In 1849 — about two decades before the release ofLittle Women — a teenagedLouisa May Alcottwrote “ Aunt Nellie ’s Diary , ” an unfinished history thatThe Strand Magazinemanaging editor Andrew Gulli find buried in Harvard University ’s Houghton Library archives in the first place this year . It will be published for the first time ever in thespring editionof the magazine .
The 9000 - wordtaleunfolds through a series of diary entries write by Aunt Nellie , an single 40 - year - old woman who watches as her orphaned niece , Annie Ellerton , vie with her protagonist , Isabel Loving , for the affection of a strong - hearted young gentleman’s gentleman make Edward Clifford . Annie ’s somewhat timid nature is sharply contrasted by Isabel ’s lively wit and “ fine homo way , ” which Nellie fears may “ hold back a cold unfeeling heart . ”
The agonist ’s scheming observation about human nature ( “ How often are we deceived by a bright outside , piddling dream of the darkness within , ” for illustration ) are all the more telling when you consider just how young Alcott was when she wrote them .
“ When I found out from noted Alcott scholar Dan Shealy that Alcott was 17 when she save this , I was so surprised . Here was someone who managed to get into the psychological science of someone much older than her , ” Gulli evidence Mental Floss . “ She make a fictional character who was self-governing and fashion in front of her time . ”
If that description seems evocative of another , more well - known Alcott character , it ’s not a coincidence — Gulli think Aunt Nelly “ definitely has echo of Jo March . "
unluckily , we ’ll never know just how Alcott intended to conclude the taradiddle ; it cuts off in the center of a sentence , with various loose ends leave unshackled . The Strand Magazineis planning to necessitate readers to submit their own conclusion , though details of the initiative have n’t been announced yet .
To read “ Aunt Nellie ’s Diary , ” you’re able to ordain a copy ofThe Strand Magazinefor $ 10here .
