A Little Women Autumn

We love finding books that pair perfectly with each season. Reading certain books during specific times of the year helps the stories hop off the page and brings the settings and characters to life, like reading The Great Gatsby in the cooling shadow of a shade tree on a summer day, or A Christmas Carol by the twinkling glow of holiday lights in the winter. For us, there’s something extra magical about cozying up with a classic in the fall. There are fewer books than Little Women by Louisa May Alcott that seem to fit so flawlessly with the autumn season.

There are many reasons why Little Women feels like the perfect autumn read, ranging from lighthearted reasons, like the fact that parts of the book take place in the breathtaking northeastern countryside when the leaves are bright and colorful, to more earnest reasons, such as the main themes of the book about sacrifice and gratitude coinciding so aptly with the holidays that take place around this time of year. Additionally, autumn’s focus on transition and change mirrors the coming-of-age themes in Little Women. As the seasons shift, so do the lives of the March sisters, with each chapter marking a step in their journey toward adulthood. Alcott’s gentle hand in guiding the characters through their personal growth invites readers to reflect on their own experiences, making the book feel intimate and timeless.

Why We Love Little Women

Published in 1868 by Louisa May Alcott, Little Women is a heartwarming story that follows the lives of four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—as they navigate the joys and challenges of growing up in New England during the American Civil War. Each sister has a unique personality and the novel beautifully captures their close bond as they support one another through life's ups and downs. The story touches on themes of family, love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of personal dreams, offering both moments of humor and heartfelt emotion.

Alcott elevates the mundane into something magical. The book’s charm lies in its quiet moments and the simple exchanges between the sisters, the warmth of the family hearth, and the small but significant acts of kindness that punctuate their lives. There aren’t a ton of grand events or dramatic twists in Little Women, and it doesn’t need them to captivate her audience, she finds beauty in the everyday.

The story of the March sisters feels relatable to many, not because we know what it was like to live through the Civil War as they did, but because many of us have lived through similarly trying times and have leaned on the support of family or other loved ones in a kindred manner. Our family dynamic might not be the same, but surely, we have all experienced comparable moments of gaiety, grief, and hope. 

Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House

The Life of Louisa May Alcott

Understanding the life of Louisa May Alcott sheds light on the book, as many elements of the book, setting, characters, and themes, are reflections of her own life. 

Like the March family, Alcott grew up in a modest household with three sisters and a strong, principled mother, while their father, much like Mr. March, was often absent, dedicating himself to social causes. Alcott herself shared many traits with Jo March, the novel's fiery and independent protagonist. Both pursued careers as writers, resisted traditional expectations of women at the time, and harbored a strong desire for personal freedom. 

Even the individual Louisa May Alcott’s sister's personalities and life experiences resembled real life. She had an older sister, Anna, who chose marriage to get out of poverty, much like Meg in the book. Beth gets scarlet fever in the story and later dies of complications from the illness, which is precisely what happened to Louisa’s sister Elizabeth after she helped a family in need that had contracted the disease. Alcott’s youngest sister Abigail studied as an artist in Europe as did Amy in Little Women.

Louisa May Alcott, pictured in 1860

How Louisa May Alcott's Life Shaped the Novel

A main theme of Little Women is centered around the idea of navigating personal growth and finding happiness while also making sacrifices for others. This idea of sacrifice is shown in various parts of the book, with one of the most famous being when the March girls discover that their father was wounded in the Civil War. Jo March then cuts her hair and sells it to be used for wig-making so that her mother will have enough money to nurse her father back to health. This was a big sacrifice at the time as short hair on women wasn’t a fashionable choice during those years and was often seen as a symbol of femininity and beauty. 

It’s interesting to think about if the sacrifices shown in the book came to her mind due to any sacrifices she was making in her personal life, including the sacrifice of writing Little Women. It’s said that Louisa was initially skeptical about writing the book, but did it as a favor to help her father secure a contract from a publisher for his own book, only on the condition that Louisa produce a novel for girls, which would fill a gap that existed in the juvenile market at the time. Her disinterest was completely outweighed by her desire to help her father. She put her heart and soul into the project finishing the 402-page manuscript in two months.

Sketch of the March Sisters by Frank Thayer Merrill

Creating A Little Women Autumn in Your Home

• Meg is the responsible, mature, and conventional eldest sister who desires a traditional life with a family. We can see her loving a Carving Set, a Wheat Sheaf Bread Warmer, and Heritage Shortbread Pans.
• Jo is an independent, adventurous, and passionate protagonist who strongly desires to be a writer. She would appreciate any book, especially these Wordsworth Edition Classics and Penguin Hardcover Classics. 
• Beth is the quiet, kind, and musically gifted youngest sister, often seen as delicate and shy. She would value time being comfortable at home with loved ones. A quiet evening indoors solving a Loré Pemberton Puzzle and then curling up with a Patchwork Quilt by the glow of a candle in the Brass Acorn Candleholder would seem to suit her best.
• Amy is the artistic, vivacious, and playful youngest sister with a keen eye for beauty and refinement. Being crafty, a Bird Pin Cushion would seem to fit her well, along with Painted Edition Classics, and a Bowery or Tulip Basket for when she is in nature painting in plein air.

There’s a reason Little Women has remained a beloved classic for over a century. It speaks to something universal, reminding us that even amid life’s challenges, there is beauty, love, and growth to be found. The novel’s timelessness lies in its ability to connect with readers on an emotional level, offering comfort and familiarity in the ever-changing seasons of life.

This focus on the small moments is especially comforting during autumn. As the world outside grows cooler, Little Women encourages readers to turn inward, gather with loved ones, and take solace in the warmth of home. The way Alcott infuses everyday activities with meaning, whether it’s Beth playing the piano, Jo writing stories, or Meg tending to her family, serves as a reminder that the most precious moments in life are often the quietest.