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The Bee and the Fly: The Improbable Correspondence of Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson presents a lifelong exchange of unknown letters between Dickinson, the reclusive poet, and Alcott, the most renowned author of the time. What could Alcott say to Dickinson about abolitionism and woman's rights? What might Dickinson reveal to Alcott about her thoughts on marriage and eternity? Researched for over five years and drawing heavily on biographical facts, these luminous letters present a friendship that explores the questions of family responsibilities, women's growing influence in the literary world, the cost of fame and the power of sorority.
About the author
Jane Cavolina has been absorbed in a book since her mother signed her up for a book club before she started nursery school. That led to a career in publishing, first as a senior editor at William Morrow, Crown, and Pocket Books, and now as a copyeditor. She is the coauthor of Growing Up Catholic, which was on The New York Times bestseller list for forty-weeks, and other works. She has read every Louisa May Alcott book in the Bayside Public Library with the exception of Little Women, and has worn out several copies of Leaves of Grass, by her other favorite poet, and cherishes her well-flagged copy of The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson.
Summary
The Bee and the Fly: The Improbable Correspondence of Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson presents a lifelong exchange of unknown letters between Dickinson, the reclusive poet, and Alcott, the most renowned author of the time.
What could Alcott say to Dickinson about abolitionism and woman’s rights? What might Dickinson reveal to Alcott about her thoughts on marriage and eternity? Researched for over five years and drawing heavily on biographical facts, these luminous letters present a friendship that explores the questions of family responsibilities, women’s growing influence in the literary world, the cost of fame and the power of sorority.
Foreword
- Reading
- Tour
- Lectures
- Festivals
Additional text
"In my opinion, no one fiction author has captured Louisa more completely than Tosiello."
Susan Bailey, author of "Louisa May Alcott Illuminated by the Message" and "River of Grace"
"...Only Gossip Prospers is a rich trove of information for literary scholars interested in Alcott's complicated relationship with fame, as well as social historians concerned with the literary scene of New York City in the last quarter of the nineteenth century."
Martina Mastadrea, Italian Americana (June 2020)
"An excellent, authentic-feeling portrait of LMA's life, post Little Women."
In the Bookcase
"Beautiful combination of fact and fiction depicting the life of LMA."
Singing Librarian
