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.
What was it like to live at Fruitlands? Serious Alcott biographers have devoted much ink to the family’s experience during this six-month utopian experiment. Sometimes thoughtful, often absurd and always dramatic, Fruitlands is credited with both the shaping of the famous daughter, and a change in the power structure of the Alcott marriage and family …
Continue reading "The unknown players of Fruitlands – finally hearing their voices"
Back in October I took a trip to Fruitlands in Harvard, MA, only about 40 minutes from my home. That visit sparked a long period of binge reading on the subject which is why, in the dead of winter, I’m only getting around to writing about that visit now. A paradox Having immersed myself in …
Continue reading "A visit to Fruitlands where Louisa took up the family cross"
I got this exciting piece of news today from the Louisa May Alcott Society: New Alcott Letter at the Concond Free Public Library by Leslie Perrin Wilson, Curator, William Munroe Special Collections, Concord Free Public Library Sometimes a single letter or journal entry can open a window on the past in a way unanticipated by …
Continue reading "Just when you think there is nothing more to find … something is found!"
I took some pictures of my cats this morning and got some crazy results! It was begging for a story so I tried my hand at it. I left the ending open on purpose to see what you could come up with 🙂 I wonder how Louisa would end this story???
Christmas came and brought a couple of nice additions for my bookshelf collection. Delightful children's biography The first was Louisa The Life of Louisa May Alcott by Yona Zeldis McDonough. This is a juvenile biography with lively and colorful illustrations by Bethanne Anderson. The book presented a good overview of Louisa’s life; I was pleased …
Continue reading "Santa was good to me! Louisa gifts for Christmas"
My husband Rich is a good guy. I thanked him several times for “indulging me” and accompanying me to the utterly charming holiday program at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House this past Saturday. I also had the opportunity of meeting one of you! Robin, it was a pleasure to accompany you on the tour. An …
Continue reading "A lovely holiday visit to Orchard House, capped off by some great finds!"
The last newsletter from Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House contained some pretty exciting news, beginning with the special invitation to members for the annual Open House, and the public book signing hosted by Eve Laplante for her critically acclaimed Marmee & Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother. (see previous post). …
I had the pleasure of having my books signed by author Eve LaPlante at Fruitlands yesterday. The setting was lovely: typically cold for December with light snow falling. The spirit of Fruitlands Having just completed a series of books on Fruitlands (which I will be writing about soon), the spirit of the Fruitlanders was palpable …
Continue reading "Meet and greet with author Eve LaPlante at Fruitlands"
This is a book that is long overdue. Anyone who has read Little Women and felt the overarching presence of Marmee (and the lack of presence of Mr. March) has to know just how important Louisa's mother was to her. Marmee was based on a living, breathing woman who was far more complex (and interesting) …
From the University of North Carolina Press blog: Barbara Sicherman is author of Well-Read Lives: How Books Inspired a Generation of American Women. In a compelling approach structured as theme and variations, Sicherman offers insightful profiles of a number of accomplished women born in America’s Gilded Age who lost—and found—themselves in books, and worked out …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 