JO & LAURIE

Josephine “Jo” March struggles to manage her emotions, write a sequel to her successful novel, and support her poor family financially.

Her editor and readers desire a story of love and marriage, which 18-year-old Jo rejects. Jo refuses marriage for herself and rebuffs the affections of her charming, wealthy, longtime friend Laurie in this spinoff of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women that takes place in 1869, between the publication of the two parts of the original novel. The meticulously imitated historical language includes the perhaps overused exclamation “Christopher Columbus!” Scenes from the classic are reimagined or referred to in ways that alternately stir feelings of nostalgia, confusion, and disappointment over the absence of the rich, nuanced character development found in the original. Readers might also struggle to believe certain plot points, such as the beloved March father's choosing to be an absentee dad or younger sister Amy's falling ill in a manner oddly similar to Beth in the classic. Those who want to believe Jo’s defiance of societal norms might be puzzled by the extent to which she and other members of the “gentle sex” quickly blush in the company of men and are susceptible to jealousy. While some might appreciate this new interpretation, fans of the classic may prefer to stick to their own imaginings. Main characters are white.

Inspired by a classic, this story is best suited for those eager to revisit romance in the context of Little Women.