Louisa May Alcott: Her Life, Letters, and Journals

by Ednah Dow Littlehale Cheney

An intimate portrait of one of America's most beloved writers is revealed in this 1889 work from editor Ednah Dow Cheney. Originally published just a year after Louisa May Alcott's death at the age of 55, this unparalleled collection of Alcott's surviving personal letters and journal entries and the additional biographical commentary from family friend Cheney serve to paint a picture of Alcott's "true and frank nature" and "how faithfully and fully she performed whatever duties circumstances laid upon her." This important work gives the reader insight into Alcott's life, and portrays how her experiences informed her timeless and much-loved classics.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Classics

428 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1889

Reviews

[Jessie Turpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most known for her book, “Little Women”, Louisa May Alcott wrote mostly for children but was, and is still, adored by all ages. She was closely acquainted with grief and trouble but was buoyed in life by the tender love she had for her family and those in her humble circle, poets and intellectuals, that exemplified the virtue she valued until her death. Her wit and good-humor rarely failed her, and her imagination was a comfort to those who were fortunate enough to hear her stories, whether soldiers, prisoners, or the hundreds of admirers who stopped by her home to catch a glimpse of “Jo”.

“Saw Miss Rebecca Harding, author of Margret Howth, which has made a stir, and is very good. A handsome, fresh, quiet woman, who says she never had any troubles, though she writes about woes. I told her I had lots of troubles; so I write jolly tales; and we wondered why we each did so.”

“I think disappointment must be good for me, I get so much of it; and the constant thumping Fate gives me may be a mellowing process; so I shall be a ripe and sweet old pippen before I die.”

Both quotes from Hospital Sketches.

[Fiona Murphy McCormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louisa would've hated me for being irish but I love her anyway

[Morning Glory]

After loving the Maria Mitchell LL&J, had to read this one!
Very clear and comprehensive biography largely told in her own words. She is just so authentic! While I enjoyed as a fan, it was very long and could be tedious (due to the format).
Her Europe adventures were fun. “L. W. adds to my woe by writing of the splendors of Gorham, and says, "When tired, run right up here and find rest among these everlasting hills." All very aggravating to a young woman with one dollar, no bonnet, half a gown, and a discontented mind. It's a mercy the mountains are everlasting, for it will be a century before I get there. Oh, me, such is life!”
“We popped into bed early; and my bones are so much better that I slept without any opium or anything,-a feat I have not performed for some time.” (is she ok??)
My personal favorite: “We must speak the language, for it is disgraceful to be so stupid; so we have got to work, and mean to be able to parlez-vous or die.” 478
The author, Ednah, was also delightfully old fashioned, yet clear eyed.
Example of the former: “Her head was large, and her rich brown hair was long and luxuriant, giving a sense of fulness and richness of life to her massive features.” 431 (I’ve seen pictures and I think this is an overstatement of LM’s size:))
And of the latter: “With all her imagination and romance,
Miss Alcott was a tremendous destroyer of illusions; she remorselessly tore them away from herself, persisting in holding a lens before every fault and folly of her own, and she did the same for those she loved best. Only what was intrinsically noble and true could stand the searching test of her intellectual scrutiny and keen perception of the incongruous and ridiculous.” (As someone who struggled with articulating the difference between being agreeable and charitable, fun and truthful, this is giving me food for thought!! I really need to be more like this in both conversation and writing.)

[Anne (In Search of Wonder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the actual letters and journal entries. The accompanying narrative and edits by Ednah Cheney felt intrusive and mostly unnecessary. The material was largely organized chronologically, but the commentary kind of interrupted that flow with misplaced mentions of various events. And the commentary often restated what was already in the letters (frequently verbatim) without providing additional context, which seemed fairly pointless. It would have been very helpful if , instead, Cheney had provided additional necessary context to clarify incidents and characters and places mentioned by Alcott, and if she had organized everything in a chronological fashion, interspersing letters in between journal entries where they fit in the timeline, rather than grouping letters together, then journals, etc. In short, it was a little difficult to track.

However, I give it 4 stars because the actual letters and journals were very interesting and I felt like I got to know Alcott's personality pretty well. I'm interested in reading the Selected Letters by Myerson and Shealy - I wonder if it would be overall a better experience.

[Merije · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I know about L.M.A, as she styled herself in her journals, the better I like her. She had a mind entirely her own, very funny, observant, loving to those close and dear to her. She was also critical, had zero patience with nonsense, with people giving themselves airs over nothing. She really was a ‘child of duty,’ as her father once styled her, and more or less worked herself to death trying to take care of those around her.
This book gets all the stars for the journals and letters themselves; the comments in between add pretty much nothing. Still, amazing resource, and a great look into 19th century American society and into the mind of an amazing woman.
Every book I read by her hand (and there will be a lot as I just bought the collected works) will be more interesting because I read this. If you like L.M.A and intend to read (more) of her works, this will add to the experience. Highly recommended.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not having read Louisa May Alcott as a child, I noticed the morality and wondered if it were judgmental and attempting to provide examples of idyllic children. In "Little Women," when the family gave up their Christmas dinner, I thought that was completely unrealistic. After reading this biography, I realize she wasn't judgmental, and her stories were based on her reality. In fact, that particular incident happened to her as a child.

Other discussions of Louisa May Alcott indicate the family friendship with Ralph Waldo Emerson and others, but the relationship with Emerson was much deeper than I had anticipated. His friendship to her family has made me more curious about his writing.

I now greatly admire Louisa May Alcott, as she did practice what she preached.

[Camila Valeriano · Rating 3 out of 5]

O livro é ótimo para conhecer a escritora, visto que a maioria das pessoas conhece apenas sua obra. É impressionante perceber como ela trabalhou incansavelmente para ter o sucesso que teve. Mas por outro lado a edição não é muito boa. Talvez por lido na versão Kindle ele não tenha sido adaptado corretamente.

[Mariana Vilela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raised among the New England Transcendentalists in Concord and Boston, Ms. Alcott grew up among some of the giants of American literature and history, including Emerson and Thoreau. However, her philosopher father Bronson Alcott was often unable to financially support his family, and Ms. Alcott devoted most of her life to giving her altruistic mother, her father and her sisters some financial security. During the Civil War, Ms. Alcott volunteered to nurse soldiers in Washington, D.C. but she became seriously ill after 6 weeks and never recovered her health, although that didn’t stop her from working 14 hour days, writing, writing, writing. After the first volume of Little Women was published, editors began soliciting her work and paying her much higher rates. She kept right on working and was able to realize her dream of supporting her family in comfort and assisting others.

Published in 1889 a year after her death, Ms. Alcott’s letters and the journal supplemented with the editor’s comments form a virtual autobiography, which reflects her idealism, integrity, humor and practicality. Sadly, she had most of the letters she wrote to her family destroyed (she also edited her journal), but the letters from her European trip with her sister were inadvertently saved by her father and are delightful.

“I am in the garret with my papers round me, and a pile of apples to eat while I write my journal, plan stories, and enjoy the patter of rain on the roof, in peace and quiet.” April 1855—age 22

“As if a heavenly lake under our windows with moonlight ad libitum wasn’t enough, we had music next door; and on leaning out of a little back window, we made the splendid discovery that we could look on the stage of the opera-house across a little alley. My Nan [her oldest sister] can imagine with what rapture I stared at the scenes going on below me, and how I longed for her as I stood there wrapped in my yellow bed-quilt, and saw gallant knights in armor warble sweetly to plump ladies in masks, or pretty peasants fly wildly from ardent lovers in red tights; also a disheveled maid who tore her hair in a forest, while a man aloft made thunder and lightning,--and I saw him do it!
It was the climax to a splendid day; for few travelers can go to the opera luxuriously in their night-gowns, and take naps between the acts as I did.” Touring with her youngest sister in Italy, Oct. 1870

“Fame is an expensive luxury. I can do without it. This is my worst scrape, I think. I asked for bread, and got a stone—in the shape of a pedestal.” Aug. 1875

“I can remember when Antislavery was in just the same state that Suffrage is now, and take more pride in the very small help we Alcotts could give than in all the books I ever wrote or ever shall write. “Earth’s fanatics often make heaven’s saints,” you know, and it is as well to try for that sort of promotion in time.” Feb. 1881

[Carol Van Der Woude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Louisa May Alcott: Life, Letters and Journals is a collection of entries from her journals, and letters that she wrote and received. Edna Cheney edited this book and added biographical comments. The book was published in 1889, a year after Miss Alcott died.

The book is nice for a leisurely read. I read a chapter or two each evening, enjoying a glimpse of the life experiences and the devotion to writing that Miss Alcott possessed. It was also a treat to get a view of Europe in the 1800s through Louisa’s letters and notes. (She made a yearlong trip to Europe twice.)

Read more at my blog: http://carolvanderwoudern.com/2015/04...

[skein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sentimental, yes, but that is also true to the time; and there is so much of Alcott here, extensive quotes from letters and journals, particularly of her later (adult) years, that it seems to have relieved my desire. Fulfilled it, I guess.

Often her journals illustrate a point differently than the editor/narrator would have it. Her depression, mania, depression, isolation tendencies.

Interesting. And lengthy. Intriguingly so.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it as a lover of Louisa's books. Her journals and letters are included, very edited by Louisa and the author of the compilation, but even so it gives real insight into her life that makes the books she wrote even more interesting and relevant today.

[Laura Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed this look at her life. at 400 pages, it was a slow read for me but i thoroughly enjoyed it

[Lisa Rosman]

Helpful, clarifying, sad.