March (novel)

March is a 2005 novel by Geraldine Brooks. It won the 2006 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel reimagines the life of Mr. March, the absent father in Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Brooks fills in the gaps in Mr. March's story, providing a detailed account of his experiences as a chaplain in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The novel explores themes of war, slavery, abolitionism, love, faith, and the complexities of morality. It is written in the first person from Mr. March's perspective, largely through entries in his journal. He grapples with the horrors of war, the hypocrisy he witnesses, and the moral compromises he is forced to make.

While drawing heavily on Alcott's Little Women for its central characters and setting, March also incorporates historical figures and events to create a realistic portrayal of the Civil War era. Brooks conducted extensive research, drawing upon historical accounts, letters, and other primary source materials to inform her narrative.

The book has been praised for its historical accuracy, its compelling characters, and its thought-provoking exploration of complex moral issues. Some critics have noted the contrast between the idealized portrayal of Mr. March in Little Women and the more nuanced and flawed depiction in Brooks' novel.