Scan barcode
A review by natyweiss
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
5.0
-ARC provided by publisher in exchange for honest review-
Mary Jane is 14 years old and lives in Baltimore with her parents. The storyline takes place in the 1970's but the reader has the sensation that the events taking place will have long term effects on Mary Jane's life. Her parents are very conservative presbyterians and her mother seems to be the perfect mother, out of a housewives magazine, sorrownded by her avocado colored appliances. Her father is not very communicative and, with his silence, seems to subscribe to every decision her perfect wife makes.
During the summer, Mary Jane starts to babysit for a young family. Izzy, a very clever and precocious 5 years old, develops a very strong bond with Mary Jane, and she starts to feel like part of the family. Although, a very different one from her own. They are perceived as a little bit neglectful with their only daughter, they don't seem to have a healthy routine and everything is chaotic.
They also have a secret: a heroin addict rockstar and his charming famous wife are spending the summer in the house. And Mary Jane's life will change for ever.
It's a cozy coming of age story that you won't be able to put down. The writing is so compelling that every page is like a breeze of fresh air.
This book is funny and deep. Narrated by Mary Jane, we step into a teenage girl's mind and her deepest thoughts and questions about sex, addiction, religion, career choices, infidelity and the, most often than not, incomprehensible grown up world.
I loved this book. It's a new favorite. I would love to watch a movie adaptation of this.
I'm giving it 5 stars
Mary Jane is 14 years old and lives in Baltimore with her parents. The storyline takes place in the 1970's but the reader has the sensation that the events taking place will have long term effects on Mary Jane's life. Her parents are very conservative presbyterians and her mother seems to be the perfect mother, out of a housewives magazine, sorrownded by her avocado colored appliances. Her father is not very communicative and, with his silence, seems to subscribe to every decision her perfect wife makes.
During the summer, Mary Jane starts to babysit for a young family. Izzy, a very clever and precocious 5 years old, develops a very strong bond with Mary Jane, and she starts to feel like part of the family. Although, a very different one from her own. They are perceived as a little bit neglectful with their only daughter, they don't seem to have a healthy routine and everything is chaotic.
They also have a secret: a heroin addict rockstar and his charming famous wife are spending the summer in the house. And Mary Jane's life will change for ever.
It's a cozy coming of age story that you won't be able to put down. The writing is so compelling that every page is like a breeze of fresh air.
This book is funny and deep. Narrated by Mary Jane, we step into a teenage girl's mind and her deepest thoughts and questions about sex, addiction, religion, career choices, infidelity and the, most often than not, incomprehensible grown up world.
I loved this book. It's a new favorite. I would love to watch a movie adaptation of this.
I'm giving it 5 stars