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A review by okiecozyreader
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
Looking for Jane tells the story of multiple women who have difficulties with adoption, abortion and pregnancy. It tells the story of women who didn’t have a say about what happened to their children, because other people forced them to do things and took their children away (in religious homes for unwed mothers that have been featured in several books).
This book focuses on 3 women:
Nancy in 1980 who unexpectedly becomes pregnant.
Dr. Evelyn Taylor, 1971, was forced to live in one of the homes (mentioned above) to give up her child
Angela, 2017, finds a letter with a confession about adoption that compels her to look for those for whom the letter was intended
This book has all the parenting hot topics and I think it could push buttons in any bookclub. I am curious how people in my bookclub will feel about this one.
“When people ask me, "So what's your book about?," my first inclination is always to say "Abortion." But it isn't. Looking for Jane is about motherhood. About wanting to be a mother and not wanting to be a mother, and all the gray areas in between.” Author’s Note, p373
“Yes, but all of motherhood is just chronic low-level fear at the best of times, dear.” Ch 3, p24
"If you, or a friend, or any other girl close to you ends up pregnant when they don't want to be, you need to call around to doctors' offices and ask for Jane." Nancy's brow knits. "Jane?" "Jane. Call around, keep asking for Jane, and eventually you'll get what...” p36
“I never had a say in what happened to me," she'd told the doctor. "I had no control.” Ch 12 Evelyn
“Do not mistake your humanity for weakness. It is, unfortunately, a common misconception.* p130
“Evelyn understands now, for the first time, that she can choose what memories she takes with her from this place, and what to leave behind.”
This book focuses on 3 women:
Nancy in 1980 who unexpectedly becomes pregnant.
Dr. Evelyn Taylor, 1971, was forced to live in one of the homes (mentioned above) to give up her child
Angela, 2017, finds a letter with a confession about adoption that compels her to look for those for whom the letter was intended
This book has all the parenting hot topics and I think it could push buttons in any bookclub. I am curious how people in my bookclub will feel about this one.
“When people ask me, "So what's your book about?," my first inclination is always to say "Abortion." But it isn't. Looking for Jane is about motherhood. About wanting to be a mother and not wanting to be a mother, and all the gray areas in between.” Author’s Note, p373
“Yes, but all of motherhood is just chronic low-level fear at the best of times, dear.” Ch 3, p24
"If you, or a friend, or any other girl close to you ends up pregnant when they don't want to be, you need to call around to doctors' offices and ask for Jane." Nancy's brow knits. "Jane?" "Jane. Call around, keep asking for Jane, and eventually you'll get what...” p36
“I never had a say in what happened to me," she'd told the doctor. "I had no control.” Ch 12 Evelyn
“Do not mistake your humanity for weakness. It is, unfortunately, a common misconception.* p130
“Evelyn understands now, for the first time, that she can choose what memories she takes with her from this place, and what to leave behind.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Pregnancy