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.
In the last post, I shared Geraldine Brooks' imagined back story on Marmee's temper and how her husband helped her to control it. Now from March I'd like to share Brooks' version of how the March family lost their fortune. She creates a very plausible scenario with an historical figure, one that captivated much of Concord …
Continue reading "Another Little Women back story – How did the March family lose their fortune?"
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 …
It feels like a lifetime since I started reading March by Geraldine Brooks a little over a month ago. Between this work and The Glory Cloak by Patricia O'Brien, my way of thinking has gone through a transformation. Fortunate, because otherwise, I never could have appreciated March. Opening the mind Historical fiction has proven to be …
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 decided upon reading March that I would read with an open mind. Fan fiction is a risky business (although calling March “fan fiction” doesn’t feel quite right, it’s a decidedly more serious work). The reader comes in with all kinds of pre-conceived notions and expectations, and the author can quickly fall out of favor …
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 …
For the longest time I have avoided reading March by Geraldine Brooks. I just wasn't interested in Mr. March and had had my fill of Bronson Alcott. March, however, is enjoying tremendous popularity right now due to the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. I subscribe to different key words on Google to keep with …
Continue reading "Reading Little Women and March simultaneously"
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”"
Let's start talking! This post is acting as an open forum. Feel free in your comments to post any subjects you’d like to discuss or anything that you come across as you begin to read Little Women and we will talk about it. For example: the last time I read Little Women I gravitated towards …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 