Harriet Reisen's interest in Louisa May Alcott dates to her marathon reading of Alcott’s eight children’s novels during a rainy spell one childhood summer. Over the past twenty years, what began as an idea for a film biography of Alcott developed into a passion for the subject herself. A former fellow in screenwriting at the American Film Institute, Reisen has written dramatic and historical documentary scripts for PBS and HBO, and radio commentary for Morning Edition and Marketplace. She lives in Massachusetts.
Interviews
Harriet Reisen talks about the book she wishes she had written.
Harriet Reisen talks about the books she enjoyed as a child.
Harriet Reisen talks about the books she recommends to others.
Harriet Reisen talks about the books she would take with her on a desert island.
Harriet Reisen talks about writers who have influenced her.
Harriet Reisen reads from her book, Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women.
Bethanne Patrick talks with Harriet Reisen about her new book, Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women.
Blog Posts
Submitted by Bethanne on Tue, 11/24/2009 - 1:54pm A Conversation with Harriet Reisen
Opium smoking...unchaperoned trips to Paris with young men...purple prose...is all of this part of the life of the woman who wrote that classic of American girlhood, "Little Women?"
You betcha. Louisa May Alcott, or "LMA" as author Harriet Reisen and I refer to her in this video interview, was a woman of many more facets than saccharine goodness. Reisen's book "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women" is a fascinating look at the complicated LMA. As Reisen relates, LMA went from a Transcendentalist upbringing to a Civil War field hospital and on to being a millionaire; her life has a lot to teach us all about American history, feminism, and the female psyche.
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Submitted by Bethanne on Fri, 10/23/2009 - 5:33pm Giveaway: "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women" by Harriet Reisen
It's always a thrill for me when PBS programming centers on a book (this happens a lot!), but it's really exciting when I'm able to interview the author of that book, too. On December 28, "American Masters" will premiere "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind 'Little Women,'" based on the biography by Harriet Reisen.
That's a long time from now! Fortunately, the book will be released on October 27, and that means we're able to offer ten giveaway copies of to ten randomly selected readers who leave an answer to the following question in the Comments section by October 30:
If you were to write a biography, who would be the subject?
This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winners:
Julie P.Rachel H.Laura D.Beth F.Christine H.Sarah F.Christine P.Jeanette H.Nicole B.Sharla W.
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