With their father away fighting in the Civil War, Joe, Meg, Beth and Amy grow up with their mother in somewhat reduced circumstances. They are a close family who inevitably have their squabbles and tragedies. But the bond holds even when, later, men friends start to become a part of the household. <i> Written by <a href="/SearchPlotWriters?Jeremy%20Perkins%20%7Bjwp@aber.ac.uk%7D">Jeremy Perkins {jwp@aber.ac.uk}</a> </i>