Courtship of Jo March

I was pleased to discover The Courtship Of Jo March not long after my readings of the original Little Women and March by Geraldine Brooks. Wilkins story complements the other two beautifully and I appreciated the care she has taken to mirror Alcott's own evocative writing. Jo March is most definitely the same determined young woman and I love that acerbic Aunt March gets her fair share of our attention too. The Courtship is, as its title suggests, a more romantic read so our characters are frequently preoccupied with marriages or the potential for them. The will-they-won't-they storyline between Jo and Laurie is both fun and suitably exasperating and contrasts well with the heart-breaking sadness of Beth's situation.

As I haven't read the other three of Alcott's novels for decades, I am not sure what in Wilkins novel is from the originals and what is her own invention so I will avoid mentioning other plot points so as not to spoil the story. Enough to say that this is a very well-written book with a strongly flowing and ultimately satisfying narrative. I think Alcott fans would enjoy The Courtship Of Jo March immensely, especially those who wanted a more traditionally romantic ending, and it may well appeal to Jane Austen fans too.