She is a great writer. I would like to get her new book, Secret Chord, about the life of King David.

Ooh, I hadn't heard about that one.

Maybe it's not out yet. I requested it on NetGalley but was declined.

Thanks! I enjoyed her Year of Wonders even more, and will definitely read more of her work.

A long time ago I read and greatly enjoyed 2 early books by Brooks, Foreign Correspondent and Nine Parts of Desire. Both are nonfiction, so I couldn't quite picture what her fiction would be like. But in spite of admiring Louisa May Alcott as a person I share your feelings about Little Women so this sounds very intriguing.

I tried to read March but found it disappointing after Year of Wonders and Nine Parts of desire. Had no problem with Little Women, but I'd just seen the Winona Ryder/ Susan Sarandon adaptation, so...

I was listening on audio. Wonder if that made a difference?

Maybe. I dont' like audio because it seems like you are stuck with the readers' layer of interpretation that you may not want.

It is difficult for me to recommend Little Women, but it adds an important layer to this story to have read it.