annielaurie's Journal: Unexpected Treasures

The packing-up of my Aged Mum proceeds at an excruciatingly slow pace that threatens to kill myself, my brother, and my husband before it will all be over. The work is miserable and dusty, and we are perpetually overpowered by my mother's inability to let go of anything.

Today's trip to the storage bin unearthed two unexpected prizes that may have made the day worthwhile.

First was a thick volume, bound in the old-fashioned way and stamped with gold. The spine read: "Works of Miss Austen." A look inside revealed the works of Jane Austen and a publication date of 1830. The calfskin binding is silken under the hands, still glowing and beautiful, and I believe I will love this book forever.

Second was a forgotten relic of my own childhood, passed down from my mother. That was a copy of Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women." I am told that Ms. Alcott has passed into disfavor. Rumors abound about about her sexual preference (and her sexuality in general), and young girls today are given a severely edited and "sanitized" version of this classic.

I loved and admired Jo March (Alcott's alter ego in the book) as a girl, and I love and admire her still. In fact, I would say that, were she alive today, she would be busily preparing to be a geek, coding in the attic rather than scribbling. Independent, headstrong, and assertive, she would be planning and preparing to make her own way in the world, using her own gifts.

I'm very glad to have found my non-bowdlerized version of this child's classic, and I'm planning to share it whenever possible. As for the Jane Austen, it simply gives glory to the whole idea of "book."

nice...

[sillypixie]

Wow, I would love to have that copy of Austen's works... there's just something amazing about how those books look, smell, the thickness of their pages...

Plus I love JA anyways. And Little Women too - but now I wonder if I actually read the abridged version, long long ago without knowing it, 'cause remember it as being sad, but not risque in any way... but I think I was 9 when I read it, so perhaps things went over my head. I'll have to pick it up again...

I have a very early copy of "Captain Blood" by R

Re:nice...

[annielaurie]

It depends on how long ago "long ago" is for you. I suspect the edits have come about during the last ten or fifteen years. As I recall from my favorite writers' group, Zendom, what's been "cleansed" has little to do with sex and much to do with the illness and demise of Beth.

Alcott produced any number of lurid and very adult stories in order to keep a roof over her head. These are actually worth reading when they can be found, which isn't often. She was also a "spinster" by choice, although she did cop-ou

A way to help, maybe?

[Spamalamadingdong]

I am told that Ms. Alcott has passed into disfavor. Rumors abound about about her sexual preference (and her sexuality in general), and young girls today are given a severely edited and "sanitized" version of this classic.

I notice that "Little Women" is not on Project Gutenberg's list of works. [gutenberg.net]

Perhaps you would be willing to scan your copy so that others can OCR or transcribe it and put it into their database.

Re:A way to help, maybe?

[annielaurie]

Wow. I'm surprised it's not there. Or maybe I'm not surprised. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have the skill...I have the technology...Actually I could OCR it myself if I can get the Epson software to work on my Mac.

It should be there.

Anne