Marmee and Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother Audiobook

" This is a well-written book that explores a new perspective on who was behind Louisa May Alcott's success. Her mother was the one who was there for her at all times, encouraging her and being a true role model. So often Bronson Alcott is given the lion's share of credit for Louisa's success, even though he didn't support the family financially and was an absentee parent most of the time. It is very clear from this book that Marmee was the heart and soul of a family that had to cover for their philosophical but morally bankrupt father. This book was written by a relative of the Alcott's, and while it may show bias here and there, it drew upon letters and diary entries that enriched the story. Five stars. "

" A little dry sometimes but good. Makes me want to go re-read "eight cousins" and all the others. :). (not little women tho--think I've read that enough times for the next thirty years or so....) "

" Having grown up near Concord, MA and having visited many of Louisa's homes makes this book all the more interesting. I am also inspired to read and reread her works. Can't believe how useless her father really was. "

" It's wonderful to finally have a book dedicated to the relationship between Louisa May Alcott and her mother, Abigail May Alcott. LaPlante does well to bring Abigail to greater attention. Abigail Alcott was a dynamic, passionate, strong and inspiring woman. This book is a nice compliment to John Matteson's recent biography of Louisa and her father, Bronson Alcott. However, I do not think that Laplante has matched Matteson's accomplishment. I do not think that LaPlante's book makes significant revelations regarding the mother daughter relationship relationship, nor do I agree that Abigail's influence on her daughter has been ignored or dismissed by Alcott's scholars. LaPlante, who is a distant cousin of Louisa May Alcott, uses biographical readings of Louisa's fiction that are focused toward the influence of Abigail and the May family, to demonstrate Abigail's influence on her famous daughter. While this approach is valid, it is also limiting. I was furthermore deeply saddened by LaPlante's negatively biased portrayal of Bronson Alcott. He was a flawed individual, but he was not all bad. Abigail loved her husband deeply and had good reasons to do so. A more balanced portrayal would have done better justice to both Bronson and Abigail. This is something which Matteson achieves that LaPlante has not. What LaPlante succeeds at is bringing Abigail to the fore of the Alcott story. She should be commended for this. In several instances she does make good use of unpublished archival material. One of the strongest aspects in the book is LaPlante's treatment of Abigail's relationship with her brother Samuel Joseph May. I think LaPlante might have done well to have written her book about sister and brother rather than mother and daughter, as it often felt that her narrative was pulling in the direction of Samuel May and that this is where her interest truly lay. It would have made for a compelling story,as well as one new to scholarship. "

" I did not know much about Louisa Alcott's life. This was fascinating! Her MOTHER was the strong one in the family ... Louisa's father was too "intellectual" to bother about trying to support his family. "

" This was very interesting. I learned so much about Abigail May and her relationship with Louisa. It was well-written and I enjoyed the epilogue that shared information of where to go and how to find out more - I look forward to doing so. "

" Blech. Like reading a research paper. "

" Wow, I didn't know LMA was from such a prominent family in American history. The book is as much about Abigail as it is about Louisa. Another good read that leads me to ponder the good/bad of journaling, of leaving your life story behind, of unchanging realities of life/marriage/money/spirituality. "

" Little Women and its idealized family have haunted me my whole life. It was helpful to read the story behind the story. "

" I really could get into this book. Kept trying but other books held my intrest more. Might try it again at a later date. "

" Good. Bit slow at first. Her father was a plonker. "

" Thoroughly enjoying this after reading the letters so Abigail Alcott in 'The Boundless Heart.' "

" Biography - Louisa May Alcott and Abigail Alcott - mother-daughter relationship - American women's history - a heartbreaking and heartwarming account of the lives of the women behind the children's classic Little Women. "

" Not the quickest read, but I'm not sure that's a bad thing, as many parts about Louisa, her mother, and society in New England were quite thought-provoking. I enjoyed it a lot. "

" I have been to Concord, Massachusetts and visited the Alcott family's grave. Someone left a bouquet for Louisa. I wish a bouquet was left for Abigail as well. Fecal matter should be left on Bronson's grave. "

" I got bored and quit this book. I hardly ever do that but this one just didn't grab me. The husband was such a whiny titty baby. It was depressing. "