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I always love seeing what an author will do with a retelling. This one is a “remix” of Little Women that keeps the sisters and their personalities but features a formerly enslaved family in a freeman‘s colony in North Carolina. The author treats this with care and gives this version of the March family their own stories.

Not for me - I don't really like Little Women & YA tends to aggravate me but I was interested to see what Morrow did with this. The way she recreated the classic story was impressive. It's been years since I read Little Women but I felt each of the characters really fit the spirit of their original counterpart. The writing style didn't work for me, it was quite formal but that's a me-problem because while I didn't care for it, I did appreciate it.

A day off between jobs, a spring snowstorm, a good book...ah
I liked this remix of the March sister's story. Enough was the same that one could certainly feel a Little Women vibe but there were plenty of differences (even beyond being the story of a recently emancipated Black family) that made this book stand on its own. As always, I like a book which leads to research & this had me looking up the Roanoke Freedmen's Colony which was new to me.

This is a marvelous remix of the classic novel Little Women. It‘s 1863 in North Carolina and as the American Civil War rages on, the Freedpeople's Colony of Roanoke Island is blossoming, a haven for the recently emancipated. Black people have begun building a community of their own, a refuge from the shadow of the "old life." It is where the March family has finally been able to safely put down roots with four young daughters. 4-stars

An imaginative Little Women retelling or remix, set in a North Carolina Freedman‘s Colony during & after the Civil War and following the sisters into their futures. Enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this! Highly recommend the audiobook.

4/5

This is such a wonderful reimaging of Little Women. Set during the Civil War, the March sisters are recently freed Black women. The novel captures the heart of Little Women while telling it's own story. It was a very wonderful read.

1. So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow and The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

2. The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones

3. My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones, Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, and Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse are all on my TBR right now.

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

A little audio baking in preparation for tomorrow.

I loved Little Women when I was in Grade 5, but it‘s not the kind of book I enjoy now (too much fussing about appearance & boyfriends). This remix, on the other hand, is a treat. The setting, a Civil War-era freedpeople colony in NC, is vivid & so are the formerly enslaved characters. Also, subtle queer content. Nods to the original are nicely folded in, while portraying a little-known side of American history. #Audiobook read by Adenrele Ojo

Jo spoke gently now, so that [Amy] wasn‘t confused into thinking she‘d done anything wrong. “No one was ever a Master, dearheart. They were only enslavers, and they aren‘t now, not anymore, and never again.”

Mudbugs: I like this name for crayfish.
(Internet photo)

#audiocrafting (I‘m finishing a quilt project that I began years ago)

I loved this Little Women retelling so much! The more in depth historical look at the time period filled in the pieces I found lacking in the original book. I love what each sister experiences and their choices. I actually like this more than the original text. My full review can be found on my blog: https://readingstewardess.wordpress.com/2021/09/12/book-review-so-many-beginning... #BookSpinBingo

Giveaway or Bookish First Win! Also I‘m back. I missed talking about books here and seeing the photos. I can‘t wait to read this.

I was so excited to get approved for this on #NetGalley. Little Women is a personal favorite, and what Bethany Morrow did with this remix is almost a love letter to the original.

Morrow kept the original feel of the sisters and their relationships but added a whole new level of trials and triumphs for them to conquer together.

I will definitely have to buy a copy of this for my shelves to go with the original. 💞