Author: Suzette Mayr
Dr. Edith Vane and the Hares of Crawley Hall by Suzette Mayr was a very riveting read. The novel depicts the brutal and scathing truth of academia with hints of paranormal activity. The novel is written in present tense with many flashbacks intertwined throughout that provide context about Dr. Edith’s academic past, which include conversations with her thesis advisor Lesley and with the Dean of the university where she works at. Edith’s struggle to meet the demands of her job is the main aspect of the novel.
Mayr takes readers through the academic term at The University of Inivea, which is a fictional university in Alberta. Edith, the main character of the novel is an English university professor who is struggling with her career, but hopes that this school year will be different. She tries to maintain her position at the university while working towards the publication of her new book, and also has troubles with her love life. Her supervisor, Lesley causes traumatic trauma for Edith, “you have no idea how many bottles of antidepressants and wake-up pills and sedatives I’ve had to choke down to get through the tangled mess of paper you call your dissertation” (Mayr, 2017, pg. 47). Her constant critique and comments about Edith create this sense of paranoia, anxiety and anxiousness we see in her character throughout the novel. Edith is also dealing with the new Dean at U of I who is looking to “refresh” the university’s faculty. Edith seeks help from her therapist Vivianne who supports her throughout her life journey. She constantly reminds herself of Vivianne’s advice throughout her tragic life events, “I am the architect of my life; I build its foundation and select its fixtures'' (Mayr, 2017, pg. 24). Her anxiety is impacting her personal and professional life. As the novel progresses, the building at the university called Crawley Hall becomes a concern for Edith and faculty. Crawley Hall is cursed and the cause of many health issues among faculty. It becomes infested with animals, maggots fall from the ceiling, new passageways appear, and doors become locked; it appears that the hall is completely falling apart. Mayr describes Edith’s perspective on this supernatural. “She doesn’t like having to believe in the supernatural…there has been no peer-reviewed, conclusive article published about the existence of the supernatural, but she also understands that some things can be unknown, some explanations still percolating and awaiting discovery” (Mayr, 2017, pg. 24). Edith’s life, just like the building she is working in is falling apart. Mayr showcases the representation of academia through the lens of Edith exhibiting all the horrors associated within this world.
Dr. Edith Vane and the Hares of Crawley Hall exhibits a satirical look at academia. Edith experiences an array of emotions during the school year; self-doubt, inability to feel accomplished, constantly reaching for a greater status to prove herself worthy, and social anxiety
around those in the department. The readers are given the real experience of graduate students, and professors. Mayr displays the horrific aspects of education through the proxy of Edith and the building Crawley Hall. Edith’s life may look like other academics. She faces insecurity, and tries deeply to succeed in her teaching, as many students drop out of her classes, her graduate student leaves her for another supervisor and the deadline for her novel is quickly approaching. This all begins to affect Edith’s mental health terribly. Mayr tends to focus on the negative side of education showcasing the hefty demands required in higher education. Edith’s anxiety impairs her ability to perform professionally as the high stake demands from those around her create consequences in her life. I think Mayr exhibits that the education system as a whole can be quite daunting, not only is Edith metaphorically falling apart but so is Crawley Hall.
Academics would say that education is self-filling, and fruitful, it allows one to think deeper and critically about the world around us. Those in higher education strive to attain success and work hard to do so. Mayr illustrates this with Edith’s determination to succeed and prove herself within the university. Though, academia comes with a lot of downfalls, and hiccups. In a way, as academics we must fail, and struggle at times in order to feel fulfilled. Education, more specially within the higher field is associated with an array of tribulations, and that is okay. In order to be educated, we must remind ourselves that it comes with its downfalls or else it would not be rewarding. I think Mayr tries to convey this idea through Edith’s sad story. This novel gives insight to readers and students that the world of education is not always perfect, professors just like Edith go through their own struggles associated with teaching, publications and job security. I don’t think the novel is intended to scare away academics (though I must say, I was quite anxious throughout the whole novel) but rather, face us with the harsh reality of education as a whole. I was really hoping for things to get better for Edith but it appeared right from the beginning of the novel that everything did not go her way.
The gothic style of the building, Crawley Hall gives readers a representation that university buildings are supposed to be scary and intimidating just like the atmosphere itself. This campus novel takes on the typical stereotype of a university campus with a paranormal twist. Crawley Hall became a representation of Edith’s life; this fallacy is heavily noted among readers. Though, it is unclear if any supernatural activity is actually going on in the building, but rather could be a depiction of Edith’s mind haunting her. I found it a little difficult to read through these parallels in the novel.
I found myself referring to the question, is education a means to improving one’s life or making it worse? Though the book ignores the experiences of students and focuses on Edith. Her character can be described as kind, non-competitive, and introverted which is different from the other characters in the book. At the end of the novel, things don’t appear to be better for Edith. So, was all the anxiety, and worry really worth it to be in the world of academia? I mean, who is to really say? Not to say that we are all doomed as academics but the novel really brings to light the adverse effects it can play on scholars. Education is not always supposed to be easy as there are many challenges associated with it, however it is those who are able to persevere through the challenges to make it in the end. The novel brings to light the realism and destructive affects modern academia plays on individuals through a comic, haunting life story and the twisted halls of a university building.