By Kelly O’Connor McNees
Louisa May Alcott was a remarkable woman who lived a full and unusual life. When I first decided to write a novel about her, I wanted to include everything I had learned in my research. Alas, the novel had other plans.
Ultimately, The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott became a story of Louisa in the summer of 1855, when she was just 22 and on the precipice of her career as a writer. But this is just one of the many stories I could have written about her. Here are some other fascinating episodes in her life that seem to cry out for exploration in fiction:
–In 1843, when Louisa was ten years old, her father Bronson moved the family, along with a few like-minded philosophers, to a 90-acre farm called Fruitlands. The group planned to renounce commerce, eating meat and dairy products, taking warm baths, wearing wool or cotton clothing, and using animals to work the land. They lasted until January of the New England winter.
–In 1862, Louisa answered Dorothea Dix’s call for nurses to care for the thousands of wounded soldiers streaming in to the nation’s capital. For three weeks, she fed and bathed patients, changed bandages and linens, and then developed typhoid fever.
–In 1879, Louisa’s youngest sister May gave birth to a daughter and died a few weeks later. The following year, little Lulu came to Concord. Louisa, at age 47, became a mother after all.
Kelly O’Connor McNees lives in Chicago. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
is her first novel. To read more about the author and the book, click here
IMAGE: Famous daguerreotype of a young Louisa May Alcott
Congratulations to the following W & M readers and winners of this title:
Molly, Margay, and Cheryl
We’ll be in touch real soon!
Tagged as:
Dorothea Dix,
Fruitlands,
Giveaway,
Kelly O’Connor McNees,
Louisa May Alcott,
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
What interesting tidbits about her. I have see your book mentioned on several sites and it sounds like an interesting read. I will have to get them to order it, for I am certain many of their patrons would enjoy it. I know I will be looking for it to read.
She did not live a boring or sheltered life. I had best find a good biography, for there is more to her than I imagined. I guess a few more novels are in order.
Sounds fascinating! I’ve done a little bit of research on Alcott myself, and choosing this particular summer seems really interesting.
No need to enter me, as I have read, loved and adored this book. This is just a perfect read for ANYONE who enjoys Louisa May Alcott. I would love to read anything that Kelly decides to write about next, but I would be doubly ecstatic if she would continue something about LMA!
This sounds so interesting! Thank you for the giveaway!
Thanks for the giveaway. I have read such good reviews about this book.
I love Louisa May Alcott! I’d love to read this.
Margay
Please enter me! I love biographies and I always wanted to grow up and be Jo.
I would love the opportunity to win this book — I’ve been hearing great things, and I just visited Concord this winter and so am on a bit of a LMA kick. Thanks for this chance!
You always have such interesting books reviewed! As always, I enjoy Wonders and Marvels. Please enter myname in the draw for this book. Ms. Alcott has long fascinated me.
I read the Louisa May Alcott books as a child and enjoyed them. I keep coming back to the “Eight Cousins” and “Rose in Bloom”. My favorite is Uncle Alec and I always cheer for Mac when he finally gets the girl. I would be interested to read more about the author of such a great book. Please enter me for the drawing.
I’ve been reading nothing but great reviews of this one. I’d love to win a copy!
Little Women has always been one of my favorite books. I have read it many times over the years. Alcott was an amazing person. I would love to win this book…I’ve really been wanting to read it! Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds like an incredible book! I’d love to read it.
Thank you
Thanks everyone! The winners for this one are: Molly, Margay and Cheryl! Congrats!