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jodunn_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Rape
klitchin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
annieandherbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Murder
jenniferlynnkrohn's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.25
As someone who enjoys the occasional true crime, I have noticed that books dealing with real life murder tend to reduce the victims to just victims. Even if some time is given to victims' lives, their lives are often framed as though they were fated to be murdered. What I appreciate about Maggie Nelson's Jane: A Murder is that its about reconstructing Nelson's aunt Jane. Nelson is trying to get to know and understand a woman she has never met but whose life and presence is felt in Nelson's life. By using excerpts of Jane's journal, we do not meet someone who has be rendered angelic, too good for this world, by tragedy and memory, but rather a person flawed and full of life. The greatest mystery is not who murdered her, but rather the mystery that all people carry, who she is.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual violence, and Murder
Minor: Rape