Yesterday, the girls from Gatepost were getting ready to enjoy their regular Wednesday morning working-breakfast** at the Colonial Inn, when we happened to bump into one of our favorite people, Jan Turnquist, Director of the Orchard House.
Jan was accompanied by a friend and also two guests from Japan who had come all the way to Concord to visit the home of "Little Women". Additionally, they had brought with them Japanese editions of Louisa's work, which were more than a little interesting to see.
Since its original publication in 1868, "Little Women" has never been out of print and has been translated into more than 50 languages. It's nice to know that 19th-century Concord is still relevant two centuries later and crosses the culture barrier with ease. So this got us to thinking about all the editions of Alcott's most famous book that have been published through the years. Here are just a few that caught our eye...
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| These are covers from the Korean manga-style series of "Little Women" also translated or known as "Little Ladies". |
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This one looks to be Japanese. We can only assume that's "Laurie"
with the, uh, lizard on his shoulder (somehow we missed that part in the book)
and the saucy looking "Jo" pulling on his tie.
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| Here are two Chinese versions, both marketed towards young adults. |
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A rare, first edition print of the U.S. 1951 children's illustrated hardcover. Check your bookshelves for this one! |
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| Love this! It was released in the US as comic book plus 45 record. Date unknown. |
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| Penguin put out some unique covers. |
But this last one, also published by Penguin in 1989 and again in 2007, deserves the largest image as it's by far the weirdest. Like, really, really weird.
Were we right?? Oh, and here's the best part - you can still purchase it through Amazon. You know you want to!
Do you have any images of unique "Little Women" book covers you'd like to share? Send them to info@gateposttours, or post them on our Facebook page!
** the "working" part of working-breakfast to be translated in the very loosest sense possible
