Perilous Play

Book excerpt: In ‘Perilous Play’ we are thrust amongst a group of wealthy Southern Belles and boys on a particularly boring day, until a young doctor among them produces treats infused with cannabis. Taking them eagerly, the group soon finds themselves falling through a raucous, cannabis fuelled thrill ride with some almost fatal consequences. In many ways it is the 19th century equivalent of ‘Pineapple Express’ but with frocks and no Seth Rogen. Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an author, abolitionist and proud feminist. Her family suffered financially while she was growing up and so she was forced to take on multiple jobs in her youth to help provide for her family. Her writing became her outlet, forming her ideas and beliefs in the empowerment of women and people into literature that reverberates to this day. Her most notable works include "Little Women", which is now a movie starring Saoirse Ronan and Timothée Chalamet, its sequel ‘Little Men’ and ‘An Old Fashioned Girl’.