Louisa May Alcott is My Passion
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.
It's interesting how the supposedly old-fashioned Polly is actually more modern than the sophisticated Fanny. That's if you think in 21st century terms. In the Shaw household, the acquisition of wealth and keeping up with fashion are both considered "sophisticated" and desirable, whereas purposefulness and little kindnesses are considered "old-fashioned." Yet, as Louisa May Alcott …
Continue reading "Was the “Old-Fashioned Girl” actually modern?"
The Christian Science Monitor has posted a 10-question quiz - test your Louisa knowledge and leave a comment as to how you did. I'll let you know how I did after I hear from you! Take the quiz.
Marianne Donnelly recently left a comment on this blog referring readers to this video. She gave me permission to post it here. āBeyond Little Womenā celebrated Louisa in this living history performance at Brownell Library, Essex Junction VT. Marianne is available for national bookings with references available. You can contact her at 831-454-6333 or email …
Continue reading "Here’s a fun re-enactment of Louisa May Alcott by actress Marianne Donnelly"
I found this article today which includes a picture of the hospital where Louisa served during the Civil War, plus a photo of the first edition of Hospital Sketches. The diary which the author refers to can be downloaded for free on Google Books. The author is Kevin Konrad, a graduate from the Richard Stockton …
Continue reading "See the hospital where Louisa May Alcott served during the Civil War"
I finally finished reading Moods a few weeks ago but just couldn't comment on it. After reading both the 1864 and 1882 versions, I concluded that the book left me flat. The characters felt rather two-dimensional. Both versions ended differently and each ending seemed convoluted. It left me feeling the way I did after reading …
I've just started reading a thick volume on contemplative prayer (Fire Within by Thomas Dubay, SM), based upon the writings of two giants in this area, St. Teresa of Avila and St. John of the Cross. Both were Carmelites,Ā and both hailed from Spain. Many Spanish scholars believe that St. John is the greatest poet …
Continue reading "Thoreau and mysticism – Nature as a highway to the Divine"
Summertime is here and I've lucked into some wonderful summer reading. I just started The Little Women Letters, the fifth novel by Gabrielle Donnelly, a British writer. The story is set in modern day London and tells the story of three sisters (Emma, Lulu and Sophie) who are direct descendants of Jo March. The middle …
Continue reading "The Little Women Letters promises to be a great summer read!"
In chapter 3 of An Old-Fashioned Girl, it's obvious that the newness of living the privileged city life has grown old for Polly: Polly soon found that she was in a new world, a world where the manners and customs were so different from the simple ways at home, that she felt like a stranger …
Continue reading "Polly finds the palace not so beautiful after all"
Much has been said about how unconventional Henry David Thoreau was. Although brilliant he was solitary, decidedly different, very blunt, not especially attractive physically, and he was prone to "queer" habits such as climbing trees, imitating bird calls and the like. Yet women did find Thoreau attractive. Louisa May Alcott had a schoolgirl crush on …
Continue reading "Was Thoreau a romantic? Final thoughts on “Walking”"
Listening to "Walking" while I walked (see previous post) only whetted my appetite to dig deeper into this amazing essay. The more I read, the more the text opened up like a flower early in the morning, each truth displaying itself in the light of a new understanding. I feel akin to Thoreau and I …
Continue reading "Continuing “Walking” with Henry David Thoreau"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 