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.
What did Jo March mean when she said she wanted to create something "spendid?" Perhaps gaining recognition for her writing. Maybe even being hailed as a great writer. Writing a book of artistic merit and universality that would stand the test of time. Yet we find in Little Women that Jo's goals would evolve from that solitary …
Continue reading "Jo’s evolution as a creative, and as a woman"
I have just finished my second reading of Little Women. Both times I have listened to the free audio book on Librivox.com. The first time around wasn’t too bad until I got into the crux of Jo’s relationship with Professor Bhaer in chapter 46. The reader unfortunately had such a loud and grating voice that …
Continue reading "Thoughts on Little Women the second time around–seeing Jo in a new light"
Little did Louisa May Alcott know that when she wrote Little Women, her classic book based upon her own family life and their “queer” adventures, she was writing the story that was on the heart of all Americans. Universal family It was time when American yearned for its own literature, its own family. The March …
December 2017: This movie is now showing on TV. It would likely be featured on the Hallmark Channel but I've seen it on local stations as well. It is also available for purchase on Amazon. I went into this movie preparing to hate it. I don't watch Lifetime and am not a huge fan of …
Continue reading "“The March Sisters at Christmas:” So, what did you think?"
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 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"
I suppose if I'm going to be so long in reading Little Women , I might as well be long in seeing the film too! My lovely husband, keenly aware of my interest, set the DVR to tape Little Women on the Oprah Winfrey Network so I could watch it (awfully nice, thanks Rich!). I …
Continue reading "Finally saw the 1994 film of Little Women"
One of our readers submitted the following intriguing comment: "Katharine Anthony wrote a biographical series on Louisa in the Woman’s Home Companion of February 1938. It was titled THE MOST BELOVED AMERICAN WRITER and illustrated by Norman Rockwell. The Jo in the attic painting is one of at least several that appeared. There is another …
Continue reading "Solving the mystery of the Norman Rockwell illustrations re: Little Women"
As promised, and in honor of Louisa and Bronson's impending birthdays (November 29), I am giving away a free DVD of the acclaimed documentary, Louisa May Alcott The Woman Behind Little Women thanks to the generosity of Nancy Porter and Harriet Reisen. I've seen this documentary a few times and it is just wonderful seeing …
Continue reading "DVD Giveaway Contest – Win by writing about your favorite Little Women character"
Chapter 46 of Little Women, "Under the Umbrella," should have been a glorious chapter for me since Jo and Fritz finally decided to get married. Instead, it was incredibly frustrating, though it wasn't all Louisa's fault. 🙂 I've been listening to an audio book during my long commute and the reader for that particular chapter …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 