information from Southwest Seattle Historical Society
Marking the 150th Anniversary of the publication of Little Women, Elise Hooper will present her novel, The Other Alcott (William Morrow, Sept. 2017), about May Alcott, an artist and Louise May Alcott's sister.
This free book-talk event by Words, Writers & West Seattle co-sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Seattle Public Library takes place at 6PM at the High Point Branch, 3411 SW Raymond St. (Raymond and 35th), on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2017.
The complicated relationship among sisters and the one shared by the Alcott sisters of Concord, Massachusetts inspired Louisa May Alcott as she wrote her classic novel Little Women. However, instead of focusing on Jo March, a character based on Louisa herself, Amy is often the least favorite sister. Hooper's first novel tells the truth about Louisa’s sister, May.
The other Alcott sister, May, is stylish, outgoing, creative, and grows up longing to experience the wide world beyond Concord. While her sister Louisa crafts stories, May is a talented and dedicated artist and faces scorn for entering what is very much a man’s profession.
Author Elise Hooper has lived in West Seattle since moving to the Pacific Northwest in 2001 and now lives with her husband and two young daughters within stone-skipping distance of Puget Sound. When she's not writing, Elise is in her classroom trying to make American history and literature interesting for high school students.
She's drawn to historical figures, especially women, who linger in the footnotes of history books yet have fascinating stories waiting to be told. The Other Alcott is Hooper's first novel
Words, Writers & West Seattle's future book-talks are all scheduled for the Second Thursday of each month at 6 PM at the Southwest Branch of the Seattle Public Library, 9010 35th Ave. SW, West Seattle, WA 99126. On March 8, 2018, Peter Stekel will present Beneath Haunted Waters (Globe Pequot, 2017), a WWII aviation mystery.
For videos on these and other authors' presentations visit: www.loghousemuseum.info/events/words-writers-and-west-seattle. Additional information on future presentations can be obtained by contacting Dora-Faye Hendricks, Chair, 'Words, Writers & West Seattle" by phone at 206-290-8315 or by e-mail at Dora-Faye@comcast.net.
