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A review by reading_and_roaming20
Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As I sat down to reflect on FIONA AND JANE, I initially thought I did not have much to say. However, as soon as I started really digging into what struck me most about these two characters and their friendship, I realized the aspect of this book that really grabbed me.
While many stories about female friendship portray an unshakable bond where the two are attached at the hip for life, this felt far more realistic. I absolutely loved that Fiona and Jane’s friendship ebbed and flowed over time. They lived independently for much of their lives, but always had a connection forged in childhood to come back to. They were there when they truly needed one another.
As someone who moved 1,986 miles away (from where I sit to my parents house…I mapped it) 9 years ago, leaving behind my best friend of 25+ years in our hometown, this felt like more of a truth to me than daily calls and a fully intertwined existence. I feel endlessly #blessed to have forever friendships with some strong, beautiful, independent women, now living all over this country, who I know have my back 100%. Even when we haven’t spoken for months at a time, when we get together or randomly text, nothing has changed.
Perhaps this book will not resonate as much with those who have remained around their hometowns with their childhood friends finding adulthood together. I couldn’t say as that is not my life experience.
FIONA AND JANE was a quick read and a nice change of pace from the heavy stuff I seem to be gravitating toward recently. This is not to say that there aren’t difficult or dark topics, but they are written in a way that didn’t drag me down with them. I don’t know that everyone will love the non-linear short story format, but this structure and the core of this book worked for me. I am glad to have grabbed it on @bookofthemonth!
While many stories about female friendship portray an unshakable bond where the two are attached at the hip for life, this felt far more realistic. I absolutely loved that Fiona and Jane’s friendship ebbed and flowed over time. They lived independently for much of their lives, but always had a connection forged in childhood to come back to. They were there when they truly needed one another.
As someone who moved 1,986 miles away (from where I sit to my parents house…I mapped it) 9 years ago, leaving behind my best friend of 25+ years in our hometown, this felt like more of a truth to me than daily calls and a fully intertwined existence. I feel endlessly #blessed to have forever friendships with some strong, beautiful, independent women, now living all over this country, who I know have my back 100%. Even when we haven’t spoken for months at a time, when we get together or randomly text, nothing has changed.
Perhaps this book will not resonate as much with those who have remained around their hometowns with their childhood friends finding adulthood together. I couldn’t say as that is not my life experience.
FIONA AND JANE was a quick read and a nice change of pace from the heavy stuff I seem to be gravitating toward recently. This is not to say that there aren’t difficult or dark topics, but they are written in a way that didn’t drag me down with them. I don’t know that everyone will love the non-linear short story format, but this structure and the core of this book worked for me. I am glad to have grabbed it on @bookofthemonth!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Suicide, Death of parent, and Outing
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault