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. :-)
Here is a wonderful interview with two librarians, who, because they love making food from their favorite stories, authored The Little Women Cookbook: Novel Takes on Classic Recipes from Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy, and Friends.Ā Also available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ptZVV0V4IoA You can connect with Jenne and Miko on their website, 36eggs.com; they are also …
Here is a great find, thanks to our friend JBee - PDF versions of the Boston Commonwealth which serialized Hospital Sketches before it was published as a book. There is a page of additional information and citations for each PDF. There other files as well, not related to Hospital Sketches, includingĀ letters that were published …
I recently spoke with food writer Wini Moranville about her cookbook and the role of food in Little Women. It was a fascinating discussion which I am sharing with you as a podcast. Also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3sCDGhWnBM The article referred to in the podcast is "Strawberries and Salt: Culinary Hazards and Moral Education …
Ray Boas, Walpole, NH town historian, shared with me 4 photos of the interior of the home Dr. Henry Bellows resided in during the summer months, beginning in 1854. His permanent residence was in New York City where he ministered at the First Congregational (Unitarian) church in New York City. Mr. Boas believes that the …
Back in 2016, I visited Walpole, NH, home to the Alcott family from 1855-1857. Accompanied by Alcott scholar Dr. Kristi Martin, we had the pleasure of meeting Ray Boas, Walpole's town historian. He gave us a lovely tour of the town, pointing out the homes where Louisa and Anna had performed with the Walpole Amateur …
Wishing to have articles published in magazines and on websites, I did some research online. Magazine writing was, of course, Louisa May Alcott's bread and butter, even after her success with Little Women. After spending about an hour searching with Google, I found that there are many possibilities both in print publications and websites for …
First, a disclaimer: I am no cook. And my diet regimen does not permit a lot of these foods (unfortunately). However, as someone who loves to eat, I did find the recipes in both of these books to be very tempting; I was quite hungry by the time I finished going through them. For devotees …
This wonderful poem, written by Deborah Nandan, sums up the life and legacy of Louisa May Alcott beautifully and succinctly. If you enlarge your view on your computer screen, you should be able to read it. Are you passionate about Louisa May Alcott too? Subscribe to the email list and never miss a post! …
This new historical novel on Louisa May Alcott looks promising! Will be reviewing soon.
Pink Umbrella Books is excited to announce theĀ Only Gossip ProspersĀ blog tour, which will run December 10-20, 2019. Interested bloggers should email us at pinkumbrellabooks@gmail.com or post in the comments below.
About the Book:
In late 1875 Louisa May Alcott spent a winter in New York City. Ā Her journals give a rough sketch of the people she met, the salons she attended and a few outings that she enjoyed. She intended to stay āuntil I am tired of it,ā but left abruptly in mid-January.
Filled with biographical references to Louisaās family, New Yorkers of the time and Alcottās literary works,Ā Only Gossip ProspersĀ intertwines the real people Louisa met, the actual events of New York City and a host of fictional characters who inhabit a world that Louisa herself would recognize. Ā Written in a style reminiscent of Alcottās juvenile fiction and short adventure stories, the book is part historicalā¦
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 