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aftereliza's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
emilycielen's review
challenging
tense
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? Yes
2.0
bookishjesse's review
1.0
So ... I am very confused about why this book is included in the Giller Long List? We, Jane is boring, poorly written, and highly overrated. It reads like a second-wave feminist novel someone forgot to reject forty or fifty years ago. Not to mention that both the story and characters are really disingenuous. Wall shifts between referencing archaic feminist theory to beginner reader language like: "Jane and Marthe got on the road very early on a light grey day." My niece, who cannot yet read, can describe a scene in more enlightening terms. If you think I am being overly critical, let us move to a later passage: "Marthe wanted to belong to something but she wanted it to be the right thing. Marthe wanted to really do something." I mean, when a discussion of belonging is reduced to the kind of language we would use to describe putting on a pair of socks?! I ask you. I'm just going to drive right on by the split infinitive.
The worst part is that in the middle of the book, Wall writes about the very problem she perpetuates: "Nobody read novels anymore, not really ... Jane didn't have much patience for the fragment, the autofictional, the contemporary confessional essay. She didn't have much patience for the novel interrupted by theory or some meta reflection." How original. A novel in which a character suggests nobody reads novels (see how I fixed the grammar there!) ... then complains about "meta reflection." #facepalm Probably best not to alienate readers halfway through the story. Although, halfway is a generous term because this book has no plot. There is a vague plan that is unrealized set against the backdrop of lackluster and stilted dialogue. A "whither thou goest" plot only works with emotion. This novel contains none; instead, we have dry toast descriptions of mediocre feelings. The characters are flat and lack any depth or nuance. The "Newfoundland affect" seems poorly performed at best and like a caricature at worst. Before you come for me, yes, I spent many years living on the island so I can tell when a book is written by an islander versus someone who is now squarely CFA.
This is an irrelevant book. The topic is timely and always relevant. This book, though, is not. There are WAY better books about abortion. Let us turn our minds to Alka Joshi's Henna Artist which was an instant bestseller. Oh yes, a book full of heart!
Sadly, let us return to We, Jane. The only reason I finished this novel was so I could be sure of my critique. This is a "big fish, little pond" problem by which I mean that this book might sell a few hundred copies and be read by a few Newfoundland book clubs, but otherwise, it is not relevant. I work in a public library so I have a very good idea of which books will be read, and which books will sit on the shelf. And no, I am not suggesting Newfoundland lit is not relevant. Just this book.
I'm really frustrated by books being elevated to prize list status when they are poorly written. Yes, I am now repeating myself. The book is poorly written. I have no problem with accessible language. I have a huge problem with basic language and lazy composition. Do not tell me that We, Jane is in any way comparable to The Strangers or What Strange Paradise which also feature on the Giller List this year.
Honestly, please do not waste your time with this book. I wish there was a way I could get my time back. I would read something of value.
The worst part is that in the middle of the book, Wall writes about the very problem she perpetuates: "Nobody read novels anymore, not really ... Jane didn't have much patience for the fragment, the autofictional, the contemporary confessional essay. She didn't have much patience for the novel interrupted by theory or some meta reflection." How original. A novel in which a character suggests nobody reads novels (see how I fixed the grammar there!) ... then complains about "meta reflection." #facepalm Probably best not to alienate readers halfway through the story. Although, halfway is a generous term because this book has no plot. There is a vague plan that is unrealized set against the backdrop of lackluster and stilted dialogue. A "whither thou goest" plot only works with emotion. This novel contains none; instead, we have dry toast descriptions of mediocre feelings. The characters are flat and lack any depth or nuance. The "Newfoundland affect" seems poorly performed at best and like a caricature at worst. Before you come for me, yes, I spent many years living on the island so I can tell when a book is written by an islander versus someone who is now squarely CFA.
This is an irrelevant book. The topic is timely and always relevant. This book, though, is not. There are WAY better books about abortion. Let us turn our minds to Alka Joshi's Henna Artist which was an instant bestseller. Oh yes, a book full of heart!
Sadly, let us return to We, Jane. The only reason I finished this novel was so I could be sure of my critique. This is a "big fish, little pond" problem by which I mean that this book might sell a few hundred copies and be read by a few Newfoundland book clubs, but otherwise, it is not relevant. I work in a public library so I have a very good idea of which books will be read, and which books will sit on the shelf. And no, I am not suggesting Newfoundland lit is not relevant. Just this book.
I'm really frustrated by books being elevated to prize list status when they are poorly written. Yes, I am now repeating myself. The book is poorly written. I have no problem with accessible language. I have a huge problem with basic language and lazy composition. Do not tell me that We, Jane is in any way comparable to The Strangers or What Strange Paradise which also feature on the Giller List this year.
Honestly, please do not waste your time with this book. I wish there was a way I could get my time back. I would read something of value.
teemo's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thebookerharlot's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jcbrodie's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookalong's review
4.0
"Here is what we do. We set it up, we create the network, we leave a number to call and we always always answer, but we otherwise disappear. If we hang on to anything it's that Jane has no face. Jane a great, shifting, multitudinous thanks."
Thoughts ~
An important story about women, friendships, and finding your way home wherever that may be.
I found We, Jane to be a wonderful #canlit debut! This novel starts out in Montreal, focusing on Mathe who is a bit lost in her young life. After her longtime boyfriend leaves her she is longing for something, someone to bring more purpose into her life. Enter Jane, an older eccentric woman who has many stories, one she tells of an underground abortion operation run by women that started in Chicago in the 60's called Jane. These two strike up an interesting friendship that leads them back to a small New Found Land town in hopes of passing on the knowledge and work of "Jane" onto young Marthe. But there is tension within the movement and obstacles of small town life that halt the process.
I loved that this is based around a real movement call Jane that started in 1965. The importance and power of women helping women, performing illegal abortions because there was no other access was so moving. And the idea of all these women being known as Jane collectively was so interesting. Wall has written an important story. I also loved that it was all female characters and showed their intergenerational friendships, though flawed, still beautiful. My only wish is that it had been a bit longer allowing us to delve deeper into Marthe's role in the Jane movement, I wasn't ready to leave these characters.
Thank You @zgstories & @bookhug_press for sending me this book opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
Thoughts ~
An important story about women, friendships, and finding your way home wherever that may be.
I found We, Jane to be a wonderful #canlit debut! This novel starts out in Montreal, focusing on Mathe who is a bit lost in her young life. After her longtime boyfriend leaves her she is longing for something, someone to bring more purpose into her life. Enter Jane, an older eccentric woman who has many stories, one she tells of an underground abortion operation run by women that started in Chicago in the 60's called Jane. These two strike up an interesting friendship that leads them back to a small New Found Land town in hopes of passing on the knowledge and work of "Jane" onto young Marthe. But there is tension within the movement and obstacles of small town life that halt the process.
I loved that this is based around a real movement call Jane that started in 1965. The importance and power of women helping women, performing illegal abortions because there was no other access was so moving. And the idea of all these women being known as Jane collectively was so interesting. Wall has written an important story. I also loved that it was all female characters and showed their intergenerational friendships, though flawed, still beautiful. My only wish is that it had been a bit longer allowing us to delve deeper into Marthe's role in the Jane movement, I wasn't ready to leave these characters.
Thank You @zgstories & @bookhug_press for sending me this book opinions are my own.
•
For more of my book content check out instagram.com/bookalong
goldfishreads's review
4.0
This book was wonderful in such a subtle way, a book that stands out not because of how flashy or climactic it is but how well the story is told.
The writing style reminded me a lot of Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club by Megan Gail Coles. Also an author from Newfoundland, they both have a way of bringing you into those small towns on the island and making you feel both homely and a bit suffocated by the intimacy of knowing everyone.
Following the story of Marthe and how she learns about and becomes involved with Jane, this novel is about wanting to be part of something bigger than yourself and wanting a purpose. The female characters involved with Jane are revolutionary in a way that isn’t famous or spectacular, but their impact on their community highlights the importance of women caring for women and the world of difference it makes.
Thank you Book Hug Press and ZG Stories for my gifted copy of this novel!
The writing style reminded me a lot of Small Game Hunting at the Local Coward Gun Club by Megan Gail Coles. Also an author from Newfoundland, they both have a way of bringing you into those small towns on the island and making you feel both homely and a bit suffocated by the intimacy of knowing everyone.
Following the story of Marthe and how she learns about and becomes involved with Jane, this novel is about wanting to be part of something bigger than yourself and wanting a purpose. The female characters involved with Jane are revolutionary in a way that isn’t famous or spectacular, but their impact on their community highlights the importance of women caring for women and the world of difference it makes.
Thank you Book Hug Press and ZG Stories for my gifted copy of this novel!
frasersimons's review
4.0
Malaise. I’ve been trying to finger exactly what this recreated that was at once disaffecting… and oddly relatable and captivating. Not much happens in this book. The plot is, two women move back home to the maritimes, each for a different reason. Both are rootless and they keep attempting to form some substance in their early 20s by way of breaking from old patterns or completely falling into them.
Interactions are Rooney level insightful and tinged with a similar perspicacity. Similarly, I found myself moving in similar patterns. I would be completely riveted to what was happened and feeling like the dialogue or a particular affection or movement was filled with such meaning as to divine something greater—and then I’d meander into listlessness as things became more ephemeral.
It’s really hard to rate this book. I can see why people love it and why people didn’t think it worked. But I felt like, for me, I liked that it was doing that to me. It feels intentional. It’s too well written for it to not be, to be honest. And I kind of like how… ballsy that is? It’s like something David Foster Wallace would do. This book is about boredom. Now I’m going to make you retreat into your brain a defence mechanism because I’m going to make you feel exactly as bored as this guy on an airplane, literally doing nothing.
This is like that. But with sadness. And yeah, I’m about it, apparently.
Interactions are Rooney level insightful and tinged with a similar perspicacity. Similarly, I found myself moving in similar patterns. I would be completely riveted to what was happened and feeling like the dialogue or a particular affection or movement was filled with such meaning as to divine something greater—and then I’d meander into listlessness as things became more ephemeral.
It’s really hard to rate this book. I can see why people love it and why people didn’t think it worked. But I felt like, for me, I liked that it was doing that to me. It feels intentional. It’s too well written for it to not be, to be honest. And I kind of like how… ballsy that is? It’s like something David Foster Wallace would do. This book is about boredom. Now I’m going to make you retreat into your brain a defence mechanism because I’m going to make you feel exactly as bored as this guy on an airplane, literally doing nothing.
This is like that. But with sadness. And yeah, I’m about it, apparently.