Last December I had the opportunity to tour Orchard House during the Christmas season (see previous post, “A lovely holiday visit to Orchard House, capped off by some great finds!”). The theme of the period decorations was Louisa May Alcott’s “first born,” Flower Fables. To properly prepare for the tour, I decided to read this …
New releases coming! New annotated Little Women edited by Daniel Shealy; plus book on Louisa May Alcott and Edith Wharton
Get your credit cards ready! Here are two new exciting releases coming up this year for Louisa May Alcott lovers. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * …
A feminist manifesto: wrapping up Work A Story of Experience (part two)
“…Work is an expression of Alcott’s feminist principles and a major effort toward synthesizing in popular, readable form the broad set of beliefs encompassing family, education, suffrage, labor and the moral reform of social life that defined feminist ideology in the nineteenth century.” (pg. 191 from Critical Essays on Louisa May Alcott edited by Madeleine …
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A lovely holiday visit to Orchard House, capped off by some great finds!
My husband Rich is a good guy. I thanked him several times for “indulging me” and accompanying me to the utterly charming holiday program at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House this past Saturday. I also had the opportunity of meeting one of you! Robin, it was a pleasure to accompany you on the tour. An …
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I gotta crow!
I am pleased to announce that Louisa May Alcott is My Passion now has a prominent link on the Louisa May Alcott Society Helpful Links page! I am humbled and honored (and that's putting it mildly!). This is great organization, connecting you with noted Alcott scholars. Daniel Shealy (Little Women Abroad, Alcott in Her Own Time, …
My 3 days with Louisa (conclusion): Windows into the past, and a lasting memento
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 …
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My 3 days with Louisa May Alcott (part four): connections between Louisa May Alcott and Margaret Fuller
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 …
My 3 days with Louisa May Alcott (part three): John Matteson talks about his two favorite ladies
This was the day I was waiting for. Ever since I started reading Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father, I have been dying to talk to John Matteson. His penetrating insights into Bronson and Louisa have forever changed the way I look at them (most especially Bronson). Unique understanding In …
My 3 days with Louisa May Alcott (part two): “Marmee and Louisa:” author Eve LaPlante unveils her important new book
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, …
See a letter written by Louisa to her publisher regarding a sequel to Little Women
In conjunction with an exhibit at the Houghton Library at Harvard University entitled Louisa May Alcott: Family Life & Publishing Ventures, Alcott scholars Daniel Shealy and Joel Myerson contributed a post to Houghton's blog called "You've Got Mail" (highlighting various letters from Houghton's vast collection) regarding a sequel to Little Women. Here's a tease. Be …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 