"It is by no means faultless, but it fastens itself upon the mind and heart of the reader."
-Springfield Daily Republican
"The wit, the humor, the power of brief and vivid description which the volume evinces, will give it a wide popularity."
-The Wide World
"There are some passages in this little volume which will move the heart to tears as irresistibly as the humor of others will move the voice to laughter."
-The New England Farmer
Hospital Sketches (1863) was published first in newspapers and then as a book, to mostly glowing reviews. It is based on Alcott's brief time as a nurse with the names changed. The protagonist is called Tribulation Periwinkle but I couldn't help but refer to her as Louisa.
I'm leaving a lot out of this recap so that if you read it there will still be surprises.
Chapter 1: Obtaining Supplies
The book opens with something I had forgotten - Nurse Periwinkle has two sisters and a brother Tom. Tom suggests she try nursing after she rejects other family suggestions of writing a book, teaching, marrying, and acting. A neighbor introduces her to a nurse and she receives her comission. "A certain dear old lady" cries while saying good-bye to "topsy-turvy Trib."( Read more... )
-Springfield Daily Republican
"The wit, the humor, the power of brief and vivid description which the volume evinces, will give it a wide popularity."
-The Wide World
"There are some passages in this little volume which will move the heart to tears as irresistibly as the humor of others will move the voice to laughter."
-The New England Farmer
Hospital Sketches (1863) was published first in newspapers and then as a book, to mostly glowing reviews. It is based on Alcott's brief time as a nurse with the names changed. The protagonist is called Tribulation Periwinkle but I couldn't help but refer to her as Louisa.
I'm leaving a lot out of this recap so that if you read it there will still be surprises.
Chapter 1: Obtaining Supplies
The book opens with something I had forgotten - Nurse Periwinkle has two sisters and a brother Tom. Tom suggests she try nursing after she rejects other family suggestions of writing a book, teaching, marrying, and acting. A neighbor introduces her to a nurse and she receives her comission. "A certain dear old lady" cries while saying good-bye to "topsy-turvy Trib."( Read more... )
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