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 teaching a 5-part class on Little Women for WISE at Assumption College in Worcester, MA. Details forthcoming.
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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Click to Tweet & Share: My first visit to Orchard House in 1963, captured on film! http://wp.me/p125Rp-1E6
Are you passionate about Louisa May Alcott too?
Susan’s ebook, “Game Changer” is now available From the Garret – download for free!
Fun to see!
I visited Orchard House about five years ago, in October, along with Minuteman Park, The Manse, and Walden Pond. We stayed at the Wayside Inn – and I became a member of the Secret Drawer Society. tee hee
We, my husband and I, were the only visitors when we got to Orchard House and had the docents to ourselves. I even got to show the one in the kitchen how the tin kitchen/reflector oven worked.
I would return in a heartbeat. One of my favorite places ever.
Priceless! How great your uncle had that camera. You look right at home.
I don’t have a picture, but have a happy memory of visiting with my cousin as a child. Or semi-memory. Truthfully, I don’t think we went inside. We may have gotten there too late or the family decided it cost too much or something. But it did impress me, and I was able to take my cousin and her daughter there not too long ago. As you’ve said, there’s always something new.
I’m not sure we went into the house either judging from the way we were peeking in the windows of The Old Manse. 🙂
What a treasure, Susan!
I have never visited and I have given up all hope of ever making it there. I’m happy for everyone who has lived the dream though.
That is a TREASURE to still have that delightful video and family picture at Orchard House!
Agreed!