The Ritual Master It’s time for my last book review of the season. And I’m closing the curtain with a discreet little classic that deserves all the praise.
Louisa May Alcott has come to my attention through movies. And I believe many non native speakers of English, that did not study American literature in school, have known either Katharine Hepburn back in 1933 or Winona Ryder in 1994 as the spirited tomboy Jo in the charming story of Little Women.
This collection of Christmas writings by Louisa May Alcott has that warming quality of old world country life, that lets us perceive just a little of the hardships but most importantly the goodness of the people around the Holidays. And if we look back at the writers life, there’s no surprise there.
Born in 1832 in Germantown, Pennsylvania, Louisa was raised in a modest family by transcendentalist parents. Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that developed in the 1820’s and 1830’s in New England, around a core belief that there is an inherent goodness of people and nature, and while society and its institutions have corrupted the purity of the individual, people are at their best when truly “self-reliant” and independent. These values are to be found in many of her writings, including her Christmas stories collection :
“You see, when people once begin to do kindnesses, it is so easy and pleasant, they find it hard to leave off; and sometimes it beautifies them so that they find they love one another very much—as Mr. Chrome and Miss Kent discovered that wondrous day.”
Louisa May Alcott, A Merry Christmas: And Other Christmas Stories
Seven short stories to bring back some trust in the goodness of people and make us remember that sometimes, being a little naive, brings more peace of mind than being overly skeptical.
A collection to bring a smile to everyone’s faces on Christmas Eve.
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