest sister; and Jo, the tomboy, take care of Beth, the shy one, and Amy, the artist.

When their beloved "Marmee" must leave to nurse Father who is badly wounded in the war, the girls sustain themselves by putting to use the lessons of loyalty and patience they had learned from their family. This great American novel demonstrates Alcott's extraordinary talent at portraying the joys and struggles of family life in an unforgettable way. Generations of people-young and old, male and female-have fallen in love with the March sisters. This classic of young adult fiction transcends genre, gender, and class with its examination of personal quests, societal restrictions, family ties, and the end of innocence.

This new audio original dramatization of Little Women stars a full cast led by two-time Academy Award-nominee, four-time Golden Globe-winner and Emmy-winner Laura Dern (Little Women, Big Little Lies, Jurassic Park), along with veteran narrators Suzanne Toren, Lauren Fortgang, Allison Hiroto, Emily Bauer, and Carly Robins.

Genres: Classics, Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction, Family, Young Adult

Audible Audio

Published December 23, 2019

About the author

Louisa May Alcott was an American novelist, short story writer, and poet best known for writing the novel Little Women (1868) and its sequels Good Wives (1869), Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886). Raised in New England by her transcendentalist parents, Abigail May Alcott and Amos Bronson Alcott, she grew up among many well-known intellectuals of the day, including Margaret Fuller, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Henry David Thoreau, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Alcott's family suffered from financial difficulties, and while she worked to help support the family from an early age, she also sought an outlet in writing. She began to receive critical success for her writing in the 1860s. Early in her career, she sometimes used pen names such as A.M. Barnard, under which she wrote lurid short stories and sensation novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
Published in 1868, Little Women is set in the Alcott family home, Orchard House, in Concord, Massachusetts, and is loosely based on Alcott's childhood experiences with her three sisters, Abigail May Alcott Nieriker, Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, and Anna Bronson Alcott Pratt. The novel was well-received at the time and is still popular today among both children and adults. It has been adapted for stage plays, films, and television many times.
Alcott was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She also spent her life active in reform movements such as temperance and women's suffrage. She died from a stroke in Boston on March 6, 1888, just two days after her father's death.

Reviews

[Jammin Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this performance of this great book. I hadn't read this book in quite a while, and I was surprised by how much I loved it. There was true love written in all the pages, love of sisters and of family. I loved the historical aspect to it as well, and how real the characters were. Laura Dern did a great job as the narrator, and the actors that played the parts were awesome too.

5/1/23 - Listened to this audiobook again and really enjoyed the story. Loved the performances of all the characters in the audiobook. I really liked the advise that Marmee gives to Meg about wives tending to neglect their husbands when they have children, and that she needed to share the responsibility with him to have a happy marriage. Very true.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad to have now read this classic by Louisa May Alcott. Listening to it via Audible was a great way to "read" it. Laura Dern did a nice job as narrator.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!


This book is so wholesome!! I understand why so many people love it now. It’s definitely a realistic portrayal of the different stages of ones life and what truly matters as well as measures of ones happiness. Such a heartwarming story everyone should read!

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book while doing Christmas chores (wrapping, cleaning, organizing) because I remember watching the 1994 movie over Christmas break growing up. I have watched Little Women too many times to count, and love the sisterhood that Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy share. When the 2019 movie came out at Christmastime, I was one of the first in line to see it. So when the Laura Dern narrated version of Little Women appeared on Audible, I knew I needed to add it to my list! I feel the book helped me to understand Jo on a deeper level and her complexity of striving for an independent path and still longing to be loved. I grew even more fond of Amy and Meg from book, I think the book more deeply portrays their characters and virtues. Listening to this timeless story of four sisters, I couldn't help but relate on some level to each of the March sisters. I love the fact that a story Louisa May Alcott published in 1868 and 1869 still speaks to readers in 2021, reminding us that certain life lessons and challenges transcend time.

[Anya Dushinski]

I tried so hard, I really did. Neither kindle nor audio could make me less confused about basically anything that was happening. Perhaps I am slightly stupid, but I am a movie adaptation loyalist on this one.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

30.08.2023

FINALLY read this! I'm so glad I decided to listen to this as an audiobook too, as I'm not sure I would've ever finished it otherwise. Laura Dern's voice was so soothing and I loved this version. My only qualm is that it was quite difficult to tell the difference between the sisters at the beginning.

I love the 2019 film version, and I definitely prefer Meg and Amy in the film. In the book they just felt very whiny and ungrateful (might've been made worse by the voices narrating but still). This is very of its time, but a true classic all the same. Glad to have ticked this one off after so long!

[AudiobookFiend · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read the book before watching the upcoming movie. I am glad I did as I now feel more prepared.

🏃🏻‍♀️ Plot and pace: After reading Jane Austen, this was a little underwhelming and a tad too preachy for me. As the girls grew though, I became more involved in their toils.

🗺 Setting: There were quite a few travels included, but not much of the scenes were described in full to visualize. The parts that were, were done quite well for me.

💑 Characters: This was definitely the focal point of the story. With such a large cast of characters, I am really glad that I chose this dramatized version to listen to. That kept me truly engaged in each character’s stories. I did not feel a particular affinity with any of them, but surprisingly, Mrs. March will probably be the one I remember the most, followed by Jo and the wonderful performance by these actors.

[Camilla Reiersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update 12.01.2021

And then I proceeded to not read it for a whole year lmao. Now that I have read it, I can confirm that it is great! Glad booksandlala and the movie made me more interested in it!!

19.01.2020

When you watch booksandlala's video and suddenly you have an EXTREME NEED to read this book that you previously had NO INTEREST IN whatsoever

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful story. Always refreshing to listen to a book of a time where there is such innocence.

[Jelle Floris Kooij-IJkema · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fall in love with this book again and again no matter how many times I read it. My idea of being rich is to have a home filled with the love and joy of family like the March home. On my all-time favorites list this book ranks 2nd only to Anne of Green Gables but that is only because I wish this book were longer. I dream of living alongside the March sisters and their neighbors. I find this book to be the perfect Christmas book, as my own family gets ready to gather by the fireplace and celebrate the joys of being home.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read this book since I was about 10, and I couldn't resist getting this audiobook in the sale as I love Laura Dern and enjoyed the film a couple of years ago.
The novel is so hilariously moralistic and it reminded me of the puritanical, sanctimonious younger version of me who first loved it, but also I appreciated the poignancy of Beth's acceptance of her fate, and the twists and turns life took for each of the girls on a level I couldn't have when I was that age. This was medicine!

[Christy Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when my GR friends write reviews so much so I'm going to try and do that a little more often this year. I'll start with this one! I have of course seen the movie but had never actually read the book. This audio version with an ensemble cast of characters was the perfect listen over the holidays!

[Christabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty swell

[sliceofmini · Rating 3 out of 5]

This turned out to be too preachy for me , but if anything I highly recommend this audiobook because it's really well produced!

[Andi Is Awesome · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m still getting to grips with audiobooks so thought this would be a good choice as I’d read it as a teenager. An enjoyable listen. It’s clear why this is a well-loved classic.

[Taylor Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story, entertaining production, obsessed with the story

[Olga · Rating 4 out of 5]

I watched Greta Gerwig's movie first and liked it very much. Laura Dern's performance definitely adds charm to the entire story in this version, and the other voices are very well-suited too. Although I wish the concept of spinsterhood wasn't shrouded with so much "compassion" and "sympathy" at that one point when Jo is convinced she would remain unmarried, I guess after all this book is a product of its times. It's still rather progressive with a lot of choices, I think. I liked Fritz a lot, but found his tirade on the importance of faith when Jo was fascinated with the idea of challenging traditions and ideas very annoying. Also, his general goodness/plainness was a bit vexing, considering this was the person Jo March fell for after all. It's not that I wanted Laurie and Jo to be the endgame here, but I don't think she should have settled down with any man in the end. But perhaps it's just that I am projecting my queer longing onto this delightful and complicated character.

Anyhow, I liked this book a lot. Almost as much as I love the series about Anne Shirley. In fact, there were many parallels between these two characters—Jo and Anne. I kind of wish now that these could meet. Perhaps that's an idea for another story, huh? 👀

[Maida · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this adaptation of one of my favorite classic stories. The production, narration, and voice acting are superb.

At first, the girls’ voices seemed similar but each individual character started to take on their distinct personality that it was easy to tell them apart.

Although I already know what happens, I still reacted the same way to familiar scenes - aghast at Amy’s destruction of Jo’s manuscript, amused at Meg’s social-climbing dreams, incredibly sad at Beth’s illness and ultimate demise, heartbroken at Jo’s rejection of Laurie, and joy at the happy ending.

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't relate to any of the characters, but it's classics, so I guess that was meant to happen. I really liked following Jo's story since she was the most inspiring character for me and considering the times it was written in and the fact that she is based on the author, it's pretty cool!!! Apart from semi feminist Jo, it looked more like lessons of morals rather than a story.

If I was reading, and not listening to it, I think I would dislike it, but thanks to Audible and all the actors, it was pretty fun!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

I really enjoyed this book even though I didn't think I would! I loved the relationship dynamics between the sisters, and the loss of Beth was handled in such a way that you almost feel happy for her as she is at peace.
Every character has a good ending and they're all happy, which is a nice little escapism and positivity from the crap that real life can bring.
I think this is a new favourite.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this dramatisation, I don't think I would like this book nearly as much if it was any different. Not that it's a bad book itself. It's just the way the dramatisation has brought it to life that made it so enjoyable.

[Jessica Crellin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so delightful. It's been years since I read the book and this audiobook reminded me why I am so in love with it. Hearing the lines read aloud, I was so impressed with how excellent Louisa May Alcott is and how modern this book feels. I laughed and I cried and I am once again obsessed.

[Star Forbis · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love is a great beautifier."

"So Amy sailed away to find the old world which is always new and beautiful to young eyes."

"Sometimes I wish I didn't have a conscious. It's so inconvenient."

"You are the sunshine maker of the family."

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still a fave.

[Reba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timeless.

[Alexandra Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Women has forever been a source of familiarity and comfort for me since I was a little girl. While some of the ideas may be a little outdated now, the sentiments of family and love are ones that will always carry through the years.

Finding a fully dramatized audio book of this novel was perhaps the best thing that has happened to me recently. The various narrators are brilliant at bringing their respective characters to life as they journey through the novel, moving from youth to adulthood, dealing with love and loss. And to have Laura Dern narrate the entire thing was simply perfect. (I felt this way when they cast her as Marmee in the remake.)

Many of us find ourselves in Jo, feeling like we are outcasts who don't fit into the contemporary vibe of what women should "want" for their lives. Her struggle to accept herself as well as the things that she cannot change is something that resonates deeply within me, for those are things that I continue to struggle with even as an adult. She desires to make something of herself and maintain her independence, not wanting to lose that by marrying as society expects her to do.

This dramatized narration truly breaths a different kind of fun into the story that you don't get from watching the many film adaptations. If you enjoy classic literature and audio books, this is one I would highly recommend.

[Julie Iversen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,75⭐
Jeg er egentlig ikke spesielt stor fan av klassikere, men har en tildens til å like dem mer og mer etter å ha passert halvveis. Dette er andre gang jeg har prøvd å høre på lydboken til Little Women, og jeg må si denne varianten passet mer min smak, da det var mer et radioteater. Første gang prøvde jeg meg på en eldre vanlig lydbok og den falt ikke like mye i smak. Etter hva jeg har sett av å blad så vidt i fysiske varianter av boken, er det ikke mye man går glipp av.

Bøker fra 1800-tallet har et litt vell spesielt språk for min smak, selv i en moderen lydbok variant. Holdninger og moraler som jeg absolutt ikke klarer å stille meg bak, sammen med de sterkt religiøse og moraliserende språket. Likevell begynte jeg å bry meg mye om March søstrene og deres eventyr, og jeg har nå veldig lyst til å se flere av filmatiseringene av boka.

[angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am 26 years old and had never read Little Women before. I just never liked classics very much.

Maybe, this audiobook was not the best choice for a first-timer, as the voices were very confusing and hard to distinguish.

And Oh my God, I just can't describe how ANNOYING and incredibly WRONG Laurie's voice is. I found it unbearable, to be honest.

I did enjoy the story and felt warmth and coziness most of the time. I can't imagine re-reading this and considering this my happy place, maybe because there is no element of nostalgia attached to it for me. I am glad I read it and I did love Jo, so one good thing certainly came out of it.

Writing this review, I do feel like maybe I completely missed the point and grandeur? I feel like everyone is cheering and laughing at a joke and I just can't grasp how funny the joke truly is? I guess I'll never know.

[Gayle Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started listening to this audiobook during the pandemic and I have finally finished it! To read a book that was written almost 100 years before I was born, was delightful as even though culture and technology has changed, there are so many things that remain constant: loving attachment as child to become a secure adult, that money doesn't buy happiness but to share your wealth does, and nurturing your imagination into adulthood are but a few of the enduring life lessons through the century. Louisa May Alcott was a wordsmith who is still to be emulated 150 years later!

[Lady Safari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audiobook Review

I have seen 1 or 2 movies of this book and never realised how much of a gem this book is!

My absolute favourite part was that the girls liked to enact The Pilgrim’s Progress, which happens to be one of my favourite books too.

This books is so beautifully written and the reader feels part of the family and the adventure straight away.

I want to give my that and and appreciation to the author and all the narrators involved in this production!