The Other Alcott
Elise Hooper’s The Other Alcott explores the life of the lesser-known but incredibly talented sister of Louisa May Alcott.
Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well-off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man’s profession.
May embarks on a quest to discover her own true identity, as an artist and a woman. From Boston to Rome, London, and Paris, this brave, talented, and determined woman forges an amazing life of her own, making her so much more than merely “the Other Alcott.”
I found a kindred spirit in May Alcott, which I didn’t expect. As a writer, I thought I would connect with Louisa more, even if she weren’t the leading lady of this book. But through May, I found a talented woman who practiced her craft diligently in the shadow of her sister’s success. She worked incredibly hard to improve her skills. May struggled to find her place in her family. When Little Women came out and she read how Louisa portrayed her as Amy March, she really had to sift through that characterisation to find out whom she truly was. It was a joy to read her journey.
There was a scene in Alcott that made May resonate with me as a fellow creative. Louisa asked May how she would “know” when she was an artist. May kept insisting she needed more training, but after the conversation with her sister, she wondered indeed how she would know she was a “real” artist. When would she “make it” like Louisa had with her writing? Was it even fair to compare the two outlets, since writing and painting, while similar in some aspects, are very different in others? As a writer still young in my career, I understood completely what May felt.
Although May did die young, leaving her daughter in Louisa’s care, I am glad that she found love with her husband and was able to combine her art with married life. She had stated throughout the book she didn’t want to have to choose between the two. She had seen Louisa abstain from marriage willingly, but she had also seen fellow artists make marriage work. Of course there were sacrifices, but they were worth it to her.
I wish she had survived her illness, for I think the world would be a better place with more of her art in it.
The Other Alcott Rating: ★★★★★
Stylish, outgoing, creative, May Alcott grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord, Massachusetts. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May herself is a talented and dedicated artist, taking lessons in Boston, turning down a marriage proposal from a well-off suitor, and facing scorn for entering what is very much a man’s profession.
May embarks on a quest to discover her own true identity, as an artist and a woman. From Boston to Rome, London, and Paris, this brave, talented, and determined woman forges an amazing life of her own, making her so much more than merely “the Other Alcott.”
I found a kindred spirit in May Alcott, which I didn’t expect. As a writer, I thought I would connect with Louisa more, even if she weren’t the leading lady of this book. But through May, I found a talented woman who practiced her craft diligently in the shadow of her sister’s success. She worked incredibly hard to improve her skills. May struggled to find her place in her family. When Little Women came out and she read how Louisa portrayed her as Amy March, she really had to sift through that characterisation to find out whom she truly was. It was a joy to read her journey.
There was a scene in Alcott that made May resonate with me as a fellow creative. Louisa asked May how she would “know” when she was an artist. May kept insisting she needed more training, but after the conversation with her sister, she wondered indeed how she would know she was a “real” artist. When would she “make it” like Louisa had with her writing? Was it even fair to compare the two outlets, since writing and painting, while similar in some aspects, are very different in others? As a writer still young in my career, I understood completely what May felt.
Although May did die young, leaving her daughter in Louisa’s care, I am glad that she found love with her husband and was able to combine her art with married life. She had stated throughout the book she didn’t want to have to choose between the two. She had seen Louisa abstain from marriage willingly, but she had also seen fellow artists make marriage work. Of course there were sacrifices, but they were worth it to her.
I wish she had survived her illness, for I think the world would be a better place with more of her art in it.
The Other Alcott Rating: ★★★★★