carmenere's review against another edition
4.0
After the death of their youngest child the Chisholm's, thinking they were well past their fertile years, gave birth to a beautiful blue eyed baby. Dr. Thompson hesitates on proclaiming the baby's sex but believes it is a girl. The difficulty in giving Baby Jane a sex concerns the fact she was born with a genital birth defect which will never allow her to fulfill, what in the early 20th century, was a woman's duty to have children or even be intimate with a man. That's not all. The defect also has some very unacceptable social taboos which leave her unable to go to school or keep friends. For a very brief time, Jane fell in love with the neighbor boy and in a Cinderella like period of time she dances, flirts and acts like her infliction does not even exist. But it does and when reality returns, young Jane learns how to live with her problems and shield them as best she can or use them to her advantage when need be. Her soulmate through life are not her disgruntled parents nor her freedom seeking sister but the doctor who brought her into this world. He taught her about life and peacocks and love. A beautiful story which is based on the authors family. Touching and well written.
thebeardedpoet's review against another edition
5.0
This is an absorbing novel with vividly real characters. The writing here is particularly great at revealing the inner lives of Jane and the local doctor who devotes himself to her care.
moudi's review
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
دائماً ما أتخوف من قراءة عمل أدبي يتحدث عن حالة انسانية بقلم إنسان لا ينتمي لتلك الحالة ، إذ أن تحدي التجسيد الواقعي ليس بالأمر الهين تحت ضغط التصورات و التوقعات الشخصية للمؤلف .. لماذا هذه المقدمة؟ ، لأن الرواية يفترض أنها تتحدث عن عائلة جين التي جاءت إلى الدنيا ولديها ضمور في الجهاز التناسلي - على ما يبدو من وصف الطبيب لها - سنة ١٩١٥ في ولاية مسيسيبي ، نتابع العائلة الى ان يصبح عمر جين سبعين سنة.
<blockquote><b>“What would you know about ‘life with a man’? And what of your little experience in this world would make you think it such a fine thing?” Jane watched her go out the back door, feeling more sad for her than abashed at being upbraided. Her mother’s words weren’t able to dispel the deeply calm pleasure she felt in these new days, this new self.</b></blockquote>
فكيف جسد المؤلف ابن البيئة الاجتماعية الامريكية الجنوبية ذلك؟
^ إهمال للحالة النفسية والفكرية للمرأة : لقد جعل المشكلة الخلقية تنحصر في موضوع الإنجاب، وحتى هذا الحصر لم يحرك في جين الشابة أية أفكار عن مفهوم الجنس و الحب و الأسرة!
^ اتساع الرواية خارج موضوعها : من العنوان و النبذة المنشورة و الاهداء يبدو جلياً ان حالة جين المرضية هي موضوع العمل ، لكن الرواية تتجه إلى حيث يألف ويأنس المؤلف ، أنها حكاية عائلة ريفية جنوبية تقليدية تتغير مع ظروف الحياة كأي عائلة أخرى، وحالة الأبنة لن تسبب أي قلق بل ربما تمرد شقيقتها الكبرى كان موضوعاً أكثر تأثير في مجرى الأحداث من حالتها.
لهذا يمكن الاستمتاع بالرواية ان قرأتها على أنها رواية اجتماعية تاريخية لا على انها رواية فكرية نفسية .. هذا إن كنت تقرأ للاستمتاع فقط.
<blockquote><b>“What would you know about ‘life with a man’? And what of your little experience in this world would make you think it such a fine thing?” Jane watched her go out the back door, feeling more sad for her than abashed at being upbraided. Her mother’s words weren’t able to dispel the deeply calm pleasure she felt in these new days, this new self.</b></blockquote>
فكيف جسد المؤلف ابن البيئة الاجتماعية الامريكية الجنوبية ذلك؟
^ إهمال للحالة النفسية والفكرية للمرأة : لقد جعل المشكلة الخلقية تنحصر في موضوع الإنجاب، وحتى هذا الحصر لم يحرك في جين الشابة أية أفكار عن مفهوم الجنس و الحب و الأسرة!
^ اتساع الرواية خارج موضوعها : من العنوان و النبذة المنشورة و الاهداء يبدو جلياً ان حالة جين المرضية هي موضوع العمل ، لكن الرواية تتجه إلى حيث يألف ويأنس المؤلف ، أنها حكاية عائلة ريفية جنوبية تقليدية تتغير مع ظروف الحياة كأي عائلة أخرى، وحالة الأبنة لن تسبب أي قلق بل ربما تمرد شقيقتها الكبرى كان موضوعاً أكثر تأثير في مجرى الأحداث من حالتها.
لهذا يمكن الاستمتاع بالرواية ان قرأتها على أنها رواية اجتماعية تاريخية لا على انها رواية فكرية نفسية .. هذا إن كنت تقرأ للاستمتاع فقط.
librarian_lisa_22's review against another edition
4.0
Brad Watson is an artist and a weaver of words and story. His words paint such a cherishing portrait of Jane, of her vision of the world, her deep and beautiful relationship with Dr Thompson, and her strange and unsettling world. Stunning.
berthe33's review against another edition
5.0
The writing is sublime....a strange story based on the life of the author's aunt .Such genuine characters fully realized ;learning how to love within the restrictions one has been presented with. A wonderful novel!
natesea's review against another edition
5.0
This is the best book I've read this year. It is an incredibly important and beautifully told story. I am reminded of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, and Watson's writing is on par. Though gender is in the political and social forefront these days, Miss Jane shows us the burdens that have always been associated. She and her supportive cast of characters are unforgettable. Read this book.
hannahshort's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.75
4.75 stars. A beautifully written portrayal of a brave and lonely life. I wasn't sure what to expect from this novel (picked up in a charity shop because I liked the cover!), but found Jane's story very moving and the issues surrounding her urogenital anomaly sensitively explored. I'd intended to write to the author to let him know how much his writing, and Jane's story, had affected me, and was saddened to learn he had passed away in 2020 at the age of 64.
veelaughtland's review against another edition
4.0
This book was unexpected as I only really went in with a base level knowledge of what it would be about. It reminded me at times of Stoner by John Williams, in that it really does just cover a life (albeit a far more complicated one). Watson's writing is beautiful without being overwrought, and my heart ached for Jane throughout. I would have liked maybe a little more in terms of action perhaps, but all in all this was a really poignant story.
grapestakes's review against another edition
3.0
A beautiful picture of a very specific time and place in America, but I don’t think I have the attention span to fully enjoy such a meandering novel at the moment.
magdon's review against another edition
4.0
See, not much plot here either but so beautiful and moving. Almost a meditation on connections and love and "being alone."