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Miss Alcott's E-mail: Yours for Reforms of All Kinds
by
Kit Bakke (Goodreads Author)
A progressive-minded American everywoman, a child of the 60s now entering midlife, takes lessons in political commitment and personal fulfillment from her spiritual mentor, Louisa May Alcott.
Hardcover, 255 pages
Published
September 15th 2006
by David R. Godine Publisher
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What an amazing book! I confess I had few expectations, because the book was a freebie, a give-away at a "literary luncheon" at Whistler Cornucopia (www.whistlercornucopia.com) in November 2006. The luncheon was an "exploring food and wine pairings" thing, sponsored by a winery and a restaurant, so most of us (including Kit) had had several glasses by the time the Kit spoke about her book. I was too near the back of the room to be able to hear her very well, and I now regret ...more
Gwen
marked it as need-to-check-out
Recommended to Gwen by:
Carolyn See Washington Post 9/8/06
Shelves:
non-fiction
From Carolyn See's review in The Washington Post 9/8/06:
Because of these causes and strivings and yearnings for independence, [Kit Bakke:] sees genuine parallels between her life and [Bronson Alcott:]'s -- although she keeps herself mostly, modestly, in the background. Bakke, too, lived on a commune. She, too, was a political activist, who got worn down by circumstance: "My revolutionary days in the passionate and violent Weather Underground were like the ruins of Pompeii, the s...more
Because of these causes and strivings and yearnings for independence, [Kit Bakke:] sees genuine parallels between her life and [Bronson Alcott:]'s -- although she keeps herself mostly, modestly, in the background. Bakke, too, lived on a commune. She, too, was a political activist, who got worn down by circumstance: "My revolutionary days in the passionate and violent Weather Underground were like the ruins of Pompeii, the s...more
In spite of the rather hokey premise of the author and Louisa May Alcott corresponding across time and technology, I thought this was a well done look at Alcott. The correspondence is accompanied by the author's essays on Alcott's life and the social issues Alcott championed and was involved with - abolition, the rights of freedmen, education and hospital reform, poverty, and above all women's rights. Bakke compares them with her own reform movement adventures with the SDS and the Weathermen i...more
The author really understands what LMA was all about. It was hard to get into, but if you can accept the silly premise, there's some interesting stuff.
This book is an interesting cross breed of fiction and non-fiction. The author, Kit Bakke, imagines a world in which she is able to correspond with Louisa May Alcott by sending her emails, which are somehow "magically" converted (without ever explaining how) into letters on Miss Alcott's end. The book is written in the format of the letters and emails sent back and forth, with each author explaining how life is / was lived on her respective end of time. The book is non-fiction in th...more
Again, we met the author at Karen Burns', which was a treat.
I learned a lot from this original book.
I learned a lot from this original book.
Clever format for an interesting biography of ALcott.
I absolutely loved this book! The conceit of the book was that the author (who had been a member of the radical Weather Underground in her youth) was carrying on an e-mail correspondence with Louisa May Alcott. Interspersed with the letters revisiting their youthful activism was an insightful biography of Alcott. I don't want to make it sound preachy, which it absolutely wasn't, but it really made me think about my values and the meaning of life.
A unique take on a traditional biography. I would suggest it to any LMA fan, although be warned that as much fact as there is included, much of it is also the author's take on Louisa and her life. However, if you are interested in the life beyond Little Women, this does a great job of covering everything from her other more romantic and mysterious stories to her work as a nurss, women's rights advocate, and so much more.
Sara
marked it as to-read
it is an interesting way to tell 2 people's story. Although I'm not sure it entirely worked. I didn't get a totally good sense of what either person was really like. But I did find out a lot about Alcott that I didn't know. What a weird life in a way.
Amanda
marked it as to-read
I keep checking this out and not getting around to it, so I guess I'm not as eager as I thought I would be. I love Alcott, but this is someone's take on her, so it should be interesting, but...
Terri
rated it
·
review of another edition
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
feminists and fans of Alcott
Recommended to Terri by:
Kit Bakke
Highly entertaining biography (through e-mail letters) between the author (Kit Bakke) whom I know in person and Louisa May Alcott.
"(An) excellent book. . .the effect is like a wonderful movie shot with a hand-held camera."
- Washington Post Book World
- Washington Post Book World
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Kit Bakke spent the last half of the 20th century as a political radical (SDS and the Weather Underground), a pediatric oncology nurse, and an information technology consultant. In the 21st century, she became a published writer. Her MISS ALCOTT'S E-MAIL has led to further writing adventures, including being a founding member of Seattle7Writers (www.seattle7writers.org) and a chapter in HOTEL ANGE...more
More about Kit Bakke...
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