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.
Oh excellent! During the month I will put up a post soliciting comments about books that people are reading so I hope you will share your comments when that comes.
The name Charlie has become forever associated in my mind with tragedy. When my mother read it to us she’d already read the book years before in her own childhood. She knew what was coming and she still had to put the book down and sob.
Oh my. I’ve always maintained that Louisa’s most effective writing was in illness, death and tragedy. With Beth in Little Women it was obvious it was coming but with Charlie, not.
Have you read her nursing stories? Those were terribly sad. Sigh.
Do you mean Hospital Sketches? Yes, sad but somehow uplifting too because she injects so much nobility and hope into the process of dying, It was a great help when I was grieving over my mother several years ago.
What a wonderful idea! I am torn…there are so many wonderful books to choose from! I think I will read Behind A Mask too, as I have never read it all through so it will be something “new”. Look forward to seeing others’ choices and thoughts.
Are you passionate about
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 
I will be reading Behind a Mask: The Unknown Thrillers of Louisa May Alcott. I’ve been meaning to read it since it was first published in 1975.
Oh excellent! During the month I will put up a post soliciting comments about books that people are reading so I hope you will share your comments when that comes.
I’ve never heard of it, but that sounds like fascinating read, Deborah!
Louisa wrote lots of thrillers like that. I’ve only read “Pauline’s Passion and Punishment.”
Oh and “A Long Fatal Love Chase” – loved that one!
Ooh! We happen to be reading the same book for the challenge. How pleasant! I’ll be excited to read your thoughts on the book as the month progresses.
And yours too!
Rose in Bloom is one of my favorites. Behind the Mask is a good one. Her thrillers are very well written and entertaining.
My mother read us Eight Cousins and then Rose in Bloom and we all cried our eyes out over Charlie.
I just read that chapter! I was in denial the whole chapter. I just couldn’t believe it.
The name Charlie has become forever associated in my mind with tragedy. When my mother read it to us she’d already read the book years before in her own childhood. She knew what was coming and she still had to put the book down and sob.
Oh my. I’ve always maintained that Louisa’s most effective writing was in illness, death and tragedy. With Beth in Little Women it was obvious it was coming but with Charlie, not.
Have you read her nursing stories? Those were terribly sad. Sigh.
Do you mean Hospital Sketches? Yes, sad but somehow uplifting too because she injects so much nobility and hope into the process of dying, It was a great help when I was grieving over my mother several years ago.
What a wonderful idea! I am torn…there are so many wonderful books to choose from! I think I will read Behind A Mask too, as I have never read it all through so it will be something “new”. Look forward to seeing others’ choices and thoughts.
And looking forward to yours too!