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.
Back in October I took a trip to Fruitlands in Harvard, MA, only about 40 minutes from my home. That visit sparked a long period of binge reading on the subject which is why, in the dead of winter, I’m only getting around to writing about that visit now. A paradox Having immersed myself in …
Continue reading "A visit to Fruitlands where Louisa took up the family cross"
I had the pleasure of having my books signed by author Eve LaPlante at Fruitlands yesterday. The setting was lovely: typically cold for December with light snow falling. The spirit of Fruitlands Having just completed a series of books on Fruitlands (which I will be writing about soon), the spirit of the Fruitlanders was palpable …
Continue reading "Meet and greet with author Eve LaPlante at Fruitlands"
This is a book that is long overdue. Anyone who has read Little Women and felt the overarching presence of Marmee (and the lack of presence of Mr. March) has to know just how important Louisa's mother was to her. Marmee was based on a living, breathing woman who was far more complex (and interesting) …
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the festivities at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. The homestead is decorated in the spirit of the Alcott family and the staff provides wonderful programs for the season. An extra treat of course is the recent release of Eve LaPlante's groundbreaking books, Marmee & Louisa The Untold Story of Louisa …
Continue reading "A special Christmas Invitation from Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House"
I realize it's been nearly a month since I posted and I wanted to let you know why. I am hip deep in reading. And it started with a field trip to Fruitlands in Harvard, MA. And it will end there too. After visiting Fruitlands, I wanted to read more about it. I ended up …
I have long maintained that Louisa's most poignant writing revolves around death as evidenced in Beth March's passing in Little Women and John Suhre's noble death in Hospital Sketches. Recently I found a blog post on the SevenPonds site that states so eloquently the very thoughts I've harbored about Louisa's insights into death - that it …
Continue reading "Louisa’s poetic tribute to her mother reveals beautiful insights on death"
When I requested Lizzie’s diary at Houghton Library, I received a thick, bound volume full of many treasures. Some of those treasures included Anna’s childhood diaries. Anna is an engaging writer While Lizzie’s writings read more like lists, Anna’s read like little stories. Anna was very faithful about keeping her journal and lamented if she …
Continue reading "My 3 days with Louisa (conclusion): Windows into the past, and a lasting memento"
Note: This post is longer than usual. I had considered running it in two installments but thought it would lessen the impact of its message by doing that. So sit back with a cup of coffee, relax and read. 🙂 Two ladies, same vision Two New England feminists, both heavily influenced by transcendentalism. Both in …
Everyone knows the phrase, “Behind every great man stands a woman.” In the case of Louisa May Alcott, it’s a “great woman.” Who was the woman that stood behind her? She is Louisa’s mother, Abigail May Alcott, commonly known as Abba. An inside look at the life of Abba Alcott Eve LaPlante, author of Seized, …
How are you doing on the Louisa May Alcott Summer Reading Challenge? I've been pecking away at the Little Women re-read along with a re-read of Louisa May Alcott: A Biography by Madeleine Stern. I've been keeping a casual reading journal for the latter and I'll share some from that. Still the best biography Louisa May …
Continue reading "Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge Update"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 