Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott

You might know that Louisa May Alcott was the writer of Little Women, but did you know what her life was really like? You will after you read Scribbles, Sorrows, and Russet Leather Boots: The Life of Louisa May Alcott.

I enjoyed the movie of Little Women, but I didn’t realize much about her actual life. Through this book, I discovered fascinating details. I didn’t know that she was an actress as well as a writer. She was, to her family, sometimes seen as behaving inappropriately. She used slang so badly (it would be like foul language today) and didn’t do what girls were supposed to do at that time. Like a popular phrase tells us, “nevertheless, she persisted.”

I enjoyed learning about how her own life connected with the books that she wrote, especially how the character of Jo in Little Women is so much like the author. For instance, “The two are so closely aligned that it’s sometimes hard to tell where Louisa leaves off and Jo begins.” Louisa wanted to be free. Her story is told in a poignant way throughout this book, just like she did in Little Women and more. Fans of Louisa May Alcott will want to read this special book.