Reviews

We, Jane by Aimee Wall

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WE, JANE by Aimee Wall is a very thought provoking debut novel! First off content warning: abortion is a major topic in this book. This story revolves around Marthe, a young woman who meets Jane, an older woman who sparks an intense friendship. Together they travel from Montreal to their small hometown in Newfoundland to work in underground abortions. Right away I loved the Canadian setting as I could easily connect to the characters drinking their Tim Hortons coffee. The subject matter is definitely intense but also at the heart of this novel are the themes of friendship and community between women and neighbours. Marthe had a deep longing for her permanent place in the world and was seeking that strong connection in her relationship with Jane. I really enjoyed the writing that sucked me into this story. I read the majority of this book in one sitting. Definitely pick up this book if you’re interested to read some good Can Lit!

Thank you to Bookhug Press for my advance reading copy!

karinemyrgianie's review

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

jennus's review

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3.0

I had no idea what was happening most of the time. The lack of grammar made it extra confusing.

missjustynak's review against another edition

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2.0

Such a great, interesting topic. It sounded so interesting and I was so excited to read and learn about the Jane collective. From the description the topic sounded facinating. Unfortunately, I felt there was very little actual content on that until the last few chapters, and then I needed more and it was over.
The novel focused too much on Marthe and her self discovery, which was around and with the Jane collective but only to introduce characters into Marthe's life. On top of that, Marthe's character was a little bland. I couldn't quite get into enjoying her journey.

Thank you NetGalley and Book*hug Press for the arc.

avasadored's review

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4.0

this book was good in that it focused on the development of a woman and her own identity and the idea of participating in something such as an abortion clinic is part of that. it was a nifty look into a reality that is often depicted as scary or unhealthy when it can be viewed as an act of freedom and sanctuary instead.

_inge_'s review

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Lost interest in this book about halfway through. I was listening to it, maybe it was the narrator. Maybe I'll try again in print if I see this book around.

thebacklistborrower's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

I find the story of the Chicago Jane Collective so fascinating and inspiring. When Roe v Wade was overturned, I jumped on my library’s website and found the first book that seemed related. I honestly didn’t know what this book was about until I got it in!

The story follows Marthe, a Newfoundland woman in her thirties living a typical Millennial life in Montreal, who desperately wants to be part of something bigger than her. A cause to consume her, a responsibility. Trying to find this cause, she goes to a birth doula training class, only to find it too twee and clean, far from the darkness, dirtiness, and urgency that she was seeking. But while there, she meets an older woman who had been part of a Jane collective on Newfoundland. She (“Jane”) fires Marthe up with the possibility of returning home, and restoring Jane on the island. Apprenticing the skills that these other women knew and taking them to the remote outports, where women may not have access to more traditional services.

This book was interesting. Parts felt slow and lacking in consistent momentum, but I also feel like that was done intentionally. One does not just *start* a movement. It is all fits and spurts, and that came across in the book well. The older woman is rather unlikable, and the relationship doesn’t feel healthy at times. But the team reincarnated in Newfoundland is full of wonderful women (and men are basically absent from the book). One interesting pattern I found was as a millennial in Montreal, children were also absent, but once she got to Newfoundland, they seemed to be everywhere.

I think I found this book a good read, and it is on a lot of long and short lists to recognize that. Reading it intentionally, the pacing and characters work very well in the grand context of the story, bringing the reader into the frustration felt by Marthe when the grand plans faltered or slowed, but also the excitement when “Jane” talks big about grand plans for them. We are along for the ride - for better or poorer.

Content Warnings

bethanyyy's review

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emotional inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

this book. wow wow wow. i don’t think i’ve ever read a book that quite encapsulates what it means and feels like to be a newfoundlander, especially one that must leave the safety of the island but feels tethered to the shore. the culture was vibrant and came alive and resonated so deeply to all my emotions surrounding my home. aimee wall does an incredible job at portraying this vast and complex setting while driving home the essential and important work of the matriarchy in the province. the idea that abortion and midwifery are necessary to survival in newfoundland, come whatever disaster, is something so striking and vital to convey.

Content Warnings