Louisa May Alcott’s summer retreat

A trip to a warehouse bookstore in the middle of nowhere produced a great find! I had just about given up the hope of finding something interesting until this book caught my eye:Ā  Nonquitt A Summer Album, 1872-1985, edited by Anne M. Lyell. What is so significant about Nonquitt? This is where Louisa May Alcott …

Eight Cousins: Educating Rose

Uncle Alec affected big changes in Rose’s life as chapters 7 and 8 ofĀ Eight Cousins demonstrate.Joy lackingEarly in the book, there were several reasons why Rose was a timid, teary child (the untimely death of her dear father, too many ā€œcooks in the kitchenā€ with all her aunts, etc.). Much of the joy had been …

Louisa on Twitter – don’t miss out on the tweets!

Do you tweet? If you're on Twitter, be sure and follow this blog at http://twitter.com/LMAismypassion. I often post interesting links to stories about Louisa May Alcott and the Civil War era that you won't find on this blog or on the Facebook page. MyĀ  Twitter feed is on this blog in the right hand column …

A darker side of fashion in Louisa May Alcott’s time

With regards to our discussion of Eight Cousins, a reader asked some questions about fashion in reference to chapter 5, ā€œA Belt and a Box.ā€ The question was, "Do you know of any information about what Louisa and her mother taught about fashionable clothing? Do you know if she was reading doctors or feminists who …

Fleshing out Anna Alcott Pratt

Friends and biographers of Anna Alcott Pratt are so busy singing her praises as a loving and selfless daughter, wife and mother that is was hard to find more substantive information. That is, until I came across Little Women Letters from the House of Alcott. Co-authors Jessie Bonstelle and Marian deForest offered journal entries from …

Meet the real Meg March

Ever wonder about the woman who inspired the character of Meg March? About Meg In Little Women, Meg is the oldest of the March sisters and in all respects, the most mainstream member of the family. She is pretty, dutiful and virtuous, almost old for her age. Meg’s major flaw is her yearning for material …

What’s your Louisa May Alcott IQ?

Think you know a lot about Louisa? Test your knowledge with these fun quizzes found at Fun Trivia. You will have a choice of three different ways to take the quiz (the questions are the same for all 3 choices). Click here to begin and let us know how you do! Are you passionate about …

Eight Cousins: In my room

How are you enjoying Eight Cousins so far? After all the heavy reading I've been doing lately, I find it a refreshing change. It's such an easy read and I really enjoy immersing myself in Louisa May Alcott's version of childhood. Getting to know you . . . Chapters 6 and 7Ā  ofĀ Eight Cousins build …

Why is Louisa’s voice so powerful in my life? A childhood recollection

It’s been slow at work the last couple of days so I’ve been able to indulge in reading and research (one of the best perks of my job). It gave me a chance to revisit one of the first biographies I read on Louisa, Louisa May Alcott by Katharine Anthony. Published in 1937, it was …

Eight Cousins: health and welfare – what should women do for beauty?

Just a quickie today from Eight Cousins, chapter 5, "A Belt and a Box." First, the Belt Uncle Alec jumped right in with regards to Rose's health and welfare by suggesting that she take a run. He noticed her panting and suggested she loosen her belt so that she could breathe more deeply. It turned …