Monday, January 07, 2013

Stamp of a Writer: Louisa May Alcott

Most of the quotes below have been compiled from Louisa May Alcott's books including Little Women, Jo's Boys, Work: A Story of Experience, Moods, and Behind A Mask (or A Woman's Power) which was originally published in 1866 under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard.

"Good books, like good friends, are few and chosen; the more select, the more enjoyable." 

"I am she; come in, friend; I am glad to see thee," said the old lady, smiling placidly, as she led the way into a room whose principal furniture seemed to be books, flowers, and sunshine."

"A pleasant little scene. Bella working busily, and near her in a low chair, with the light falling on her fair hair and delicate profile, sat Miss Muir, reading aloud. "Novels!" thought Sir John, and smiled at them for a pair of romantic girls. But pausing to listen a moment before he spoke, he found it was no novel, but history, read with a fluency which made every fact interesting, every sketch of character memorable, by the dramatic effect given to it. Sir John was fond of history, and failing eyesight often curtailed his favorite amusement. He had tried readers, but none suited him, and he had given up the plan. Now as he listened, he thought how pleasantly the smoothly flowing voice would wile away his evenings, and he envied Bella her new acquisition."

"I like good strong words that mean something."


"I want to do something splendid before I go into my castle, something heroic or wonderful that won't be forgotten after I'm dead. I don't know what, but I'm on the watch for it, and mean to astonish you all some day. I think I shall write books, and get rich and famous, that would suit me, so that is my favorite dream."

"That is a good book it seems to me, which is opened with expectation and closed with profit."
 

"If all literary women had such thoughtful angels for husbands, they would live longer and write more. Perhaps that wouldn't be such a blessing to the world though, as most of us write too much now."

"I strolled about, enjoying myself, till I got into the library, and there I rummaged, for it was a charming place, and I was happy as only those are who love books, and feel their influence in the silence of a room whose finest ornaments they are."

"Christie loved books; and the attic next her own was full of them. To this store she found her way by a sort of instinct as sure as that which leads a fly to a honey-pot, and, finding many novels, she read her fill. This amusement lightened many heavy hours, peopled the silent house with troops of friends, and, for a time, was the joy of her life."


"Some stories are so familiar its like going home." 



Note: For 22 previous Celebrity Stamps, look under Labels.

4 comments:

  1. This is a lovely and interesting post, Prashant. I love quotes and the stamps are beautiful.

    And I like the new photo at the top of your blog.

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    1. Thank you very much, Tracy. There is no dearth of people stamps and some fine quotes on books, films, and music to go with them, too. I often come across "stamps" that are not real stamps and are just someone's creative idea. When in doubt I check the source, like USPS, for instance. Meanwhile, my obsession with Laurel and Hardy continues.

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  2. ALcott wrote some very dark novels apart from her well known children's books. She wrote a spin-off on the Faustian theme (A Modern Mephistopheles) about a haunted poet and his sinister mentor I read several years ago. Light years away from Little Women. Nasty and surprisingly erotic at times.

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    1. John, frankly, I didn't know Alcott had written dark novels including a spin-off on the Faustian theme. I am only familiar with LITTLE WOMEN and the rest of the series. I found Alcott quite passionate about families, especially a mother's role in her daughter's upbringing. This aspect is clear in many of her quotes and sayings.

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