Louisa May Alcott is My Passion
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.
The wait is over. The long-awaited eight-part podcast miniseries by Alcott scholars Jamie Burgess and Jill Fuller debuted today, July 12. Judging from the first episode, it has been worth the wait! Jill and Jamie are affable and knowledgeable hosts. They aim to tell the story of Louisa's life through a series of "puzzle pieces" …
I am pleased to announce a year-long initiative created by Meghan Hanet and Kate Howe called A Year with Louisa May Alcott Readalong, hosted on YouTube. Each month (from November, 2019 through September, 2020) Meghan and Kate will cover a work by Alcott, conducting a discussion group via their "BookTube" channel. The introductory video outlines …
Continue reading "Year-long Louisa May Alcott Readalong premieres on YouTube"
The celebration continues on the 150th anniversary of the publication of Little Women. The Concord Free Public Library, home to the largest collection of original Alcott manuscripts, hosted Alcott scholars Joel Myerson from the University of South Carolina and Daniel Shealy from UNC Charlotte, both of whom gave their first joint lecture on Alcott. A …
Anna Alcott Pratt was one of the better writers in the family. Fluid, thoughtful and precise, her letters and journals provide valuable insight into Alcott family life. I have often referred to her as the family secretary since she presents each family member just as they are with no commentary on her part. The details …
Continue reading "In her own words: Inside the head and heart of Anna Alcott Pratt, newlywed"
I am pleased to announce that the Boston Globe has covered the recent discovery of previously unpublished photos of Anna Alcott Pratt and John Bridge Pratt which I posted on this blog. Here you will meet Mrs. Donna Keeler, the owner of the photo album, and get to see the album page with John and …
I need your help. I am writing my book proposal for the biography on Elizabeth Alcott and I need more input from you as a fan of Little Women. Here are a few short questions -- if you could comment below with your answers, that would really help. And thank you! What would you most …
Continue reading "What would you like to know about the woman behind Beth March?"
Trix Wilkins of the Much Ado about Little Women blog (an excellent blog, by the way, all about Little Women) has written a most intriguing re-imagining of Little Women with different endings for characters. In her description of the book she writes, Set in the early 1870s, this re-imagining of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women …
Continue reading "Summer Reading Recommendation: The Courtship of Jo March"
While researching my biography on Elizabeth Alcott, I did a very careful re-read of Little Women using Daniel Shealy's excellent annotated edition. In the course of my reading I found many interesting little details. One of them involved the poem in Chapter 46 which brought Professor Bhaer to Jo's side. Called "In the Garret," a …
This is a wonderful tour of the places where Jo March and family members dwelled through the real-life Alcott family members. My thanks to the “Much Ado about Little Women” blog.
By Trix Wilkins
There is something intriguing about the history of a home – who designed it and why, what accomplishments occurred under its refuge, who might have met within its walls and what precious moments might have consequently transpired? This trail follows the homes from the life of Louisa May Alcott that appear to make cameo appearances in Little Women – from their humble homes in Concord to the Hancock family manor in Boston.
“In a suburb of the city…an old brown house, looking rather bare and shabby, robbed in of the vines that in summer covered its walls, and the flowers which then surrounded it.”
According to Louisa’s teacher, Henry David Thoreau, Hillside was haunted by one of its previous owners. Despite this, Louisa spent happy early teenage years here and it became one of the homes…
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Looking for a great gift for a Louisa lover in your life? How about yourself? My publisher, ACTA, has reduced the price of my book, Louisa May Alcott Illuminated by The Message from $10.95 to only $5 up until Christmas! Here's a sample that you can read. Click here to order your copy. And a …
Continue reading "Louisa May Alcott Illuminated by The Message only $5 till Christmas"
