Little WomenLittle Women
Score Classic
What it's about
With their father away at the Civil War, the four March sisters grow up in genteel poverty in Massachusetts with their mother, Marmee: responsible Meg, fiery Jo who wants to be a writer, gentle Beth and artistic, vain Amy. Over the years they quarrel, dream, fall in love and make friends with Laurie, the lonely rich boy next door.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most beloved novels in American literature and was voted onto both PBS's Great American Read and the BBC's Big Read. Jo March has inspired generations of readers, and the story's warmth and heartbreak still land.
You'll love it if you liked
Anne of Green Gables
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Pride and PrejudiceGood to know
It was first published in two parts; make sure your edition includes both. Greta Gerwig's 2019 film is a fine companion.
By the numbers
- Readers76 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics51 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller66 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving, Epic
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Quick answers
Is Little Women worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most beloved novels in American literature and was voted onto both PBS's Great American Read and the BBC's Big Read. It ranks #286 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 81.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Little Women about?
With their father away at the Civil War, the four March sisters grow up in genteel poverty in Massachusetts with their mother, Marmee: responsible Meg, fiery Jo who wants to be a writer, gentle Beth and artistic, vain Amy. Over the years they quarrel, dream, fall in love and make friends with Laurie, the lonely rich boy next door.
How long does it take to read Little Women?
About 20 hours (818 pages), or about 6 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Little Women?
If you liked it, try Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith or Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.