The Other Alcott: A Novel

This book is written with such vivid and fascinating details that it pulled me in right away to the world of May Alcott, whose need to feel legitimate in her quest for art, while overshadowed by a talent like her sister, creates an unforgettable story. I was then swept along by the wonderful, engaging pace. Yet almost every chapter comes with beautiful, meditative moments that contrast the life May came from and that she ends up leading. Something so small as the study of how to draw a hand in an art class becomes a subtle investigation of class, history, family, labor, yearning, and talent that just floored me. Over and over this book snuck up on me and dropped me into this wildly lovable characters inner life. It is ultimately the energy between the sisters which creates a current through the whole novel that floods at the end of the book which I will keep with me. I was overwhelmed by the ambitions of these sisters, the beautiful way they saw the world, and the outcome of May’s final offering to reconnect.
The timeframe of the book incorporates world events and the shifting artistic styles of the mid to late1800’s which become a dynamic part of the forces working on May. The amount of research that must have gone into this is staggering, yet it comes off as effortless and polished as some of the finest writing I’ve read. Wow! I loved and highly recommend this book.

Hooper creates a plot with just enough tension to always keep the audience entertained. May’s life is interesting, but coupled with Hooper’s writing, her story is made marvelous. I enjoyed how she developed the characters and relationships in the novel. This wasn’t only a novel about sisterly bonds but of friendship, too. Her use of vivid detail and language helps give the readers the sense that they are in Concord, London, Paris, and Rome with May. She does not hold back on the use of her details, and it makes her story that much stronger.

I enjoyed how Hooper chose this Alcott sister to write about. May’s life doesn’t revolve around romance, and it was refreshing to read a historical fiction novel that didn’t have a love story central to the plot. With her writing, though, a romance wouldn’t have been bad.

I confess to not having read "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, but that certainly did not detract from my enjoyment of "The Other Alcott." Anyone who has lingered in the shadow of an older sister or suffered the angst of sibling rivalry will relate to the plight of May Alcott, the youngest sister of Louisa May Alcott. The feminist themes presented are equally as interesting as the familial relationships. Both women are fascinating individuals who strove to support themselves as artists, one as a writer and the other as a painter, at a time when these pursuits were considered fashionable for women as opposed to professional. Hence, these professions were largely dominated by men. It is an inspirational story. Hooper has clearly done her research not only on the Alcott's but on the art world of the 1800s. Her writing is engaging and her voices authentic. I will encourage my daughter to read this book and I might just pick up "Little Women." I love it when a book leaves me yearning to learn more.

Just finished this amazing novel! I loved every minute of complex story that seemed to dig deeply into the characters. As a female artist I loved the layers of commitment to their dreams, the rich detail and dedication. Getting to know the characters was delightful and I will carry their passions into work. Bravo, Elise Hooper

This was a wonderful, insightful book into the true lives of the Alcott sisters. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about the life of May Alcott and the relationship between her sisters, especially Louisa. It was a easy read and a must for those who love Little Women! It was well written and I learned a lot of art history which I did not know before.

I loved this book. Elise Hooper captures the complicated relationship between Louisa May Alcott and her younger sister May beautifully. May's story is truly unique, as told by the author, and in addition to being entertaining, it was educational. I learned a great deal about women and their pursuit of painting in the late 1800's. Hooper weaves in history and fiction seamlessly in this page-turner of a debut.

Elise Hooper's beautifully written novel, The Other Alcott, is an artful, well told story that you'll remember. The time and place of the story are drawn with a careful eye for detail and a finely tuned ear. The book features the overlooked artist, May Alcott, sister to the famous Louisa. May bucks societal norms and steps outside of her sister's considerable shadow to forge her own identity as a painter of her time. This is the story of an artist's journey that portray's a heroine with considerable pluck. Time with this book is well spent.

This was such a fascinating book! I loved reading about the Alcott family, particularly the close - and at times contentious - relationship between May and Louisa, and also about May's travels through Europe and her education in art. In author Elise Hooper's skilled hands, May is more than "the other Alcott" - she's an ambitious, intelligent woman that readers will fall in love with.

Elise Hooper does a wonderful job bringing May "The Other Alcott" to life in this novel. She gives May her due and, unlike the spoiled Amy in Little Women May is so often identified with, Hooper introduces us to an intelligent and ambitious woman who is equal to her more famous sister, Louisa, in spirit and determination.

Reading Elise Hooper’s debut reminded me of one of the first books I fell in love with as a young girl. I devoured The Other Alcott in the same fashion as Little Women. Transported to another time, lost in the pages of this vivid world that sweeps from Concord to Paris and London and Rome, this story will make you fall in love with May Alcott, and when you reach that last page, and the journey is over, you’ll want to go back to beginning, and start all over again—it’s that good.

This book just got better and better! I was interested because of the fame of Louisa, but was swept away with the bravery, talent, and character of May as portrayed by Hooper.
The Author undertook a staggering amount of research to bring these non-fictional lives into a semi-fictional and totally engrossing reality.
I particularly loved looking up the artists who wander into the narrative, many of whom actually befriended May Alcott during her adventures.
A wonderful read!!

Elise is a descriptive, well researched writer. I enjoyed the book very much and didn't put it down until finished. The characters are well developed and gave perspective once again on the role women play in the arts through history. I loved thinking about the Alcott family, the responsibility of Louisa, and the hard work of women to be successful in their arts. Not much has changed, has it? I highly recommend this book to all women who want a good read, a reminder of our role as women in todays world and feel empowered to do something about it.

I never knew anything about May Alcott so this was a wonderful novel based on her life. It is so sad she had such a brief time with her husband and child, but so glad she found love withhim even if briefly.

A beautifully-written, inspiring story about complex, creative women blazing their own paths. I was up until 3am devouring this book and found myself emotionally spent by the end. The author does an amazing job bringing you into the lives of the Alcott sisters and making you feel their love, competitiveness and unbreakable bond. For anyone who has had a passion to do more, a complicated familial relationship or a love of literature, this one is for you.

An insightful story that will stick with you. I enjoyed the tumultuous interaction between the sisters as well as the journey of a groundbreaking female artist during the 19th century. My daughter loved it too!

Elise Hooper captures the feminist heroine May Alcott's quest for self discovery in her historical fiction debut masterpiece. May's life is one that needed a voice. While over shadowed by her renown older sister then and now, this character spoke to me personally as she navigates her life. I'm hopeful Hooper will share more about the offspring of this interesting family.

After visiting The Orchard House in Concord, MA this fall, I wanted to learn more about May Alcott, the artist.
Elise Hooper’s book is a wonderful read. Even though it is classified fiction, Elise adds an Afterward to her novel where she explains what parts are true and where she filled in the blanks. Very well written!

I enjoyed this novel so much (despite clearly not being the target demographic reader). Such rich detail on art history and the Alcotts, and a beautifully woven story. A very inspiring tale of pursuing your creative passion and managing the emotional complexities sibling rivalry and family. Bravo!

I loved learning about May and the unconditional life that she lived. I appreciated the historical research that went into the writing and enjoyed getting a view into the art culture of the time. I am looking forward to Elise's next book!

An engaging story which weaves history, family, sisterhood, careers, travel and the world of art around the Alcott sister's lives. I enjoyed getting to know these women and the challenges they faced alone and together. Our book club gave it a thumbs up!

This was a charming book to read. Full of wonderful details of the various characters. You could almost feel like you were walking down the streets of Paris. While very entertaining, it was also a history lesson for me. I very much enjoyed this book.

This is a wonderful read: a glimpse into the Alcott sisters' lives, the art world in France in late 1800's, and life for women back then. It is well written and hard to put down. For a debut novel, Ms. Hooper did an impressive job - well researched and interesting​.

This was a charming book to read. Full of wonderful details of the various characters. You could almost feel like you were walking down the streets of Paris. While very entertaining, it was also a history lesson for me. I very much enjoyed this book.

This is a wonderful read: a glimpse into the Alcott sisters' lives, the art world in France in late 1800's, and life for women back then. It is well written and hard to put down. For a debut novel, Ms. Hooper did an impressive job - well researched and interesting​.