The Journals of Louisa May Alcott

Rating:
Summary: An intimate view of a 19th Century author's life
Review: When Louisa May Alcott's biography was published shortly after her death in 1888, a reviewer lamented, "We wish heartily that Miss Alcott had chosen to tell her own story." She does in these journals.

Through her father's influence as well as the emerging recogniton of her own devleoping talent, Alcott met many of the masters of American literature in her day: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne -- all of whom are mentioned often in her journals among her everyday struggles to support her family with her writing. She learned her craft by writing thrillers for tabloids while working as a domestic in wealthy households.

Louisa Alcott never intended for these pages to be read so reading them is an extremely personal experience. The reader gains an intimate insight into the life and mind of one of America's premiere 19th century women writers. Louisa was a poor speller, we learn, and we also learn how she felt about abolition, the Civil War, educational reform, women's rights and many other issues including arguments she had with her editors.

Reading JOURNALS was an intense experience that transported me into her time and her life. If you grew up reading LITTLE WOMEN and LITTLE MEN you'll thoroughly enjoy this look at a remarkable author's life.

Rating:
Summary: An intimate view of a 19th Century author's life
Review: When Louisa May Alcott's biography was published shortly after her death in 1888, a reviewer lamented, "We wish heartily that Miss Alcott had chosen to tell her own story." She does in these journals.

Through her father's influence as well as the emerging recogniton of her own devleoping talent, Alcott met many of the masters of American literature in her day: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne -- all of whom are mentioned often in her journals among her everyday struggles to support her family with her writing. She learned her craft by writing thrillers for tabloids while working as a domestic in wealthy households.

Louisa Alcott never intended for these pages to be read so reading them is an extremely personal experience. The reader gains an intimate insight into the life and mind of one of America's premiere 19th century women writers. Louisa was a poor speller, we learn, and we also learn how she felt about abolition, the Civil War, educational reform, women's rights and many other issues including arguments she had with her editors.

Reading JOURNALS was an intense experience that transported me into her time and her life. If you grew up reading LITTLE WOMEN and LITTLE MEN you'll thoroughly enjoy this look at a remarkable author's life.