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by Linda Epstein, Ally Malinenko, Liz Parker
Giving all the "Little Women" the stories they deserve at last, this imaginative historical novel and companion to the much-loved classic draws Meg, Beth, and Amy March from behind the shadow of Jo – Louisa May Alcott's alter-ego and the "author" of Little Women – as vibrant and unforgettable characters grappling with societal strictures, queer love, motherhood, chronic illness, artistic ambition, and more.
A riveting reimagining for readers of March by Geraldine Brooks, Sarah Miller's Caroline and Maggie O'Farrell's Hamnet.
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 to pursue her literary ambitions, 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.
Purposefully leaving Jo off the page, authors Liz Parker, Ally Malinenko, and Linda Epstein draw inspiration from Alcott's real-life sisters, giving the other March women room to reveal themselves through conversations, private correspondence, and intimate moments—coming alive in ways that might surprise even daring, unconventional Jo.
"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. In this masterful companion to Little Women, three inventive authors invite us into each sister's untold story as they forge their own paths—Meg through her unexpected calling, Beth in her bittersweet yearning, and Amy as she discovers her truest self in Europe. With Jo's powerful presence purposefully absent, the other sisters shine brilliantly, revealing a tapestry of love, ambition, and self-discovery that will captivate readers anew. The added bonus of the authors' notes and discussion questions will make this a book club favorite." —Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author
"An intriguing take on some of the most beloved—yet, paradoxically, overlooked—characters in fiction. Epstein, Malinenko and Parker each tackle the inner thoughts and feelings of Amy, Beth, and Meg March respectively, leaving Jo off the pages but still allowing her strong influence to bend and sculpt the other sisters' paths ... An audacious and tender contemplation of the timeless notion of what if?, The Other March Sisters challenges our expectations and offers its heroines bold new roads to follow." —Shana Abé, bestselling author of An American Beauty and The Second Mrs. Astor
"A rich, eloquent reimagining ... In my family, when a traditional recipe is improved by adding in a few extras, we say it's been deluxed. That's exactly what these authors have done, they've 'deluxed' Little Women!" —Donna Everhart, USA Today bestselling author of When the Jessamine Grows
"The Other March Sisters hits home by highlighting the strength and bravery women need to care for each other, as well as to care for themselves." —Gian Sardar, USA Today bestselling author of When the World Goes Quiet and Take What You Can Carry
This information about The Other March Sisters was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Linda Epstein is a literary agent at Emerald City Literary Agency, freelance editor, and author whose novels include Repairing the World and The Other March Sisters. She lives in upstate New York with her ridiculous designer mutt, Gertie Gertstein. You can find her online at lindaepsteinauthor.com and @lindaepsteinauthor on Instagram.
Ally Malinenko is a poet, librarian, and author whose novels include the Junior Library Guild selection and Bram Stoker finalist This Appearing House, Ghost Girl, and the collaborative historical novel The Other March Sisters. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, where she works writes in the early hours of the morning before going to work at the Brooklyn Public Library. She can be found online at allymalinenko.com and @allymalinenko on Instagram.
Liz Parker is an herbalist, witch, and author whose works include In the Shadow Garden and the collaborative novel The Other March Sisters. She grew up in Tennessee and Nevada, but now lives in California with her husband, dog, and too many houseplants to name. She can be found online at LizParkerWrites.com and on most social media platforms at @LizParkerWrites.
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