Little Women has remained enduringly popular since its publication in 1868 becoming the
inspiration for a whole genre of family stories. Set in a small New England community it tells
of the March family: Marmee looks after her four daughters in the absence of her husband who
is serving as an army chaplain in the Civil War and Meg Jo Beth and Amy experience domestic
trials and triumphs as they attempt to supplement the family's small income. In thesecond part
of the novel (sometimes known as Good Wives) the girls grow up and fall in love. The novel is
highly autobiographical and in Jo's character Alcott portrays a strong-minded and independent
woman determined to control her own destiny. The introduction to this edition provides a
fascinating history of the Alcotts and of Louisa Alcott's own struggles as a writer.
