dog_eared_bookworm's review against another edition
4.75
What a story! Perfectly weaved and wonderfully narrated.
I loved the different timelines spanning 1960 to 2017, and the multiple POVs.
It’s a masterpiece about motherhood, choice, fighting for what’s right, and all the stuff in between. A must read.
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
5.0
5★: BASED IN CANADA // MUCH-NEEDED PERSPECTIVES // INSPIRED BY TRUE STORIES. This book was an unexpected delight. Historical fiction at its finest. I recommend to all, from late teens on up. I’m not sure what I can say without spoilers. There should probably be a few content warnings, but I’ll just give one: beware if you’re squeamish about medical procedures — especially “back alley” ones.
caitlin192's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
karaklos's review against another edition
3.0
Looking for Jane is the fictional story of the underground abortion network “The Jane Network” in Canada in the 1970s which connected doctors with women seeking an abortion. Based on actual history, I enjoyed learning about the homes for unwed mothers and the lengths women went through to create the networks despite the risk of arrest and damage to their reputations.
I was intrigued by this novel from the first couple of pages with a mysterious letter that beautifully sets the stage for a great story. As the novel continued, there were many characters introduced across three timelines and it became difficult to navigate. I quickly lost the pull that initially drew me in as I tried to keep everything straight. I wish the current time chapters featuring Angela only focused on her trying to match the letter to its owner. Her fertility journey and personal struggles were a distraction to the overall story.
The chapters featuring St Agnes’s Home for Unwed Mothers were compelling and heartbreaking. It was also interesting to learn how the abortion networks operated and avoided detection.
There were too many coincidences in the book and too many big dramatic moments that were unnecessary. The twist was unbelievable. I think I said “WHAT?” about 16 times.
The author mentions in her note that the book is about motherhood but really it’s only about motherhood at the time of pregnancy…whether a pregnancy is wanted desperately or not wanted at all. To me the book was more about the impact of keeping secrets to protect others or ourselves and the strength and determination of women if they band together.
Why didn’t Nancy ever blame her father for keeping her adoption a secret?
I was intrigued by this novel from the first couple of pages with a mysterious letter that beautifully sets the stage for a great story. As the novel continued, there were many characters introduced across three timelines and it became difficult to navigate. I quickly lost the pull that initially drew me in as I tried to keep everything straight. I wish the current time chapters featuring Angela only focused on her trying to match the letter to its owner. Her fertility journey and personal struggles were a distraction to the overall story.
The chapters featuring St Agnes’s Home for Unwed Mothers were compelling and heartbreaking. It was also interesting to learn how the abortion networks operated and avoided detection.
There were too many coincidences in the book and too many big dramatic moments that were unnecessary. The twist was unbelievable. I think I said “WHAT?” about 16 times.
The author mentions in her note that the book is about motherhood but really it’s only about motherhood at the time of pregnancy…whether a pregnancy is wanted desperately or not wanted at all. To me the book was more about the impact of keeping secrets to protect others or ourselves and the strength and determination of women if they band together.
Why didn’t Nancy ever blame her father for keeping her adoption a secret?
nikischmidt's review
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
toreypickard's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 rounded up. Highly recommend The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe v. Wade if you want more.
brittanyluntz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
asyaqub's review against another edition
5.0
This is a really important book and also an enjoyable read. If you believe in reproductive freedom and want to learn more about the history of abortion access in Canada then you should read this book!
ck47's review against another edition
5.0
This book is absolutely amazing. Every single human in the world should be required to read this. It is a truly heart breaking story that puts a lot into perspective about life and choice in general. I just finished it and I’m still in tears.
Read. It. Now.
Read. It. Now.