Everyone suffers from headaches from time to time. However, there is a different type of ache called a migraine. Migraines are severe headaches that usually cause a pulsing or throbbing pain on one side of the head. These painful attacks can impact daily activities and last for hours or days. The pain is excruciating and can leave a person immobile.
However, even though migraines are prevalent in reality, it is less so in fiction. Few fictional characters have migraines. Or migraines are not mentioned in the story at all. There are some exceptions to this. But it is rare to see characters suffer from this debilitating pain. Despite that, the characters in this list suffer from migraines in one form or another.
Paige Mahoney from The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
The main character, Paige Mahoney, suffers from severe migraines due to her powers. Paige is a “Dreamer” in the story; she can walk through a dreamscape to collect information or to hurt others. However, she is primarily used as surveillance in the syndicate she is a part of. Paige uses these powers throughout the book and gets migraines most of the time. These migraines serve as the trade-off for using her powers. Paige does get some remedy through a type of painkiller used in the book. This representation is realistic because migraines can happen depending on what triggers them. Additionally, the treatment for migraines can be different depending on the person.
Mirabelle Dartigen from Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris
Unlike The Bone Season, Five Quarters of the Orange is a historical fiction read about post-WWII. Framboise Simon, Mirabelle’s daughter, returns to her home after being away for decades. One day she discovers her mother’s cookbook. While cooking, Framboise tries to connect her mother’s love of cooking and her cruelty. Furthermore, the reader finds out about Mirabelle’s debilitating migraines. This is from the smell of oranges. This characterization of a migraine is accurate. Some migraines can get triggered by bright lights or strong smells. Other things can trigger a migraine too. Too much caffeine, drastic weather changes, sleep changes, or certain foods can provoke one. Mirabelle remedy’s this by being out of action until it clears up.
Fitz from Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobbs
The Assassin’s Apprentice is like The Bone Season because both characters get migraines when they use their powers. This is a high fantasy book featuring magic and an epic plot. Fitz is the illegitimate son of a prince that gets raised to become an assassin for his grandfather. In addition to his training, Fitz also has a special magic called the Skill. This magic is similar to telepathy as it is used for holding long-distance conversations. However, due to an injury, after Fitz uses the Skill, he has painful migraines. To combat the effects of the migraines, he uses a painkiller to take away the pain.
Viive McBroom from The Migraine Mafia by Maia Sepp
Last but not least is The Migraine Mafia. This book is a contemporary fiction that follows the main character Vive McBroom. However, this book is unique compared to the others on the list as it centers around migraines. Vive tries to go through life while dealing with migraines. But things do not go to plan, and she joins a support group called The Migraine Mafia. Once she joins the group, Viive learns she does not have to go through her migraines alone. What she discovers is a great reminder for people who get migraines that they are not alone.
In the long run, it is easy for people with migraines to learn what triggers it and what helps to make it go away. These books highlight what it means to suffer from migraines for those that do not get to. Additionally, these stories provide different effects of migraines. They also show how migraines impact the characters. The treatments these books use also give interest in how medicine works within the story. Even though it is rare to see characters that do suffer from them, it is more than welcomed.
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