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.
Upcoming Events
Susan will be speaking at the Swampscott Public Library on Thursday, May 24 from 7-9 pm on the many Alcott connections with Swampscott and Lynn. Click here for details.
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
"A very strange and solemn feeling came over me as I stood there, with no sound but the rustle of the pines, no one near me, and the sun so glorious, as for me alone. It seemed as if I felt God as I never did before, and I prayed in my heart that I might keep that happy sense of nearness all my life."
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I’m finally an official member of the Louisa May Alcott Memorial Society located at Orchard House in Concord, MA, and I’ve proudly displayed my membership on the header of this blog. It’s long overdue! This organization does such great work keeping the memory of Louisa and her family alive. Touring Orchard House is the stuff of fantasy and dreams for many a girl who grew up with Little Women, and a pilgrimage for us adult fans. Check out my page on Orchard House and Sleepy Hollow with links to both sites.
I’ve started reading Moods (where I’m at in Susan Cheever’s Louisa May Alcott A Personal Biography) and actually have both versions of the book (with 2 different endings). I’m trying to catch up with my reading and will start blogging about it soon.
Yeah — thanks for supporting the LMAMA and Orchard House!! Any friend of O House is a friend of mine! 🙂 -Beth
Yes, I can imagine. 🙂 I envy that you were able to work there. Did you conduct tours? I’m looking forward to the different programs they have there.
Congratulations! That’s great that you live so close to literary landmarks – thanks for sharing the slideshow too!
It certainly helps where I’m so interested in LMA. 🙂
Thanks for the great news! Congrats!
That’s awesome, Susan. Congrats! 🙂
I am happy for you Susan! Congratulations! And happy to hear that you finally started Moods again. I haven’t read the original tragic version, can’t wait to read your posts about it!
So far I like the tragic version better. I’m kind of reading them side by side and already I see differences. I can’t help but feel that the newer version actually compromised her vision more than the original, really cut up version.
I hope to post something on this by the weekend, I need to get through a few more chapters first to get a better feel. I am glad I read “The Inheritance” first because I feel like I’m in a better mindset to enjoy this book.
Oh – exciting on both counts! I’ll be reading Moods also, for the 250 List. 😉