My 3 days with Louisa May Alcott (part three): John Matteson talks about his two favorite ladies

This was the day I was waiting for. Ever since I started reading Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father, I have been dying to talk to John Matteson. His penetrating insights into Bronson and Louisa have forever changed the way I look at them (most especially Bronson). Unique understanding In …

My 3 days with Louisa May Alcott (part two): “Marmee and Louisa:” author Eve LaPlante unveils her important new book

Everyone knows the phrase, “Behind every great man stands a woman.” In the case of Louisa May Alcott, it’s a “great woman.” Who was the woman that stood behind her? She is Louisa’s mother, Abigail May Alcott, commonly known as Abba. An inside look at the life of Abba Alcott Eve LaPlante, author of Seized, …

Louisa continues to inspire me

Thanks to my involvement with Louisa May Alcott and this blog, the writer in me has reawakened. I wanted to share with you two guest posts that I wrote for a couple of spiritual blogs: On the Spiritual Travels blog -a review of a book that touched me deeply, A Child Lost in Flight On …

The vacation of my dreams: 3 days with Louisa May Alcott

What's your dream for the ultimate summer vacation? Is it a trip to a new and/or exotic place? Is it time all to yourself to do whatever you wish? How about both? That’s been my dream for many summers and this year, it came true. New and exotic places Back in June, our whole family …

Work: “Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor” – what could women do?

You’ve come of age and it’s time to strike out on your own. How do you feel? Excited? Fearful? Full of anticipation? Will it be a grand adventure or a dismal failure? In her mid-twenties, Louisa May Alcott was ready to strike out on her own, fueled by her obsessive desire to be a financial …

Work: Louisa May Alcott writes about bucking the system

What was it like to be a nineteenth century woman who bucked the system? Suppose she didn’t want to marry right away but instead, preferred to seek independence and meaning through work? What if her world didn’t revolve around a man, but herself? How would she fare? Does the answer lie in Jo March? At …

Announcing the Poet’s Corner Virtual Book Club selection: “Work: A Story of Experience” by Louisa May Alcott

I would like to begin a discussion of Work: A Story of Experience by Louisa May Alcott, the newest selection from Poet's Corner Virtual Book Club. Don't remember how the book club works? Here's the original post about it. Yes, I know, the last time we tried this with Eight Cousins, I didn't finish. I promise …

“A Memorable Evening at the Alcotts’ House” as recalled by Edward W. Emerson

I recently picked up a lovely volume from the library entitled Louisa May Alcott An Intimate Anthology, put together the by New York Public Library using materials from their archives. What's inside The book contains stories and essays Louisa wrote about herself, excerpts from her journals, intimate poetry, short stories and recollections from friends. Resistance …

Join the discussion: Little Women – Feminist Novel?

During the month of July Nancy from The Silver Threads blog is hosting the discussion of Little Women at A Year of Feminist Classics. She proposes that the book puts forth opposing messages: a feminist message of independence and self-expression, and a message of social conformity. She asks, which is it – a liberating view of …

Quilting, Annie Leibovitz and Louisa May Alcott

Check out these pictures from a quilter, Patalier: Never Far from a Needle and Thread. She recently saw Annie Leibovitz's book, Pilgrimage and remarked on the scenes from Orchard House. She has some marvelous pictures comparing Leibovitz's with her own treasures (and she has some cool stuff!). Here's a teaser: "I loved the book immediately.  …