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
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.
I’m so glad to see you loved this! I’m a huge fan of Little Women and hope to read this one soon.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
Another one for the wish list. *sigh*
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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