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cailinfitzgerald's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Blood, Rape, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Death, Grief, Abortion, Infertility, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
pauluszanna'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
5.0
It was extremely emotional (cried before I reach 100 pages), hopeful and extremely relevant. I hope you all put it on your TBR because it was a beautiful book about womanhood and motherhood.
Every child a wanted child, every mother a willing mother
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Blood, Death, Pregnancy, Murder, Suicide attempt, Abortion, and Suicide
Moderate: Infertility, Grief, and Medical content
arnold_shelby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Abortion and Abandonment
Moderate: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Fatphobia, Confinement, Grief, Medical content, Rape, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Suicide, Cancer, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Child death, Medical content, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
I thought some parts of the book had unnecessary exposition, where it felt like one of the story lines was being used to feed specific aspects of history to the reader, however that was short-lived thankfully. I enjoyed this book, it was raw and a rough read at times but I was glad to have read it.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
maddiet425'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? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Forced institutionalization, Death, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Confinement, Suicide, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Blood, Child abuse, and Misogyny
Moderate: Infertility, Death of parent, Vomit, Child death, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Rape, and Grief
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, adoptionems_rxlibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was inspired by true stories and intertwines three different characters as they navigate love, loss, and a woman’s right to choose.
I really liked this! It was deeply emotional and very timely.
There were a few things that took away from the story for me. One was part of Nancy’s story. I didn’t understand her decision to hide her adoption from her husband. It may very well be because I was not adopted and I don’t understand the emotions bound up in that, but I felt that he could have helped her through it. Instead, it ended up causing a rift because she chose to tell him something much more polarizing (again, in my opinion).
I also didn’t 100% buy the story of Evelyn.
Overall though, I thought this was very powerful.
Graphic: Abortion, Suicide, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, and Blood
Moderate: Rape and Death of parent
Minor: Dementia, Cancer, and Infidelity
jo_cbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape and Emotional abuse
onestephatatime'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? N/A
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Suicide, Abortion, Pregnancy, Forced institutionalization, Sexual violence, Police brutality, and Emotional abuse
soobooksalot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Where to begin on Looking For Jane?
For starters, I loved this book. Such important messages about choices, motherhood and female empowerment; of medical safety and accessibility.
Of heartache, and groundbreaking victories for women.
Looking For Jane is told in multiple timelines among three main characters - Evelyn, Nancy and Angela.
Blending composite fact and fiction in Canadian history from the 1960s to present, the characters provide emotional insights into varied reproductive journies.
We are taken from a "maternity home" with forced adoptions in the 60s, to the road of legalizing abortions in the 80s, and the choices not easily - or at all - afforded in each.
I'm beyond impressed with debut author Heather Marshall's writing. It feels genuine, effortless (though I know there's no such thing as effortless in writing).
This is a special, unflinching read with some unexpected moments that absolutely kept my pages turning.
Though I know not everyone will be comfortable with the content, it's such an important part of our recent history and becoming more relevant each day.
I can't recommend this book enough.
Graphic: Abortion
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Self harm
Minor: Cancer and Infidelity