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'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 …
Continue reading "The vacation of my dreams: 3 days with Louisa May Alcott"
A ticking time bomb lay inside of Louisa May Alcott and she knew it. It went off with her father, her Uncle Junius, and eventually, herself. Her journals alluded to it. Her creativity was fueled by it. And chapter 5 of Work: A Story of Experience gives us a detailed look inside. Companion Having left the …
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 …
Continue reading "Work: “Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor” – what could women do?"
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 …
Continue reading "Work: Louisa May Alcott writes about bucking the system"
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 …
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 …
Continue reading "“A Memorable Evening at the Alcotts’ House” as recalled by Edward W. Emerson"
Louisa May Alcott hated being famous. Or so she said. Stories abounded of how she often masqueraded as a maid before answering the door at Orchard House to discourage would-be fans. She knew that readers imagined her looking like the dashing young Jo with her two tails of chestnut hair flying behind her when in …
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 …
Continue reading "Join the discussion: Little Women – Feminist Novel?"
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. …
Continue reading "Quilting, Annie Leibovitz and Louisa May Alcott"
As a followup to yesterday's post about the wonderful conversation presented at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House by Annie Leibovitz and Doris Kearns Goodwin, here is a report by the MetroWest Daily News on the opening of the exhibit, beginning with a teaser: Revealing a dramatic departure from her [Leibovitz's] meticulously staged portraits, the photographs …
Continue reading "Annie Leibovitz’s Pilgrimage exhibit opens at the Concord Museum"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 