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A Joyful Noise

borrowed names

Little Woman in Blue, a novel of May Alcott

September 9, 2015 by Melodye Shore

If you’ve read Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, you no doubt remember Jo Marsh’s coddled, self-indulgent little sister, Amy, who trades away her artistic dreams for the promises of marriage. Little Woman in Blue is a refrain of Amy’s story, but with a twist: Author Jeannine Atkins calls Louisa’s character by her real name—Abigail “May” Alcott—and tells her story true.

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Abigail “May” Alcott Nieriker (Image via WikiCommons)

In the 19th century, most female artists eventually exchanged their professional ambitions for marriage proposals, and then plowed their creative urges into homemaking tasks and raising children. But while May Alcott has a frothy side (which no doubt irks her older sister), she is a headstrong woman with loftier goals: Artist. Wife. Mother. Wealth and professional acclaim, when her every wish is granted. In lively passages, Jeannine Atkins describes the myriad obstacles that May encounters on this “road less traveled.”

Over time, May’s persistence begins to pay off. She earns the begrudging respect of her older sister, fattens her art portfolio, and is ultimately granted exhibition rights at the esteemed Salon in Paris, where her paintings are displayed alongside some of the most famous artists of her day. Her dreams of marriage and family are eventually realized, when she married Ernest Nieriker and gives birth to a baby girl. There’s more to the story, of course, but you’ll find no spoilers here.

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May Alcott Nieriker’s ‘La Negresse,’ exhibited at the 1879 Paris Salon (Image via WikiCommons)

In this authentic, if fictionalized, biography, Jeannine Atkins breathes new life into one of America’s favorite literary classics. Alcott aficionados will find much to love between its covers, as will readers for whom this is a first introduction to the sisters in Little Women. Rich imagery. Relatable characters. Settings that are true to an era, and a story that celebrates May Alcott’s life, aptly published during the 175th anniversary of her birth year.

Within the first few pages, I became friends with “the little woman in blue.” I embraced her faults and virtues, railed against her torments, and celebrated her brave, if sometimes misguided, efforts to strike a balance between her artistic and personal ambitions. Though I was sorry to reach the end, I will remember May’s story, always.

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Little Woman in Blue: A Novel of May Alcott (Cover image via Jeannine Atkins’ website)

 

This review is based on an Advance Review Copy (ARC) of Little Woman In Blue (SheWrites, September 2015), provided to me by the author. I was awestruck when I read one of Jeannine Atkins’ earlier books, Borrowed Names, and I’m a big fan of her subsequent works. Though we live on opposite coasts, our shared sensibilities have sparked an enduring friendship. Even so, I’ve done my level best to write an unbiased review of this book, in hopes that May Alcott’s story will reach—will touch—a broader audience of readers.

Posted in: Book Reviews, In the author's tent, publishing Tagged: abigail May ALcott, borrowed names, chrysalis, jeannine atkins, La Negresse, Little Woman in Blue, little women, Louisa May Alcott, May ALcott, May Alcott Nieriker

VIEWS FROM A WINDOW SEAT: Thoughts on Writing and Life

February 20, 2014 by Melodye Shore

I first came to know Jeannine Atkins when she posted her blog entries to LiveJournal, the little corner of the blogosphere that I call home. Her writing style (her way of being) resonated with me then, as now: she has a poet's sensitivity and an artist's eye. She is a story-teller at heart, with a soul-deep appreciation for all that life has to offer.

It was in 2010 that BORROWED NAMES first arrived in bookstores–a gorgeous book that threads together the lives and accomplishments of three extraordinary women and their daughters. I think I bought a copy for just about everyone I knew. It's that good. And my friends are worth it.

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Put this on your wish list for Mother's Day!

Jeannine's long since moved her blog over to WordPress, and she's added yet another publishing credit to her name.

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Voilà!

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If you haven't yet read this book, may I suggest it to you now? It's been a constant source of inspiration for me, as I work my way through the arduous (but no less rewarding) job of revising my current manuscript, CAN I GET A WITNESS? And good news: we'll use it as a springboard for discussion at our Writing and Yoga (with chocolate!) retreat in June!

I've mentioned it in earlier blog posts, but seeing as how I just posted a review to Amazon, I thought I'd also share those thoughts with you, here:

VIEWS FROM A WINDOW SEAT offers a wealth of fresh perspectives on what it means to be a writer, as told from the vantage point of a beloved author and trusted friend. Within each section, Jeannine Atkins invites readers to explore various aspects of the creative process, until we see for ourselves the illuminated space in which voices emerge, ideas flourish, and authenticity reigns supreme.

Here, a writer’s retreat, as inviting as they come. Divided into short, two- or three-page chapters, VIEWS FROM A WINDOW SEAT is easily read in a single sitting. I savored brief passages over breakfast, and found myself meditating on their layered meanings throughout the day. With regret, I turned the final page. But by that time, I’d learned to see my old patterns with fresh eyes, and could create for myself a new path forward. Gone, the clouded vision, knowledge gaps and blind spots. In their place, a welcoming candle, and a full-spectrum, panoramic view of the road ahead.

This is the first book published by Stone Door Press. You can browse the sample pages, and/or purchase it on Amazon.

Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: borrowed names, candles in the window: a writing and yog, jeannine atkins, views from a window seat

Writing through the storm

October 19, 2010 by Melodye Shore


Growling thunder, and jagged shards of lightning in an angry sky…Someone (and I’m not saying who) is throwing a major temper tantrum up there!

But me, I’m all snug in my office, steaming mug of tea at the ready. I’m steeped in a question-and-answer session with Erin Blakemore, author of THE HEROINE’S BOOKSHELF: Life Lessons, frm Jane Austen to Laura Ingalls Wilder, which makes its grand debut in bookstores today. My thoughts are that discussion is perfectly suited for a Thankful Thursday posting, as I’m grateful for the female authors who’ve challenged, comforted, and entertained me over the years…and also for their literary daughters, whose journeys inspire me still. 

Please join us in the Author’s Tent later this week. Thursday, to be exact. There may, in fact, be prizes! And in the meantime, keep an eye out for Erin’s book. It’s a cozy read, and if (like me) you loved Jeannine Atkin’s BORROWED NAMES, I suspect you’ll enjoy HEROINE’S BOOKSHELF, as well.

The storm is dying down as I type this. No blue skies as of yet, but I hold out hope. But I can’t gaze into the heavens all day long, so it’s back to the interview, and then WITNESS takes center stage. The teakettle’s whistling…if you’d like to join our little writing circle, please pull up a chair.

Image credit: Woman Writing a Letter, by Dutch artist Gerrit ter Borsch.
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Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: borrowed names, the heroine's bookshelf, woman writing a letter

Sunday respite

May 2, 2010 by Melodye Shore

We’re enjoying a lazy relaxing afternoon, here at Chez Shore.

Caley (Le Chat Lunatique) is headed for dreamland. Or she might be warming up her vocal chords…with kitties, you just never know.

And Zoë (Le Chat Genteel) is daydreaming in the dappled afternoon sun. Nevermind that she’s bogarding a catnip cache beneath all that fur…

And me? I’m curled up under my afghan comforter, sipping tea and savoring Jeannine Atkins’ BORROWED NAMES. All is well in our tiny corner of the world, and truly, I can’t think of a cozier, more luxurious way to while away the hours on a quiet Sunday.

Posted in: Uncategorized Tagged: borrowed names, caley, jeannine atkins, zoe

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