Items related to Louisa May Alcott: Her Girlhood Diary
Synopsis
Journals that the author of "Little Women" kept from the ages of ten through thirteen reveal her inspirations and her progress as a writer
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
A few revealing fragments: excerpts from the diary Alcott started at ten; her mother's responses to it; Louisa's own comments, added as an adult (when she destroyed much of the original diary); letters; and parallel quotes from Little Women (pairing Beth's death with Alcott's account of her sister Lizzie's--the only entry dating from her 20s--is particularly poignant; in its simplicity and directness, the diary is even more eloquent). In step with recent biographers, Ryan's commentary and selections present the Alcott family as troubled: Bronson's vaunted Socratic method is seen as virtual bullying, his wife's exhaustion such that Louisa's lifelong ambition was to alleviate her toil, and Louisa herself bedeviled with the impossibility of being ``good'' (suppressing her emotions). Still, Little Women is not an untruth; it's one side of a complex story, and Ryan makes it clear that the Alcotts were creative, loyal, and genuinely affectionate. Graham's rather misty, generalized paintings reflect the sunnier side and--while pretty- -don't do justice to Alcott's and Ryan's honesty. Attractive, enlightening, carefully wrought. Chronology; sources; index. (Biography. 10-14) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Ryan has taken writings from Louisa May Alcott's early diary and combined them with excerpts from Little Women as well as biographical information, resulting in a confusing book that does not give a complete picture of the subject. Samples from her diary, her poetry, and notes she wrote to her mother clearly reflect that Alcott had an unhappy childhood and that, due to her religious upbringing, she was constantly trying to be "good." The book is illustrated with several full-color, full-page paintings, which look like some of the illustrations from the time of Little Women. Readers looking for additional information about Alcott might find this book interesting, especially if they themselves are thinking of becoming writers. However, anyone needing a complete and organized biography will have to look elsewhere.
Margaret C. Howell, West Springfield Elementary School, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherDemco Media
- Publication date1995
- ISBN 10 060619116X
- ISBN 13 9780606191166
- BindingPaperback
- Rating
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