Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com)'s Reviews > The Favourites

*In Ireland & UK this book is The Favourite*

The Favourite by Rosemary Hennigan publishes with Orion Books January 18th and is described by Disha Bose as ‘dark academia at its best. A page-turning, gripping novel'. Rosemary Hennigan was inspired to write it after returning home from Philadelphia following the 2016 elections there which saw Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton in the Presidential race that shocked women to the core. The voices of those women left their mark on Rosemary Hennigan and, as a law graduate and solicitor, she felt the need to write a book centred on a character who was angry with the justice system and its patriarchal influences.

Jessica Mooney is a young student continuing her law education in Franklin University, Philadelphia after graduating from Trinity College in Dublin. Jessica’s older sister, Audrey, had also studied law at Trinity but something happened and Audrey packed in her course, leaving college and Dublin behind her. Audrey came home in a body bag and the mark her death left on Jessica was huge. Audrey had been a student of Professor Jay Crane, an American lecturer, during his time teaching at Trinity and, from what Jessica has since learned, he had been a huge part of Audrey’s life during his time there.

Jessica is in search of justice and is willing to do anything to salvage the memory of her sister. Jessica studies hard and gains a much sought after place in the Law and Literature class that Crane teaches back at Franklin. There he teaches full time and has the life one would expect for a man in his position. Only Jessica knows the truth and is prepared to make some very unconventional and risky moves in order to bring justice to Audrey and to all women who have suffered a similar fate.

Jessica knows that Crane has a reputation for picking favourites and she is willing to do anything to achieve this position. But will she make a move too far? Can this young student achieve justice against a man and the institution he represents?

Rosemary Hennigan worked in corporate law, in advocacy and in the NGO sector so her knowledge of the legal system brings an interesting angle to this tale. Stimulating classroom debates are many, adding a fascinating element to the story, making the reader think outside the box about how they would respond to the questions posed. As Jessica weaves her way into Crane’s life, she crosses paths with other students from different strata of society. This mix provides great insights into the different perspectives and expectations that lie on young people, depending on their background.

Jessica is determined in her quest, of that there is no doubt. Her need for justice for her sister is rightfully strong. She is young and impetuous, determined to see justice done but I would question the reality of what she does and the many coincidences that are all neatly aligned.

Maybe it was the academic setting, but I did feel that The Favourite is aimed at a much younger audience than myself. When I read My Dark Vanessa by Elizabeth Russell in 2021 (which is also in an academic setting) I said that it was a very relevant book for the society we live in today, handling themes of control, obsession and manipulation. I also said that the transfer of guilt needed to be lifted off the shoulders of those carrying deep hurts within. I felt disturbed reading My Dark Vanessa. I felt disconcerted and disgusted but also compelled to turn the pages. With The Favourite I just didn’t have the same reaction. The subject matter is obviously very relevant but I wasn’t as convinced. It’s a good read but unfortunately this one just did not have the impact on me that I was hoping for.