Little Women is a book that reveals the eternal themes of war and peace, love and death, and the tension between family responsibilities and personal ambitions. In addition, the American writer and feminist Louisa May Alcott described the clash of cultures between America and Europe in her work. The main characters, whose actions highlight these themes, are four sisters. Namely, the pretty Meg, the boyish Jo, the prim young lady Amy, and the shy, sacrificial Beth.
The girls, who have lived a rather difficult and poor life since their father went to war, have their own opinions and know that each is beautiful. And, despite all the obstacles, they can live how they want. The support of their mothers plays a significant role in the formation of each of the little women, and they do not change their desires.
1. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables teaches people to be who they are and not to create a false image of themselves in the eyes of others. The main character, Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl, lives her life with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a brother and sister who wanted to adopt a boy, but Anne appeared in their lives by mistake. The novel tells the story of the girl's life in the family, at school, and in the city.
Like Little Women, the book teaches love, confidence, truth, and compassion and raises feminist views that women do not have to prove themselves. If you are interested in this book, you also have the opportunity to watch the Anne of Green Gables series. Watching the movie adaptation after reading the book will be a great addition to the story.
2. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The book Sense and Sensibility gives you faith in a better future despite various twists and turns of fate. The novel centers around two Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne. After their father's death, they move in with their mother and spend time sketching, walking, and sewing pin cushions. As with all young people, love appears unexpectedly. While Elinor always takes into account common sense and norms of decency, Marianne is not ashamed of the fervor of her feelings and follows the call of her heart.
The book has a clear chronology and a fast reading pace. If you like the story of love and life in Little Women, then Jane Austen's novel will also appeal to you. In addition, you can also watch the movie Sense and Sensibility.
3. Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner
Bloomsbury Girls is a story of three women who intend to find their way in a world that is changing at a frantic pace. The war, which affected everyone in London, took away the most precious and destroyed past happiness, is over, so it's time to rebuild. Vivien Lowry, Grace Perkins, and Evie Stone will take you through the period of postwar London and share their thoughts and plans.
Just like Little Women, romance is one of the main themes in this book. So you have the opportunity to explore love through the stories of three different personalities. In addition, the book shows that women were undesirable in the world of work in the 1950s, and it's scary to realize that it was not so long ago. So, if you are interested in a short excursion into history, start reading this novel as soon as possible.
4. The Wilderwomen by Ruth Emmie Lang
The Wilderwomen is a fantastically magical story where two sisters search for their mother and face memories, adventures, and obstacles. Nora Wilder has disappeared, but one of her daughters didn’t notice. Moreover, she, Zadie, can see the future. Finn, on the other hand, has an extremely good memory, not only of her own past but also the echoes of memories left by other people.
This is a wonderful story where two sisters develop their personalities along the way. Similar analogies of development can also be found in the book Little Women. So, if you like fiction that develops real-life events, this book is a great choice to spend time with.
5. So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix by Bethany C. Morrow
So Many Beginnings is a story based on the book Little Women. It takes place in 1863 during the Civil War in North Carolina. The story follows four sisters: Meg, a teacher who longs to find love and start a family, Jo, a writer with harsh words, Beth, a talented seamstress, and Amy, a dancer who longs to explore life outside her home.
This story centers on the power of family, love, and communication. It is a story of young black girls becoming independent young black women who achieve their goals in a difficult time. “Love keeps no record of wrongs, and we are called to love our neighbors.” So, to better understand the meaning of this phrase, feel free to start reading the book.
As you can see, the topic of women and their path of formation and development is revealed in many books. The main idea that each of the above options carries is the importance of support from others and confidence in your actions. This combination helped girls of the 20th century achieve their goals and rights, which every modern woman should support now and defend if necessary. Every life is unique, and everyone, regardless of gender, has the right to development and happiness.
