The Mysterious Key and What it Opened

“As a child, my hero was Jo March […] But as an adult, it's Louisa May Alcott.” –Greta Gerwig

The Mysterious Key and What It Opened (1867) is a novella by American author, feminist, and abolitionist Louisa May Alcott. Although less popular than her famed “March Family Saga,” the novella showcases Alcott’s gift for storytelling and deep concern for children who have suffered. The Mysterious Key and What It Opened is a hidden gem, a work of mystery that explores themes of family, death, and pe...