Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy

The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters

By: Anne Boyd Rioux

Narrated by: Kimberly Farr

Since its publication on September 30, 1868, Little Women has been one of America's favorite stories. While we now think of it as a girls' book, it was initially read by both boys and girls, men and women of all ages. Professor Anne Boyd Rioux, who read it in her 20s, tells us how Louisa May Alcott came to write the book and drew inspiration for her story from her own life.

Its Civil War-era tale of family and community ties resonated through later wars, the Depression, and times of changing opportunities for women, even into the 21st century. Rioux sees the novel's beating heart in its honest look at adolescence and its inspiring vision of young women's resilience and hope. In gauging its reception today, she shows why it remains a book with such power that people carry its characters and spirit throughout their lives.

©2018 Anne Boyd Rioux (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Insight into Conflicting Views on Girls Growing Up

This book provides timely insight into the timelessness of Little Women. Rioux takes us from Alcott’s time to our own and shows us things haven’t changed as much as we’d like to think they have. Society still condones narrowly defined roles for girls. I wasn’t one of those girls who discovered Little Women in childhood. I envy those who did. I am persuaded that we need Alcott’s book and others like them more than ever.