I would like to begin a discussion of Work: A Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott, the newest selection from Poet's Corner Virtual Book Club. Don't remember how the book club works? Here's the original post about it. Yes, I know, the last time we tried this with Eight Cousins, I didn't finish. I promise …
Join the discussion: Little Women – Feminist Novel?
During the month of July Nancy from The Silver Threads blog is hosting the discussion of Little Women at A Year of Feminist Classics. She proposes that the book puts forth opposing messages: a feminist message of independence and self-expression, and a message of social conformity. She asks, which is it – a liberating view of …
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The boys in Louisa May Alcott’s life
From the pages of Aunt Jo’s Scrap-Bag comes an intriguing memoir of the boys in Louisa May Alcott's life, "My Boys." From one "boy" to another Louisa had always preferred the company of boys and wished she had been born one herself. She particularly favored the age when boys were "regarded as nuisances till they are …
Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge Update
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 …
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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 …
Beautiful Little Women book covers
Check out all the beautiful book covers of Little Women from its publication to the present - quite a collection. Nice summary too, here's a tease: The Reference Guide to American Literature describes the creation of the book(s) in this way: “Alcott’s purpose in writing Little Women was not to create a nostalgic portrait of an idyllic childhood, …
Beth March as a doll
I received a wonderful email from the mother of Amelie Lasker, the young actress who portrayed Beth March in the Concord Players' production of Little Women this past May (see past post for more on this play). She shared with me the sweet remembrance given to each March sister cast member, created by the costumers …
Today in Alcott history …
The American Literary Blog reports: The first of what became four installments of Hospital Sketches was published in the magazine Boston Commonwealth on May 22, 1863. Later, in book form, it carried the subtitle "An Army Nurse's True Account of Her Experiences During the Civil War." The author, Louisa May Alcott, had spent about six weeks …
Louisa May Alcott Summer Reading Challenge – What I’m reading
The In The Bookcase blog is holding a Louisa May Alcott summer reading challenge so you know I have to participate! 🙂 Here's what I plan on reading: 1. Finish my re-read of Little Women (and Little Women (Norton Critical Edition) edited by Gregory Eiselein and Anne K. Phillips) 2. Finish my re-read of Louisa May …
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Little Women on the stage – a Concord Players’ tradition
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 …
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Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 