As you know, I LOVE celebrating the beauty of Little Women with our community. When I founded The Enchanted Book Club, I wanted to create a delightful place for fans of Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables, and Little Women to celebrate beloved stories like these.
Marmee gave us an opportunity to dive into the story of Little Women in a way we hadn’t before. This beautiful novel provided insight into a beloved character that may even influence my future readings of Little Women. If you haven’t watched our event with author of Marmee, Sarah Miller, I highly recommend it! Sarah’s approach to writing from existing characters’ perspectives is incredibly impressive. I’m so looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this book! Find discussion questions below…
Discussion Questions:
2. Was there anything that surprised you about Marmee’s story that you wouldn’t have expected about her?
3. The author portrayed Beth and Amy in a more redeeming way than in Little Women. What were your interpretations of Beth and Amy before reading Marmee and how have they changed?
4. The author explained that listening to audiobooks opens her eyes to beloved characters in a new way. Have you ever listened to Little Women? If so, did it change your interpretation of any of the characters?
5. Which is your favorite film portrayal of Marmee and why?
6. Feel free to share any other thoughts you have!
Christine Edwards says
This book gave more of Marmee’s life beflore she was married. I also do not recall Marmee having a miscarraige in Little Women.
In this book, we learn more about Marmee’s understandable frustrations with her husband. He was generous to a fault and gave money to help the soldiers, thus having less to send to his family.
My favoite adaptation overall of Little Women is the film version that came out in the ealry 90’s with Susan Sarandon as Marmee. But I also, really liked Laura Dern as Marmee.
As a child Amy is a bit vain in Little Women but she matures into a compassionalte, caring women. Beth is sweet and extremely shy with anyone who is not family. We do not know why she is so shy – perhaps she is on the autism spectrum?
I enjoyed Marmee – what an amazing woman she was.
Karen Hefler says
I wasn’t prepared for how much I would love this novel by Sarah Miller. LITTLE WOMEN has always been a favorite book of mine, and reading MARMEE expanded on the characters, mainly on Mrs. March as a mother. What I appreciated was the emphasis on Margaret’s/Mrs March striving to be good and generous. She is a nurturing and loving mother who cares deeply, not only for her four daughters, but for those who she serves. The friendship she developed with Mrs. Hummel was especially beautiful.
I listened to this book on audio as well as reading the hard copy. I found that the audio version brought the characters to life. It also made Marmee more real to me. I was surprised to learn that the “real” Marmee was much more temperamental and volatile at times, compared to her portrayal in LITTLE WOMEN. The author allowed us to see Marmee’s angry outburst or angry thoughts. She was less “perfect”, and that made her more normal in my opinion. I enjoyed learning more about the Civill War and the relief rooms as well as the battles with Emancipation.
My favorite quote from this book is: “Love reaches through all times, touches all places”.
Michele Chambers says
I enjoyed listening to the conversation with Sarah Miller. I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it on audio and I agree that the narrator did a great job. I feel like I not only got to learn more about Marmee and the girls but also the history of the times. I’m so glad that we can come back and listen to the programs since Wednesday nights are my night to close at work.
Jennifer Williams says
This book focused on Marmee herself, instead of Marmee through the eyes of her children.
The most surprising parts about Marmee’s story was about other children she had lost. I’d never thought about that as a possibility for her.
I feel like my interpretations of Beth and Amy didn’t change much with reading this book. Perhaps I saw a bit more of how Beth’s illness and anxiety affected her. For Amy, I see her as someone who knows what she wants. I don’t feel like she’s ruthless, just determined (not unlike Jo).
I haven’t listened to an audio version of Little Women—at least, not yet.
My favorite Marmee portrayal is Susan Sarandon in the 1994 version of Little Women.
Beth’s death scene was a tough but beautiful read. Marmee telling her that she’d be the first to meet her brother who was stillborn—the tears!