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.
This past Saturday I had the pleasure of seeing the Concord Players' historic production of Little Women with one of you! Nancy Gluck of the Silver Threads blog along with her lovely husband were spending the weekend in Concord (she is preparing a 5-part series on Louisa May Alcott for her adult education class). We …
Continue reading "Little Women on the stage – a Concord Players’ tradition"
I couldn't leaveMarch by Geraldine Brooks behind without mentioning one other element of the book that I really enjoyed - the back stories Brooks imagined which enhance Little Women. Haven't you often wondered just how the March family lost their fortune? Haven't you wanted to know more about Marmee's temper and how her husband helped …
I found this video via Suck My Alcott - Six snarky chicks who dig Louisa May - the 1994 version of Little Women condensed into under 5 minutes (with music by Savage Garden - used to love those guys!). It's cool, raw and rainy today but for about 5 minutes, it got warm and cozy. Enjoy! …
Continue reading "Take 5 minutes to enjoy Little Women Wynona-style"
Recently I was asked by my writing tutor analyze the beginning pages of books I've read to see how the author set up the story. I immediately thought of Little Women’s first chapter as it is so iconic. Louisa did a masterful job of introducing the four sisters and giving the reader a sense of …
Spring in Concord has sprung, not only with budding trees and flowers, but with a plethora of activities celebrating the centennial of one of the oldest home museums in the country, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. Little Women discussion panel On Thursday, March 22 I had the joy of attending the first of three presentations …
Chapter 14 in Eight Cousins, "A Happy Birthday" lays out Uncle Alec's strategy for Rose's upbringing: she is to run, jump, climb trees and play with her cousins, and she is to ride horses, all in an attempt to strengthen her physical and emotional health. Mrs. Jessie compares the Rose she sees now with the …
Continue reading "Eight Cousins: “Tomboys make strong women”"
Following up on Jillian's post, I thought it would be fun to look back on journal entries that Louisa made that directly correlate with Little Women. I found these in Little Women (Norton Critical Edition) edited by Gregory Eiselein and Anne K. Phillips; the page citations come from this book. Note the comments Louisa makes …
Continue reading "Referrals in Louisa’s journal to Little Women"
Responding to my request, I am pleased to present a guest post by Jillian author of the A Room of One's Own blog. Jillian is exploring the classics and using her blog as a journal, sharing her reactions and insight. As a new student to the classics, I depend heavily on Jillian's blog to guide …
Continue reading "Personalizing Louisa through the reading of Little Women"
I'm in trouble. There's an antique store right down the street from my house and already I've found two big thick books, one dated 1866 and the other, 1878. The bug of collecting antique books is beginning to take hold! As I read more and more about Louisa May Alcott, her family and her works, …
Continue reading "What was the 19th century equivalent of the Ladies Home Journal?"
I went to Concord yesterday afternoon full of anticipation at meeting an email friend in person. I've met many such email friends and it's always a thrill. Gabrielle Donnelly, author of The Little Women Letters has become such a friend through stories exchanged about our favorite felines, and our favorite author. Little did I know …
Continue reading "A Meet and Greet full of pleasant surprises"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 