The Harper Muse Classics: Painted Edition of Little Women is perfect for special-edition book collectors, Louisa May Alcott lovers, fans of literary fiction and classic literature, and people who love both the book and the cinematic adaptations it inspired.

Little Women, Louisa May Alcott’s acclaimed novel, follows the March sisters Meg, Jo, Amy, and Beth as they endure hardships, experience true love, and enjoy adventures in Civil War-era New England. This timeless story has been adored by generations of readers. With this simple enthralling tale, Louisa May Alcott has given us four of American literature’s most beloved characters.

Whether you’re buying this as a gift or for yourself, this remarkable edition features:

• A beautiful high-end hardcover featuring Laci Fowler’s distinctive hand-painted art, perfect for standing out on any discerning fiction-lover’s bookshelf
• Decorative interior pages featuring pull quotes distributed throughout
• Matching ribbon marker and gold page edges
• Part of a 4-volume collection including Persuasion, Jane Eyre, and The Mysterious Affair at Styles.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is a title in the Harper Muse Classics: Painted Editions collection and is being released alongside Persuasion (Jane Austen), Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë), and The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Agatha Christie).

Meg – the sweet-tempered one. Jo – the smart one. Beth – the shy one. Amy – the sassy one.

Together they’re the March sisters. Their father is away at war and times are difficult, but the bond between the sisters is strong.

The family may not have much money, but that doesn’t stop them from creating their own fun and forming a secret society.

Through sisterly squabbles, happy times and sad, their four lives follow very different paths, and they discover that growing up is sometimes very hard to do…

With their father away fighting in the American Civil War, the four March girls are facing a lean Christmas with their mother. But the sisters’ close bond and determination to make the best of things enables them to find happiness despite their poverty.

As the years go by we follow their fortunes as they journey into womanhood. Meg the beauty, Jo the tomboy, shy Beth and precocious Amy will encounter adventure, hardship, joys and disappointments, and learn to meet the challenges of life as they become independent and make their way in the world. While marriage and motherhood may beckon for the sisters, their most enduring love is always for each other.

First published in 1868 and never out of print since, this iconic coming-of-age tale is a perennial favourite that has touched the hearts of generations of readers. This moving BBC Radio 4 dramatisation stars Natasha J Barnes, Julianna Jennings, Bryony Hannah and Samantha Dakin as Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, with Tara Ward as Mrs March and Alex Lanipekun as Laurie.

Duration: 2 hours 20 mins approx.

Recognized as one of the best-loved classic children’s stories of all time, Little Women is an utterly beguiling novel.

Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition includes the sequel, Good Wives, which picks up the girls’ stories three years on, and features an afterword by publisher Anna South.

Louisa May Alcott tells the story of the courageous and ingenious March sisters; Jo, the independent tomboy; Beth, who is delicate and loving; pretty and kind Meg; and beautiful, precocious Amy, the baby of the family. Their devoted mother Marmee, recently impoverished, must care for them alone whilst their father is away serving as a chaplain in the Civil War.

The book includes a behind-the-scenes journey, including an author profile, a guide to who’s who, activities and more..

Also in Puffin Classics: Little Women, Good Wives and Jo’s Boys.

The book includes a behind-the-scenes journey, including an author profile, a guide to who’s who, activities and more..

Also in Puffin Classics: Little Women, Good Wives and Little Men.

Three years on from Little Women, the March girls and their friend Laurie are young adults with their futures ahead of them. Although they all face painful trials along the way – from Meg’s sad lesson in housekeeping to Laurie’s disappointment in love and a tragedy which touches them all – each of the girls finally finds happiness, if not always in the way they expect.

The book includes a behind-the-scenes journey, including an author profile, a guide to who’s who, activities and more..

Also in Puffin Classics: Little Women, Little Men and Jo’s Boys.

Meg, Jo, Amy and Beth – four “little women” enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England The charming story of the March sisters, Little Women has been adored by generations. Readers have rooted for Laurie in his pursuit of Jo’s hand, cried over little Beth’s death, and dreamed of traveling through Europe with old Aunt March and Amy. Future writers have found inspiration in Jo’s devotion to her writing. In this simple, enthralling tale, both parts of which are included here, Louisa May Alcott has created four of American literature’s most beloved women.

Meet the March Sisters:

· Meg is the eldest and on the brink of love.
· Then there’s tomboy Jo who longs to be a writer.
· Sweet-natured Beth always puts others first
· Finally there’s Amy, the youngest and most precocious.

Even though money is short, times are tough and their father is away at war, their infectious sense of fun sweeps everyone up in their adventures – including Laurie, the boy next door.

And through sisterly squabbles and tragic losses, the sisters discover that growing up is sometimes very hard to do.

This hardback edition is one of five special Puffin Classic editions created in partnership with the world-famous V & A Museum, with exquisite cover designs from their William Morris collection.