Timeless in its evocation of idealised family life and robustly enduring, Little Women is recognised as one of the best-loved classic children's stories of all time but is just as popular with adults. For this is a beguiling story of happiness and hope, of the joys of companionship, domestic harmony and infinite mother love, all seen through the life of the March family. Little Women was an instant success when first published in 1868, followed less than a year later by the sequel, Little Women Part Two or Good Wives , included in this volume. It takes place three years later when the March girls and their friend Laurie are young adults with their futures ahead of them.