Marmee by Sarah Miller Published by HarperCollins on October 25, 2022
Genres: Drama / American / General, Fiction / Adaptations & Pastiche, Fiction / Biographical, Fiction / Classics, Fiction / Historical / Civil War Era, Fiction / Literary, Fiction / Women, Fiction / World Literature / American / 21st Century
Pages: 432
Format: Paperback
Source: Books A Million, Bookstore
From the author of Caroline, a revealing retelling of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved Little Women, from the perspective of Margaret “Marmee” March, about the larger real-world challenges behind the cozy domestic concerns cherished by generations of readers.
“Dazzling… Marmee carries her own secrets and sharp edges in a story that will sweep you away and leave you wishing for more.” — Patti Callahan Henry
In 1861, war is raging in the South, but in Concord, Massachusetts, Margaret March has her own battles to fight. With her husband serving as an army chaplain, the comfort and security of Margaret’s four daughters— Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—now rest on her shoulders alone. Money is tight and every month, her husband sends less and less of his salary with no explanation. Worst of all, Margaret harbors the secret that these financial hardships are largely her fault, thanks to a disastrous mistake made over a decade ago which wiped out her family’s fortune and snatched away her daughters’ chances for the education they deserve.
Yet even with all that weighs upon her, Margaret longs to do more—for the war effort, for the poor, for the cause of abolition, and most of all, for her daughters. Living by her watchwords, “Hope and keep busy,” she fills her days with humdrum charity work to keep her worries at bay. All of that is interrupted when Margaret receives a telegram from the War Department, summoning her to her husband’s bedside in Washington, D.C. While she is away, her daughter Beth falls dangerously ill, forcing Margaret to confront the possibility that the price of her own generosity toward others may be her daughter’s life.
A stunning portrait of the paragon of virtue known as Marmee, a wife left behind, a mother pushed to the brink, a woman with secrets.
My Review
I first discovered this book on BookTube a year or so ago while watching Amy and added it to my TBR. Earlier this year, I was on Instagram, and I saw Charley post about Marmee and how much she loved the story. I later went to her YouTube channel, and I saw her discussing Marmee. I just knew that I had to read it, and Reader, I am so glad that I did. Marmee was such a heartwarming, cozy kind of read about days gone by with the mother being at the heart of the story. Should I say cozy? Probably not because of the time period and hardships this family faced, but I just can’t help it. This book, for me, was like watching all the old family-oriented shows like Little House On The Prairie, The Waltons, Leave It To Beaver, The Andy Griffith Show, and the list goes on. If you enjoy such things, I think that you will enjoy this read as well.
Margaret March, better known as Marmee, is the mother in Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. She is the mother of Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy. To her husband, she is known as Peg. In this story, we follow Marmee through her diary entries while her husband is off to war and beyond. We see how their lives play out through her eyes. Do not worry, Reader, we still get to see the girls, but now it is just through the mother’s eyes. Sarah Miller really did a great job of bringing Marmee to life and still keeping with the original story of Little Women. If you may have gotten the impression in Little Women that Marmee was perfect, well, think again because this story shows a much more realistic side of a woman who is raising her girls alone while her husband is at war in the 1800s. Marmee is a kind soul who sees the injustices of the world and does her best to help where she can, and sometimes, it leaves deep scars that she struggles with throughout the story. Marmee is a woman who believes in equality. It frustrates her to no end that she is not able to provide the things she wishes for her daughters or to be the woman she truly wants to be. One who is taken seriously for her intelligence, but readers remember the time period is during the Civil War. Marmee is also very passionate about helping the poor, among other things. She spends much of her time volunteering for this cause not only because it is an “acceptable” position for a woman but also because it helps her to focus on something other than the worries that she carries for Amos.
As we get to know Marmee more through her diary entries, we discover the life she had before marriage and her relationship with her own parents. We learn about Amos’s and Marmee’s marriage in the early days and their lifestyle. During this time, we learn some information that sets them up to be in the position they are in now. Sadly, we also read about the pain and heartbreak over the loss of their son. This loss is mentioned often throughout the story, so if this is a trigger for you, then beware. I was also surprised to discover the story behind the housekeeper and how it is that she came to work for the March Family. That poor woman, my heart broke for her. I do, however, love the friendship that they shared regardless of their stations. I also really appreciated that Sarah Miller included more about the German Family, whom we briefly met in Little Women. That woman suffered so much in her lifetime, and I found it comforting that she was able to find such a friend in Margaret regardless of her station in life and the language barrier they encountered.
I am so glad I picked this book up and even more glad that I read it in the winter months because I really think that added to the experience for me. In case it isn’t clear, Reader, I absolutely loved this book. I think that if you are someone who liked Little Women, then I highly recommend that you pick this book up. As I have said, Sarah Miller did an excellent job, in my opinion, of keeping with the original story. I really loved how she wrote it through Marmee’s eyes and diary entries. The details she included in her writing really brought the time and place to life for me, and I mean, what is better than that? So, Reader, if you decide to pick this one up, I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on it if you care to share. Until Next Time, Reader, Happy Reading.
Trigger Warnings:
- Illness
- Death
- Loss of a Children
- Mentions of the Loss of Spouse
- Hospital Scenes
- Racism & Racial Slurs
- Sexism
- Mentions of Rape
- Loneliness
- Poverty
- Miscarriage & Stillbirth
- War
- Grief
- Animal Death
- Terminal Illness
- Pregnancy
- Slavery