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.
Because of all the upcoming events in Concord with regards to the centennial of Orchard House as a museum (many of the directly related to Little Women), I've started re-reading Louisa's classic. Jillian from A Room of One's Own is also re-reading (I actually got the idea from her). I invite you all to join …
Continue reading "Join in the group read/re-read of Little Women"
I found this great article on Louisa May Alcott's contribution to the Civil War. Brief as her service was, it was immortalized in her writing and helped her find her voice. The article was found on the History in an Hour blog - here's a teaser: Louisa May Alcott and the American Civil War Posted …
Thursday's Boston Globe (March 8, 2012) ran a wonderful spread in their Globe West section on all the festivities taking place this spring in Concord in honor of Orchard House's centennial as a museum. Here's a teaser with a link to the rest of the article. The online version didn't carry the great pictures so …
Continue reading "Concord’s all a-buzz about the centennial of Orchard House"
"Now, Mac, listen to me," Rose said very earnestly, though her voice shook a little and her heart ached. "You know you have hurt your eyes reading by fire-light and in the dusk, and sitting up late, and now you'll have to pay for it; the doctor said so. You must be careful, and do …
Continue reading "Eight Cousins: What would you do if you couldn’t read?"
I couldn't help but think that Louisa might be musing about Lizzie when she wrote this (even if the description sounds more like May). I know it made me think of her. Judging from the date, a dear departed soldier could be imagined too (despite the description) What do you think? OUR LITTLE GHOST by: …
Uncle Alec affected big changes in Rose’s life as chapters 7 and 8 of Eight Cousins demonstrate.Joy lackingEarly in the book, there were several reasons why Rose was a timid, teary child (the untimely death of her dear father, too many “cooks in the kitchen” with all her aunts, etc.). Much of the joy had been …
With regards to our discussion of Eight Cousins, a reader asked some questions about fashion in reference to chapter 5, “A Belt and a Box.” The question was, "Do you know of any information about what Louisa and her mother taught about fashionable clothing? Do you know if she was reading doctors or feminists who …
Continue reading "A darker side of fashion in Louisa May Alcott’s time"
Friends and biographers of Anna Alcott Pratt are so busy singing her praises as a loving and selfless daughter, wife and mother that is was hard to find more substantive information. That is, until I came across Little Women Letters from the House of Alcott. Co-authors Jessie Bonstelle and Marian deForest offered journal entries from …
Ever wonder about the woman who inspired the character of Meg March? About Meg In Little Women, Meg is the oldest of the March sisters and in all respects, the most mainstream member of the family. She is pretty, dutiful and virtuous, almost old for her age. Meg’s major flaw is her yearning for material …
How are you enjoying Eight Cousins so far? After all the heavy reading I've been doing lately, I find it a refreshing change. It's such an easy read and I really enjoy immersing myself in Louisa May Alcott's version of childhood. Getting to know you . . . Chapters 6 and 7 of Eight Cousins build …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 