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?"
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 …
By way of review (as mentioned in the previous post), The Glory Cloak by Patricia O’Brien is an historical novel featuring Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. It covers the Civil War through the eyes of a fictitious Alcott cousin, Susan Gray, who comes to live with the Alcotts after being orphaned. Susan becomes Louisa’s …
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 …
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 …
The Atlantic's special commemorative Civil War issue There's a Barnes & Noble on the way home that I'll be visiting . . . 🙂 UPDATE Here is a wonderful article from NPR about The Atlantic and this particular issue. I am embarrassed to say that I didn't realize that among the Atlantic's founders were Ralph …
In this, the 150th year remembrance of the Civil War, there are many new books coming out. One of our readers, Meg North, has written a wonderful new book called Daniel's Garden and has put together this beautiful promotional trailer: I am fortunate enough to have won this book on the A Room of One's …
Continue reading "A new book on the Civil War Experience by Meg North (trailer)"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 