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A review by sometimesalyreadsbooks
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know what you're thinking: "This looks like a great historical fiction about a female spy during World War II" and you're right to think that, but you're WRONG. This book is set in modern day-ish (2016), 1971 and 1980. So many years, none being the 30s or 40s.
That being said, it IS a great historical fiction! About other years. A teenager in the 70s who finds herself pregnant and forced to give her baby up for adoption, the trauma that she and the other women face, the eventual decision to become a doctor and join an underground abortion network, so that women can have a choice.
Another woman, modern day, desperate for a child of her own - discovers a letter. She decides, like many others, to go looking for Jane.
The plot twist in this book threw me for an absolute loop, I will give it that. I was flabbergasted. Taken back. Shocked.
The plot starts slow, and at time and dialogue at times, was a little too "scripted infomercial" on women's oppression and the fight for reproductive rights, but the plot was beautiful. I cried many times reading this book club pick and I highly recommend it.
Buckle up for the last 20% because the author does rush to tie everything together, but I felt it was well-done and really, all about women and our multitudes. 4.5 stars!
That being said, it IS a great historical fiction! About other years. A teenager in the 70s who finds herself pregnant and forced to give her baby up for adoption, the trauma that she and the other women face, the eventual decision to become a doctor and join an underground abortion network, so that women can have a choice.
Another woman, modern day, desperate for a child of her own - discovers a letter. She decides, like many others, to go looking for Jane.
The plot twist in this book threw me for an absolute loop, I will give it that. I was flabbergasted. Taken back. Shocked.
The plot starts slow, and at time and dialogue at times, was a little too "scripted infomercial" on women's oppression and the fight for reproductive rights, but the plot was beautiful. I cried many times reading this book club pick and I highly recommend it.
Buckle up for the last 20% because the author does rush to tie everything together, but I felt it was well-done and really, all about women and our multitudes. 4.5 stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Suicide
Moderate: Pregnancy, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Infertility, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death, and Physical abuse
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence