You may recall the last post I wrote aboutĀ Work: A Story of Experience where I reiterated the religious importance of this autobiographical novel by Louisa May Alcott.Ā I was moved by the consolation Christie Devon received as described in chapter 19, "Little Hearts-Ease." She heard husband David's "voice" as the breeze blew near his flute. …
New book: Little Women An Annotated Edition, edited by Daniel Shealy: it’s gorgeous!
I just received my copy of Little Women An Annotated Edition, edited by Daniel Shealy and I was stunned by the beauty of the book! Don't be fooled by the cover - it doesn't begin to tell the story. This is a gorgeous oversized edition (9.6 x 9.3 x 2 inches) with an elegant choice …
The million dollar question, and the priceless answer
Following up with my last post about the lecture I attended at New North Church featuring John Matteson, author of Edenās Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father, there is a question I have wanted to ask Matteson since I started reading his book almost two years ago. How is it that …
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An evening with John Matteson: Bronson Alcott as educator, the familyās relevance, and the author’s personal journey
Hingham, Massachusettsā New North Church has been running a three-part series on āThe Alcottsā featuring Eve LaPlante (Marmee & Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother, My Heart is Boundless: Writings of Abigail May Alcott, Louisaās Mother), John Matteson (Edenās Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father) and …
The solace I find in reading, writing and Louisa May Alcott
I rarely devote posts to personal musings but I just had to today. We just dropped off our twenty-seven year-old son at the bus station as he makes his way back to New York after a week at our home. He was granted an unexpected vacation from his job as a preschool teacher and was …
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Lizzie Alcott’s keyboard: seraphine or melodeon? What’s the difference? And which one is it?
I recently read an intriguing line in Eve LaPlante's book, Marmee & Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother regarding the keyboard that Lizzie Alcott used to play. It reads: In 1847, "Abigail, who had acquired a keyboard instrument called a seraphine, gave the children regular music lessons, as her mother …
Dr. Daniel Shealy’s take on Louisa May Alcott’s fantasy stories
I had a lovely phone conversation with Daniel Shealy who has written essays on Louisaās pioneering efforts as a fairy tale and fantasy writer. He has edited a volume known as Louisa May Alcottās Fairy Tales and Fantasy Stories, which is a complete collection. I asked him the following questions; the answers are paraphrased but …
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Love this blog - Louisa May Alcatt - feminism in the form of a torti cat (the cat with the most 'tude!). Here the author shares the anniversary of Lizzie's death with a lovely tribute.
Do Louisa May Alcott’s didactic tales of fantasy have a place in children’s reading today?
Last December I had the opportunity to tour Orchard House during the Christmas season (see previous post, āA lovely holiday visit to Orchard House, capped off by some great finds!ā). The theme of the period decorations was Louisa May Alcottās āfirst born,ā Flower Fables. To properly prepare for the tour, I decided to read this …
Book Review: Louisa May’s Battle: How the Civil War Led to Little Women by Kathleen Krull; illustrated by Carlyn Beccia
How did serving as one of the first nurses of the Civil War lead to Louisa May Alcottās runaway best seller, Little Women? Childrenās author Kathleen Krull explores this journey in a delightful picture book entitled Louisa Mayās Battle: How the Civil War led to Little Women, published by Walker & Company, New York. Making …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 