Introducing
Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by The Message
part of the Literary Portals to Prayer Series
Compiled and introduced by Susan Bailey;
published by ACTA Publications.
“Susan Bailey’s new book is part of a series called Literary Portals to Prayer, which is meant to encourage a kind of literary lectio divina, a form of contemplative reading that is a pathway to prayer.
An intriguing idea for a book, no? And there’s no better person to write it than Susan Bailey.” Lori Erickson, The Holy Rover on Patheos
from the introduction:
“Throughout my life I have been edified and comforted by Louisa May Alcott’s brand of personal spirituality; it gives me great pleasure now to share these passages with you. Much has been written about Alcott as a writer, feminist, and reformer; I am hoping this little volume will highlight another equally important part of Alcott’s life and writing that is dearly loved by children and adults from around the world. Spiritual truth is timeless, and a hunger for God has been placed deep within us. May these passages and their accompanying verses from The Message by Eugene Peterson stimulate your heart and mind, turning you ever closer toward your own Heavenly Parent, no matter how you imagine or describe that divine reality.”
A new way in … The first truly new resource for personal prayer in years.
Literary Portals to Prayer presents a simple concept–passages from the beloved classics of Louisa May Alcott, Hans Christian Andersen, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Herman Melville and William Shakespeare coupled with verses from a fresh, contemporary translation of the Bible as found in The Message. The result? A truly new way to experience God inside of us and all around us.
Susan Bailey’s passion for and expertise on the life and works of Louisa May Alcott made her the ideal person to compile this Literary Portal to Prayer. Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by The Message will enrich your faith while revealing a deeply spiritual side of the beloved author.
Published by ACTA Publications – Click to order. Now available in Australia
The Literary Portals to Prayer series has found the perfect guide through the work of Louisa May Alcott. Susan Bailey has compiled a remarkable edition of side by side texts from the beloved author of Little Women and corresponding passages from the Bible (source: The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language by Eugene H. Peterson) in Illuminated By the Message. Through her selections, Ms. Bailey demonstrates a deep understanding of the life, world, and spirituality of Alcott (so amply also provided in her blog, Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion). As part of a famous feminist and transcendentalist family, who counted Thoreau and Emerson among her mentors, Louisa May Alcott was not a church-goer. But she had a deep and abiding relationship with her “Divine Friend” and how life should be lived in a meaningful and light-bearing way. Her expressions of gratitude, joy in nature, and perseverance through tribulations are matched with selections from Psalms, the gospels, and Pauline letters. Though my preference would have been for a biblical translation closer to the more poetic Oxford version, the matches are spot on and insightful. American manifestations of the divine take many glorious forms. Let Louisa and her wonderful 21st century friend guide you through hers.
Eileen Charbonneau, award-winning author of 9 published novels.
Fifty passages compiled from beloved books and Louisa’s personal journal entries:
- Moods (second revision, 1882)
- Hospital Sketches (1863)
- Little Women (1868)
- Little Men (1871)
- Rose in Bloom (1876)
- Work A Story of Experience (1873)
- Transcendental Wild Oats
- Louisa May Alcott, Her Life, Letters and Journals (1889),
edited by Ednah Dow Cheney - Shawl Straps (from Aunt Jo’s Scrap-Bag, Vol. 2, 1878)
- Lulu’s Library – The Candy Country (1885)
The design of this book is elegant and simple:
- a passage by Louisa May Alcott on the left hand page …
- followed by Bible verses on the right hand page, taken from The Message, a fresh and contemporary translation of the ancient text.
The purpose:
- to stimulate your spiritual imagination, thus leading you into prayer and meditation
However you practice your faith: as part of a particular denomination or, like Louisa May Alcott, finding God all around you, Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by The Message will enrich your spiritual life while introducing you to many of Louisa’s wonderful books.
Considering ordering several copies for your church’s prayer group or book club! Contact ACTA Publications for details.
Available to speak:
As a reader of this blog, you know that I am passionate about Louisa May Alcott and have much I would love to share with you in person. I am eager to speak before other passionate friends of Alcott’s life and work, and to conduct book signings.
Please contact me at louisamayalcottismypassion@gmail.com for details.
Check out my Media Kit for details.
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 