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Sort Of Adaptations #2
Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of)
A modern-day graphic novel adaptation of Little Women that explores identity, friendships, and new experiences through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Jo March. A must-read for fans of Raina Telgemeier.
With the start of eighth grade, Jo March decides it’s time to get serious about her writing and joins the school newspaper. But even with her new friend Freddie cheering her on, becoming a hard-hitting journalist is a lot harder than Jo imagined.
That’s not all that’s tough. Jo and her sisters—Meg, Beth, and Amy—are getting used to a new normal at home, with their dad deployed overseas and their mom, a nurse, working overtime.
And while it helps to hang out with Laurie, the boy who just moved next door, things get complicated when he tells Jo he has feelings for her. Feelings that Jo doesn’t have for him…or for any boy. Feelings she’s never shared with anyone before. Feelings that Jo might have for Freddie.
What does it take to figure out who you are? Jo March is about to find out.
With the start of eighth grade, Jo March decides it’s time to get serious about her writing and joins the school newspaper. But even with her new friend Freddie cheering her on, becoming a hard-hitting journalist is a lot harder than Jo imagined.
That’s not all that’s tough. Jo and her sisters—Meg, Beth, and Amy—are getting used to a new normal at home, with their dad deployed overseas and their mom, a nurse, working overtime.
And while it helps to hang out with Laurie, the boy who just moved next door, things get complicated when he tells Jo he has feelings for her. Feelings that Jo doesn’t have for him…or for any boy. Feelings she’s never shared with anyone before. Feelings that Jo might have for Freddie.
What does it take to figure out who you are? Jo March is about to find out.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2020
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4226 people want to read
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February 6, 2026
If a Little Women remake doesn't make me cry...can we even say it was based on Little Women?
Their mom is a nurse while their father is deployed overseas, and the girls must find a way to take care of themselves and each other.
So, I do want to start with some of the things I liked about the book. The sisters' relationship is as strong as ever and even when I'm not a particular fan of the this version, I still find comfort in visiting old friends.
I liked that the author tried to put her own spin on the story with Jo's interest in the newspaper club and how she comes to terms with her orientation.
And I really like that their mom is "Marmee" again (a lot of remakes change Marmee's name back to "Mom").
However, as a Little Women Remake, I do feel like it fell rather short.
The characters were too perfect
One of my favorite things about the original Little Women was how very real the characters are. Jo loses her temper, Amy acts like a brat, Meg loses herself while trying to impress people - and Beth is perfect (but I'll allow that, cause she's Beth).
In this one, Jo may lose her temper but it is a molehill compared to the volcano from the originals. Amy is a little ornery but nothing to write home about. And Meg is just a normal teenager who gets a little embarrassed at a party cause of a sprained ankle.
Marmee has several heart-to-hearts when her girls are struggling, and each time it just felt too perfect, too understanding, too much like she was reading from a script of Things Parents Should Say To Teenage Daughters (TM). The words were right, but it didn't feel genuine.
I didn't cry
This might be an odd thing to write in the review...but literally EVERY version of Little Women I've read, I have cried over (or teared up). This version didn't hold any emotional moments for me and I felt disconnected from the story.
I think it is in part because the author skipped so many of the gut-wrenching moments and smoothed over the edges of the ones she did include until we were left with a few speedbumps but not the emotional ravines that I'm used to.
For example, in many of the remakes, Beth is still sick but because of modern medicine, she often survives. In this version, Beth is in remission from cancer from the very first chapter of this book - meaning that there's no actual threat to her life and there's no huge moment where the sisters bond or think about love and loss.
The art was okay
That's just kinda it.
There wasn't a huge variation on the faces used in this book, everyone looked kinda same-y to me. Sometimes the hands were rough, sometimes the characters' bodies looked a little too posed, but ultimately the art was just...okay.
The colors chosen were...fine.
The expressions on the faces were...there.
The Hannah Erasure
While I like that "Marmee" is back but I'm still bummed that every remake has the Hannah Mullet erasure - I totally get that having the family complain about finances and still having a housekeeper is a bit...interesting... but I've always loved her character. And while Marmee mentions that she has a coworker named Hannah in this book... it really isn't the same.
Overall thoughts
I probably won't be going for a reread. It just didn't hit enough of the classic Little Women moments to get the nostalgia going and the moments that it did portray felt lackluster.
If you are looking for a graphic novel remake, then I'd recommend Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women - that one did a really good job of modernizing the characters but still keeping true to the original (and yes, I did cry).
In this modern remake of Little Women, we follow Jo (a blogger who writes about her family) as she navigates the eighth grade along with her three sisters (Meg, Beth, and Amy).
"A new school year means new beginnings and fresh starts ... this year there's going to be something different about us."
Their mom is a nurse while their father is deployed overseas, and the girls must find a way to take care of themselves and each other.
I've been reading quite a few Little Women remakes and this one just felt bland. If this book was a color, it would be beige.
"Most things aren't easy on the first try. Usually, it takes a while to get things right."
So, I do want to start with some of the things I liked about the book. The sisters' relationship is as strong as ever and even when I'm not a particular fan of the this version, I still find comfort in visiting old friends.
I liked that the author tried to put her own spin on the story with Jo's interest in the newspaper club and how she comes to terms with her orientation.
And I really like that their mom is "Marmee" again (a lot of remakes change Marmee's name back to "Mom").
However, as a Little Women Remake, I do feel like it fell rather short.
The characters were too perfect
One of my favorite things about the original Little Women was how very real the characters are. Jo loses her temper, Amy acts like a brat, Meg loses herself while trying to impress people - and Beth is perfect (but I'll allow that, cause she's Beth).
In this one, Jo may lose her temper but it is a molehill compared to the volcano from the originals. Amy is a little ornery but nothing to write home about. And Meg is just a normal teenager who gets a little embarrassed at a party cause of a sprained ankle.
Marmee has several heart-to-hearts when her girls are struggling, and each time it just felt too perfect, too understanding, too much like she was reading from a script of Things Parents Should Say To Teenage Daughters (TM). The words were right, but it didn't feel genuine.
I didn't cry
This might be an odd thing to write in the review...but literally EVERY version of Little Women I've read, I have cried over (or teared up). This version didn't hold any emotional moments for me and I felt disconnected from the story.
I think it is in part because the author skipped so many of the gut-wrenching moments and smoothed over the edges of the ones she did include until we were left with a few speedbumps but not the emotional ravines that I'm used to.
For example, in many of the remakes, Beth is still sick but because of modern medicine, she often survives. In this version, Beth is in remission from cancer from the very first chapter of this book - meaning that there's no actual threat to her life and there's no huge moment where the sisters bond or think about love and loss.
The art was okay
That's just kinda it.
There wasn't a huge variation on the faces used in this book, everyone looked kinda same-y to me. Sometimes the hands were rough, sometimes the characters' bodies looked a little too posed, but ultimately the art was just...okay.
The colors chosen were...fine.
The expressions on the faces were...there.
The Hannah Erasure
While I like that "Marmee" is back but I'm still bummed that every remake has the Hannah Mullet erasure - I totally get that having the family complain about finances and still having a housekeeper is a bit...interesting... but I've always loved her character. And while Marmee mentions that she has a coworker named Hannah in this book... it really isn't the same.
Overall thoughts
I probably won't be going for a reread. It just didn't hit enough of the classic Little Women moments to get the nostalgia going and the moments that it did portray felt lackluster.
If you are looking for a graphic novel remake, then I'd recommend Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women - that one did a really good job of modernizing the characters but still keeping true to the original (and yes, I did cry).
October 15, 2020
I have conflicted feelings about this. On the one hand, it’s Little Women! I liked the illustrations and seeing how the plot translated to the modern world. (Props to Ms. Dashwood, the newspaper editor, for normalizing introducing yourself and your pronouns!) On the other hand, because I already knew the characters and the story, I expected the novel to do more in the way of making things new and interesting, and it disappointed a bit on that front.
The dialogue didn’t feel real to me. It felt like the characters were saying “the right thing” and performing rather than speaking as complex characters. Everyone was so peppy and positive and sweet and supportive.
Every attempt to add conflict to the plot was so mild and resolved with so little effort or struggle. Beth is cancer-free! She has to practice the flute and gets better at it with practice! Jo just needs to write more and then her writing is better and people praise it! We miss Father but he video chats with us and is encouraging! Meg is tutoring kids and sure blushes whenever she brings up Jon (whom we never see)! Amy likes to draw! Even Jo’s coming out, which could have been a really cool modern update and given a lot of interesting depth to her relationships with everyone, was simply met with “cool!” and “yay!” and “great!” and we never had to confront any difficulties or worry about her having any problems thereafter. And it all built up to... a kiss on the cheek from Freddie? It all felt a bit too tame, which is not at all the vibe I get from Alcott’s Little Women.
The dialogue didn’t feel real to me. It felt like the characters were saying “the right thing” and performing rather than speaking as complex characters. Everyone was so peppy and positive and sweet and supportive.
Every attempt to add conflict to the plot was so mild and resolved with so little effort or struggle. Beth is cancer-free! She has to practice the flute and gets better at it with practice! Jo just needs to write more and then her writing is better and people praise it! We miss Father but he video chats with us and is encouraging! Meg is tutoring kids and sure blushes whenever she brings up Jon (whom we never see)! Amy likes to draw! Even Jo’s coming out, which could have been a really cool modern update and given a lot of interesting depth to her relationships with everyone, was simply met with “cool!” and “yay!” and “great!” and we never had to confront any difficulties or worry about her having any problems thereafter. And it all built up to... a kiss on the cheek from Freddie? It all felt a bit too tame, which is not at all the vibe I get from Alcott’s Little Women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2020
A new take on Little Women that brings the events into the modern day. Jo is a thirteen-year-old girl in middle school who uses her secret blog to work out her feelings about her family and her life. The characters are readily recognizable even as their day-to-day lives diverge widely from the original novel and LGBTQ+ themes are explored.
This is very good, but has the misfortune to follow closely on the heels of the similar but slightly better Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Retelling of Little Women. Still, Jo is certainly worth reading, and since it only gets through retelling about a quarter of the original book, I have hopes we'll get a follow-up in the near future.
Two side notes:
All the kids have had or get chicken pox. Are the March and Laurence parents anti-vaxxers?
The kids play cribbage in one scene. Do any children play cribbage nowadays?
This is very good, but has the misfortune to follow closely on the heels of the similar but slightly better Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel: A Modern Retelling of Little Women. Still, Jo is certainly worth reading, and since it only gets through retelling about a quarter of the original book, I have hopes we'll get a follow-up in the near future.
Two side notes:
All the kids have had or get chicken pox. Are the March and Laurence parents anti-vaxxers?
The kids play cribbage in one scene. Do any children play cribbage nowadays?
February 28, 2021
*highlights:
The artstyle is just like Raina Telgemeier's graphic novels and the characters are well defined. I appreciate the focus on writing as the main theme. And also, the LGBTQIAP representation and use of the pronouns.
*However, there's not much going on in the story. I don't think you will have to read Little Women first to read this graphic novel as it's just a story of a family with 4 daughters going on with their everyday life with a worried mother and a dad staying away for work.
I wanted the story to be lively and a little less mundane. I wanted to get connected to the characters but sadly I couldn't.
It just seems like every other school drama and romance.
But yes, a good quick read for beginners.
The artstyle is just like Raina Telgemeier's graphic novels and the characters are well defined. I appreciate the focus on writing as the main theme. And also, the LGBTQIAP representation and use of the pronouns.
*However, there's not much going on in the story. I don't think you will have to read Little Women first to read this graphic novel as it's just a story of a family with 4 daughters going on with their everyday life with a worried mother and a dad staying away for work.
I wanted the story to be lively and a little less mundane. I wanted to get connected to the characters but sadly I couldn't.
It just seems like every other school drama and romance.
But yes, a good quick read for beginners.
February 9, 2021
*Clears throat, takes out megaphone* GAY JO MARCH
This was such a lovely middle grade graphic novel adaptation of Little Women. I really enjoyed the art style and seeing how parts of the original story were switched up. I’m not sure if it’s because this was a graphic novel, but sometimes certain parts of the story felt a bit glossed over or like they went by way too quickly. But overall I think this was a very sweet book and it gave me the gay Jo March story that I’ve been wanting.
This was such a lovely middle grade graphic novel adaptation of Little Women. I really enjoyed the art style and seeing how parts of the original story were switched up. I’m not sure if it’s because this was a graphic novel, but sometimes certain parts of the story felt a bit glossed over or like they went by way too quickly. But overall I think this was a very sweet book and it gave me the gay Jo March story that I’ve been wanting.
January 30, 2022
not my fave little women adaptation (the one i read earlier this month was better imo!) but a fun little read. it probably shouldn’t surprise me that every modern adaption i’ve read of lw has jo coming out 😂 but also why does being a strong and independent woman who doesn’t want to date/marry her best male friend mean she has to like women???
September 30, 2020
As a queer person who named myself after Jo March my review may be a little biased but this was perfect.
I have needed a canonically queer Jo my entire life and Kathleen Gros delivered that beautifully.
Beyond that premise this is just a very well done adaptation. Gros manages to fit the theme of personal growth, explored in the original story through Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progess,” into this story without coming off as overly sanctimonious. And each of the March girls as well as Laurie and Marmee were pitch perfect.
Couching this story of growth and self-acceptance within a familiar context will make it’s message more accessible and comfortable for kids going through the process of coming out. I think this book could have really helped me at 13 understand why tomboyish Jo felt so familiar when I first read “Little Women” and why I had such a crush on Winona Ryder in the film.
I have needed a canonically queer Jo my entire life and Kathleen Gros delivered that beautifully.
Beyond that premise this is just a very well done adaptation. Gros manages to fit the theme of personal growth, explored in the original story through Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progess,” into this story without coming off as overly sanctimonious. And each of the March girls as well as Laurie and Marmee were pitch perfect.
Couching this story of growth and self-acceptance within a familiar context will make it’s message more accessible and comfortable for kids going through the process of coming out. I think this book could have really helped me at 13 understand why tomboyish Jo felt so familiar when I first read “Little Women” and why I had such a crush on Winona Ryder in the film.
June 14, 2022
Jo March is an ordinary 8th-grade girl about to start her final year of middle school. She decides t blog about her life at home with her three sisters and their mother and also write about her daily life at school. Jo chronicles her attempts to become a "real" writer by joining the newspaper club and how failure makes her feel. With the encouragement of her new friend Freddie, a budding editor, Jo begins to find her voice and make it count. She learns some important lessons by the time graduation rolls around.
As an adaptation of Little Women this book fails. It misses the whole little women point. I missed Jo's temper, her fights with Amy and Marmee's wisdom. I missed Father's letter and his illness that provides the catalyst for Jo to get to DO something to help her family. Even Beth doesn't fall ill in this version because she's already been ill with leukemia and must go for tests and treatment. The family is recovering from the worry. Dad is away doing top secret stuff with the Army and video chats when he can. The video chat scene consists of the girls sharing their news- things we already know- and not Dad sharing any thoughts with his little women. The scenes taken from the original are out of order. It was all just too bland and nice. Meg likes a boy named Jon, she tutors some bratty kids who don't want to pay attention; Beth likes music and when she tries the flute it doesn't sound nice; Amy wants to be creative but her teacher makes her draw; Jo wants to be a writer and they all work hard and are rewarded at the end. I even missed the Hummel family. Decorating the hospital at Christmas does not equal giving up Christmas breakfast to a less fortunate family.
Laurie is an average teenage boy with living parents who travel for work. He speaks with them as often as they can and he knows they love him. His grandfather is kind. Snooze. I was confused why Laurie randomly comes down with chicken pox and why all the March sisters had it. There's a vaccine for that! Kids don't get chicken pox anymore! When Laurie reveals his feelings for Jo and she freaks out, it doesn't equate to the original. First of all, 1860s Jo is older, at 17 she's old enough to marry but she doesn't want to- not because she doesn't like men, but because she's immature and Laurie is too. Jo is facing the breakup of her nuclear family and the loss of her childhood. She's struggling to accept change and worried about what it means for her future. 1860s Laurie is grown but still a boy. He acts like a boy and Jo thinks of him as a brother. Husbands were typically older than the wives because they needed to be able to support a family. Enter Professor Beher. Jo gets to know him, matures a little, goes home, Beth dies, Jo is lonely and ready to open her heart to love. I'd really prefer to see Jo as Louisa intended, a literary spinster content to paddle her own canoe.
That being said, I think Jo's journey will resonate with young readers, whether they're gay or not. It's about finding yourself and figuring out who you are more than focusing on the GAY issue. She just happens to figure out she likes girls. Freddie is adorable. She's fun, playful and smart. She encourages Jo and helps Jo become a better writer. They have a lot in common and it should be obvious to anyone who sees them, probably to the faculty advisor, that at least Freddie has feelings for Jo. Jo takes a little longer to get there but it becomes obvious as well. Jo figures out a lot more about herself and life before she's ready to announce her understandings to the world. Her coming out plot was so not an issue. I wanted a little more discussion on that front. Sometimes it is that way and it's important to put into the story but it's just sort of glossed over.
The other Marches are rather bland and boring. Amy is delightful, mispronouncing "big" words she can't remember. Beth is kind of a non-entity. She's brave and tough but sometimes she doesn't want to be the sick one. She doesn't want to keep fighting and she does, in her own quiet way. Meg is a typical teen with boys on her mind and busy with high school and her after school tutoring job. Unlike the original, she doesn't long for fine things and envy her wealthier friends. Marmee is kind and loving but not home very often.
The illustrations are OK. They're more realistic than some I've seen but not my favorite style. I'm not a fan of graphic novels to begin with. I prefer a little more meat with my story and no pictures. I always want more depth, stronger character development and more conversations. This book is no exception. I'm going to run it by my niece and see if she's read it and what she thinks. She's the graphic novel expert and Little Raphael of the family!
As an adaptation of Little Women this book fails. It misses the whole little women point. I missed Jo's temper, her fights with Amy and Marmee's wisdom. I missed Father's letter and his illness that provides the catalyst for Jo to get to DO something to help her family. Even Beth doesn't fall ill in this version because she's already been ill with leukemia and must go for tests and treatment. The family is recovering from the worry. Dad is away doing top secret stuff with the Army and video chats when he can. The video chat scene consists of the girls sharing their news- things we already know- and not Dad sharing any thoughts with his little women. The scenes taken from the original are out of order. It was all just too bland and nice. Meg likes a boy named Jon, she tutors some bratty kids who don't want to pay attention; Beth likes music and when she tries the flute it doesn't sound nice; Amy wants to be creative but her teacher makes her draw; Jo wants to be a writer and they all work hard and are rewarded at the end. I even missed the Hummel family. Decorating the hospital at Christmas does not equal giving up Christmas breakfast to a less fortunate family.
Laurie is an average teenage boy with living parents who travel for work. He speaks with them as often as they can and he knows they love him. His grandfather is kind. Snooze. I was confused why Laurie randomly comes down with chicken pox and why all the March sisters had it. There's a vaccine for that! Kids don't get chicken pox anymore! When Laurie reveals his feelings for Jo and she freaks out, it doesn't equate to the original. First of all, 1860s Jo is older, at 17 she's old enough to marry but she doesn't want to- not because she doesn't like men, but because she's immature and Laurie is too. Jo is facing the breakup of her nuclear family and the loss of her childhood. She's struggling to accept change and worried about what it means for her future. 1860s Laurie is grown but still a boy. He acts like a boy and Jo thinks of him as a brother. Husbands were typically older than the wives because they needed to be able to support a family. Enter Professor Beher. Jo gets to know him, matures a little, goes home, Beth dies, Jo is lonely and ready to open her heart to love. I'd really prefer to see Jo as Louisa intended, a literary spinster content to paddle her own canoe.
That being said, I think Jo's journey will resonate with young readers, whether they're gay or not. It's about finding yourself and figuring out who you are more than focusing on the GAY issue. She just happens to figure out she likes girls. Freddie is adorable. She's fun, playful and smart. She encourages Jo and helps Jo become a better writer. They have a lot in common and it should be obvious to anyone who sees them, probably to the faculty advisor, that at least Freddie has feelings for Jo. Jo takes a little longer to get there but it becomes obvious as well. Jo figures out a lot more about herself and life before she's ready to announce her understandings to the world. Her coming out plot was so not an issue. I wanted a little more discussion on that front. Sometimes it is that way and it's important to put into the story but it's just sort of glossed over.
The other Marches are rather bland and boring. Amy is delightful, mispronouncing "big" words she can't remember. Beth is kind of a non-entity. She's brave and tough but sometimes she doesn't want to be the sick one. She doesn't want to keep fighting and she does, in her own quiet way. Meg is a typical teen with boys on her mind and busy with high school and her after school tutoring job. Unlike the original, she doesn't long for fine things and envy her wealthier friends. Marmee is kind and loving but not home very often.
The illustrations are OK. They're more realistic than some I've seen but not my favorite style. I'm not a fan of graphic novels to begin with. I prefer a little more meat with my story and no pictures. I always want more depth, stronger character development and more conversations. This book is no exception. I'm going to run it by my niece and see if she's read it and what she thinks. She's the graphic novel expert and Little Raphael of the family!
November 11, 2021
Yes, I do very much appreciate that author and illustrator Kathleen Gros points out that her 2020 middle grade to young adult Jo: A Graphic Novel is only “sort of” and clearly a distinctly 21st century adaptation of Little Women and that she in the acknowledgments also very specifically thanks Louisa May Alcott.
And indeed, I also do have to admit that once I got over my original quite annoyed frustration that in Jo: A Graphic Novel Jo is once again being rendered into not just a budding young writer but specifically into a budding young Lesbian writer and that her love interest is sadly not a German professor type but a female fellow classmate named Freddie, Kathleen Gros’ presented storyline has in general actually been quite readable, realistic and also enjoyable, and with the author being in my humble opinion especially adept at smoothly and seamlessly incorporating entire episodes from Little Women (albeit of course in modern garb) into a contemporary middle school tale about fitting in, about finding your true self and about the importance of close and loving family ties and that these close bonds are of course also a very good and potent dose of psychological medicine (for in my opinion, Kathleen Gros totally demonstrates in Jo: A Graphic Novel that all four March sisters are sustained and helped by their mutual love and support and that for example Beth’s leukaemia is in remission not only because of the medicines and treatments she has been having but also and actually perhaps even primarily because of how close she is to her sisters and her parents).
However, I do also have some personal and emotional pet peeves (both textual and illustrative) regarding Jo: A Graphic Novel, and indeed, these issues have definitely a bit negatively affected potential reading joy. Sure, Jo March figures out in Jo: A Graphic Novel that she likes boys only as close personal friends but actually seems to fall in love with other girls (that she is a Lesbian). But why then is Laurie (Theodore Laurence), who is repeatedly described and also even illustrated by Kathleen Gros in Jo: A Graphic Novel as truly quite head over heels in love with Jo, immediately totally and absolutely accepting of Jo outing herself as gay to him, even considering this all majorly “cool” and not in any way even remotely problematic and possibly upsetting. For in my opinion, considering how very much interested in a romance with Jo Laurie is clearly shown as being in Jo: A Graphic Novel for me, a much more realistic reaction from Laurie would be a bit of disappointment and soul searching and not this almost blasé seeming and immediate acceptance (which actually feels quite unnatural and so much so that I kind of even have to laugh a bit, since Jo’s Lesbianism seems to almost be a forgone conclusion for EVERYONE in Jo: A Graphic Novel and this really does make in particular Laurie’s attempts at courtship seem a bit ridiculous).
And finally, apropos Kathleen Gros’ artwork, while her illustrations generally work sufficiently well with the featured text (and in true graphic novel fashion), for me, especially how Amy’s facial expressions and features are at times visually rendered by Gros in Jo: A Graphic Novel, this does actually make me feel somewhat uncomfortable, as they tend to give Amy an almost witch-like and menacing demeanour that I just do not feel is at all appropriate (since in my opinion in both Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and in Kathleen Gros’s Jo: A Graphic Novel, while Amy is of course and definitely sometimes shown as a bit spoiled and entitled, she also very much loves her sisters, she very much loves her family, and the almost at times evil looking eyes of Amy March in Jo: A Graphic Novel, they really do not all that much visually impress and actually rather turn my stomach and make me groan, as Amy is textually always being shown as only a bit spoiled but not as some kind of inherently nasty and freaky entity).
And indeed, I also do have to admit that once I got over my original quite annoyed frustration that in Jo: A Graphic Novel Jo is once again being rendered into not just a budding young writer but specifically into a budding young Lesbian writer and that her love interest is sadly not a German professor type but a female fellow classmate named Freddie, Kathleen Gros’ presented storyline has in general actually been quite readable, realistic and also enjoyable, and with the author being in my humble opinion especially adept at smoothly and seamlessly incorporating entire episodes from Little Women (albeit of course in modern garb) into a contemporary middle school tale about fitting in, about finding your true self and about the importance of close and loving family ties and that these close bonds are of course also a very good and potent dose of psychological medicine (for in my opinion, Kathleen Gros totally demonstrates in Jo: A Graphic Novel that all four March sisters are sustained and helped by their mutual love and support and that for example Beth’s leukaemia is in remission not only because of the medicines and treatments she has been having but also and actually perhaps even primarily because of how close she is to her sisters and her parents).
However, I do also have some personal and emotional pet peeves (both textual and illustrative) regarding Jo: A Graphic Novel, and indeed, these issues have definitely a bit negatively affected potential reading joy. Sure, Jo March figures out in Jo: A Graphic Novel that she likes boys only as close personal friends but actually seems to fall in love with other girls (that she is a Lesbian). But why then is Laurie (Theodore Laurence), who is repeatedly described and also even illustrated by Kathleen Gros in Jo: A Graphic Novel as truly quite head over heels in love with Jo, immediately totally and absolutely accepting of Jo outing herself as gay to him, even considering this all majorly “cool” and not in any way even remotely problematic and possibly upsetting. For in my opinion, considering how very much interested in a romance with Jo Laurie is clearly shown as being in Jo: A Graphic Novel for me, a much more realistic reaction from Laurie would be a bit of disappointment and soul searching and not this almost blasé seeming and immediate acceptance (which actually feels quite unnatural and so much so that I kind of even have to laugh a bit, since Jo’s Lesbianism seems to almost be a forgone conclusion for EVERYONE in Jo: A Graphic Novel and this really does make in particular Laurie’s attempts at courtship seem a bit ridiculous).
And finally, apropos Kathleen Gros’ artwork, while her illustrations generally work sufficiently well with the featured text (and in true graphic novel fashion), for me, especially how Amy’s facial expressions and features are at times visually rendered by Gros in Jo: A Graphic Novel, this does actually make me feel somewhat uncomfortable, as they tend to give Amy an almost witch-like and menacing demeanour that I just do not feel is at all appropriate (since in my opinion in both Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women and in Kathleen Gros’s Jo: A Graphic Novel, while Amy is of course and definitely sometimes shown as a bit spoiled and entitled, she also very much loves her sisters, she very much loves her family, and the almost at times evil looking eyes of Amy March in Jo: A Graphic Novel, they really do not all that much visually impress and actually rather turn my stomach and make me groan, as Amy is textually always being shown as only a bit spoiled but not as some kind of inherently nasty and freaky entity).
November 15, 2024
I do NOT know why I keep reading these
July 12, 2022
I love Little Women and this is the first adaptation I've read of the classic novel. I think to premise this review I need to highlight that I read it in the context of its intended audience - middle graders. I think if I read it expecting a boundary pushing, adult framing version I would've been a tad disappointed, but for the intended readers I thought it was great. It's low angst, features a queer Jo March (yay!) who comes to terms with her sexuality and it's very G rated, which is to be expected. This is a graphic novel I'd be happy to give to my future pre-teens. It's wholesome, sweet and the illustrations are lovely.
Now I'm on the hunt for some adult, queer adaptations of Little Women. If you know of any, let me know!
Now I'm on the hunt for some adult, queer adaptations of Little Women. If you know of any, let me know!
January 21, 2021
Very cute modern adaptation of Little Women. The whole thing was very cozy and sweet!
July 20, 2022
Modern day Little Women. Well, it´s Little Women, so I thought maybe I´d like that a little bit more. I am usually against putting classics characters to modern day setting, and I know why. They feel so flat. I tried this because it looked really cute, the art style and also it´s based on one of my fave stories. However... This was way tooo positive. Everyone is so kind and sweet and issues are always overcomed, no realistic conflicts ever occur. The "drama" scene between Laurie and Jo was completely flat and kind of pointless. And the dialogues were a little weird too.
I liked the Halloween chapter tho, so sweetly illustrated and overall adorable. Otherwise I will just stick to my non-modern version.
I liked the Halloween chapter tho, so sweetly illustrated and overall adorable. Otherwise I will just stick to my non-modern version.
May 30, 2023
Cute modern take on the March girls.
May 29, 2021
This GN has used the charm and wit of Louisa May Alcott’s classic Christian tale Little Women and it’s loveable characters, to tell its own story: A modern day tale where a middle schooler, Jo March, declares she is gay. Right from the start when Jo begins Year 8 and nervously joins the newspaper club - and everyone introduces themselves and ‘their pronouns’ it is clear that this story has a strong agenda and sole focus - and the March family is simply the vehicle to carry it.
My question with this is, why should the March family be used in this way? As it is claiming to be ‘an adaption (sort of)’ I guess this is the answer - but if it doesn’t work as an adaption (and it doesn’t) then what are we left with? This story bears no relation to the real story - it would be like reading that Mr Darcy in P&P preferred Mr Wickham to Elizabeth Bennett. Um, you’ve kind of lost the point of why the characters existed in the first place. So why use them? There are plenty of adaptations of Pride and Prejudice that do work because they hold (or attempt to hold) true to the characters as the original author intended... similarly with Little Women we’ve seen in other book and movie forms how the story can be modernised and developed while staying true to the original.
As a graphic novel I was eager to see how the wit and charm of Little Women might have been captured in a contemporary setting. Again, this novel disappoints. The settings are mundane and colours curiously flat. The house interiors are plain and lack character. Beth was the only sister who seemed recognisable as herself. The chapter header pages are cute - offering a family album style summary of scenes and activities..
The only writing we see from Jo is angst-ridden ‘blogging’ rather than the imaginative and creative ways we are told she prefers/is good at. Similarly none of the other sisters, bar Beth and her music, were given a chance to be fleshed out either.
I felt like this story relied too heavily on the positive achievements of Alcott’s writing/characters/imagination ~ and did not have enough value from a literary or graphic novel perspective to justify borrowing so heavily from another’s work.
My question with this is, why should the March family be used in this way? As it is claiming to be ‘an adaption (sort of)’ I guess this is the answer - but if it doesn’t work as an adaption (and it doesn’t) then what are we left with? This story bears no relation to the real story - it would be like reading that Mr Darcy in P&P preferred Mr Wickham to Elizabeth Bennett. Um, you’ve kind of lost the point of why the characters existed in the first place. So why use them? There are plenty of adaptations of Pride and Prejudice that do work because they hold (or attempt to hold) true to the characters as the original author intended... similarly with Little Women we’ve seen in other book and movie forms how the story can be modernised and developed while staying true to the original.
As a graphic novel I was eager to see how the wit and charm of Little Women might have been captured in a contemporary setting. Again, this novel disappoints. The settings are mundane and colours curiously flat. The house interiors are plain and lack character. Beth was the only sister who seemed recognisable as herself. The chapter header pages are cute - offering a family album style summary of scenes and activities..
The only writing we see from Jo is angst-ridden ‘blogging’ rather than the imaginative and creative ways we are told she prefers/is good at. Similarly none of the other sisters, bar Beth and her music, were given a chance to be fleshed out either.
I felt like this story relied too heavily on the positive achievements of Alcott’s writing/characters/imagination ~ and did not have enough value from a literary or graphic novel perspective to justify borrowing so heavily from another’s work.
September 24, 2020
Kathleen Gros is a massively talented illustrator and writer – her style as a graphic novelist is somehow simultaneously as fun and expressive as Erika Moen's and as profound and emotive as Alison Bechdel's.
I loved this modern, queer adaptation of Little Women, and thought it was beautifully executed from start to finish. One thing I really appreciated about it is how chill it is: there's very little anger and conflict in this story as it's told here, and many many moments of characters just... being nice to each other. I didn't know how much I needed that, particularly in these globally difficult times, until I read this. It made me really emotional on multiple occasions. I'm always so glad to see queer authors telling stories of queer happiness and fulfilment, giving LGBTQ+ youth a model to look to when the bigoted world makes them doubt that they deserve love and acceptance.
I loved this modern, queer adaptation of Little Women, and thought it was beautifully executed from start to finish. One thing I really appreciated about it is how chill it is: there's very little anger and conflict in this story as it's told here, and many many moments of characters just... being nice to each other. I didn't know how much I needed that, particularly in these globally difficult times, until I read this. It made me really emotional on multiple occasions. I'm always so glad to see queer authors telling stories of queer happiness and fulfilment, giving LGBTQ+ youth a model to look to when the bigoted world makes them doubt that they deserve love and acceptance.
December 31, 2021
CWs:
I’m overjoyed to find a second modern retelling where Jo is gay. It’s what Louisa May Alcott would have wanted.
But apart from Jo being gay, there didn’t feel to be any new outstanding twists to the classic story. I still prefer Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women by Ray Terciero (go read it if you haven’t already!)
I’m overjoyed to find a second modern retelling where Jo is gay. It’s what Louisa May Alcott would have wanted.
But apart from Jo being gay, there didn’t feel to be any new outstanding twists to the classic story. I still prefer Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Little Women by Ray Terciero (go read it if you haven’t already!)
August 22, 2022
Cute!!! I wish it had gone a little deeper into the sisters' individual stories but it was very sweet and modern.
February 5, 2021
If this wasn’t loosely based off “Little Women” I would have given this five stars. But it was. The main themes of the original - to me, at least - are family, women’s independence, poverty and generosity (I’m sure I’m missing a few, but those stood out the most to me). The graphic novel covers the theme of family very well. But it doesn’t cover women’s independence. It doesn’t cover poverty: Jo and are her family look like they’re middle class. Also Laurie’s grandfather doesn’t seem absurdly wealthy; his house next door is a bit bigger, not a lavish mansion like I remember from the original. And I didn’t see any theme of generosity. Jo cutting her hair in the original to sell it to give to her mother to help her father is so memorable. I guess the title does say “An Adaption of Little Women (Sort of)” but I was expecting a little more.
Also it was strange to me that Laurie got chickenpox (and that the March girls all had it) - didn’t their parents vaccinate them? And what kids play cribbage??
There wasn’t a lot of tension in the book and it seemed so mild. Everyone practices their hobbies and get so much better. Even when Jo comes out, there are no difficulties. The original book was filled with tension and passion and agony and just really raw emotion and this just seemed so flat to me.
I thought the art did a good job supporting the text and the colors were fantastic.
Also it was strange to me that Laurie got chickenpox (and that the March girls all had it) - didn’t their parents vaccinate them? And what kids play cribbage??
There wasn’t a lot of tension in the book and it seemed so mild. Everyone practices their hobbies and get so much better. Even when Jo comes out, there are no difficulties. The original book was filled with tension and passion and agony and just really raw emotion and this just seemed so flat to me.
I thought the art did a good job supporting the text and the colors were fantastic.
Read
July 22, 2022The full title says this is "an adaptation of Little Women (Sort of)". The general shape of the characters are there: for example, Jo likes writing, Beth likes music and is sickly, Amy likes painting, Mr. March is away serving his country, but the characters are younger than in Alcott's original and our world is significantly different. In addition, because of the limits of a graphic novel, the characters and plot aren't fleshed out with anywhere close to the detail that Alcott included. The full-color illustrations are pleasing. I like Amy misusing words (and getting corrected by her older sisters). Each chapter begins with what looks like pictures - snapshots - of the sisters which is a cute idea. The biggest difference *spoiler?* is that Jo makes a huge realization about herself which is something completely antithetical to the original book. (LGBTQ themes)
July 27, 2021
So cute !
October 9, 2020
Oh my sweetness!! This was such an adorable story!! Huge Little Women fan!! Love gems like this. Retelling of one of my favorite books... thank you so much to Erica for blessing me with this!!
February 20, 2022
Cute graphic adaptation of Little Women. The characters maintain some key characteristics with some new story lines thrown in. Would have loved this style when I was young girl.
November 11, 2020
This was a really fun, sweet modernized take on Little Women. I loved the way Jo was developed as a character here, her coming out and how gentle her crush on Freddie was. Beth has Leukemia and is coping with remission. Her storyline is handled with great compassion and she's so lovingly supported by her family. Gros did a great job modernizing a lot of the storylines, maintaining some key Little Women moments while keeping things fresh. Amy and Meg seemed less important to me, while Jo certainly and Beth to a lesser extent were more fleshed out. It'd be fun if Gros went on to write from each girl's perspective. I loved Jo's blog, the newspaper, the way Laurie & Jo's relationship is handled etc. Just a very gentle, sweet read that will appeal to a lot of readers. Jo is in 8th grade in this iteration and I think her dreams, struggles and feelings would be relatable to middle schoolers. The March family is white, Freddie is black, some members of the newspaper use they/them pronouns.
January 5, 2021
I loved this book! A take on Jo from Little Women in a graphic novel! I read the original in 6th grade and I have identified with Jo Marsh my whole life since then. I can't wait for the next book!
November 21, 2022
A modern Little Women retelling with queer rep is always going to get high praise from me! It was all a little cutesy and neatly wrapped, so I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars. But my 9 year old also loved this one and is now demanding everyone else in the house read it too! Delightful even if it is sugary sweet.
June 3, 2020
I grew up loving Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. I'm not sure if it was seeing my ideals, ambitions, and faults mirrored in the tenacious authoress Jo or being enamored with the idea of having one sister, let alone three. I read it every few years and it continues to worm its way deeper into my heart.
So when I saw that there was a Graphic Novel retelling coming out for middle-grade I obviously HAD to have it!!! There are some very cute adaptations for modern audiences, such as having Jo blog about her life and their father being stationed oversees with occasional video conferences or emails.
Even the cover alludes to the fact that this is a very loose retelling. There are enough direct references to see the similarities, but this story stands on it's own. The focus is on Jo March, who is starting 8th grade and joins the school newspaper at the request of its editor, a girl named Freddie. While her new neighbor, Teddy, has a crush on her, Jo finds her feelings gravitating towards the school newspaper editor instead.
If you need to know about Beth before reading...
It's a graphic and meant for middle schoolers, so there's obviously not as much detail in here as the original. I would have liked more development on the sisters (or perhaps a spin off book from the perspective of each!?) but Jo's development in this book is good. I'm not going to make judgements on how she "comes out" to her family because I'm cishet and can't say if it is done in a way that's authentic, but her family is accepting and loving from the beginning which will hopefully be encouraging to readers who are going through a similar situation.
The illustrations are excellent and I feel this is going to be a solid addition to all graphic novel collections for this age group.
So when I saw that there was a Graphic Novel retelling coming out for middle-grade I obviously HAD to have it!!! There are some very cute adaptations for modern audiences, such as having Jo blog about her life and their father being stationed oversees with occasional video conferences or emails.
Even the cover alludes to the fact that this is a very loose retelling. There are enough direct references to see the similarities, but this story stands on it's own. The focus is on Jo March, who is starting 8th grade and joins the school newspaper at the request of its editor, a girl named Freddie. While her new neighbor, Teddy, has a crush on her, Jo finds her feelings gravitating towards the school newspaper editor instead.
If you need to know about Beth before reading...
It's a graphic and meant for middle schoolers, so there's obviously not as much detail in here as the original. I would have liked more development on the sisters (or perhaps a spin off book from the perspective of each!?) but Jo's development in this book is good. I'm not going to make judgements on how she "comes out" to her family because I'm cishet and can't say if it is done in a way that's authentic, but her family is accepting and loving from the beginning which will hopefully be encouraging to readers who are going through a similar situation.
The illustrations are excellent and I feel this is going to be a solid addition to all graphic novel collections for this age group.
July 15, 2021
Cute little graphic modern-day update to Little Women. FWIW, when I read Little Women, I felt pretty sure Jo was trans, but not so sure she was gay. She says over and over again that she feels like a boy, that she wants to be a boy. At no point in the book are we led to believe she's sexually or romantically attracted to anyone. I mean, there's the professor, but come on, that's a marriage of convenience, am I right? Anyway, it's nice to see an adaptation where Jo gets to live her life as who she believes herself to be with a supportive family to back her up.
June 18, 2020
Loved this! Such a wonderful modern-day adaptation of Little Women!
July 25, 2020
Loved this graphic novel! Cute and sweet story about sisterhood, friendship, and coming out in a supportive environment without it being too mushy and sweet!
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