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#267 ~ The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott
Published by: Penguin Group
Published on: April, 2010
Page Count: 352
Genre: Historical Fiction
My Reading Format: ARC copy sent to me by the publisher for participation in the online book club
Available Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook
My Review
Earlier this year, Trish from Hey Lady Whatcha Readin’? held an online book club for The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees. I was one of the lucky people chosen to participate and I was very excited. I have loved Louisa May Alcott for just about as long as I can remember. The only author who has been close to my heart longer is Laura Ingalls Wilder. When Trish posted about the book club I realized that I knew very little about Louisa herself other than that Little Women was somewhat autobiographical. I’ve never even picked up a biography. When the ARC arrived, I finished up my current read as soon as I could so that I could get started. I was not disappointed. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott painted an interesting and human portrait of the entire Alcott family, most specifically Louisa and her parents.
There were times when I was furious with Mr. Alcott for being so selfish in clinging to his principles instead of caring financially and emotionally for the family he chose to have. Counterbalanced with him was Louisa’s mother. She, too, had made choices and her love for her husband came at a high price. Still, I don’t believe she would have had it any other way. While there may have not been much physical comfort to her because of the way her husband wanted to live, it was apparent that she found moral and spiritual comfort in their life and valued that more highly. Likewise, Louisa wouldn’t have been the woman she was had her family setting not been as it was. While her life was by no means horrible, her art is a testament to the fact that where there are trials, deeper beauty and meaning can be found.
My Final Thoughts
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who has loved Little Women or who has always wanted to read it. Who says that a spinster’s life is necessarily boring?
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In case you missed it, here is what I was thinking about while I was reading the book and writing the review…
Other Voices
She Is Too Fond of Books
Sophisticated Dorkiness
Devourer of Books
Life in the Thumb
S. Krishna’s Books
The Boston Bibliophile
Lit and Life
My Books. My Life.
Michelle’s Masterful Musings
July 8, 2010 | Filed Under Historical Fiction, book review, female author, fiction
Comments
12 Responses to “#267 ~ The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott”
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Wisteria Leigh
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 10:18 am1Reply to this comment.I read this and loved every page..savoring the story. I loved Little Women and remember reading her biography with amazement. I just love strong women who buck societal norms.
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bermudaonion (Kathy)
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 10:24 am2Reply to this comment.I’m so glad to see you loved this! I’m a huge fan of Little Women and hope to read this one soon.
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Jennifer-Girls Gone Reading
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 10:58 am3Reply to this comment.I also love this book-even though I have never read Little Women. I know, I know-it is shameful! Kelly McNees is also great in person. She speaks a lot in Chicago, and she is very knowledgable and in-love with Alcott. Great book-highly recommend it too!
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Sandy
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 11:28 am4Reply to this comment.Pretty soon I will be the last person on earth not to have read this. While I was reading your review, I was fondly remembering your post about the bastard that yelled at you for reading Little Women in class. Freaking commie!
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Laura's Reviews
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 4:06 pm5Reply to this comment.Great review! I would really love to read this book. I used to read children’s biographies of Louisa May Alcott when I was younger, but I have never read an adult biography of her since growing up. It looks like its about time!
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Jennifer
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 7:21 pm6Reply to this comment.Thanks everyone, I think you’ll like this novel.
Laura, I just wanted to point out that this is a novel, not a biography. If someone has a recommendation for a good Alcott biography, I’d love it.
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Gwen
Posted: Jul 8th, 2010 at 11:17 pm7Reply to this comment.Okay, your lost comment made me snicker. At what age is one considered a spinster? Is there still such a term? No matter, being single is far from boring and I will bump this book up on my list!
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Meghan
Posted: Jul 10th, 2010 at 2:18 pm8Reply to this comment.I think you liked this one more than I did, and I’m glad! It was definitely a good choice for those of us who loved Little Women.
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softdrink
Posted: Jul 10th, 2010 at 7:48 pm9Reply to this comment.Another one for the wish list. *sigh*
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Colleen (Books in the City)
Posted: Jul 11th, 2010 at 11:15 am10Reply to this comment.I really liked this one too – I think your observation about Louisa’s mother taking moral and spiritual comfort in their life is interesting. I have never thought of it that way but now that you have said it, I completely agree!
Great book!
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pingback:
Posted: Jul 20th, 2010 at 5:26 am11The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees « Word LilyReply to this comment.[...] Dorkiness Books, Movies & Chinese Food Joyfully Retired The 3 R’s Blog Life in the Thumb Literate Housewife S. Krishna’s [...]
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Tiara Heaivilin
Posted: Jul 26th, 2010 at 12:19 pm12Reply to this comment.I most likely would not have contemplated this was helpful two or 3 years back, yet it is interesting how age evolves the way you react to things, thanks for the blog article it truly is great to discover something sensible now instead of the conventional rubbish disguised as blogs and forums over the internet. Cheers
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