For an author obsessed with all things Alcott, does it get any better than this? Launching a book about the most famous Alcott, Louisa, in The Barrow, a bookstore housed in a building owned by descendants of Anna Alcott Pratt in the heart of Concord, Massachusetts ... it's a dream come true. A book store …
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A rare look at Louisa May Alcott’s life as an invalid and a patient What would you like to know about the woman behind Beth March? “Poppy’s Pranks” reveals the childhood of Louisa May Alcott Comparing the March sisters with their real life counterparts Major acquisition by the Concord Library of Louisa May Alcott working …
Don’t miss the special exhibit of rare artifacts at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House
On Thursday I toured Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. I was anxious to see the artifacts pictured in The Annotated Little Women, edited by John Matteson and took a vacation day to see them as November can get swallowed up in holiday preparations. If you live anywhere near Concord and can get to this exhibit, …
Announcing a musical soundtrack to my upcoming book, “River of Grace”!
I’m getting pretty excited; the launch date for River of Grace is a mere 7 weeks away! (It's available now for pre-order on Amazon at a reduced price.) But there’s something else in the works too. Imagine that you are reading River of Grace and you find it really speaks to you. Now imagine that …
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Rose in Bloom: Phebe’s station in life stands in the way of her becoming a Campbell. Is this just?
Are you taking part in the Louisa May Alcott Reading Challenge, sponsored by this blog and In the Bookcase? It's not too late to jump in! After reading this post, head on over to In the Bookcase and read all about it. My choice is Rose in Bloom and here is my second post on it: …
Alcott Immersion Warning: the wondrous things that can happen when you study too much!
After four years of constant reading, study, writing and pondering on one family, I think I understand now how actors prepare for their roles, and the subsequent consequences of their immersion into their characters. Taking on the Louisa persona I'm acquainted with a couple of people (Jan Turnquist and Marianne Donnelly) who, as actresses, take …
What would May’s life as a wife, mother and artist have been like had she lived? Jo’s Boys gives us a hint.
Jo’s Boys is tinged with sadness. And wistfulness. Louisa worked on Jo’s Boys for seven years beginning in 1879, the year her youngest sister May died six weeks after bearing her daughter Lulu. Abba, known as “Marmee” had died in 1877. Laurie and Amy’s idyllic life Chapter Two, “Parnassus” has us visiting the palatial home …
The Alcotts in my family – my sister is May!
I embody a bit of Louisa in my writing and Lizzie in my music; my sister definitely embodies May Alcott Nieriker in her art and her love of the rugged outdoors (as you may know May enjoyed rowing and horseback riding). My sis, Christine Hoyle Houde, just launched her artist website and I am proud to …
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Revealing the real Abigail Alcott to the world must include Bronson
Slowly but surely I am getting through Abba’s letters in relation to my research on Lizzie Alcott. These letters cover a period from 1853 to 1858. Abba’s handwriting is difficult; it appears she often wrote in haste. Her eyesight was poor so it’s amazing she could write letters at all considering she was writing either …
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Lizzie’s favorite hymn, perhaps the one sung at her funeral
In my continuing research on Elizabeth Alcott, I find that letters by her mother offer the most poignant moments. I am already obsessed with Lizzie and Abba's comments act as gasoline on an already roaring fire. I'm told that obsession with a character will produce a good story; I sure hope so! I believe in …
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Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 