I received an ARC via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.

So Many Beginnings is part of a series of “Remixed Classics” the publisher, Feiwel and Friends is doing to provide new, culturally diverse lenses to classic stories. And while the starting point for a retelling is typically reverence for the source material, I appreciate Bethany C. Morrow’s frankness about the fact that she didn’t have that personal connection to the story, but took advantage of others’ attachment to it “to trojan horse in a story and history you weren’t checking for otherwise,” even as she faced racist reviews accusing her of “cultural appropriation.”

Because, aside from some of the basic setup with them being four sisters with the same names, the familial relationships at the heart of the story, and somewhat similar (to varying degrees) personalities, and the fact that it’s set during the Civil War, the story is different and more nuanced, so it’s not just taking the original and racebending the cast, as has become the new trend in Hollywood. She sets her story in the Roanoke Island Freedmen’s Colony, something I had not heard of, something she also admits to in her author’s note, attributing it to the culture in the US of protecting the legacies of the people majority-white Americans view as heroes: enslavers and colonizers.

I really liked seeing the subtle ways in which the characters were adapted. Just like in the original, Jo is my favorite, and perhaps the best written of the four. I liked how she writes nonfiction about the Black experience in America, and enjoyed seeing how her ups and downs with that, including a questionable publishing opportunity, parallel the experiences of the original. I also really liked her relationship with Lorie, and their intense, close friendship. Given the intense conversations around whether the original Jo/Laurie should have ended up together, I appreciated how this was done, still allowing Jo to be her own person and exploring the fact that she doesn’t want anything physical with him, but values his companionship.

I also really liked the way Beth’s character was written, with her mysterious illness and the questions around that. I loved how layered it is, what with both the general misunderstanding of chronic illness, plus the way white medical professionals mistreat Black patients with these conditions and accuse them of lying, and then there’s the historical lens where the understanding of medicine was more limited to begin with. I appreciate how it does give her a chance for a happier outcome, as she’s given an opportunity to live her life and pursue opportunities, even if they do lead to her parting from her beloved family.

I had mixed feelings about Meg. I liked the general direction for her at first, as her character has always been the most “traditional,” wanting to marry and have a family. But I was a bit bummed by how this came to pass. She’s interested in someone early on, and it seems they might have a long distance thing, but it doesn’t work out. Then, almost out of nowhere she’s marrying someone else? I did like how some aspects of this relationship paid tribute to the Meg/John relationship of the original, including Jo’s skepticism, but I just wasn’t wild about who she ended up with.

And the reasoning for that romance fizzling out was setup for him to be Amy’s love interest…does Amy ever get a man of her own, or is every version of her destined for a former flame of one of her sisters? I mean, I get it, the guy is wealthy, so it works out for her, and it leaves the new Jo/Lorie arc unaffected. And I do appreciate that Amy makes her terms for their relationship clear, making him prove he wants her, and not just one of the March sisters, which feels like a direct response to some of the criticisms of the original Amy/Laurie pairing, where it seemed like he only chose her because she was Jo’s sister.

This is a beautiful book, containing the heart of what is so beloved in the original, the importance of sisterhood and family, while also excavating and interrogating history through the lens of nostalgia. Whether you’ve read Little Women or not, this is definitely a must-read.

I love reading different interpretations of the stories I love, so I knew I needed to read this one. It didn't disappoint. So Many Beginnings taught me about things in history I knew nothing about (like the Freedmen's colony). I love that the author kept the hearts and souls of these characters the same while changing their experiences to something completely different than what we see in Alcott's version. The prose is beautiful as well. I would have liked to have seen more situations from the original novel adapted into this one (particularly surrounding Amy and her growth), but I can understand why they were left out.

An innovative, fresh take on the classic Little Women. Morrow perfectly executes the potentially-risky task of making this novel its own while staying true to the original.

Brilliantly crafted and meticulously researched, So Many Beginnings is a book that reexamines our nations history through the familial bonds of sisterhood and Black lives. Morrow’s celebration of the March sisters while reimagining this devastating period is utterly breathtaking to see the resilience, strength, and joy in each of the characters Morrow brings to life.

Have you ever wanted to thank an author for their book?

After finishing So Many Beginnings I needed to take a moment to fully take in what I experienced. To remember each character, their pain, their love, their entirety.

Friends, this book is exceptional. There is so much Marrow weaves together with concise and poignant words. Wit. Truth. And most importantly love.

And not just romantic love, because one character I thought was so profound in Marrow’s remix is Jo. I never liked the ending of Louisa May Alcott’s choice for Jo. Granted, I’m going off the 1990’s and recent adaptation films, but I believe those ending always rang false. It never sat well with me because Lorie always felt like Jo’s. Their relationship always reflected a deep connection that didn’t need explaining. Where they knew each other so deeply that there was no coming back from that first meeting. No explanation to deter the other. It just is. As though they are magnetically connected, their relationship as bright and brilliant as the birth of a star.

For that reason, and many others, thank you Bethany C. Morrow. How you took your pen and wrote a book for the world to view the injustices of American history towards Black lives, while painting a new and fuller picture of the March sister’s story that readers across the globe will appreciate.

It’s not only a story about sisters who are Black women, but also mothers.

As a mother myself, this struck a cord. One certainty, like death and taxes, is how much these young women are loved by their mother. What she wouldn’t do to make sure they felt every inch of her love. That they were seen and understood to the best of her abilities. Even with the injustices and brutality of enslavement, Margaret March would do everything she could to ensure they knew they were loved.

You will feel every emotion as you experience these women’s stories. The sting of fresh tears at the memories of being enslaved, the instant joy upon a fated meeting, and the wonder of Marrow’s narrative in bringing So Many Beginnings to a close.

So Many Beginnings is a September read you won’t want to miss.

Happy Reading ̴ Cece

As a white woman who holds the source material dear — I’ve read the book a few times and I’ve seen no less than five film adaptations — I entered So Many Beginnings with trepidation. Would Bethany C. Morrow mangle Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women?

There was no need to worry.

So Many Beginnings is probably the most thought-provoking reimagining I’ve ever read.

The book stands as almost a direct comparison between two worlds — black and white. Instead of writing fiction, Jo writes about freed people. Rather than tutor snobby children, Meg teaches former slaves to read. Beth is a talented seamstress, not as a pianist. And Amy gets the chance at a childhood none of the other sisters had.

Morrow’s writing is thoughtful and heartfelt. Her pacing is smooth and her scene setting perfection. Still, it’s not a fast read, especially if you’ve read Little Women. Moments of contemplation are common while reading, and I found myself taking little breaks here and there to help things settle.

When my daughter is old enough to read both Little Women and So Many Beginnings I plan to suggest reading them in succession. They truly feel like companion novels. So Many Beginnings publishes on Sept. 7.

SO MANY BEGINNINGS is an enchanting remixed tale of LITTLE WOMEN. The book transports the reader to the Freedman's Colony of Roanoke Island in the 1860s, where the March family has settled during the war. Each of the family has a job to do to keep things running, and their father is away helping with another colony and then later with the war itself. Their mother aids the soldiers with their correspondence, while Meg teaches in a tent (the white missionary teachers get the actual classrooms), Jo helps with building homes while she composes writing in her head, and Beth works at sewing garments to fit those newly arrived. Amy is still young, but she contributes where she is able and dances as much as she can.

As the book continues, each of the four sisters come into their own, finding their place in the world and who they want to be. The context of the book, the time period and starting location offer a unique perspective into American history, which is not often taught but was well-researched herein. A remix of the original, the personalities of the March girls were preserved, while offering new and deeper insights into their lives and the times of the Civil War.

There are many truly thought-provoking themes that would make this a great pick for a classroom or bookclub, especially when combined with history lessons. Abolitionists may be trying their best, but they often make decisions and give their thoughts as white people rather than asking the Black people around them for the truth of the matter. Jo writes to give voice to herself and those around her, but her writings are not appreciated or accepted by white people enough because of the stereotypes of what they believe she must sound like (ie, her tone and word choices seem educated). These prejudices and racisms are themes of the book, along with those of medical disparities, privilege, the enduring echoes of slavery, and, of course, the love of sisters.

Similar to the original, I loved the ultimate beauty of sisters and their love for each other that shines through the story. The personalities of each of the sisters and some key side characters is captured so well. I appreciated that this story is otherwise wholly its own, with an unpredictable plot and unique settings from the original. I particularly liked the changes around Amy, Lorie, and Beth, without giving details/spoilers. I really enjoyed the way the story all came together and found this to be a well-written historical read.

SO MANY BEGINNINGS is a compelling and well-researched remix of LITTLE WOMEN that I highly recommend. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Please tell me this has already been optioned for a movie! In the 21st century when more of us should be willing to see the US through the eyes of people who have been disenfranchised for generations, this book will make us look closer and think deeper about our history through the lens of fiction.

This is truly a remix of Little Women with Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy. Each sister comes of age in similar ways to the original story. However, the difference in circumstances allows the reader to see both the North and the South through the eyes of formerly enslaved people.

This book will be on display in my high school library. I will be recommending it heartily. Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I'm pleased to be able to offer a positive review to combat some of the negative ones :)

This was a solid Little Women retelling, and I was extremely pleased with this! I consider the original to be one of my absolute favorites, and I was pleasantly surprised with how well Morrow kept with the tone of Alcott's. It was very similar to Little Women while also being fresh and original.

I also found it very interesting how there were quite a few plot changes, like (SPOILERS) Jo ending up with Laurie, and Beth surviving. While these were all things I wished had happened in the original, I'm not quite sure whether I liked them or not here.

While the background for this retelling was still the American Civil War, our main characters are not a middle-to-upper class white family, but a black family who has recently escaped slavery. I really enjoyed how this changed the whole view of the story, and it was so interesting to read about the Roanoke Freedman's Colony - something I'd never heard of before.

This was a promising start to a new series, and I can't wait to read more classic retellings!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Macmillan, all opinions are my own.

I have always been a fan of "Little Women" and this novel definitely pays it justice. Similar to the original, you will come to love this family and young women as they explore adulthood and come to age during the civil war. Definitely a clever, fresh, and new adaptation to the original and a must-read for all.

Thank you to#Netgalley for an ARC of this novel to fairly and honestly review. In this thought provoking novel author Bethany C. Morrow tells the story of the March family of Little Women from the perspective of the four black March sisters :Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy, and the family Matriarch Mammy who struggle to define themselves and the true meaning of freedom in the midst of the life in the ‘ free persons colony’ of Roanoke during the civil war. This compelling story of family and spirit, challenges readers to question the accuracy of history. Can history truly be accurate without considering the perspective of those who experienced it?
So Many Beginnings is a story that will be enjoyed by those who appreciate the charm of theLittle Women take, and by anyone who with courage to rethink what we have been told about the path from ‘slavery’ to ‘freedom’ . This is an amazing read!

This is an important story that doesn’t sugar coat any of the history around enslavement or the Civil War, with really important messages that are still relevant today. As a white person, some parts really had me examining my own behavior now. The love and joy between the sisters is still the shining star of the story. You don’t need to know the original story to read this one, though.

This book grabbed my heart and won’t let go. I’ve been thinking about it for months and I appreciate so much about it. Bethany C. Morrow has done many things through this remix. She’s told a wonderful story of family and love, but she also uses the text to interrogate Alcott’s original work and the canon in general. Why do Little Women and the many novels like it take up so much space in the literary world of the U.S.? Why is this particular book chosen over and over to be retold in books and on screen? Why do we call the original work historical fiction when myths are there, but very little actual history? I haven’t seen the final version, but in the advance copy, two characters have a discussion about how stories and histories are ranked and decisions are made of which deserve to be read and remembered. Readers are reminded to question what they believe to be true, what narratives are valued, and why these things matter. This questioning may be found throughout the story, but it feels natural and not preachy.

With a remix, I would imagine most readers are curious as to how it compares to the first book. The most obvious similarity to the original is the presence of four sisters and their immense love for each other. For those familiar with Little Women, there are also other noticeable parallels, but it really is a completely new story with a different setting that may be a surprise to many readers. Much of the story takes place in a colony on Roanoke Island. This is a bit of history that was not mentioned in my public school education. During the Civil War there were formerly enslaved people who came to take refuge with the Union troops that were located on the island. The people were referred to as contraband. That naming is immediately something to make a person stop and think about what the Union actually thought about Black people. Roanoke’s existence is just one example of the many ways that people and events have been erased in the U.S. Some readers may even wonder if the author has written an alternative history, but that’s because our mythology is so entrenched in popular culture that many people see the truth as fiction and fiction as truth.

This setting is a key part of the novel. Morrow brings the Roanoke to life with sights, sounds, and even smells. The setting is incredibly detailed and the story revolves around why they are there, what they are accomplishing in the colony, and the future hopes for their community.

Morrow also reveals the racism that is embedded in the cultures of both the north and the south. One is more hidden than the other, but both cause harm. Most northerners seem blind to it though. One scene stood out to me when a white character is revealing their prejudice, and as her realization dawns, this person becomes incredibly uncomfortable. White people being uncomfortable had usually been something to avoid, but in this case, nobody jumps in to smooth everything over. This woman from the north who likely sees herself as an ally, gets to sit in her discomfort. Race is a major factor in the book, but how could it not be given the time in U.S. history? That’s a question to ask of Alcott.

Finally, I adored the young women. Without giving too much away, just know that Jo actually gets to be Jo in this book and doesn’t have to bend herself to fit into the mold of the supposed ideal woman. This made my heart so happy.

Recommendation: Get it as soon as you can especially if you enjoy historical fiction. It’s an amazingly well done story, but also gives readers so much to think about regarding literature, authorship, the canon, race, societal values, and more.

I LOVED the little women movie (the recent one!) and have always said that it would be so cool to see a new take on it. I'm really glad Bethany C. Morrow is giving us this new take with this book. What's really interesting to me is how the author has never read Little Women (and neither have I lmao). It makes this book different and changes everything.

I thought it was interesting and enjoyed reading it, despite not being into historical fiction! I recommend this book!

SO MANY BEGINNINGS maintains the heart and love present in the original LITTLE WOMEN but adds in themes of slavery and life after in colonies and communities. I had a great time reading this but also felt that the themes of slavery were sobering and educational, especially about the Freedpeople's Colonies. There is a lot of discussion about life and labor for Black people in this time period and the South, and I really appreciated those discussions. This is a really important read, especially for fans of LITTLE WOMEN. Like I said, the sisterhood and familial love elements from the original shine through but are adapted to better represent this family in this time period. I love what the Remixes are doing by diversifying the classics and, in this case, bringing forth themes that were missing from the original. The writing style feels warm and homey; you really get to know these sisters and feel love and sorrow when they feel love and sorrow. I honestly just wish this was longer, that we got to spend more time with these characters, but I highly recommend this one to fans of LITTLE WOMEN (and even if you haven't read/watched it, you'll still adore it) and can't wait for it to release!

The changes Morrow made to this story were great, and I thought the setting was particularly interesting (and it's a bummer we don't learn about these colonies in school). But in general the Little Women frame for stories just doesn't connect with me - I think because it is such a story of sisterhood and as an only child the sisterly relationships that center every Little Women story just don't hit for me the way they hit for other people. I would definitely recommend this over the original Little Women though!

Oh man, this book destroyed me emotionally in the best possible way. That last line? Sobs.

I'm a big fan of Little Women, I'm a big fan of Bethany C. Morrow, and I also really enjoyed Clash of Steel, the Treasure Island remix in this same series. So this was kind of perfectly created, in my mind. Folks who are looking for a beat-for-beat retelling are not going to find it here, and Morrow has been explicit about that. (See her Twitter thread here about why here: https://twitter.com/BCMorrow/status/1421860886348697603)

But I'm not one of those people. As a lover of Little Women, this book hit all the right notes for me while presenting an entirely new perspective, of what that same time period was like for Black Americans. It is set in the same time period as the source material, where we encounter the March family at the Roanoke Island Freedpeople's Colony. Which was a very real place! So Many Beginnings thinks about the trauma of the Civil War for Black folks, and the challenges of not only dealing with that trauma but then attempting to establish new lives and families with little resources and even less support. (Basically, imagine the "that's enough activism for today" chat meme as the Union army...) It encounters the struggles of wanting to pursue new possibilities while also clinging so strongly to physical proximity because of past violent separations. It confronts the self-righteousness of white liberalism, and explores the disconnect between the Black experience of former slaves and those who were already free.

Less important than those beats, Morrow also introduced some twists that made my precious little heart very happy.

It packs a big emotional punch while also being incredibly enjoyable to read, is what I'm saying. I'm really looking forward to handselling this one.

I was intrigued by the premise of "reimagining" the classic Little Women with African American women. So Many Beginnings has many similarities to Little Women, but is its own story.

Mammy and her four girls, Amethyst, Bethlehem, Joanna, and Meg, live in a Freedman's Colony on Roanoke Island in the North Carolina Outer Banks. The war isn't over yet, but the March family and many other families have left their enslavers and established their own settlement, with the help of the Union soldiers. Their father, Alcott, is visiting another freedman's colony in Mississippi, to learn more about becoming a self-sustaining colony. The girls (except for young Amy) have their jobs to support the colony and the family - Meg teaches, Jo builds houses, Beth is a seamstress and Mammy is writing letters and preparing documents for the Union soldiers.

I loved reading about this family of strong, intelligent women, and learning about the Roanoke Freedman's colony. It is shameful that I have lived in North Carolina my entire life and knew nothing about this settlement until now. The story illuminates that former slaves were not a monolithic group - while some had no education and spoke in a slave dialect, others knew how to read and write, and were happy to share their knowledge with others. There was a lot of prejudice among the Union soldiers, missionaries who served in the new colonies, and even free black people in the North. Many believed that all former slaves were uneducated, lazy, and in need of their help now that they were free. The March family showed how inaccurate this assumption was, and how the former slaves didn't trust any white people because they understood all too well how precarious this newfound freedom was.

I really enjoyed So Many Beginnings - thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy!

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC of "So Many Beginnings" by Bethany C. Morrow. The American classic "Little Women" reimagined to present a poignant and raw examination of the life and experiences of the recently emancipated during and after the Civil War. The endearing characters are brought to life once again to create a new story and setting with the four beloved black sisters. Meg, a teacher with dreams of marriage and her own family. Independent Jo who's pen is mightier than any sword. Sweet Beth a talented seamstress in search for her own path. And Amy, a talented dancer who shines bright and wants to explore what life outside the Freedpeople's Colony of Roanoke Island can offer. The traditional tale of sisterhood, love, and family returns with a fresh take that will leave readers wanting more of this smart story with a whole lot of heart.
Beyond a retelling, this imaginative remix will stay in the hearts of Little Women fans. Morrow kept the traditional characters with surprising twists that will excite new and continuing fans of this classic. This diverse novel takes a different path than the original, but the novel still hits the key elements with the power of family being continued through each tough sisterly talk and treasured memory. A powerful story and discussion on pain, frustration, and the continued fight for justice that will resonate with youth and adults of all ages. A favourite to be added to any bookshelf or library collection. The book will be treasured in the classroom and at home and become a fast favourite.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of So Many Beginnings!

I'm going to start off by saying that I loved Little Women when I was a kid, but when I reread it again after watching the most recent film adaptation (which I loved!), I found the book to be dreadfully boring, pedantic, and preachy. Many potentially interesting things happen in Little Women, but they are told about in such a boring way that it is very hard to feel moved by them.

Something I absolutely love is retellings of classic stories that manage to perfectly capture the spirit of the original and set it in a new milieu, and I felt like So Many Beginnings does just that. It takes the main elements of Little Women and retells them, casting the March family as freed slaves who are living in the Freedmen's Colony of Roanoke during the Civil War and immediately thereafter. The personalities of the four sisters are preserved from the original, and what makes this book truly great is that it tells interesting events in a completely boring way. It may sound strange that I loved this aspect of the book the most, but I think part of Little Women's enduring charm is that it is dreadfully boring. Any author that can take the source material and capture the essence of its voice is totally brilliant in my mind, and I would definitely cast Bethany Morrow's work here as exactly that.

Highly recommend to fans of faithful retellings!

3.75 stars

As a person who has often struggled with the ongoing popularity of _Little Women_, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this remix. I wanted to find a foothold with these characters and some aspects of the plot, and that's exactly what Morrow delivers!

The historical elements of this piece are - for me - the absolute highlight. The setting, cultural elements, and discussion of various aspects of enslavement are fascinating, and I expect many readers will learn a great deal from this book without ever feeling a didactic quality in the writing. In the author's note, Morrow mentions the meticulous research completed in relation to this book, and this really comes through in the best way from start to finish.

For me, Morrow's characters are significantly more compelling than the folks whom they remix. The impacts of their intersectional identities on their obstacles and outcomes add so much more to the text and the overall reading experience. While I do feel like the book slows at times, I never stopped rooting for these characters (which is not something I can say for their predecessors).

Morrow's contribution here marks an entertaining and meaningful contribution to the YA world, and both fans and skeptics of the work on which the remix is based will all find something to appreciate here. I'm looking forward to adding this to my list of recs for students.