The Bee and the Fly: The Improbable Correspondence of Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson presents a lifelong exchange of unknown letters between Dickinson, the reclusive poet, and Alcott, the most renowned author of the time. What could Alcott say to Dickinson about abolitionism and woman’s rights? What might Dickinson reveal to Alcott about her thoughts on marriage and eternity? Researched for over five years and drawing heavily on biographical facts, these luminous letters present a friendship that explores the questions of family responsibilities, women’s growing influence in the literary world, the cost of fame and the power of sorority.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE BEE & THE FLY

“An enchanting flight of fancy"

—Foreword Reviews

In a remarkably convincing rendering, The Bee and the Fly imagines a twenty-five year correspondence between two ground-breaking 19^th century authors. This novel brilliantly captures the contrasting personalities and distinctive writing cadences of both Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson. Those already well-acquainted with the biographies of these two remarkable women will find few historical inaccuracies in this meticulously-researched novel. Those less familiar will be captivated by the revelations of their experiences and insightful reflections. Either way, you’ll come away feeling as if you’ve just spent a few engaging hours reminiscing with dearly cherished friends.

—Amy Belding Brown, author of Emily's House, Flight of the Sparrow and Mr. Emerson's Wife

“Lorraine Tosiello and Jane Cavolina perfectly embody the voices of Louisa May Alcott and Emily Dickinson through letters between these two world-famous writers. The exquisite writing and intimate details immersed me into the lives of Alcott and Dickinson, leading me to fantasize that the correspondence actually occurred. Don’t rush through this book – savor every moment.”

—Susan Bailey, curator, Louisa May Alcott Is My Passion website

“The most delicious literary conceit imaginable - two giants of American nineteenth century women’s literature, strangers in real life, begin a secret correspondence that turns into a friendship that turns into a sisterhood. The voice of each rings strong and clear, and whether you’re already a fan of one, or both, a historian, a literary detective, or simply someone who cherishes her friends, you are sure to find something to delight you in this thorough treat of a book. Delicious!”

—Gabrielle Donnelly, author of The Little Women Letters

PRAISE FOR ONLY GOSSIP PROSPERS BY LORRAINE TOSIELLO

"In my opinion, no one fiction author has captured Louisa more completely than Tosiello."
Susan Bailey, author of "Louisa May Alcott Illuminated by the Message" and "River of Grace"

"...Only Gossip Prospers is a rich trove of information for literary scholars interested in Alcott's complicated relationship with fame, as well as social historians concerned with the literary scene of New York City in the last quarter of the nineteenth century."
Martina Mastadrea, Italian Americana (June 2020)

"An excellent, authentic-feeling portrait of LMA's life, post Little Women."
In the Bookcase

"Beautiful combination of fact and fiction depicting the life of LMA."
Singing Librarian

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

LORRAINE and JANE were high school friends. Reconnecting forty years later, they found that they were very nearly the spirit of Louisa and Emily in the world today.

LORRAINE TOSIELLO read Alcott’s Little Women in the first grade, and again and again most years of her childhood after that. That set her off on her life journey of reading, working as a physician, motherhood, traveling, and general rabble-rousing. Rereading Little Women in later adulthood renewed her Alcott enthusiasm and years of study resulted in her first novel, Only Gossip Prospers: A Novel of Louisa May Alcott in New York. She lives with her husband in midtown Manhattan and at the New Jersey shore.

JANE CAVOLINA has been absorbed in a book since her mother signed her up for a book club before she started nursery school. That led to a career in publishing, first as a senior editor at William Morrow, Crown, and Pocket Books, and now as a copyeditor. She is the coauthor of Growing Up Catholic, which was on The New York Times bestseller list for forty-weeks, and other works. She has read every Louisa May Alcott book in the Bayside Public Library with the exception of Little Women, and has worn out several copies of Leaves of Grass, by her other favorite poet, and cherishes her well-flagged copy of The Complete Poems of Emily Dickinson.

OFFICIAL RELEASE MAY 2022

ISBN: 9781955904032