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.
Author: susanwbailey
My name is Susan Bailey and I find the life of Louisa May Alcott endlessly fascinating. I come from New England (specifically Massachusetts) and my family has been here in one form or another since the 1630ā²s. I live fairly close to Concord, MA where Orchard House, the homestead of the Alcotts, is located, and visit often. Every few years or so I go on a reading ābingeā about Louisa and this time around was so good, I just had to start a blog about my passion. The binge, by the way, still goes on!
Iāve been happily married for over 30 years and my husband is a deacon in the Melkite Church (Eastern Catholic ā I am Roman Catholic). We are proud parents of a grown son and daughter.
Iāve worked happily for the last 17 years at Rutledge Properties in Wellesley, MA, supporting the agents in the office.
And in my āother life,ā Iāve performed, written and recorded music exploring my Catholic faith. I have a website (www.susanbailey.net) where you can hear samples and find out more about this. I sing at various masses at my home parish of St. Luke the Evangelist in Westboro, MA.
Other interests include history (especially photographic), nature (especially bird watching), and I have the same āinordinate love of catsā that Louisa had. :-)
I just received my order from the Houghton Library at Harvard for Lizzie's Hillside journal. Now you can read Lizzie's words in her own handwriting: https://aeon.hul.harvard.edu/aeonauth/aeon.dll?Action=10&Form=75&Value=818055 Presentation on Lizzie Alcott, sponsored by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Lancaster University, UK I would also like to announce that I will be presenting a …
Here is my review of "The Bee & the Fly" on BookTrib: Two 19th-century writers lived just 74 miles from each other. One is the renowned author of Little Women, the other, one of Americaās foremost poets. Emily Dickinson would undoubtedly have heard of Louisa May Alcott, yet there is no historical record of the …
I am so pleased to present this guest post by y Gabrielle Donnelly, author of The Little Women Letters. Review Sometimes, it is the simplest ideas that are the most inspired. Take, for example, the two female giants of nineteenth century American literature, one all earth and fire, passion and adventure, the other pure air …
Here is an excellent zoom presentation on Little Women for the "The Great American Novel Series<" sponsored by the NationalĀ Association of Scholars. Louisa May Alcott Society members Gregory Eiselein (president), Christine Doyle, and Marlowe Daly-Galeano presented. This was one of the best lectures I have seen and I learned so much.Ā Informative and lively, …
I am pleased to present this 54 minute video presentation on my interpretation of the life of Louisa May Alcott, as told through her family.Ā As there would be no Jo March as we know her without Marmee, Mr. March, Meg, Beth, and Amy, there would be no Louisa May Alcott without Bronson, Abigail, Anna, …
I am giving my talk tonight, March 16, on the life of Louisa May Alcott at the Kutztown Community Library in PA from 6:30 to 7:30 EST via Zoom. You can register by sending an email to kutztownlibrary@gmail.com Visit https://www.berkslibraries.org/events/3391 for more information. Are you passionate about Louisa May Alcott too? Subscribe to the email …
As a writer, army nurse, single mother, caretaker and homemaker, the celebrated author of Little Women blazed a trail for women managing home and career. When people hear the name of Louisa May Alcott, they think of Little Women. A novel written for girls, this best-selling classic celebrates the home, marriage and motherhood. It also …
I am pleased to present this video podcast of my interview with Liz Rosenberg about her wonderful new biography of Louisa May Alcott. Scribbles, Sorrows and Russet Boots. https://youtu.be/LrpizMVX1jI This is my BookTrib.com review: "Illustrated Biography on Literary Icon Louisa May Alcott Shares a Fresh and Lively Perspective." You can purchase Liz's book through Amazon …
I haven't given you an update since April of 2021 on my progress but I am pleased now to say that Chapter 2 has been edited and the first draft of Chapter 3 is complete. Chapter 3 proved quite the challenge. I covered the seven-month-long Fruitlands experiment (June, 1843 through January, 1844) and the Alcotts' …
IMPORTANT UPDATE:Ā Please note that the book is currently unavailable for purchase due to errors on the part of the publisher. The editors are working closely with Routledge to correct this situation.Ā Once settled,Ā The Forgotten Alcott will be made available for purchase again. On behalf of the editors and fellow contributors, I apologize for …