BOOK REVIEW: Regrettably, I Am About to Cause Trouble

AH! My first fiction review - YAY! This is the first fiction book I’ve read in literally ages. I tried reading some of my old favourites (John Saul, Dean Koontz, etc.) but they give me more anxiety than I’m used to ~ funny thing that happens when you start to feel feelings again. Amie Mcnee’s Regrettably, I Am About To Cause Trouble was the perfect book to get me re-engaged with the fictional world. From her fantastic character development inviting the reader to join Maude as she deals with the overwhelming suffocation of the patriarchal society that she both wants to be part of, but also fight against - to the colorful characters that she meets along the way. Personally, this book made me want to be a witch more than usual - so that’s sayin’ something.

Book title: Regrettably, I Am About To Cause Trouble

Book author: Amie Mcnee

Favorite part of the book: Oh God - all of it? No, but seriously - this book was the perfect book to get me back into reading fiction. So much so that I went and purchased 5 more witch-focused fiction books! I really loved the main character Maude because Amie did a great job of making her…well, human. She shows her desire to be a “proper lady” while also desiring the life of a witch, she shows her vulnerability, but also her self assurance when it comes down to it. I found myself aligning with the main character a lot (though I hope I’m a little less whiny) The description of the apothecary and the witches really made me crave my own witchy space.

What was my favorite quote:

”Do you know what you want?” He asked
I had never been asked that question. Not ever in my whole life. I did not know what it felt like to think about what I might want.”

Things I responded to: As previously mentioned I like the way the characters were multidimensional and not a stereotype one way or another. I loved the descriptions the spaces and places because I could really visualize them and it made me engulfed in the story that much more. I related to the main character, Maude, in her fight against desiring to be part of society’s standards while also desiring to rebel against it. This is how I feel about doing the work I do within a capitalist society - I love money and I want to acquire it and on the other hand I want to rebel and give my services away. Before money, it was my body image - I wanted to change my body to fit into the society and now find myself fighting against those same structures. I think that dynamic is displayed really well in this book and offers compassion for when the character isn’t “perfect” in either realm.

Something in the book that stayed with me: own your witchiness/spirituality - don’t be afraid of your power.

Ideas explored by the author:
-smashing a patriarchal society
-the part women play in upholding that society
-the reality of sacrificing something or someone in order to protect our own
-love in the form of unexpected family & bonds
-the unassuming non-judgmental approach of those confident within themselves

Book rating: 5/5