Hardcover, published Oct '09
Asked to compare Louisa May Alcott’s fictional sisters to her real four, I find that they are inextricable in my mind, as I suspect they were in Louisa’s. That she found it impossible to write of Amy March after the death of May Alcott suggests that to me. I find the beginning of Jo’s Boys almost unbearably touching for its image of Amy March in heaven (“Mount Parnassus”).
Paperback version, now in stores
Louisa wrote two stories and an unfinished sketch that turned out to be groundwork for Little Women: “The Sisters’ Trial” (for which she was paid $6), and “A Modern Cinderella” published in The Atlantic (probably for around $50).
To see ways that Louisa was not Jo March, check out this video. It’s less than a minute, and it’s funny.
And here’s my chart, a Wikipedia entry in the making?
About the Author
HARRIET REISEN, a former fellow in screenwriting at the American Film Institute, has written dramatic and historical documentary scripts for PBS and HBO, including the PBS documentary of Louisa May Alcott. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, Tony Kahn, and son Andrew Kahn. This is her first book. You can visit her on her on her book’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/alcottbook.
Giveaway
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win your very own paperback copy of Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women! (US addresses only.)
What a wonderful book! And a great guest post, thank you!
I just actually finished readng “A Long and Fatal Love Chase” so I am squarely in the LMA mode! I must pick this up!
Thank you, and please enter me in the contest. apereiraorama @ gmail.com
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Really fascinating! Thanks for the chart!
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How awesome are you?!?! I love this and I’m thinking I may send my students over here to see it’s awesomeness.
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That’s so interesting that her two sisters were married in their late 30s, but her March sisters were married in their early twenties. And now of course I’m dying to read this book!
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This sounds fascinating. Loved the vid too!
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I love Little Women and was really interested to learn about the connections between Louisa May Alcott’s real life/family and the novel. I bought some of her other novels at my library book sale this past Summer and will continue to collect her other works. I can’t wait to get a hold of this book to learn more about the authoress herself!
so glad you enjoyed the chart – I had fun making it. The “tag” on the video is outdated so don’t look for the film on December 28th. I don’t know when it will be rebroadcast, but you can see clips and read the first part of the book at louisamayalcott.net… also all the illustrations for the book are in a gallery there. Harriet
I really enjoyed the PBS show about her. I think this book sounds really good. She was always one of my favorite authors. It is interesting to find out about her life. I would love to read the book.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
I loved Little Women, each of the five times I read it, starting when I was in grade school, over 50 years ago. This was a wonderful post, I esp. enjoyed the comparison chart. I’d love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
Little Women is one of my favorite stories, so the side by side comparisons of Alcotts and Marches was very enlightening. I would love to read this book!
Margay1122(at)aol(dot)com
Oooh, love love love the chart Allie!!!
I read The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly McNees earlier this year and it really reminded me of how much I loved all the Alcott books when I was younger. This one sounds just as good!
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This is just fascinating to me! Little Women is my all time favorite book and I love the “behind the scenes” aspect of learning the true nature and history of the author. I am drooling for this book!
I’m a huuuge Alcott fangirl — I’ve been to Orchard House way too many times — so I’m thrilled to see this book. May’s artwork had been on display at the gorgeous public library in Concord. She was quite talented — like her sister! Loved the guest post and the chart — thanks for the giveaway!
unabridgedchick at gmail.com
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This book is amazing. I loved it. One of the best biographies that I have read on Louisa.
Oh my goodness – Alcott? A return to our youth. Look forward to curling up by the fire with this book. And the weather is just the weather for it, too. Thanks so much !
Wonderful post, and the chart with comparisons was very interesting! I would love to read this book; thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.
joannemccabe9(at)cox(dot)net
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I love the chart, and of course love Little Women. I have read it four times and Little Men twice. I also sought some of her lesser known books and enjoyed them. I would very much like to win this book. Starved for more on Lousia May Alcott!
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Did you know that she loved to run? She often wrote about running in her journals.
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Not eligible to enter, but I just wanted to say that the book seems wonderful!
Thanks for the rec/presentation!
I wonder why Alcott was able to live as a single woman but not imagine a character who could.
I’m putting this book on my library list today. As a writer about women, I and many others owe Alcott a debt of gratitude.
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That little video clip was interesting. I guess she wasn’t as straight-laced as I thought she was. Interesting how we get images in our minds of well known people and how wrong they can be. PBS does such wonderful biographies. I’ll have to see this one. The book should be a revelation. Interesting how very different the covers are.
I love her books. Would live to win.
This is the third blog i am trying to win this book on, third time’s the charm!