The Other Alcott

by Elise Hooper

Overview

A People Magazine and POPSUGAR pick! The fascinating, untold story of May Alcott—Louisa’s youngest sister and an artist in her own right.

We all know the story of the March sisters, heroines of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. But while everyone cheers on Jo March, based on Louisa herself, Amy March is often the least favorite sister. Now, it’s time to learn the truth about the real “Amy,” Louisa’s sister, May.

Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well-off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man’s profession.

Life for the Alcott family has never been easy, so when Louisa’s Little Women is published, its success eases the financial burdens they’d faced for so many years. Everyone agrees the novel is charming, but May is struck to the core by the portrayal of selfish, spoiled “Amy March.” Is this what her beloved sister really thinks of her?

So May embarks on a quest to discover her own true identity, as an artist and a woman. From Boston to Rome, London, and Paris, this brave, talented, and determined woman forges an amazing life of her own, making her so much more than merely “The Other Alcott.”

“[May’s] adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s . . . The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.” —The New York Times

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062645340
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	03/19/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	412
Sales rank:	265,124
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

A native New Englander, Elise Hooper spent several years writing for television and online news outlets before getting a MA and teaching high-school literature and history. Her debut novel The Other Alcott was a nominee for the 2017 Washington Book Award. More novels—Learning to See, Fast Girls, and Angels of the Pacific—followed, all centered on the lives of extraordinary but overlooked historical women. Hooper now lives in Seattle with her husband and two teenage daughters. 

Editorial Reviews

The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May…It's anything but the cozy, loving March household we see in Little Women. The revamped story is refreshing…

The New York Times Book Review - Jean Zimmerman

Her adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s, a milieu too little appreciated today [...] The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.” — New York Times

“Hooper is especially good at depicting the complicated blend of devotion and jealousy so common among siblings… a lively, entertaining read.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A fascinating concept, and just the way to kick off your celebration of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women.”  — Historical Novel Society

“[...] this title is not to be missed by the classic’s many fans who will want to get an insider’s look at the real people who inspired the March family.” — Library Journal

“More than ever, we need books like this – in celebration of a woman overlooked by history, one whose story helps shed light on our own contemporary search for love, identity and meaning.” — Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author of The House Girl

“To read this book is to understand why the women behind Little Women continue to cast a long shadow our imaginations and dreams. Hooper is a writer to watch!” — Elisabeth Egan, author of A Window Opens

“In The Other Alcott, Elise Hooper has crafted a sweeping and deeply personal tale [...] You will never look at Little Women or the Alcott family the same way again.” — Laurie Lico Albanese , author of Stolen Beauty

“An atmospheric and engaging read, The Other Alcott widens the Alcott family spotlight to position the charismatic, artistic May as a rightful equal to famed Louisa. Hooper skillfully draws the reader into the complicated, competitive dynamic between two sisters determined to master their work and love each other.” — Joy Callaway, author of The Fifth Avenue Artists Society and Secret Sisters

“The Other Alcott will also appeal to readers who have never read “Little Women” but have an interest in the role of women in history.” — Charleston Gazette-Mail

From the Publisher

More than ever, we need books like this – in celebration of a woman overlooked by history, one whose story helps shed light on our own contemporary search for love, identity and meaning.

Tara Conklin

The Other Alcott will also appeal to readers who have never read “Little Women” but have an interest in the role of women in history.

Charleston Gazette-Mail

In The Other Alcott, Elise Hooper has crafted a sweeping and deeply personal tale [...] You will never look at Little Women or the Alcott family the same way again.

Laurie Lico Albanese 

Her adventures illuminate the world of intrepid female artists in the late 1800s, a milieu too little appreciated today [...] The Other Alcott comes alive in its development of the relationship between Louisa and May.

New York Times

An atmospheric and engaging read, The Other Alcott widens the Alcott family spotlight to position the charismatic, artistic May as a rightful equal to famed Louisa. Hooper skillfully draws the reader into the complicated, competitive dynamic between two sisters determined to master their work and love each other.

Joy Callaway

A fascinating concept, and just the way to kick off your celebration of the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women.” 

Historical Novel Society

To read this book is to understand why the women behind Little Women continue to cast a long shadow our imaginations and dreams. Hooper is a writer to watch!

Elisabeth Egan

In The Other Alcott, Elise Hooper has crafted a sweeping and deeply personal tale [...] You will never look at Little Women or the Alcott family the same way again.

Laurie Lico Albanese-

Hooper is especially good at depicting the complicated blend of devotion and jealousy so common among siblings… a lively, entertaining read.

Stephanie Garber

The author imagines the Alcott family in this audiobook. Louisa May Alcott captivated generations of girls with her stories of the March sisters, who were based on her family. Louisa’s youngest sister, May, resented being the model for Amy, the pampered, vain sister, and this created friction between the siblings, at least in this novel. The early chapters of the story are slow paced as they focus on May’s resentment. The story picks up momentum when May begins to study art abroad and gains confidence and modest acclaim. Campbell’s narration becomes more animated as May matures and finds respect as an excellent still life painter. The art scene of the period, with its painters, models, and students, is fascinating, and Campbell’s enthusiasm is contagious. D.L.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2017 - AudioFile

2017-07-17
A mix of history and imagination, this debut novel focuses on May Alcott, the model for Amy in Little Women and youngest sister of the book's widely chronicled author, Louisa May Alcott.The story begins with the 1868 publication of Little Women, which fictionalized the lives of all four Alcott sisters. Louisa is on her way to literary superstardom; a driven, prolific writer, she will become the breadwinner for her impoverished New England family. May longs to be taken seriously as an artist. But the press has sharply criticized her illustrations for her sister's book. Louisa, meanwhile, sees May as a high-spirited dilettante, dedicated to having fun. Determined to prove Louisa wrong, May dodges a serious suitor and signs up for rigorous art classes, first in Boston, then in Europe, where she mingles with other artists (some real, like Mary Cassatt, others fictional or composites). Slowly, her skill and confidence grow. Louisa, despite her trepidations, has partly subsidized May's European studies, but she eventually demands May come home to help care for their ailing mother. May refuses. She continues painting and marries a much-younger man after a brief courtship. Reconciliation with her sister proves elusive. There are echoes of Little Women throughout and themes that will resonate with contemporary readers. May struggles fiercely with the competing demands of family and work (Louisa, for her part, never marries). There's also the push-pull of making money versus making art: Louisa believes Little Women and its profitable sequels are beneath her, and she publishes more provocative work under a pen name. May finds early success making copies of Turner paintings but must drive herself to develop her own style. Hooper is especially good at depicting the complicated blend of devotion and jealousy so common among siblings. Some clumsy exposition aside, this is a lively, entertaining read.

Kirkus Reviews