breanna_gaudaur's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Pregnancy, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Abortion, and Confinement
saiy_phi's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.5
worth the read once, will not re read
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Physical abuse and Emotional abuse
desana75's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Abortion, Confinement, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Emotional abuse, Grief, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, Bullying, and Rape
Minor: Chronic illness
dnichols955's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Physical abuse and Child death
pinkiefem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.75
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
texas666's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Abortion, Abandonment, Death, Emotional abuse, Confinement, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Violence, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Rape
danyels_denouements's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
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.
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
- 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
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."
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
- 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
Graphic: Suicide, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Cancer
lisajh5858's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Rape