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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “A biography of the lives and times of the Alcotts, Emersons, Hawthornes, Fuller, Mellville, and Thoreau and how their lives overlapped at Concord, where these strong individuals both inspired and irritated each other. Ms. Cheever takes an intimate, narrative approach. I thought I knew these...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “This reads like a series of term papers written by the smart girl in 11th grade English. Her take on 19th century medical practices ws fascinating. She adores Margaret Fuller but is highly critical of the manliness of Bronson Alcott, Emerson, and Thoreau. It concludes with what I can only...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“Once I let go of the expectation that this was an academic endeavor, I enjoyed the romantic drama of the New England transcendentalists. It was a fun read and I got it off the B & N sale table for 3.99. ”
Nancy A wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Entertaining, but relies too heavily on Concord as Peyton Place”
Elaine W wrote this review Wednesday, September 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I have now more evidence of why I like this particular era in American letters. The people that Cheever writes about radiate intelligence, personality, heartache, and genuine creativity. In many ways, it was our own Renaissance. I have a much greater appreciation for what they lived for and recommend it.”
Mark V wrote this review Monday, July 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“Renewed my interest in rereading Little Women, The Scarlet Letter, Moby Dick. Also, a great read for a Concord native, especially one who loves to read. ”
Susan F wrote this review Tuesday, March 31 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“This reads like a series of term papers written by the smart girl in 11th grade English. Her take on 19th century medical practices ws fascinating. She adores Margaret Fuller but is highly critical of the manliness of Bronson Alcott, Emerson, and Thoreau. It concludes with what I can only assume is a hastily written travelogue, placing herself in the story - a very odd little book, indeed.”
RMM wrote this review Friday, January 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No1 of 1 members found this review helpful“A biography of the lives and times of the Alcotts, Emersons, Hawthornes, Fuller, Mellville, and Thoreau and how their lives overlapped at Concord, where these strong individuals both inspired and irritated each other. Ms. Cheever takes an intimate, narrative approach. I thought I knew these authors well from reading their work and from survey classes in college, but this book took many unexpected turns; a spellbinding read.”
Laura and Eric wrote this review Tuesday, August 12 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I am loving this book and how it traces the connections between some of America's greatest writers.”
Tara J wrote this review Tuesday, May 6 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Very enjoyable read but not the scholarly treatment I was hoping for. It reads more like a series of expanded magazine articles than a full-fledged book. The stories of the lives and interactions of the authors were interesting and certainly knew nothing about either the Hawthorne or Margaret Fuller connections to Concord and the Transcendentalists. However, I ran into a few factual errors that made me doubt other parts of the stories (Plymouth is not on Cape Cod). The author also seems very naive and sheltered, unable to come to grips with modern suburban Concord that isn't the 1850s village. Her glowing praise of Little Women as a book to change American literature also seems odd, esp. as Alcott herself was fairly negative on it. It did make me curious to read Alcott's 'serious' novel, Moods.
Amy M wrote this review Friday, May 23 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
http://amyem.bookcrossing.com/journal/6140744”
“SUMMARY: The story of the lives, work, families, friends, and relationships between Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Nathaniel Hawthorne – the literar giants who lived as neighbors in mid-nineteenth century Concord, Massachusetts. COMMENTS: As a repeat visitor to Concord and an admirer of Louisa May Alcott, I can easily imagine myself there with these folks as Cheever tells their story.”
Bobbie N wrote this review Thursday, April 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
