The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott: A Novel by Kelly O'Connor McNees (NY: Amy Einhorn Books, 2010)This debut novel mixes fact and fiction to imagine the summer that changed the course of Louisa May Alcott's writing career and inspired Little Women's heartbreaking love story. Little Women is one of my favorite books and the style of this novel is very reminiscent of Alcott's. I haven't finished it yet, but so far I am really enjoying this summer love story.
"In the summer of 1855, Walt Whitman's controversial Leaves of Grass has just been released, and the notion of making a living as a writer is still a far-off dream for Louisa. She is twenty-two years old, vivacious, and bursting with a desire to be free of her family and societal constraints so she can do what she loves the most--write. The Alcott family, destitute as usual, moves to a generous uncle's empty house in Walpole, New Hampshire, for the summer. Here, a striking but pensive Louisa meets Joseph Singer. Louisa is initially unimpressed by Joseph's charms. But just as she begins to open her heart, she discovers that Joseph may not be free to give his away. Their newfound love carries a steep price, and Loiusa fears she may pay with the independence she has fought so hard to protect." (from the jacket copy)
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