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 review is way overdue! The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, the debut novel of Kelly O'Connor McNees, was the book that began my current reading binge last May. My husband, bless his heart, found this book and bought it for me and I will always be grateful. The Lost Summer of Louisa May …
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As I continue to read Little Women, I have really come to appreciate Louisa's ability with the written word. The phrases she strings together as she builds each character, carefully, layer by layer, is such a joy to experience. By far though, her most meaningful writing for me is whenever she deals with the subject …
Be sure and check out all the new books I added to My Growing Library after I went on a shopping spree! No less than 11 new books (almost all at bargain prices, what fun!). I've put an * next to books I've either read or are in the middle of reading. Slow going but …
Louisa knew she was about to inflict a major blow on her fans. Countless girls had implored and demanded that Jo and Laurie be married, but the stubborn author refused to give in. She never wanted Jo to marry in the first place but figured she'd create a "funny match for her" instead (see my …
Continue reading "Setting the stage for a major disappointment"
Be sure and check out a new page added to the Louisa May Alcott is My Passion blog known as Other Sites of Interest. Here you will find links to brief biographies, bibliographies, commentary (both modern and from contemporaries), news articles from the NY Times archives, critical essays and even an Alcott Challenge! I can't …
Continue reading "Want to know more about Louisa? Lots of new links added to this site"
In Chapter 34, "A Friend," Jo makes not one but two choices. One is exceedingly difficult, the other flows from the first. The choice most commented upon is her decision to give up writing sensational thrillers. Modern feminist critics look to this chapter as a death of sort, of Jo's independent self (see Little Women …
At least that's my take on Professor Bhaer. And what a sweetheart she's created! Kind, gentle, a lover of children . . . an intellectual who can challenge her mind and create stimulating conversation . . . a confidant . . . someone with the courage to be virtuous and defend it . . . …
Continue reading "Louisa creates the perfect man for Jo (and herself?)"
Yesterday I saw comments from a new reader, Jillian, where she posted a link to her amazing reflection on Little Women. This is a must read - see it on her blog. She's set a goal of reading 250 great works of literature. Best of luck with that, Jillian: I'll follow your progress. 🙂 I can't …
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Thank you to all the readers of this blog for such a lively and thoughtful discussion. We just surpassed 100 comments and the blog has only been in existence since August 13th! I am so thrilled with the quality of comments coming from you. It's good after all these years of being a closet Alcott …
In Chapter 30 of Little Women, "Consequences," Amy for the first time became a fleshed out character for me and I liked her very much. Having May Alcott A Memoir so fresh on my mind, I could see for the first time what May Alcott was really like. No memoir could describe her quite the …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 