A People Magazine and POPSUGAR pick! “[May’s] adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s […] The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.” –The New York TimesElise Hooper’s debut novel conjures the fascinating, untold story of May Alcott—Louisa’s youngest sister and an artist in her own right.We all know the story … fascinating, untold story of May Alcott—Louisa’s youngest sister and an artist in her own right.
We all know the story of the March sisters, heroines of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. But while everyone cheers on Jo March, based on Louisa herself, Amy March is often the least favorite sister. Now, it’s time to learn the truth about the real “Amy”, Louisa’s sister, May.
Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well-off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man’s profession.
Life for the Alcott family has never been easy, so when Louisa’s Little Women is published, its success eases the financial burdens they’d faced for so many years. Everyone agrees the novel is charming, but May is struck to the core by the portrayal of selfish, spoiled “Amy March.” Is this what her beloved sister really thinks of her?
So May embarks on a quest to discover her own true identity, as an artist and a woman. From Boston to Rome, London, and Paris, this brave, talented, and determined woman forges an amazing life of her own, making her so much more than merely “The Other Alcott.”
“Elise Hooper’s thoroughly modern debut gives a fresh take on one of literature’s most beloved families. To read this book is to understand why the women behind Little Women continue to cast a long shadow on our imaginations and dreams. Hooper is a writer to watch!”—Elisabeth Egan, author of A Window Opens
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This was a wonderful, informative book about the life of May Alcott. I learned so much that I never knew before about the relationship between the sisters. I loved the historical background and all the art history I learned about. This is a must read for those who loved Litttle Women.
This book was not what I expected, but I enjoyed this mixture of nonfiction/fiction novel about May Alcott’s adult life.
While there were some slower parts to the book, overall I enjoyed getting a glimpse into her life and how she handled being Louisa’s youngest sister (aka “Amy March”). I also enjoyed reading more about historical artists that she came in contact with during her art career.
This is the debut novel from Elise Hooper. I have loved Little Women since I read it in childhood. This novel tells the story of May Alcott, Louisa May Alcott’s sister and the reported inspiration for Amy March. May longs to experience the world, but lives in the shadow of her famous literary sister. The book tells of her move to Boston to take art lessons, her travels abroad, and her subsequent career as an artist in a profession ruled by men. A really good read!
A good “other side of the story” read.
This is a fictionalized biography of May Alcott – Louisa’s youngest sister. In light of the recent movie, I was interested in her life. I found the book interesting and informative but I’m not sure of the way the relationship between May and Louisa was portrayed. This book indicates that Louisa was resentful of May, but in an essay Louisa includes her sister (without revealing the relationship) in a discussion of women who have distinguished themselves even in the repressive society they lived in.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads giveaways, I was not required to give a favorable review. This is a great story told about May Alcott, she did all the illustrations for her sisters book. But this based on information from books about May, but she made something of herself apart from her sister. She became a great artist and married after time in Europe, she found her way and made a name for herself. This was during a time that female artist had a hard time showing. But she finds love and respect among her peers. This was a book that should be read by everyone.
Learning more about the Alcott family was so interesting and entertaining Some events were even a little surprising.
Interesting struggle for independence and opportunity balanced by commitment to family with both love and resentment
An easy read but enjoyable. Hope she writes another book soon.
Really slow Goni g! Could have cut 100 pages.
This book was closer to the truth of how the lives of the Alcott girls were changed by Louisa’s story of Little Women. I really enjoyed reading it. Amy was always tormented by Louisa’s success and wanted to have success on her own with her painting. There is proof that May (Amy) did actually find that success on her own.
Without knowing how accurate this picture of the youngest Alcott sister is, enough fact based scenarios are included to make this tale come to life. I found the story fascinating, entertaining and informative.
I loved the writer’s style. “Little Women” was a favorite of mine and this was a wonderful follow-up to that book. Descriptive like “the sigh of the door opening” really caught my breath. I just loved this book!
The Other Alcott is a must read for those who loved Little Women. Elisa Harper does an incredible job of drawing you back into the world of Jo and Amy and the Alcott family. Truly enjoyable.
Enjoyed the original twist on an historic figure. Very entertaining
I am a fan of all things Louisa May Alcott. I loved the author’s vision of May and her relationship with Louisa. It was the best kind of historical fiction because so much of it was historical, but the author also told the story imaginatively.
As a Louisa May Alcott fan, I found this book informative, enlightening and entertaining. I highly recommend it to those of us who grew up with “Little Women.”
Historical
Very informative about the talented sister of Louis May Alcott. She’s been lost to history until this interested novel gathered previously unknown facts about her. Very readable.
I loved learning about May Alcott through this work of historical fiction. You can tell the author did much research. It is very well written.