unnamed_individual's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Rating - 4.6 rounded to a 4.5 star.
Looking for Jane is a historical fiction exploring reproductive justice. I left reading this story extremely sad about the state of my country, the United States of America. Many states are making abortions illegal, resulting in infections (for women with miscarriages who cannot access a D&C), unethical adoption practices, and a loss of female bodily autonomy. I recommend this book to everyone, from men to women, pro-choice to pro-life, and from the North Pole to the South Pole. Everyone should read it NO MATTER their religion, beliefs, or "morals."
Setting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking for Jane explores reproductive justice between the 1960s and 2010s in Canada. I didn't realize it was in Canada (I am bad at geography), but I do not believe the location was as important as the story's message. The story always matched with the historical context of the year. The author also described the setting in enough detail to visualize the place, but not too much where I felt bored.
Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book is separated into four parts and in the voices of three characters, Angela, Evelyn, and Nancy. Each character appears in a different period where they eventually collide in the present. The story was a little slow, where some people would DNF. I love stories that make me feel like I am living the character's life; however, many prefer stories with an apparent rise and fall in the plot. The main plot is to reunite mother and daughter, who separated due to a lack of reproductive rights. There is a twist and a good one. I didn't find it obvious, but many people were able to see it happen. My issue with the twist was that the explanation didn't fit into the story. It seemed a little off. Another issue that I didn't quite think fit in was that Evelyn named her daughter Jane, but coincidentally the organization used the name "Jane." It seemed unbelievable to me.
Engagement ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking for Jane is a historical fiction that caters to the audience. I felt immersed in the book and finished it in 2 days; I didn't need to speed the audio to 2x because I loved how beautiful yet painful the story was. The author explored reproductive rights through the church's forceful adoption of Evelyn's baby, Nancy's experiences with abortion, and Angela's pregnancy. The entire story honed into reproductive rights. Another critical lesson was never keeping secrets. Hiding secrets is never the right thing to do. I left reading this book with a stronger sense of pro-choice rhetoric and sure of my choice to enter the healthcare field.
Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Angela - though Angela was an integral part of the story, the angel who brings mother and daughter together, she was the weakest link. I didn't see as much character depth or growth. her lack of development may be because she is the only character in one "age." She doesn't grow through the years but in a few months. While she does a lot of research and uncovers many secretes, I was never excited to hear her part of the story. Nonetheless, she was a necessary part of the story.
Evelyn - I thought she had the most depth and growth of all the characters. Her story starts in her 20s and ends in her 80s. Her life was full of giving back to the world and changing women's lives, though she didn't seem to get anything in return. Evelyn was a strong woman, though she held many secrets, fearing what revealing them would mean. Evelyn's final confession to Angela is overwhelmingly beautiful and provides closure to the reader.
Nancy - Nancy represents the effects of generational trauma. There is beauty in seeing her learn the importance of not keeping secrets and realizing that holding onto the secrets is destroying her life. Her growth was also gradual, from her twenties to her sixties.
Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The narrative is in the third person. The writing is easy to understand. If you listen to audiobooks, it is narrated by Sara Borges; her voice is descriptive and emotional, and the character's voices reflect their personality and background.
As you can see, my overall rating is 4.6 rounded up to 5 stars. This story maintains the historical context of the story, has a fantastic twist, and immerses the readers in the real-life experience of reproductive rights in women. I would recommend everyone read this book to see the perspectives of the embodiment of millions of women's experiences.
Looking for Jane is a historical fiction exploring reproductive justice. I left reading this story extremely sad about the state of my country, the United States of America. Many states are making abortions illegal, resulting in infections (for women with miscarriages who cannot access a D&C), unethical adoption practices, and a loss of female bodily autonomy. I recommend this book to everyone, from men to women, pro-choice to pro-life, and from the North Pole to the South Pole. Everyone should read it NO MATTER their religion, beliefs, or "morals."
Setting ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking for Jane explores reproductive justice between the 1960s and 2010s in Canada. I didn't realize it was in Canada (I am bad at geography), but I do not believe the location was as important as the story's message. The story always matched with the historical context of the year. The author also described the setting in enough detail to visualize the place, but not too much where I felt bored.
Plot ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The book is separated into four parts and in the voices of three characters, Angela, Evelyn, and Nancy. Each character appears in a different period where they eventually collide in the present. The story was a little slow, where some people would DNF. I love stories that make me feel like I am living the character's life; however, many prefer stories with an apparent rise and fall in the plot. The main plot is to reunite mother and daughter, who separated due to a lack of reproductive rights. There is a twist and a good one. I didn't find it obvious, but many people were able to see it happen. My issue with the twist was that the explanation didn't fit into the story. It seemed a little off. Another issue that I didn't quite think fit in was that Evelyn named her daughter Jane, but coincidentally the organization used the name "Jane." It seemed unbelievable to me.
Engagement ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking for Jane is a historical fiction that caters to the audience. I felt immersed in the book and finished it in 2 days; I didn't need to speed the audio to 2x because I loved how beautiful yet painful the story was. The author explored reproductive rights through the church's forceful adoption of Evelyn's baby, Nancy's experiences with abortion, and Angela's pregnancy. The entire story honed into reproductive rights. Another critical lesson was never keeping secrets. Hiding secrets is never the right thing to do. I left reading this book with a stronger sense of pro-choice rhetoric and sure of my choice to enter the healthcare field.
Characters ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Angela - though Angela was an integral part of the story, the angel who brings mother and daughter together, she was the weakest link. I didn't see as much character depth or growth. her lack of development may be because she is the only character in one "age." She doesn't grow through the years but in a few months. While she does a lot of research and uncovers many secretes, I was never excited to hear her part of the story. Nonetheless, she was a necessary part of the story.
Evelyn - I thought she had the most depth and growth of all the characters. Her story starts in her 20s and ends in her 80s. Her life was full of giving back to the world and changing women's lives, though she didn't seem to get anything in return. Evelyn was a strong woman, though she held many secrets, fearing what revealing them would mean. Evelyn's final confession to Angela is overwhelmingly beautiful and provides closure to the reader.
Nancy - Nancy represents the effects of generational trauma. There is beauty in seeing her learn the importance of not keeping secrets and realizing that holding onto the secrets is destroying her life. Her growth was also gradual, from her twenties to her sixties.
Style ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The narrative is in the third person. The writing is easy to understand. If you listen to audiobooks, it is narrated by Sara Borges; her voice is descriptive and emotional, and the character's voices reflect their personality and background.
As you can see, my overall rating is 4.6 rounded up to 5 stars. This story maintains the historical context of the story, has a fantastic twist, and immerses the readers in the real-life experience of reproductive rights in women. I would recommend everyone read this book to see the perspectives of the embodiment of millions of women's experiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Abortion, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault and Cancer
Spoiler
talks about forced adoption, difficulty getting pregnant, religious agendas of abortion and adoption, suicide by hanging and suicide attempt by slitting of wristreading_rainbows's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
It took a bit to get into, then it was hard to stop. I stayed up 4 hours later to finish listening to the audio book. I cried a bunch reading this book and loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Cancer
arnold_shelby's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Fatphobia, Confinement, Grief, Medical content, Rape, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicide, Cancer, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Child death, Medical content, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
I thought some parts of the book had unnecessary exposition, where it felt like one of the story lines was being used to feed specific aspects of history to the reader, however that was short-lived thankfully. I enjoyed this book, it was raw and a rough read at times but I was glad to have read it.pinkiefem's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Cancer, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Trafficking, Suicide, Death, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Infertility, Confinement, Grief, Suicide attempt, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Abortion, and Emotional abuse
danyels_denouements's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A big thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this opportunity to read the eARC of Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall.
Looking for Jane follows three women during the 1970s, 1980s, and 2010s. These stories intertwine in heartfelt and heartbreaking ways. Told from several different points of view, the reader is taken into the story immediately with one of our main character's finding a letter where a mother confesses to her daughter that she was adopted and her mother's dying wish was for her daughter to find her birth mother. Our main character dives into research looking for both the letter's recipient and her birth mother. While researching she stumbles upon the St. Agnes' Home for Unwed Mothers and our story takes off from there bouncing between the timelines where our main characters are unwed mother's at the St. Agnes' House, earning medical degrees, participating in the Jane Network, and so much more.
Like mentioned above, this story is both heartbreaking and heartfelt. I found myself gasping, tearing up, and tearing through this book very quickly. I am so impressed that this is Heather's debut novel! This was quickly a 5/5 star for me and I cannot wait for the opportunity to purchase the physical book and reread it.
Looking for Jane will be available for purchase February 07, 2023.
Please note the book content warnings as the author does not sugar coat details - this book at times can be a heavy read. While this story is fiction, the research that inspired her writings were real lived experiences from hundreds if not thousands of individuals.
Looking for Jane follows three women during the 1970s, 1980s, and 2010s. These stories intertwine in heartfelt and heartbreaking ways. Told from several different points of view, the reader is taken into the story immediately with one of our main character's finding a letter where a mother confesses to her daughter that she was adopted and her mother's dying wish was for her daughter to find her birth mother. Our main character dives into research looking for both the letter's recipient and her birth mother. While researching she stumbles upon the St. Agnes' Home for Unwed Mothers and our story takes off from there bouncing between the timelines where our main characters are unwed mother's at the St. Agnes' House, earning medical degrees, participating in the Jane Network, and so much more.
Like mentioned above, this story is both heartbreaking and heartfelt. I found myself gasping, tearing up, and tearing through this book very quickly. I am so impressed that this is Heather's debut novel! This was quickly a 5/5 star for me and I cannot wait for the opportunity to purchase the physical book and reread it.
Looking for Jane will be available for purchase February 07, 2023.
Please note the book content warnings as the author does not sugar coat details - this book at times can be a heavy read. While this story is fiction, the research that inspired her writings were real lived experiences from hundreds if not thousands of individuals.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, and Physical abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
kelly_e's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? No
5.0
Title: Looking for Jane
Author: Heather Marshall
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Important • Disturbing • Compelling
📖 S Y N O P S I S
2017: When Angela unearths a mysterious letter in a stack of forgotten mail, she cannot withhold herself from opening it. What she discovers in a life-shattering confession, and she becomes increasingly determined to find the intended recipient. In her search, she learns about an underground abortion network known as the Jane Network.
1971: As a teenager, a pregnant Dr. Evelyn Taylor is sent St. Agnes's Home for Unwed Mothers after the sudden death of her partner. It is here she endures severe emotional trauma when she's forced to give her baby up for adoption. As an adult she joins the Jane Network as an abortion provider, determined to give other women the choice she never had.
1980: When Nancy unexpectedly discovers a shocking family secret, she begins to question who she really is. During this period of turmoil, she unintentionally becomes pregnant. With no one to turn to, she recalls information she received from a doctor years ago to ask for Jane.
Looking for Jane is a story of friendship and community, of the power of choice, and of a mother's enduring love.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Heather Marshall's debut novel Looking for Jane blew me away!
Inspired by true events, this multigenerational exploration of reproductive rights and abortion in Canada throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s was beautifully crafted and eye-opening. It is obvious the author has done her research and has the aspiration of educating readers on the topic of bodily autonomy.
Told through multiple perspectives, it unpacks the harsh realities faced by many women and touching on the topics of adoption, trauma, abortion, pregnancy, infertility; but at its heart this is a story about choice - a choice to become a mother or a choice to not become a mother. Heather Marshall skillfully interweaves the stories of the three main women with emotional and thought-provoking plot with a touch of mystery. The strong cast of female characters demonstrate and unravel the power of collective voice.
There are books that shift everything you thought you knew, and Looking for Jane is one of those books. It will stay with me for years to come and has inspired me to become more informed. No matter where you are in the world this novel is poignantly relevant and you're likely to become emotionally invested. I cannot wait to see what Heather Marshall writes next!
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction devotees
• fans of The Home for Unwanted Girls
• bookclubs
• everyone!
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It all comes down to having the right to make the choice. Every child a wanted child, every mother a willing mother."
"You can control the internal damage caused by keeping secrets far easier than the external damage. The consequences, as Michael has just shown Nancy, are unpredictable. Lethal.
Because once a secret is out there, there's no reeling it back in."
Author: Heather Marshall
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: 5.00
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Important • Disturbing • Compelling
📖 S Y N O P S I S
2017: When Angela unearths a mysterious letter in a stack of forgotten mail, she cannot withhold herself from opening it. What she discovers in a life-shattering confession, and she becomes increasingly determined to find the intended recipient. In her search, she learns about an underground abortion network known as the Jane Network.
1971: As a teenager, a pregnant Dr. Evelyn Taylor is sent St. Agnes's Home for Unwed Mothers after the sudden death of her partner. It is here she endures severe emotional trauma when she's forced to give her baby up for adoption. As an adult she joins the Jane Network as an abortion provider, determined to give other women the choice she never had.
1980: When Nancy unexpectedly discovers a shocking family secret, she begins to question who she really is. During this period of turmoil, she unintentionally becomes pregnant. With no one to turn to, she recalls information she received from a doctor years ago to ask for Jane.
Looking for Jane is a story of friendship and community, of the power of choice, and of a mother's enduring love.
💭 T H O U G H T S
Heather Marshall's debut novel Looking for Jane blew me away!
Inspired by true events, this multigenerational exploration of reproductive rights and abortion in Canada throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s was beautifully crafted and eye-opening. It is obvious the author has done her research and has the aspiration of educating readers on the topic of bodily autonomy.
Told through multiple perspectives, it unpacks the harsh realities faced by many women and touching on the topics of adoption, trauma, abortion, pregnancy, infertility; but at its heart this is a story about choice - a choice to become a mother or a choice to not become a mother. Heather Marshall skillfully interweaves the stories of the three main women with emotional and thought-provoking plot with a touch of mystery. The strong cast of female characters demonstrate and unravel the power of collective voice.
There are books that shift everything you thought you knew, and Looking for Jane is one of those books. It will stay with me for years to come and has inspired me to become more informed. No matter where you are in the world this novel is poignantly relevant and you're likely to become emotionally invested. I cannot wait to see what Heather Marshall writes next!
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• historical fiction devotees
• fans of The Home for Unwanted Girls
• bookclubs
• everyone!
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It all comes down to having the right to make the choice. Every child a wanted child, every mother a willing mother."
"You can control the internal damage caused by keeping secrets far easier than the external damage. The consequences, as Michael has just shown Nancy, are unpredictable. Lethal.
Because once a secret is out there, there's no reeling it back in."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Infertility, Abortion, Medical trauma, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Rape, Sexual assault, Child death, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
death of partner, adoptionlaurennicole98's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow! I’m super impressed that this is a debut novel.
This book was inspired by true stories and intertwines three different characters as they navigate love, loss, and a woman’s right to choose.
I really liked this! It was deeply emotional and very timely.
There were a few things that took away from the story for me. One was part of Nancy’s story. I didn’t understand her decision to hide her adoption from her husband. It may very well be because I was not adopted and I don’t understand the emotions bound up in that, but I felt that he could have helped her through it. Instead, it ended up causing a rift because she chose to tell him something much more polarizing (again, in my opinion).
I also didn’t 100% buy the story of Evelyn.
Overall though, I thought this was very powerful.
This book was inspired by true stories and intertwines three different characters as they navigate love, loss, and a woman’s right to choose.
I really liked this! It was deeply emotional and very timely.
There were a few things that took away from the story for me. One was part of Nancy’s story. I didn’t understand her decision to hide her adoption from her husband. It may very well be because I was not adopted and I don’t understand the emotions bound up in that, but I felt that he could have helped her through it. Instead, it ended up causing a rift because she chose to tell him something much more polarizing (again, in my opinion).
I also didn’t 100% buy the story of Evelyn.
Spoiler
I didn’t believe that she would have done what she did. The story felt more plausible before the twist was revealed.Overall though, I thought this was very powerful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, and Blood
Moderate: Rape and Death of parent
Minor: Dementia, Cancer, and Infidelity
ashleyerne's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Cancer, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, Child death, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Death, Rape, Miscarriage, Grief, and Forced institutionalization
soobooksalot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"Do not mistake your humanity for weakness."
Where to begin on Looking For Jane?
For starters, I loved this book. Such important messages about choices, motherhood and female empowerment; of medical safety and accessibility.
Of heartache, and groundbreaking victories for women.
Looking For Jane is told in multiple timelines among three main characters - Evelyn, Nancy and Angela.
Blending composite fact and fiction in Canadian history from the 1960s to present, the characters provide emotional insights into varied reproductive journies.
We are taken from a "maternity home" with forced adoptions in the 60s, to the road of legalizing abortions in the 80s, and the choices not easily - or at all - afforded in each.
I'm beyond impressed with debut author Heather Marshall's writing. It feels genuine, effortless (though I know there's no such thing as effortless in writing).
This is a special, unflinching read with some unexpected moments that absolutely kept my pages turning.
Though I know not everyone will be comfortable with the content, it's such an important part of our recent history and becoming more relevant each day.
I can't recommend this book enough.
Where to begin on Looking For Jane?
For starters, I loved this book. Such important messages about choices, motherhood and female empowerment; of medical safety and accessibility.
Of heartache, and groundbreaking victories for women.
Looking For Jane is told in multiple timelines among three main characters - Evelyn, Nancy and Angela.
Blending composite fact and fiction in Canadian history from the 1960s to present, the characters provide emotional insights into varied reproductive journies.
We are taken from a "maternity home" with forced adoptions in the 60s, to the road of legalizing abortions in the 80s, and the choices not easily - or at all - afforded in each.
I'm beyond impressed with debut author Heather Marshall's writing. It feels genuine, effortless (though I know there's no such thing as effortless in writing).
This is a special, unflinching read with some unexpected moments that absolutely kept my pages turning.
Though I know not everyone will be comfortable with the content, it's such an important part of our recent history and becoming more relevant each day.
I can't recommend this book enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Self harm
Minor: Cancer and Infidelity
More...