Good Wives

An old friend is better than two new ones. With the last page of “Little Women,” the story of the March family didn’t end. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy blossomed and turned from “little” women into grown-up girls. They are about to flutter out of the family nest and choose their life paths. Someone will search for their happiness, and someone—for themselves. They will face new worries, joyful moments, romantic encounters, and the bitterness of losses. The air castles built in childhood begin to crumble. The adult world prepares new trials. But the sisters aren’t ready to lose hope for the best. Will they become good wives, as the title of the book promises? This bright book makes you smile, distracts you from troubles, and immerses you in an atmosphere of comfort and warmth. A novel that can lift the mood of readers of any age. The March family story has been adapted for film many times. The latest adaptation from 2019, starring world-scale stars in the leading roles, won the hearts of audiences and film critics, and was nominated for an “Oscar” in six categories and received the award for “Best Costume Design.” Before becoming a world-famous author of youth literature, Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888) worked as a nurse during the Civil War, fought against slavery, and was among the first participants in the movement for women’s suffrage. Beginning to write children’s books, she achieved unprecedented fame and fortune. She looked at the world and wrote about it the way she lived—believing in the future, and with love and compassion for people. Fidelity to life’s truth and high ideals, humor, and an inexhaustible optimism present in her work will always draw both young and adult readers to her books. “Good Wives” is the continuation of “Little Women,” an honest and touching novel about the childhood and youth of four sisters. Margaret, Jo, Beth, and Amy are so different, so unique. Together they cope with difficulties, experience sorrows and joys, dream about the future, and go through a challenging path of growing up. And as grown-up girls, they face new worries. Vividly and engagingly describing their fate, Alcott once again gives people faith—in people and in human feelings.