A ticking time bomb lay inside of Louisa May Alcott and she knew it. It went off with her father, her Uncle Junius, and eventually, herself. Her journals alluded to it. Her creativity was fueled by it. And chapter 5 ofĀ Work: A Story of Experience gives us a detailed look inside. Companion Having left the …
Work: “Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor” – what could women do?
Youāve come of age and itās time to strike out on your own. How do you feel? Excited? Fearful? Full of anticipation? Will it be a grand adventure or a dismal failure? In her mid-twenties, Louisa May Alcott was ready to strike out on her own, fueled by her obsessive desire to be a financial …
Continue reading "Work: “Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor” – what could women do?"
Work: Louisa May Alcott writes about bucking the system
What was it like to be a nineteenth century woman who bucked the system? Suppose she didnāt want to marry right away but instead, preferred to seek independence and meaning through work? What if her world didnāt revolve around a man, but herself? How would she fare? Does the answer lie in Jo March? At …
Continue reading "Work: Louisa May Alcott writes about bucking the system"
Announcing the Poet’s Corner Virtual Book Club selection: “Work: A Story of Experience” by Louisa May Alcott
I would like to begin a discussion ofĀ Work: A Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott, the newest selection from Poet's Corner Virtual Book Club. Don't remember how the book club works? Here's the original post about it. Yes, I know, the last time we tried this with Eight Cousins, I didn't finish. I promise …
“A Memorable Evening at the Alcotts’ House” as recalled by Edward W. Emerson
I recently picked up a lovely volume from the library entitled Louisa May Alcott An Intimate Anthology, put together the by New York Public Library using materials from their archives. What's inside The book contains stories and essays Louisa wrote about herself, excerpts from her journals, intimate poetry, short stories and recollections from friends. Resistance …
Continue reading "“A Memorable Evening at the Alcotts’ House” as recalled by Edward W. Emerson"
Louisa the rabid fan
Louisa May Alcott hated being famous. Or so she said. Stories abounded of how she often masqueraded as a maid before answering the door at Orchard House to discourage would-be fans. She knew that readers imagined her looking like the dashing young Jo with her two tails of chestnut hair flying behind her when in …
Join the discussion: Little Women ā Feminist Novel?
During the month of July Nancy from The Silver Threads blog is hosting the discussion ofĀ Little Women at A Year of Feminist Classics. She proposes that the book puts forth opposing messages: a feminist message of independence and self-expression, and a message of social conformity. She asks, which is it ā a liberating view of …
Continue reading "Join the discussion: Little Women ā Feminist Novel?"
Quilting, Annie Leibovitz and Louisa May Alcott
Check out these pictures from a quilter, Patalier: Never Far from a Needle and Thread. She recently saw Annie Leibovitz's book, Pilgrimage and remarked on the scenes from Orchard House. She has some marvelous pictures comparing Leibovitz's with her own treasures (and she has some cool stuff!). Here's a teaser: "I loved the book immediately.Ā …
Continue reading "Quilting, Annie Leibovitz and Louisa May Alcott"
Annie Leibovitz’s Pilgrimage exhibit opens at the Concord Museum
As a followup to yesterday's post about the wonderful conversation presented at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House by Annie Leibovitz and Doris Kearns Goodwin, here is a report by the MetroWest Daily News on the opening of the exhibit, beginning with a teaser: Revealing a dramatic departure from her [Leibovitz's] meticulously staged portraits, the photographs …
Continue reading "Annie Leibovitz’s Pilgrimage exhibit opens at the Concord Museum"
Iconic, and Real: Annie Leibovitz and Doris Kearns Goodwin visit Orchard House
Tuesday was a memorable day. Imagine the pleasure of attending a conversation with Annie Leibovitz and Doris Kearns Goodwin, hosted at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. Approximately 200 people had that pleasure, gathered in an array of tents on the lawn of the Alcott home. It was the kickoff event for an exhibition of photos …
Continue reading "Iconic, and Real: Annie Leibovitz and Doris Kearns Goodwin visit Orchard House"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 