Little Women

Louisa May Alcott

• Publisher: Caelwick Press
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9783850371995
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

Little Women is the classic coming-of-age tale of four sisters on their journey to adulthood. Though today it's considered a classic, Little Women almost wasn't written: Alcott wanted to publish a collection of short stories instead, but her publisher and her father pressed her to write a book that would appeal to a wide audience of young girls. The first volume was written quickly and published in 1868; it was a huge success, and Alcott composed the second volume just as quickly and published it in 1869. By her own account she didn't enjoy writing them, and both she and her publisher agreed the first few chapters were dull—so it almost goes without saying she was pleasantly shocked at the positive reception the volumes received. By 1927 it had been acknowledged as one of the most widely read novels of the era, and remains widely read today. Louisa May Alcott (died 1888) was one of the most distinguished authors of the Victorian age. Their work has endured across generations and continues to be read and studied worldwide. As a work of classic literary fiction, Little Women exemplifies the narrative craft and social insight that defined great storytelling of its era. Literary fiction of this period was characterized by careful attention to character psychology, social milieu, and the moral questions that animated public discourse.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 Playing Pilgrims
• Chapter 2 A Merry Christmas
• Chapter 3 The Laurence Boy
• Chapter 4 Burdens
• Chapter 5 Being Neighborly
• Chapter 6 Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful
• Chapter 7 Amy’s Valley of Humiliation
• Chapter 8 Jo Meets Apollyon
• Chapter 9 Meg Goes to Vanity Fair
• Chapter 10 The P.C. and P.O.
• Chapter 11 Experiments
• Chapter 12 Camp Laurence
• Chapter 13 Castles in the Air
• Chapter 14 Secrets
• Chapter 15 A Telegram
• Chapter 16 Letters
• Chapter 17 Little Faithful
• Chapter 18 Dark Days
• Chapter 19 Amy’s Will
• Chapter 20 Confidential
• Chapter 21 Laurie Makes Mischief and Jo Makes Peace
• Chapter 22 Pleasant Meadows
• Chapter 23 Aunt March Settles the Question
• Chapter 1 Gossip
• Chapter 2 The First Wedding
• Chapter 3 Artistic Attempts
• Chapter 4 Literary Lessons
• Chapter 5 Domestic Experiences
• Chapter 6 Calls
• Chapter 7 Consequences
• Chapter 8 Our Foreign Correspondent
• Chapter 9 Tender Troubles
• Chapter 10 Jo’s Journal
• Chapter 11 A Friend
• Chapter 12 Heartache
• Chapter 13 Beth’s Secret
• Chapter 14 New Impressions
• Chapter 15 On the Shelf
• Chapter 16 Lazy Laurence
• Chapter 17 The Valley of the Shadow
• Chapter 18 Learning to Forget
• Chapter 19 All Alone
• Chapter 20 Surprises
• Chapter 21 My Lord and Lady
• Chapter 22 Daisy and Demi
• Chapter 23 Under the Umbrella
• Chapter 24 Harvest Time