The Other March Sisters

Summary

In this imaginative historical novel and companion to Louisa May Alcott’s much-loved classic, Meg, Beth, and Amy March come into their own not just as portrayed by their sister Jo, the “author” of Little Women and Louisa May Alcott’s alter-ego, but as vibrant and unforgettable characters in their own right.

I’m sure you believe you know their story from reading that other book, which told you an inspiring tale about four sisters. It told you a story, but did it tell you the story?

Four sisters, each as different as can be. Through the eyes and words of Jo, their characters and destinies became known to millions. Meg, pretty and conventional. Jo, stubborn, tomboyish, and ambitious. Beth, shy and good-natured, a mortal angel readily accepting her fate. And Amy, elegant, frivolous, and shallow. But Jo, for all her insight, could not always know what was in her sisters’ thoughts, or in their hearts.

With Jo away in New York, pursuing her dreams of being a writer, Meg, Beth, and Amy follow their own paths. Meg, newly married with young twins, struggles to find the contentment that Marmee assured her would come with domesticity. Unhappy and unfulfilled, she turns to her garden, finding there not just a hobby but a calling that will allow her to help other women in turn.

Beth knows her time is limited. Still, part of her longs to break out of her suffocating cocoon at home, however briefly. A new acquaintance turns into something more, offering unexpected, quiet joy.

Amy, traveling in Europe while she pursues her goal of becoming an artist, is keenly aware of the expectation that she will save the family by marrying well. Through the course of her journey, she discovers how she can remain true to herself, true to her art, and true to the love that was always meant to be.

By purposefully leaving Jo off the page, authors Liz Parker, Ally Malinenko, and Linda Epstein give the other March sisters room to reveal themselves through conversations, private correspondence, and intimate moments—coming alive in ways that might surprise even daring, unconventional Jo.

“Thank you for filling in the blank spaces in a novel I’ve loved all my life! Bold, heartfelt, and richly imaginative, The Other March Sisters illuminates the lives of Alcott’s beloved characters by giving voice to the dreams, struggles, and passions of Meg, Beth, and Amy. … The other sisters shine brilliantly, revealing a tapestry of love, ambition, and self-discovery that will captivate readers anew … and make this a book club favorite.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author