Who Wrote Little Women

Little Women, one of the most beloved novels of all time, was written by American author Louisa May Alcott. Published in two parts in 1868 and 1869, Little Women is based loosely on Alcott’s own childhood experiences and follows the lives of the four March sisters growing up in Massachusetts in the late 19th century. The novel has inspired numerous adaptations, including feature films and television series, as well as stage and radio dramas.

Alcott wrote the novel during the months she spent living in Concord, Massachusetts. Alcott’s father, Amos Bronson Alcott, was a prominent educational reformer and the father of Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement from the mid-19th century. Alcott’s mother, Abigail May Alcott, was a passionate abolitionist and social activist. The family structure that existed in the Alcott home provided Louisa with the ideals she used to create the characters we have grown to love.

The March sisters include Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, who live with their mother while their father serves in the Civil War. The novel follows their lives as they transition from childhood to adulthood and skillfully examines the struggles that women face in traditional 19th century society. Alcott’s writing style is marked by moralistic undertones presented in an entertaining and often humorous way. In Little Women, readers are introduced to themes that are still relevant to current literature such as coming of age, sibling rivalry, and female empowerment.

Today, Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women is considered one of the most significant works of children’s literature and has been translated into over 50 languages. Over a century after its initial publication, the novel continues to be a summertime favorite for readers of all ages.