Little Women Books in Order By Louisa May Alcott
I want to do something splendid…something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead. I don’t know what, but I’m on the watch for it and mean to astonish you all someday.
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
1. Little Women (1868)
1.5. Good Wives (1869)
2. Little Men (1871)
3. Jo’s Boys (1886)
What is Little Women about?
Little Women is truly a coming-of-age novel, yet can be classified as an (semi) autobiographical novel. This is because it is loosely based on the lives of Louisa May Alcott and her three sisters.
The story, in the first book, follows the lives of the four March sisters; Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. We follow them as they grow up during and after the American Civil War, and set in New England. The sisters learn their place in the world, navigating the domestic roles they must take, the romance and learn what it must take to become an adult during these times.
Little Women has been adapted to film numerous times, most recently in 2019, in a star studded cast, starring Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, Meryl Streep, Tracy Letts, Bob Odenkirk, James Norton, Louis Garrel, and Chris Cooper.
Who was Louisa May Alcott?
Louisa May Alcott was born on November 29th 1832 and died at the age of 55 in 1888. She was an American novelist, short story writer and poet, her most notable work was her Little Women book series. Her family had financial difficulties while she was growing up, and from an early age she took on work to help support the family. All the while, she took up writing and in the 1860’s she began to receive critical success. She sometimes wrote under pen names, one being A. M. Barnard – these tended to be short stories and novels for adults that focused on passion and revenge.
She was an abolitionist and a feminist and remained unmarried throughout her life. She died two days after her father had passed away.
I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
The Order
WARNING: There may be spoilers for some of the books mentioned. These are taken from the official descriptions but can sometimes spoil parts of previous books. So please be careful!
Little Women (1868) 
Little Women #1
87,845 words, 334 pages, 23 chapters, 5hrs 50mins to read.
3,819 average words per chapter, 14.5 average pages per chapter
Published by Roberts Brothers
4.14 out of 5 on Goodreads
Grown-up Meg, tomboyish Jo, timid Beth, and precocious Amy. The four March sisters couldn’t be more different. But with their father away at war, and their mother working to support the family, they have to rely on one another. Whether they’re putting on a play, forming a secret society, or celebrating Christmas, there’s one thing they can’t help wondering: Will Father return home safely?
Good Wives (1869) 
Little Women #1.5
109,805 words, 365 pages, 24 chapters, 7hrs 20mins to read.
4,575 average words per chapter, 11 average pages per chapter
Published by Roberts Brothers
3.97 out of 5 on Goodreads
Amy looked relieved, but naughty Jo took her at her word, for during the first call she sat with every limb gracefully composed, every fold correctly draped, calm as a summer sea, cool as a snowbank, and as silent as the sphinx. In vain Mrs. Chester alluded to her ‘charming novel’, and the Misses Chester introduced parties, picnics, the opera, and the fashions. Each and all were answered by a smile, a bow, and a demure “Yes” or “No” with the chill on.
Little Men (1871) 
Little Women #2
111,445 words, 372 pages, 21 chapters, 7hrs 25mins to read.
5,306 average words per chapter, 17.7 average pages per chapter
Published by Roberts Brothers
3.87 out of 5 on Goodreads
With two sons of her own, and twelve rescued orphan boys filling the informal school at Plumfield, Jo March — now Jo Bhaer — couldn’t be happier. But despite the warm and affectionate help of the whole March family, boys have a habit of getting into scrapes, and there are plenty of troubles and adventures in store.
Jo’s Boys (1886) 
Little Women #3
92,850 words, 358 pages, 22 chapters, 6hrs 15mins to read.
4,220 average words per chapter, 16.2 average pages per chapter
Published by Roberts Brothers
3.83 out of 5 on Goodreads
Beginning ten years after Little Men, Jo’s Boys revisits Plumfield, the New England school still presided over by Jo and her husband, Professor Bhaer. Jo remains at the center of the tale, surrounded by her boys—including rebellious Dan, sailor Emil, and promising musician Nat—as they experience shipwreck and storm, disappointment and even murder.
Love is a flower that grows in any soil, works its sweet miracles undaunted by autumn frost or winter snow, blooming fair and fragrant all the year, and blessing those who give and those who receive.
― Louisa May Alcott, Little Men
Overall
Little Women series of books have moments of genuine humanity. Finding moments of comedy, without losing its touching moments. These books are truly a remarkable read and it is clear to see why these books will forever go down as classics.
Which one is your favourite or most looking forward to picking up next?
Let us know!
Happy reading!
Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy.”
― Louisa May Alcott, Good Wives
Total Word Count
- Total words: 401,945 words
- Total pages: 1,429 pages
- Total chapters: 90 chapters
- Total reading time: 26hrs 45mins
More of the same, but different:
Things to Note:
- Word count is an approximation.
- Amount of pages may differ due to different publications, font style and/or size etc.
- Time spent reading is generally an approximation based on the word count and the average reading time. The average reader will read 250 WPM (Words Per Minute).
- This is the original publisher of the books.
- The current Goodreads score at the time of writing.
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