Hearts, Strings, and Other Breakable Things

Jaqueline Firkin’s debut novel, Hearts, Strings and Other Breakable Things, is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park. In this new novel, which is set in the present, many of the characters share the same names as characters in Austen’s novel. Firkin’s characters, most of them high school seniors, most notably include Edie Price, her cousin Maria, her childhood friend and love interest, Sebastian, and Sebastian’s girlfriend, Claire. Edie’s younger cousin, Julia and Claire’s older brother Henry Crawford, round out the cast.

Edie comes to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins (in Mansfield) after her mother’s death, having lived for a time in foster care. Edie renews her acquaintance with her childhood friend and neighbour to her cousins, Sebastian, on whom she discovers she has a crush. Sebastian and Edie share a love of books and writing, but Sebastian has a girlfriend, Claire. Claire’s brother, Henry, a bon vivant and ladies’ man, puts the moves on Edie, only to discover he really is in love with her. Edie eventually gives into Henry who is her date for the prom. They spend the night of the prom in the belfry of a local church where they have a heavy make-out session. They remain a couple until it is revealed Sebastian and Claire are no longer romantically involved. Edie breaks off her relationship with Henry and starts one with Sebastian.

For young readers, most likely unfamiliar with Mansfield Park, the plot will keep them guessing and will be engrossed in Edie’s confusion over Sebastian and Henry. Edie is also attempting to get into college, but the romantic interests are definitely the focus of the book. The characters are well-drawn but not completely three dimensional. But Hearts, Strings and Other Breakable Things is a romance novel, not a literary fiction offering. The plot picks up once we have all the characters in the story which is funny, racy and sentimental by turns. Mansfield is the town they are all looking forward to leaving.

Hearts, Strings and Other Breakable Things is an enjoyable romance, easy to read and will engage girls looking for a good love story. This book is recommended for grades 9 and up, which is fair, but librarians, parents and booksellers, should be alerted to the make-out scene in the church which will upset some readers.