In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Jean Rhys’s 1966 novella Wide Sargasso Sea. Topics include the background of Jean Rhys, important historical context for the novel, colonialism (no good very bad), how places can turn warped and hateful, the absolute douchebaggery of Rochester, Christophene and her obeah, and who is named and unnamed. 

This week’s drink: Planter’s Punch via liquor.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 ounces dark rum
• 1 ounce simple syrup
• 3/4 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 teaspoon grenadine
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 splash club soda, chilled
• Garnish: mint sprig

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the dark rum, simple syrup, lime juice, grenadine and bitters into a shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a Collins glass over crushed ice, and top with a splash of club soda.
3. Garnish with a mint sprig.

Current/recommended reads, links, etc.:

Empire’s Crossroads: A History of the Caribbean from Columbus to the Present Day by Carrie Gibson

The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices by Casper Ter Kuile

Mayflower: Voyage, Community, War by Nathaniel Philbrick

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

Harry Potter and the Sacred Text podcast

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Join us next time as we discuss There There by Tommy Orange