Owing to the nature of the actual events that inspired this novel, the author was obligated not only to alter first or last names and characteristics of some, though not all, of the principal characters, but also to invite members of her family to voice their concerns about the manuscript. By the terms of a binding agreement that was required to satisfy the wishes of two family members who have in return consented to the unchallenged publication of The Little Women: An Autobiographical Novel, their comments appear within the text at certain stipulated points as “reader’s notes.” Consequently, several “author’s notes” in these pages respond to those remarks. In some cases a further response has been made, and, in some instances, answered. These notes and comments, therefore, form a dialogue of sorts in several unfortunately intrusive places in the narrative. The casual reader of this novel has no obligation to take notice of any of this marginalia and has the author’s every encouragement to ignore it.
J.G.