February Debrief
Classics, corsets, and other February pursuits
Pic from Highclere Castle in England where the show Downton Abbey was filmed.
To debrief, as defined by the Werriam-Webster dictionary, is “to interrogate (someone, such as a soldier, astronaut, or pilot) usually upon return (as from a mission) in order to obtain useful information”. I can therefore declare, with utmost confidence, this to be an appropriately selected designation for my monthly wrap-ups.
My reading year has begun dubiously well, February being no exception. Though I read a minuscule four books (I spent a lot of time penning reviews and communing with the wall), they each proved simply delectable. Naturally, I can only assume this foreshadows a slump of historic proportions. Such prosperity rarely goes unpunished.
I now, with all the gusto of an astronaut returned to Earth, I present the media with which I occupied myself this month:
Matters of the Page
I began the month in a binge-reading haze, diving into the last published installment of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. I can now report that the inevitable crash of withdrawal upon its conclusion was, as expected, both swift and merciless.
Told entirely through Emma’s journal entries, this series follows a spirited young woman in late 17th‑century London as she settles into the quirky neighborhood of St. Crispin’s. Emma’s sharp wit, sparkling humor, and the endless banter between her eccentric friends turn minor social mishaps into hilarious chaos.
In Volume 8—the longest installment yet, to my utter delight—Emma and her friends holiday at Islington's country home, delivering an interesting blend of revealed personal history and countryside adventure (including, but not limited to, actual frolicking with butterflies).
This installment carries the strongest emotional weight we’ve seen so far in the series, as long-buried backstories begin to emerge and the risk this unconventional friendship poses on Emma’s reputation is considered.
Despite a more series tone, the journals remain quintessentially Emma—filled with the humor and voice the story is known for. I’ve thoroughly loved every book
in this series, but this volume reminded me how much I adore this cast of characters.
In her latest email newsletter (to which I am a faithful subscriber), Brower has promised the release of Volume 9 this year, which I will await with as much patience as I can muster.
To prepare for the new movie starring Jacob Elordi and Margo Robbie, which was released on February 13, February’s classic of choice was Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
Published in 1837 under the pen name Ellis Bell, this now world-renowned story is her only work, having died one year after its publication at only 30 years old.
Wuthering Heights follows the tempestuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, an orphan raised at her family’s estate. When Catherine chooses to marry for class rather than love, Heathcliff return years later to enact a calculated campaign of revenge.
Primarily a character study, the story examines the dynamics between Heathcliff, Catherine and Catherine’s brother Hindley. When Mr. Earnshaw’s chooses to bring Heathcliff into their home—while never formally declaring if he’s meant to be treated as a son or a servant—he unintentionally creates an imbalance within the family. The familial hierarchy that causes Hindley to become resentful also fosters in Heathcliff a lifelong sense of exclusion and bitterness, shaping the destructive relationships that follow.
For how entertaining and twisted this story is, it’s hard to believe it was written almost 200 years ago. The atmosphere makes the story what it is, and time has not muffled the obsession and jealously that it aims to depict.
I’m so excited to see the new movie! Though I’ve haven’t exactly heard rave reviews, I’m looking forward to seeing the choices that were made in the production. This novel is often thought of as a romance by those who haven’t read it (it’s most definitely not one) but, based on the trailer, I’m wondering if this adaptation has gone more in that route.
Beginning the final trilogy in Robin Hobb’s The Realm of the Elderlings, I read Fool’s Assassin. This 16 book epic-fantasy series focuses primarily on the life of FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard raised at court but secretly trained to serve as an assassin.
Containing multiple interconnected series, the scope of this story is huge: a large case of characters, three continents, and a timeline spanning approximately half a century. Known for its complex character work, Hobb often prioritizes emotional development and long-term relationships in her writing. The result is a story that unfolds gradually over time, with choices and consequences that echo through multiple books.
By the time Fool’s Assassin begins, Fitz has already lived several lifetimes worth of hardship. While this installment opens with a more reflective tone, it’s evident that the period of rest he’s found between books is at an end.
I’ve spent over a year slowly working my way through this series and, with the finish line near, am feeling a potent mix of nostalgia, excitement, and—well—genuine terror. Hobb is well known for being not so nice to her characters, and I’m pretty worried about what’s to come. I have the next book on hand, but haven’t brought myself to open it quite yet.
Harrowed by my completion of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, I decided to peruse Beth Brower’s backlog. Selecting her standalone novel, The Q, I was able to return to her world of complex characters and historical inspiration.
Set in a fictional European country in the late 1800s, The Q follows 19 year old Quincy St. Claire. When her uncle informs her that in order to inherit The Q—a highly successful printing company to which she devotes both heart and soul—she must fulfill a list of requirements upon his death.
Known for her disinterest in anything else, Quincy is pushed outside of her comfort zone in her journey to keep her beloved business.
While I was unable to fill my Emma-shaped void, I began to love this story as I became invested in the characters’ journeys. At first, it will a struggle to connect with Quincy due to her callous, small-minded ways of thinking. Her emotional journey, however, was quite satisfying and I found myself enjoying her character later on in the story.
This book puts a unique spin on historical romance and would be enjoyed especially by lovers of the genre who appreciate unique settings and character work.
Matters of the Screen
This month I watched the movie Emily starring Emma Mackey. Released in 2022, this film is a fictional biopic that speculates on Emily Brontë’s life leading up to the publication of Wuthering Heights.
The drama between the characters of Wuthering Heights is intense, and it’s easy to wonder what inspired Emily Brontë—having spent almost her entire live in the remote countryside of Haworth—to have written a story so dark and complex.
Speculating on the inspiration behind the character Heathcliff, the story follows Emily—a social outcast—through a secret affair with the town’s new curate, William. Though some aspects—like growing up motherless and losing her brother to alcoholism—reflect Brontë’s life as we know it, much of the story is fictional.
Overall, I thought the movie was very entertaining, and found that watching it first enhanced my experience with the novel. Because Emily explores Brontë’s life rather than directly adapting Wuthering Heights, it gave me something visual and atmospheric to picture without spoiling the story itself.
With the season finale premiering on February 22, I completed the first season of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. A prequel from the Game of Thrones universe, this story follows Ser Duncan the Tall (Peter Claffey) and his young squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).
While we know (if familiar with GOT lineage) that this duo goes on to greatly impact the history of Westeros, this season follows the pair as they attempt to win Dunk a place in his first joust. As a smaller-scale story, it’s able to
focus more on the characters, which truly are the heart of the series. The dynamic between the two main characters was excellent, bringing banter and energy to the show.
I particularly enjoyed the way the show incorporates the early generations of well-known houses. Seeing the ancestors of families that later become so important in the series adds a fun layer of depth to the world. As a GOT lover, I loved this and will eagerly await season two.
The remaining four episodes of Bridgerton—based on Julia Quinn’s regency-era romance series—were released on the 26th. After some disappointment with part one, part two saved the season for me.
The funeral scenes were emotionally evocative and I appreciated how John’s death impacted the characters in different ways. Lady Bridgerton’s reconsideration of Sophie’s and Benedict’s relationship, Hyacinth’s sudden
desire to slow down her race toward marriage, and her reconciliation with Eloise all felt like meaningful reminders of grief’s ability to shift perspective. I also thought that Hannah Dodd’s performance as Francesca was very memorable.
I think it’s clear that I had an excellent month! I’m excited for March, which hopefully will include the following:
Project Hail Mary paired with the movie (in theaters on March 20)
The Count of Monte Cristo as my classic of the month, read in preparation for the six-episode adaptation coming in PBS Masterpiece on March 22
A fantasy side quest (The Green Bone Saga, perhaps?)
A mood read or two
