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.
I am so pleased to work in Wellesley, MA, the halfway mark of the prestigious 26 mile Boston Marathon. I'm watching the coverage live on the internet and I felt a lump in my throat watching the elite women runners speed past the huge crowds of cheering students from Wellesley College. Wouldn't Louisa, a runner …
Continue reading "Could Louisa have run the Boston Marathon?"
By way of review (as mentioned in the previous post), The Glory Cloak by Patricia O’Brien is an historical novel featuring Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. It covers the Civil War through the eyes of a fictitious Alcott cousin, Susan Gray, who comes to live with the Alcotts after being orphaned. Susan becomes Louisa’s …
I happened to stumble upon a great find: The Glory Cloak by Patricia O'Brien, an historical novel featuring Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. It covers the Civil War through the eyes of a fictitious Alcott cousin, Susan Gray, who comes to live with the Alcotts after being orphaned. Susan becomes Louisa's constant companion, confidant …
Continue reading "Louisa has primed my pump and changed my life"
The Union Leader out of Manchester, NH ran an article on April 1st highlighting one of their own. I'm proud to say she is one of ours too! Jennifer Bernard, whose pictures you've seen on this blog, was honored by the Concord Free Library of having her photo of Orchard House included in their special …
I decided upon reading March that I would read with an open mind. Fan fiction is a risky business (although calling March “fan fiction” doesn’t feel quite right, it’s a decidedly more serious work). The reader comes in with all kinds of pre-conceived notions and expectations, and the author can quickly fall out of favor …
Here is a video of John Matteson discussing his Pultizer prize-winning biography, Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father. It appears to have been done at the School of Philosophy at Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. Update Watching the video while working - Matteson is charming! He says he was told …
Continue reading "Hear and see John Matteson discuss Eden’s Outcasts"
Recently I was asked by my writing tutor analyze the beginning pages of books I've read to see how the author set up the story. I immediately thought of Little Women’s first chapter as it is so iconic. Louisa did a masterful job of introducing the four sisters and giving the reader a sense of …
Spring in Concord has sprung, not only with budding trees and flowers, but with a plethora of activities celebrating the centennial of one of the oldest home museums in the country, Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House. Little Women discussion panel On Thursday, March 22 I had the joy of attending the first of three presentations …
For the longest time I have avoided reading March by Geraldine Brooks. I just wasn't interested in Mr. March and had had my fill of Bronson Alcott. March, however, is enjoying tremendous popularity right now due to the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. I subscribe to different key words on Google to keep with …
Continue reading "Reading Little Women and March simultaneously"
Chapter 14 in Eight Cousins, "A Happy Birthday" lays out Uncle Alec's strategy for Rose's upbringing: she is to run, jump, climb trees and play with her cousins, and she is to ride horses, all in an attempt to strengthen her physical and emotional health. Mrs. Jessie compares the Rose she sees now with the …
Continue reading "Eight Cousins: “Tomboys make strong women”"
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 