An Alcott Event discussion

Most of the people who show up here will get here from the Dead Writers Society, which is a private group where we read exclusively books by authors who have shuffled off this mortal coil.

The DWS was created a year or so ago in a reaction to the overwhelming amount of self-promotion that we were constantly experiencing on GR. We had also noticed that with all of the emphasis on new publishing releases, many great authors and books were being left to the dustbin of history. Over there, we read a lot of classics, but we also read authors like C.S. Lewis, Georgette Heyer, Octavia Butler, and even Anne McCaffrey.

As part of that group, we discussed doing a special event in November to celebrate the life of Louisa May Alcott, who was born on November 29. That is the genesis of this group.

We are so happy to see you here! Please fill us in on who you are, and if you have already decided, what will you be reading?

I just learned that Alcott and I share a birtthday, thanks to your intro. I'm a lifelong avid reader so I have read much of what she has written. If you want to read one of her lesser known works, try "A Long Fatal Love Chase". It's a short read and very entertaining.

Duane wrote: "I just learned that Alcott and I share a birtthday, thanks to your intro. I'm a lifelong avid reader so I have read much of what she has written. If you want to read one of her lesser known works, ..."

I, Duane! Lovely to see you here. Just out of curiosity, how did you find us? I've been trying to promote the group a little bit over the last couple of days, and I'm curious where you found out about it, since you aren't a member of the DWS.

I had just added my review for Little Women and somehow a thread led me to your group. If this group is for DWS members only, then I apologise for intruding. I'm new to Goodreads so just feeling my way around the site. I'm not a writer or a scholar, just a book lover. Thanks

Duane wrote: " If this group is for DWS members only, then I apologise for intruding..."

Moonlight didn't mean that! Please stay and add to the upcoming discussion.

She only meant that most of the first members came from the DWS group so I think she was wondering if you saw it mentioned in one of her blogs.

Duane wrote: "I had just added my review for Little Women and somehow a thread led me to your group. If this group is for DWS members only, then I apologise for intruding. I'm new to Goodreads so just feeling m..."

No, no, no, don't leave! I am sorry if I implied you aren't welcome here, because you definitely are. I am just trying to figure out which of my promo efforts are working!

No, I wasn't offended, I felt sure you didn't mind. I just wanted to be sure. I don't know how much I can contribute, I like hearing what other people think about books and authors that I'm interested in. Thanks

Duane wrote: "No, I wasn't offended, I felt sure you didn't mind. I just wanted to be sure. I don't know how much I can contribute, I like hearing what other people think about books and authors that I'm inter..."

Oh, good! We just want to have some fun. Contribute where you are comfortable!

I'm going to give it a shot.
Anyone have a suggestion on what to start with?
I have never read any of her work.

isanythingopen wrote: "I'm going to give it a shot.
Anyone have a suggestion on what to start with?
I have never read any of her work."

Little Women is her best known work.

Another movie in the works: Little Women Adaptation Being Scripted at Sony

Bookworm R wrote: "Another movie in the works: Little Women Adaptation Being Scripted at Sony"

No! The Sarandon-Ryder-Danes-Dunst-Alvarado-Mathis movie is absolutely fantastic! Why yet another remake? :( And the suggestion that Ryder or Danes be roped into playing Marmee - < sarcasm > why, yes, "ancient" as they are that would be fitting. < /sarcasm >

I guess it goes back to the question, how many plots can you have for a book. So we frequently find movies remade for the same reason likely.

Seriously, I think I heard they are already talking about a Twilight remake/reboot.

Bookworm R wrote: "Seriously, I think I heard they are already talking about a Twilight remake/reboot."

Huh? Didn't that come out like... yesterday?

That said, I rather liked the first Twilight movie. It's the most unintentionally hilarious movie I've ever seen. Sort of like Monty Python, but without the intent for absurd humour.

But speaking of movies, I actually saw one I liked A LOT this Saturday (in fact, I liked it so much that as soon as I got out of the theatre, I went right back in and bought another ticket to the next showing): Wong Kar-Wai's The Grandmaster, which is supposedly about Bruce Lee's master/teacher (but I don't know enough about BL to properly appreciate that link) - but really about a... hmm, courteous dislike between imperial China's kung fu schools of the north and the south. Also: revenge, obsession, war, regret and the love between a father and a daughter. It's amazing. It doesn't even really have a plot. Not a neat, coherent, paint-by-numbers one anyway. Before I went to see it, someone criticized it by saying it wasn't a "typical kung fu movie", and no offense to the kung fu genre, but I think that was rather the point. It was also very subtle - and I'm glad I saw it a second time or I'd have missed a myriad of the tiny connections that flicker by just under the surface.

I suspect Wong Kar-wai may be the grandmaster the title refers to. At least that's how it should be.

Hi may name is Leigh. I have been reading Alcott for a long time. I started with " Little Women" and then moved on to " Eight Cousins" as the publication I read was called. I loved everyone of her books. I have had a copy of "Little Women" since I was a kid I'm in my 50s so although its not my first copy its still loveworn. I gave this book to my daughter and granddaughter. Louisa is timeless.

Leigh wrote: "Hi may name is Leigh. I have been reading Alcott for a long time. I started with " Little Women" and then moved on to " Eight Cousins" as the publication I read was called. I loved everyone of her ..."

Welcome, Leigh! I am glad you found us!

I am going to read "Work" for the November event. I have never read it so I have it reserved at the library. I had never heard of it until a few days ago.

Duane wrote: "I am going to read "Work" for the November event. I have never read it so I have it reserved at the library. I had never heard of it until a few days ago."

I just finished that one!

Hello, my name is Yuka. I love classic books writers such as Alcott, Montgomely,C.S.Lewis. But I've read almost of all these books in Japanese version.
I found this topic and read all your comments so I make up my mind to read thease books in English.
Would you mind if I take part in this group?
How I envy you so that you are able to read Alcott in your own language!!

Yuka wrote: "Hello, my name is Yuka. I love classic books writers such as Alcott, Montgomely,C.S.Lewis. But I've read almost of all these books in Japanese version.
I found this topic and read all your comment..."

Welcome Yuka! Glad to have you here. I envy you having language skills so you can read for pleasure in a second or third language.