Well-Read: Loving Louisa May Alcott
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
For all the readers who cried when (spoiler alert!) Beth died, the next two months are for you.
Louisa May Alcott, The Woman Behind Little Women, a two-month long celebration of the works of Little Women’s Louisa May Alcott begins this Sunday, October 16th at the Providence Public Library. There is something for everybody, whether you are interested in Alcott’s books, the Civil War, a field trip, movies (complete with popcorn) or live theater. With a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Providence Public Library will be hosting these events to explore the fascinating life and works of Louisa May Alcott.
Louisa May Alcott, brought to life
The fun begins at 1:30pm this Saturday with Living Literature’s Louisa May Alcott Life Sketches in a 45-minute, two-person, readers theatre-style presentation. Sharing the early life of Louisa May Alcott, using her own words, this presentation is based on three of her sketches taken from Reminiscences of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Recollections of My Childhood, and Hospital Sketches. These sketches are among the most autobiographical of Alcott's works, and share a side of this author that many of her readers may not be familiar with. At 2:30 Harriet Reisen, author of Louisa May Alcott, The Woman Behind Little Women will be signing books and the film of the same title will be shown with a discussion immediately following. There will also be two door prizes!
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTTours and field trips
Louise Moulton of the Providence Public Library is “most excited about the Walking Tour of Benefit Street on October 29th, the field trip to Concord on November 5th, the book discussion with Dr. Joan Glazer and the lecture by Dr. Sharon Hartman Strom of URI about Louisa May Alcott’s views of women’s work and racial equality.” Presentations are happening at various libraries so make sure to check the libraries’ sites for locations.
“Louisa May Alcott is recognized around the world for her novel Little Women, but few know Alcott as the bold, compelling woman who grew up in the innermost circle of the Transcendentalist and antislavery movements, served as a Civil War army nurse, and led a secret literary life writing pulp fiction,” said PPL Director Dale Thompson. “Our library is excited to explore these little-known works, which provide a unique perspective on American history.”
Special offers for book clubs
If your book club is looking for its next pick, look no further. All of the activities are set up, all you have to do is choose a title and join right in. The field trip to Concord, MA on November 5th is $30 and includes the bus ride and entrance to Orchard House, Alcott’s childhood home. The deadline for registration is October 22nd and seating is limited.
FIlm festival at RIC
A Louisa May Alcott Film Festival will screen at Rhode Island College Adams Library (Reinhardt Room) on Thursdays—October 13, 20 & 27—at 4pm. My favorite version of Little Women with Katharine Hepburn will be shown on the 13th, followed by the June Allyson version on the 20th and ending with the most current adaptation on the 27th—Winona Ryder’s. I know more than a few women who will want to see all three!
A contemporary novel you'll love
While immersing yourself in all things Alcott, consider this perfect, contemporary companion novel to Little Women—Geraldine Brooks’ March. Brooks has taken the character of the absent father, March, who has gone off to war leaving his wife and daughters. To evoke him, Brooks turned to the journals and letters of Bronson Alcott, Louisa May’s father, a friend and confidant of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
And a party!
The Louisa May Alcott celebration culminates on Sunday, November 20th at the Providence Public Library’s main branch from 1-4pm with a birthday party in honor of Louisa (born in 1832 she would have been 179!). All in all, it's a wonderful two months, thanks to the wonderful folks at the Providence Public Library and librarians statewide, and I can't wait!
Louisa May Alcott, The Woman Behind Little Women, begins October 16 and runs through November 20. For more information and schedules for all events, go here.
Reading enthusiast and all around "book-pusher" Robin Kall can be heard live Saturday mornings from 7-8am on Reading With Robin WHJJ 920AM. Also streaming live at www.920whjj.com. Follow on Twitter @robinkall, and Facebook - Reading With Robin. All new Web site! www.readingwithrobin.com
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