Fruitlands through the years in sight and sound

Recently a reader (thank you Michelle!) sent me a wonderful interview with Richard Francis, author of Fruitlands: The Alcott Family and Their Search for Utopia. Francis does an excellent job of clarifying a complex situation (anyone who has studied the Fruitlands experiment in depth knows what I mean!). It was presented on The Woman's Hour …

Gossip from overseas: stories from “Little Women Abroad” by those mapcap Alcott sisters

I am pleased to present this guest post by Elizabeth Hilprecht, a regular reader whose insightful comments you have most likely read. We have been having a wonderful email chat back and forth about Daniel Shealy's Little Women Abroad and I asked her if she would share some of the wonderful stories taken from letters …

Origin of the P.C. and the P.O. from Little Women — it started earlier than you think.

Research has a way of taking you places you never thought to go. I recently rereaded a 1937 biography of Louisa May Alcott by Katherine Anthony (of which I will write about in a future post) and started to wonder why so much came out about the Alcott family that year. An era of the …

Louisa May Alcott is My Passion: The Podcast! Episode Three: Louisa the runner, the real Beth’s piano, and more

"I always thought I must have been a deer or a horse in some former state, because it was such a joy to run." Louisa May Alcott, "Sketch of Childhood, by herself." Welcome to the third episode of Louisa May Alcott is My Passion: The Podcast! Welcome to the third episode of Louisa May Alcott …

Louisa May Alcott is My Passion: The Podcast! Episode Two: Wrap-up of the 2016 Summer Conversational Series

"It's amazing how lovely common things become, if one only knows how to look at them." (from "Marjorie's Three Gifts," 1877) Welcome to the second episode of Louisa May Alcott is My Passion: The Podcast! During the next thirty six minutes I will give you an overview of the recent Summer Conversational Series, "'Finding Beauty …

Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge: Pedlar’s Progress by Odell Shepherd–uncovering the essence of Bronson

I never thought I’d be saying this, especially when it comes to Bronson Alcott but Pedlar’s Progress, a biography on the life of Alcott by Odell Shepherd, is turning out to be an epic read. It may rank among the top ten books on my lifetime list. A satisfying tactile experience Could it be because …

Louisa May Alcott is My Passion: The Podcast! Episode One: “Beauty in the humblest things”

Welcome to the premier episode of I will share your message on the July podcast! Your participation is so important. Topics and show notes: A reading Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by The Message by Susan Bailey, pgs. 88-89, from Work: A Story of Experience * * * * * * * * * * * …

Time again for the Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge! What will you be reading?

Dust off your books and library cards--it's time again for the Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge sponsored by In the Bookcase. Already there are some terrific books lined up by readers including An Old-Fashioned Girl, Proverb Stories, March by Geraldine Brooks and even my own Louisa May Alcott: Illuminated by The Message. I am already about …

Those unconventional Alcotts left behind quite the mark

The Alcotts were an atypical Victorian family to be sure. Along with rather unconventional philosophic and religious ideas as to how to live, the family did not subscribe to typical Victorian role models. Role reversal To begin with, Bronson’s refusal or inability to work to support his family necessitated that his wife Abba take on …

Progress report on Lizzie project–how a non-academic gains entry

It's been a while since I've posted and I apologize. I have a full time position which is a perfect writer's job - deadly quiet for eight months out of the year. However, since March it has been busy here at the real estate office in the thick of the Spring Market--quiet will resume by …