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A review by juliannecridlin
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
5.0
TW for the book: Rape, assault, forced pregnancy, police.
I started this book and instantly knew it would be life changing. I finished the book feeling so wholly fulfilled and simultaneously broken into a million pieces. This story of the choice, and too often the lack of choice, of motherhood weaved beautifully the difficult emotions that are associated with abortion and the choices people who can be pregnant make about their bodies. The historical recollection of the legalities around abortion was beautifully written. The accounts of the brave people who provided access, support, and an eternally helpful hand in the underground abortion scene are guardians, and I and millions of other birthing people are forever grateful. The challenging story of forced motherhood and forced adoption is cruel and unfortunately too real for countless people - that hurt transcended into this book and I am sympathetic and have so much love for the people who have been through such pain. And finally, the strenuous and heartbreaking reality too many people face when they wish to be parents and need help was graciously cultivated in the story, showing compassion and the difficult emotions people go through during this process. Everything about this book was beautiful and gentle and brave and powerful. I am so grateful I read this and have it in my life to share with others.
Update: Upon reflection, there was but a short acknowledgment in the author's note about BIPOC pregnant people and their children being seen as less and unadoptable; I think it would have been greatly beneficial to build upon the experiences of people of color and disabled people within this book as their stories matter just as much. I understand having difficulty finding accounts from these individuals and also allowing space for them to tell their own stories, but this does feel as though it's missing from the narrative and at least deserves more than a sentence in the author's note.
I started this book and instantly knew it would be life changing. I finished the book feeling so wholly fulfilled and simultaneously broken into a million pieces. This story of the choice, and too often the lack of choice, of motherhood weaved beautifully the difficult emotions that are associated with abortion and the choices people who can be pregnant make about their bodies. The historical recollection of the legalities around abortion was beautifully written. The accounts of the brave people who provided access, support, and an eternally helpful hand in the underground abortion scene are guardians, and I and millions of other birthing people are forever grateful. The challenging story of forced motherhood and forced adoption is cruel and unfortunately too real for countless people - that hurt transcended into this book and I am sympathetic and have so much love for the people who have been through such pain. And finally, the strenuous and heartbreaking reality too many people face when they wish to be parents and need help was graciously cultivated in the story, showing compassion and the difficult emotions people go through during this process. Everything about this book was beautiful and gentle and brave and powerful. I am so grateful I read this and have it in my life to share with others.
Update: Upon reflection, there was but a short acknowledgment in the author's note about BIPOC pregnant people and their children being seen as less and unadoptable; I think it would have been greatly beneficial to build upon the experiences of people of color and disabled people within this book as their stories matter just as much. I understand having difficulty finding accounts from these individuals and also allowing space for them to tell their own stories, but this does feel as though it's missing from the narrative and at least deserves more than a sentence in the author's note.