Literary hangover: the feeling of lingering emotional attachment or mental immersion in a book after finishing it, where you might find it difficult to start a new book because you're still deeply invested in the characters and world of the previous story.
Can we all love on Rachel for a minute? Despite being up to her ears, she has done it again, folks. The holiday gift guide is live! It’s worth wandering over, I promise. I’m proud to report that I’ve already read a book on our Christmas list. Please—somebody, anybody—tell me that means I’m ahead for a change. This Motherless Land proved to be a great little listen. When I tell you TML is a retelling of Mansfield Park, you’ll have no trouble believing we 2@27 girls swooned some over this one. There’s no such thing as Too Much Love for Jane around here. We’re ardent Janeites!
If you’re a Janeite, you’ll remember that Austen’s third published novel revolves around poor Fanny Price. At age 10, she is sent to live with her wealthy Aunt and Uncle Bertram in Mansfield Park. Her new life is not easy to navigate. Nikki May’s protagonist is a Nigerian girl named Funke who experiences a devastating family tragedy. When she’s shipped off to England, a place as foreign to her as the moon, she’s forlorn. Funke and Fanny would definitely get along. Themes of loneliness—and dare I say pride and prejudice—surface in May’s latest. I must admit, This Motherless Land gave me a literary hangover. It made me long for Fanny and her dysfunctional crew. I desperately need a week of being still, but I’d settle for a quiet 24. Oh, to be so lucky! On the off chance I am, you can bet I’ll head straight for Mansfield Park.