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. :-)
In anticipation of theĀ Concord Players' performance of "Little Women: The Broadway Music" in April and May,Ā screenings of all the major Little Women films will be taking place at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, at the School of Philosophy during the month of February: Visit the Concord Players website (scroll down) and Louisa May …
'Tis the season! Time to dust off and pull out your favorite Louisa May Alcott Christmas stories. Over the years I have posted on these stories and will be sharing those posts with you during this wonderful season. The best place to start is to point you to an article I wrote for Discover Concord …
I am thrilled to be able to give, in person, a PowerPoint presentation on the life of Louisa May Alcott at the Leominster, MA Public Library on 30 West Street next Sunday, November 20th, from 2pm to 3:30. Come on down if you're in the area. A Q and A will follow - bring your …
Sarah Miller, the author of Marmee, A Novel of Little Women (William Morrow), believes that because Alcott wrote Little Women for children, she deliberately omitted some of the depth and nuance of her family members. āLouisa May Alcott was writing for children at a time when childrenās literature was overwhelmingly didactic,ā says Miller. āShe felt obligated to insert the …
Rebecca Lee never dreamed that doing her job would gain her a new literary friend. An audiobook narrator, improv actor, and teaching artist, Lee produced Work, A Story of Experience for audible.com. Work, one of Louisa May Alcott's lesser-known adult novels, tells the story of heroine Christie Devon's ambition and struggle to work outside the …
Picture Louisa May Alcottās Little Women: Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March as mermaids adorned with long, graceful tails and pastel-colored hair, living under the sea. Thatās what the niece of Megan Lois Whitehill inspired in the author when she requested a mermaid book for her birthday. The result is Little Women: Mermaid Edition (Rockwater Press). The result is a charming, …
I am pleased to present this guest post by Lisa Francesca who is currently researching Carlotta Norton Smith, an art editor in New Yorkās Gilded Age. May Alcott Nierikerās guide, Studying Art Abroad: And How to Do It Cheaply (Roberts Brothers, 1879), reads like a confidential chat over tea with a wise and experienced friend. …
My thanks to the Barrow Bookstore for this announcement: Ā The Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House Summer Adult Education series is returning this week! July 10-14, 2022. Ā Started in 1879 as the dream of Bronson Alcott, the best conversation series brings speakers from around this world. This yearās presenters will include Dr. Kristina West, …
I am pleased to present this guest post from Lorraine Tosiello, author of The Bee & The Fly and Only Gossip Prospers. I took a stroll in Louisa May Alcottās Boston recently and will take you along! 20 Pinckney Street on Beacon Hill, where the family lived in the basement in lean years. I was …
On May 31st at 11am, I will be giving a 15-minute presentation on Lizzie Alcott that I believe will be groundbreaking. To see the talk, you need to register right away for this free international symposium, "Bearing Untold Stories: A Hybrid Symposium." Registration closes tomorrow. Here is the link: 31st May: Bearing Untold Stories: A Hybrid …