I love historical fiction and this was a clever use of character to do that. I liked to story although there are some parts I didn't care for but on the whole a good book especially for anyone interested in LMA. ( )

Historical fiction centering on two remarkable American women of the 19th Century -- Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton.

O'Brien ties the two together with a fictional character, Susan Gray, who accompanies Alcott when she worked as a nurse in Washington, DC, during the Civil War, then later works with Barton in her unflagging efforts to identify the Civil War dead.

Both Alcott and Barton are crisply and believably drawn; however one does wish that somewhere along the way an editor would have picked up O'Brien's confusion between coal and kohl, as it was repeatedly jarring to read how Barton "outlined her eyes with coal". ( )

The Glory Cloak by Patricia O’ Brien
3 stars
Two of my favorite childhood heroes are depicted in this historical novel, Louisa May Alcott and Clara Barton. The story is told through Susan, a fictional cousin of the Alcotts, who goes with Louisa to nurse the civil war wounded. After the war Susan aides Clara Barton in her quest to identify the dead and missing soldiers of the war. I found the story somewhat disappointing. It seemed to be trying too hard to link the lives of these historical figures. Somehow it just didn’t ring true. I find that I’m more interested in the sources that O’Brien cited in her Afterward section.

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Well, a shock to me, I absolutely loved this book. I read Little Women in elementary school, and while I remember enjoying it, I haven't thought much of that experience since. Now I'm excited to research her other novels, and more obscure works. This book pulled me in from the first page, and the addition of other well known literary and historical figures just made me consume this book wholly. I loved it, and would recommend to any woman. Uplifting though sad, very emotionally written, a wonderful fantastic book.

I have to add an addendum. I researched some other online sources this book referred to, and this book is definitely more fiction than anything. I did like the way the author wrote, but the information was a little misleading. Clearly the main character was fictional, but so many other things made little sense to me when researching. Anyway, bottom line is good book, just read it for fun and not fact. ( )

Interesting supposed meeting between Clara Barton and Louisa May Alcott as told by Louisa's lifelong friend, Susan Gray. Susan and Louisa go to Washingon as nurses for the soldiers of the Northern army.. A story of women who 'broke the mold'. ( )