Beth Is Dead Review: A Dark, Modern Little Women Reimagining

Grief is a double-edged sword. It cuts through friend and foe alike, often leaving deep scars not only on those who suffer, but also on those who unknowingly wield it. In its wake, grief exposes the most fragile and complicated parts of humanity, revealing uncomfortable truths about identity, relationships, and personal growth. These are the truths that Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet brings to the surface, forcing readers to confront loss in all its messy, unfiltered forms.

Beth Is Dead is a compelling coming-of-age novel and modern literary retelling that explores grief at its rawest while examining how loss reshapes family dynamics. Drawing inspiration from Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, Bernet delivers a clever contemporary reimagining that preserves the emotional core of the original March sisters while making them accessible to a modern audience. By placing these familiar characters in a present-day setting, the story feels deeply relatable, unburdened by the rigid social expectations of the 1800s, and more reflective of how grief is experienced today.

While the novel revisits central Little Women themes such as familial love, personal growth, and sisterhood, it introduces a gripping murder-mystery element that transforms the narrative into something entirely new. This genre twist elevates the story beyond a simple adaptation, keeping the plot engaging and unpredictable. As a result, Beth Is Dead appeals not only to longtime fans of Little Women but also to readers encountering the March sisters for the first time. The novel stands confidently as a standalone read; while prior knowledge adds extra depth and colour, it is by no means required. As someone who only recently delved into the Little Women universe, I found myself fully engaged with the characters and emotionally invested in the story on its own merits.

The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of the four sisters, immersing readers in the varied and deeply personal ways grief manifests and is processed. Each sister’s response highlights the consequences of both action and inaction, reinforcing the idea that unresolved emotions can have devastating effects on the people we love most. While these shifting viewpoints enrich character development and emotional depth, they may pose a slight challenge for readers unfamiliar with the original story. At times, the frequent changes in perspective and setting can feel disjointed, making it harder to fully immerse yourself in the narrative. Compared to Little Women’s use of third-person narration, which allows for smoother transitions between characters, Beth Is Dead occasionally struggles with flow. That said, if you can push through this complexity, it ultimately strengthens the emotional impact of the story.

At its core, Beth Is Dead emphasises the importance of family support during times of trauma. The novel is emotionally charged and relentlessly engaging, keeping you turning pages until the very end. It encourages reflection on personal relationships and serves as a poignant reminder to nurture meaningful connections before it is too late. As someone who often becomes consumed by the demands of daily life, this story struck a deeply personal chord. It mirrored my own experiences balancing study, work, and creative pursuits throughout 2025, often at the expense of time spent with friends and family, much like Jo March’s journey in the novel.

Initially, I found myself disliking Jo, until I realised that this discomfort stemmed from how closely I saw myself reflected in her character. That realisation deepened my appreciation for her development and allowed me to empathise not only with Jo, but with each member of the March family as they navigate grief, mental health struggles, and emotional isolation. This layered characterisation adds significant richness to the story and reinforces its emotional resonance.

Whether you are a devoted fan of Little Women or simply searching for a powerful and thought-provoking grief-focused novel, Beth Is Dead deserves a place on your reading list. With its emotionally raw themes, modern perspective, and genre-blending approach, this book offers readers a fresh lens through which to examine grief, family, and the relationships that ultimately shape who we become.