Louisa May Alcott is My Passion

June 21, 2021June 21, 2021

Lizzie Alcott’s story told in quilts

The Littlest Woman: The Life and Legacy of Lizzie Alcott, the Real Beth March

I saw this article on a quilting blog and thought you might find it interesting. I wish I knew more about quilts and the significance of their design but perhaps some of you can offer help in your comments.

Here is the article:

Hands All Around #5: Star Puzzle for Elizabeth Alcott

A block for Elizabeth (Peabody) Sewall Alcott, the quiet sister. The puzzle may be: “How could anyone be quiet in that family?”

*Elizabeth (Peabody) Sewall Alcott (1835-1858)*
*Crayon (chalk) portrait by Caroline Negus Hildreth 1857*
*Collection of Orchard House*

Continue reading: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/2021/05/hands-all-around-5-star-puzzle-for.html

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May 26, 2021

BookTrib book review: “Beth and Amy” by Virginia Kantra

With Beth & Amy (Berkley), the sequel to the popular Meg & Jo, bestselling author Virginia Kantra delivers a gratifying page-turner about the other two sisters from the beloved Louisa May Alcott classic, Little Women: the one who dies and the one who is vilified. The happy occasion of Jo’s wedding to Eric Bhaer brings Beth back from Nashville and Amy from New York. …

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May 20, 2021

An Alcott rag doll and embroidery by Abba Alcott, from the Fruitlands Museum Collection

I went to Fruitlands today with my sister to visit the art museum and happened across these interesting items: Rag doll presumably owned by the Alcott Daughters, ca. 1840This simple and well-loved doll made from rags was likely owned by the Alcott sisters. The wear of the fabric implies many hours of play.Fruitlands Museum Collection, …

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May 10, 2021

Cast your vote NOW to put Louisa May Alcott’s image on a circulating coin!

From the Louisa May Alcott Society, posted by Aryssa Damron: I just nominated Louisa May Alcott as part of an initiative between the U.S. Mint and the National Women's History Museum to put prominent American Women on circulating coins! It was announced today that Maya Angelou and Sally Ride will be some of the first …

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April 25, 2021April 25, 2021

First draft of Chapter 2 of Lizzie book completed!

The Littlest Woman: The Life and Legacy of Lizzie Alcott, the Real Beth March

I am pleased to announce that I have completed the first draft of chapter 2 which focuses on the Alcott family’s first home in Concord. This was a fun chapter to write as there was much to say about the sisters. There are a couple of revealing letters from Bronson to Lizzie plus reminiscences from Lizzie’s best friend and next-door neighbor at the time, Lydia Hosmer.

Concordia (aka Dove Cote) courtesy of the Louisa May Alcott Memorial Society

Now that I have finally figured out the methodology for writing this book (and that has taken years as I am teaching myself), the writing goes along much faster. And as I edit, I learn new things — how will I make this book read like a novel rather than just a regurgitating of facts? What words and methods will I use to make the reader feel Lizzie’s story? And how will…

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April 20, 2021April 26, 2021

Still plenty of time to submit to “Alcott’s Hidden Critics: The Secret Reviews of Little Women”

Knowing how busy everyone is, we have developed an easier format for you to use when submitting your entries for the project "Alcott's Hidden Critics: The Secret Reviews of Little Women." Using the new Google Form allows you to upload your entry directly to us, without having to generate an email. You will need a …

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April 5, 2021

“Discover Concord” features article on “Alcott’s Hidden Critics: The Secret Reviews of Little Women.”

The Spring 2021 issue of Discover Concord magazine features all the details of my current project with Lorraine Tosiello in unearthing and archiving personal references to Little Women in diaries, journals, school projects, blog posts, fan fiction, etc. Here is the link: Discover Concord Spring 2021 - see pages 56-57. We are accepting submissions now …

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March 26, 2021April 26, 2021

Exciting new project announcement, and we need your help to make it happen!

I am pleased to announce a partnership with independent Alcott scholar and author Lorraine Tosiello for a fantastic new project known as “Alcott’s Hidden Critics: The Secret Reviews of Little Women.” Through this unique and important undertaking, we seek to locate and collect reader responses to Little Women over its 150-year history and archive them …

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March 8, 2021March 8, 2021

Another stab at fiction – Father, sisters and childhood from Lizzie’s point of view

The Littlest Woman: The Life and Legacy of Lizzie Alcott, the Real Beth March

This is a series of scenes that I wrote for fun a few years ago. Sometimes I wish I didn’t work so slowly! I hope I stay healthy long enough to write a novel as well as a biography. I really love taking Lizzie’s point of view and seeing life as I imagine it through her eyes. But I can always write scenes. 🙂

This is the first draft.

Memories of Father

My first memory was of his face. It was a kind face with blue eyes like still pools, and I could see myself in them. Such a sweet countenance, one I could look at from morning till night. It broke into a smile, and a quiet voice spoke my name: “Elizabeth.” My arms shot up in an instant, hoping he would lift me. He granted my wish, and as I snuggled close to his chest, he looked into…

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March 4, 2021

Lizzie as you have never seen her before

The Littlest Woman: The Life and Legacy of Lizzie Alcott, the Real Beth March

I was stunned by this – she is just so lovely!

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Louisa May Alcott
is My Passion

Begun in 2010, this blog offers analysis and reflection by Susan Bailey on the life, works, and legacy of Louisa May Alcott and her family. Susan is an active member and supporter of the Louisa May Alcott Society, the Fruitlands Museum, and Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House.

Find out more about the blog.

Contact Susan
Subscribe to the blog.

Listen to the Podcast
Watch on YouTube
(and subscribe to the channel)

For a comprehensive list of blog posts by name, download this document:
Complete list of posts on LMA blog
(note: this is updated periodically)

Recognized for Excellence in 2018
by The Internet Scout Report

Discover Concord

Named the New Business of the Year (2020) by the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce

See Susan’s article, “Alcott’s Hidden Critics: An International Sleuthing Project” (co-authored by Lorraine Tosiello) on pages 56-57 in the Spring 2021 edition (click on photo)

See Susan’s article, “Bronson Alcott’s Search for Eden: Fruitlands” on pages 64-65 in the Winter 2020 edition (click on photo)

See Susan’s article on Thoreau on page 44 of Discover Concord magazine’s Summer 2020 edition (click on photo)

See Susan’s article on page 12 of Discover Concord magazine’s Winter 2019 edition (click on photo)

Regular contributor:

The Lives of 5 Historical Figures Intersect in “A Worse Place Than Hell” by John Matteson

“Recently uncovered story by a teenaged Louisa May Alcott creating quite the buzz”

“Louisa May Alcott: Inspiring Women Writers, Rocking the Vote”

“Little Women’s Infinite Playlist”

Read Susan’s book reviews on BookTrib

Regular contributor:

Quoted in IODonna Article

Little Women 2020: why it is better to reread the book before seeing the film
Note: Open in Google Chrome to translate into English

Quoted in
Penguin/Puffin Article

4 things you didn’t know about classic Puffin children’s books

Mentioned in Vanity Fair

Little Women Audio Play

Reading Little Women blog

Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by The Message: “Susan Bailey's new book is part of a series called Literary Portals to Prayer, which is meant to encourage a kind of literary lectio divina, a form of contemplative reading that is a pathway to prayer. An intriguing idea for a book, no? And there’s no better person to write it than Susan Bailey.” Lori Erickson, The Holy Rover on Patheos

“I never fully realized how much spiritual content is integrated into her body of work. Ms. Bailey extracts beautiful and uplifting passages and pairs them with Biblical ones that make similar points. It includes some of Alcott’s less well known works which makes me want to read those that I have missed.” Diane Brandi

Susan Bailey has compiled a remarkable edition of side by side texts, demonstrating a deep understanding of the life, world, and spirituality of Alcott. The matches [with the Bible} are spot on and insightful. Eileen Charbonneau. award-winning author

River of Grace: Susan Bailey’s powerful and beautifully-written book is much more than an insightful spiritual memoir. River of Grace is also a brilliant reflection on the connections between creativity and grace. A book one to cherish. Amy Belding Brown, author of Mr. Emerson’s Wife and Flight of the Sparrow

Susan Bailey is an accomplished researcher of all things pertaining to Louisa May Alcott. I found joy in the way that [she] shares about her favorite authoress. Miss Alcott's books wedged themselves into Susan's soul and allowed her to identify parallels and discover herself again. This is not a story of how to get over grief fast -- but how to deal with it and give your afflictions to the Almighty. Tarissa, In the Bookcase blog

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Memories of Father

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