In the last post covering John Matteson's talk at the Colonial Inn I mentioned Bronson Alcott's Sonnets and Canzonets, published in 1882 and how they reveal the heart of the man. Each sonnet or canzonet is dedicated to his wife, daughters and many luminary friends such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau and Margaret Fuller. …
Finding the “prince of patients”—John Matteson discovers the whereabouts of John Suhre from Hospital Sketches
On Saturday, April 2 many of us had the distinct pleasure of hearing Pulitzer-prize-winning author John Matteson speak at the Colonial Inn in Concord for the Friends of Sleepy Hollow’s annual breakfast. His talk was titled “How Nurse Alcott Earned Her Star: The Author of Little Women and the Civil War.” He was referring to …
Talking with Corinne Hosfeld Smith, author of Henry David Thoreau for Kids
As promised, here is an extensive and fascinating interview with Corinne Hosfeld Smith, author of Henry David Thoreau for Kids (see previous post for review). I see that you became interested in Henry David Thoreau in high school, having read "Civil Disobedience" and Walden. What was it about Thoreau that attracted you? First of all, …
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Book Review: Henry David Thoreau for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities by Corinne Hosfeld Smith
Henry David Thoreau for Kids is geared towards children ages nine and up but I am going to review this book as one for adults as well. Abridged version of Thoreau Cutting right to the chase—I loved this book. As a perpetual student of Louisa May Alcott and as someone who appreciates nature, I have …
Beautiful music box renditions of Lizzie’s favorite hymns
While doing my spring cleaning I came across a CD of favorite hymns, played on exquisite music boxes. My husband and I acquired the CD at a most unusual museum, The Musical Wonder House in Wiscasset, ME. Rich and I vacationed in nearby Booth Bay Harbor back in the 1980's and spent many days at …
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Louisa May Alcott was not the only Alcott working off sexual energy
From Women and Health in America (first edition) there is this intriguing essay titled "What Ought to Be and What Was: Women’s Sexuality in the Nineteenth Century" by Carl N. Degler. Quoting Dr Charles Taylor, 1882— “It is not a matter of indifference whether a woman live a single or a married life … I …
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“A thousand kisses–I love you with my whole soul”: Relations between women in the 19th century, as reflected in Little Women
This comment from Diana regarding a previous post prompted a discussion on whether or not Louisa May Alcott was gay: “What is your opinion of the evidence that she may have had some suppressed passion, such as crushes, on girls? Remember she said in an interview that she had been in love with so many …
Continuing in the same vein … where is Laddie?
Wow, what a great discussion on the last post! I am preparing one as we speak about female friendships in Louisa's time. There is a wonderful essay I've been studying in Women and Health in America and will get a post up later this week. In the meantime, one of our industrious readers thinks she …
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Where did Louisa May Alcott’s sexual energy go? And what fueled it?
Julian Hawthorne once speculated about Louisa May Alcott: “Did she ever have a love affair? We never knew; yet how could such a nature so imaginative, romantic, and passionate escape it?” Choosing the life of a spinster Louisa made the conscious decision to remain single, preferring to “paddle my own canoe.” Much has been made …
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Women’s health issues in Alcott’s time: Lizzie’s diagnosis and its repercussions
Research is addictive. It’s a lot like writing, taking you on a journey far beyond where you imagined you would go. Researching Elizabeth Alcott’s life is taking me on that unexpected journey. In the next few posts, I will take you there too, into the world of nineteenth century women’s health issues. Just a note …
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Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 