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. :-)
Check out this fascinating anecdote-rich article by an Alcott contemporary, Julian Hawthorne (son of Nathanial Hawthorne) Written in the 1920s he gives a unique perspective on the popularity of Little Women during the free-spirited flapper era. He also spills some gossip about he and Abby May. š Enjoy! http://clickamericana.com/eras/1920s/louisa-may-alcott-the-woman-who-wrote-little-women-1922 Click to Tweet & Share:Ā Louisa May …
Louisa May Alcott's short stint as a Civil War nurse enabled to find her voice and provided her with numerous stories. Hospital SketchesĀ was the first result of her service and it secured her future as a successful professional writer. Critics and readers alike showered praise on the book which first began as a series of …
The final chapter of Little Men, āThanksgiving,ā states the true nature of Plumfield in plain language. But the book, more a series of short stories under a common theme rather than a novel, already lays out the vision through the stories. Still, it is quite satisfying to hear Jo lay out her vision of a …
While researching May and Ernest's home in Meudon, France (see previous post), I had a chance to read May's thoughts in her letters home from Caroline Ticknor's book,Ā May Alcott A Memoir. May was a happy newlywed reflecting on her perfect life with gratitude. In one sense she was blissfully naive but her charm was precisely …
My friend Charline Bourdin from the French Louisa May Alcott blog sent me these amazing pictures of May and Ernest Nierikerās final home in Meudon, a suburb ābut fifteen minutes from Parish by railā as May recalls (pg. 265, May Alcott A Memoir by Caroline Ticknor). Charline lives in Meudon. May wrote many letters home …
Quick question: In Chapter 3 of Little Women, "The Lawrence Boy," Jo and Meg are playing a game of Buzz while waiting for Hannah to come for them. Anybody know anything about this game? Is it a card game? Click to Tweet & Share: What is "Buzz"? From Little Women, Chapter 3 http://wp.me/p125Rp-1D7 Are you …
These are owls that the Alcott girls would have seen living at Fruitlands. The little screech owl is one May painted over Louisa's fireplace and the Barn Owl is in her painting that hung in The Salon in Paris. Now you can see them live! Note how regal the Barn Owl is ... rather like …
Exceptional post on why Little Women is as important to men as it is to women. Click to Tweet & Share: Guest post: Why I wish men would read Little Women (& why I appreciate those who have.) http://wp.me/p125Rp-1CW
In my continuing research on Elizabeth Alcott, I find that letters by her mother offer the most poignant moments. I am already obsessed with Lizzie and Abba's comments act as gasoline on an already roaring fire. I'm told that obsession with a character will produce a good story; I sure hope so! I believe in …
Click to Tweet & Share:Ā Holiday Greetings from Louisa May Alcott http://wp.me/p125Rp-1CH Are you passionate about Louisa May Alcott too? Send an email to louisamayalcottismypassion@gmail.com to subscribe, and never miss a post! Facebook Louisa May Alcott is My Passion More About Louisa on Twitter Susan's ebook, "Game Changer" is now available From the Garret - download …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 