Fifty Shades of Louisa May

by L.M. Anonymous

During the recent renovations of the Orchard House in Concord, Massachusetts—home of the famed Alcott family—workmen repairing rotting beams discovered a handwritten manuscript tightly rolled into a bottle and buried in the earthen floor of what was once the root cellar. Conservators from Harvard University’s Peabody Museum date the manuscript from the late 1800s. Although the title page bears no signature, there can be little doubt of its authenticity or its author. The text, published for the first time, will no doubt offend scholars—while capturing the prurient imagination of many readers. The author’s true purpose is lost to us, save for hints throughout suggesting that writing this mémoire d’amour served as a cathartic exercise. Only the manuscript remains, and it is offered in unexpurgated form here.

Genres: Fiction

136 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2012

About the author

L.M. Anonymous Is Louisa May Alcott. Lately, She Has Begun Writing Anonymously.

Reviews

[Hilary "Fox" · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through First-Reads.

I've seen some rather disparaging comments about this book, but I would like to assuage your fears. In spite of the Fifty Shades title and cover, this book is nothing of the kind. Rather than some somewhat insipid tale of Ms. Louisa May being seduced and ravaged this is a satire on such things.

Lovingly... lustfully? illustrated with x-rated woodcuts, this book is written in full 19th century style. No one is safe. The author attacks the baser side of Emerson, Thoreau, Melville, and Hawthorne. Each encounter is written with a fine attention to detail and language. I have to admit I was laughing more than once when she brought her 'Wooden Friend' out to play. Yes, this book is ah.. one of a kind?

A few of the turns of language brought to mind Anais Nin which I suppose is a rather good thing. Now, if only I could get Karen to review this, too..

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

What...next...???

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do not be fooled by the name! It may share a similar name and cover, but Fifty Shades of Louisa May is a witty, tongue in the cheek re-imagining of Louisa May Alcott's life. In it, an aging, dying Alcott looks back on the more lewd and passionate times in her life. No one among Alcott's circle is safe from the hint of sensuality and down right perversity that the anonymous author dreams up. Thought you knew Emerson and Melville? Not like Louisa knew them! This is a short, fun, erotic romp, and for those of you that wouldn't touch Fifty Shades of Grey with a stick because of it's horrible literary reputation, have no fear, Fifty Shades of Louisa May is well written and naughty. Louisa is no naive waif like Ana, she's as in charge of her sexual desires as was possible for a woman in her times and circumstances.

[Leesi · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was more amusing and imaginative than anything. I would've awarded it two stars just for that, but I can't wrap my head around the embarrassing marketing trick. Is it that hard to come up with an "original" title? Even a play on Little Women would've been better than tying it to that FSG trash.

[Katie Kenig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny little book. My true rating would be 3.5 stars, were that available here.

I've never read the original Fifty Shades, but have certainly heard enough hype to know what it's all about. While Fifty Shades of Louisa May capitalizes on the craze, this is a book of satire and humour, and there's not a lick of BDSM to be found.

When you were a kid, did you ever find Victorian erotica at the library or (heaven forbid!) on your parents' bookshelves? If you did, then this book will read as very, very familiar to you. I have a feeling the anonymous author did a bit (or a lot!) of reading in that particular genre before penning this little tale of the not-so-innocent adventures and wishful thoughts of an author who lived a relatively chaste and innocent life.

Louisa May Alcott is a favourite author of mine - I have to admit that I've read Little Women multiple times, have seen the movie versions dozens of times over, and for a very long time wanted to grow up to be Jo. Or at the very least, live at Orchard House. Louisa May's life was, of course, very much like her character Jo's, though a bit less exciting of course, and this take on what might have been for her is both hilarious in places, sad in others, and enlightening in the little twist at the end (what an interesting idea the author had - worth the short read just to get to that last chapter!)

This is a small book, and a quick read. If you're puritanical, it may raise the hairs on the back of your neck. It's not sexy, though it has plenty of sex, and it made me laugh out loud multiple times.

*This book was received at no cost through the GoodReads First Reads program.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll admit that I entered to win this book because it referenced Fifty Shades in the title. I totally bought into it. It is what I expected it to be in terms of the story: Louisa May Alcott wrote a short memoir that reminisces her sexual awakening, sexual scenes that she witnessed, etc., and the individual stories (appropriately based in time and characters) are fantastic and in some instances, quite comical. What I was most surprised by though was how well written the book was. I'm not sure what I expected, but the writing is actually quite eloquent. It is flowery, but appropriately so since this is supposed to be Alcott's writing. A quick, entertaining read.

**I won this book in a GoodReads First Reads giveaway.**

[Carley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads Contest.

Fifty Shades of Louisa May is a satirical account of the sexual escapades of one of America's most prolific writers. Do not expect Little Women, but a salacious account of Louisa May's sexual experiences.

Whether it is watching the intimate moments of the Hawthornes with Melville in the background or piercing her maidenhood with her wooden friend, Alcott pens her sexual memoir with a bottle of Madiera at the ready.

Wonderfully written, Alcott owns her sexuality in a way that Ana never could. A quick and comical read. I would recommend this to anyone.

[Alexis Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd much rather read this then the BDSM accomplishments of Anastasia Steele, even if the aforementioned is not AT ALL a theme in this book (except for one scene of our author's imagination). In sharing a similar title, most readers, crazy over "50 Shades of Grey," are disappointed; however, I am not. Whether imaginative writing, or an erotic, romanticized reality, there are shades to our world unseen to the unsuspecting eye, and our anonymous author catches them in this brief, seemingly, collection of scenarios and incidents.

I rather enjoyed reading the tainted images of some of our most respected scholars, even if not all were believable.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have won this book through Goodreads giveaway. This was a quick read that was fun, well written, and erotic. The book is about Louisa May Alcott who writes a memoir to recount her introduction to sex, eroticism, and sexual pleasure. When I entered the giveaway I had just read the Fifty Shades trilogy, but don’t worry it’s not like Fifty Shades at all and that’s a good thing. I really enjoyed this book and how surprisingly well written it was. Thanks Goodreads!

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

omg,I can't believe this was actually written by Louisa. The author of Little Women, a definate departure from the usual.

[Roxanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won this on goodreads, it was a quick read. I can't say that I would buy it but it was good for a little chuckle.

[Lynne]

This was a GoodReads First Reads book giveaway.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um wow

[Zach · Rating 2 out of 5]

Whoever wrote this is reeeaaallll uncomfy with the fact that Louisa May Alcott liked women.

It had some stand out moments, but they were fleeting, and the obsession with dude’s dicks (and concomitant insulting of all the women around Alcott) meant that multiple opportunities for more interesting raunch were passed up.

MAKE IT MORE GAY NEXT TIME