Helpful Score: 1
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall is an excellent "Bookstagram made me read it" novel. This outstanding debut is set in Canada, is inspired by true stories, and explores the themes of motherhood, women's body autonomy, and an underground network. CW: abortion, miscarriage, suicide
The story begins with the discovery of a misdelivered letter which eventually links the three narrators: Angela in 2017, Nancy in 1980, and Evelyn in 1971. I was deeply invested in these women's lives and the heartbreak and happiness they experience. Listening to the audiobook skillfully narrated by Sarah Borges made their stories even more real in my mind. The ways the storylines were linked together surprised and intrigued me.
Looking for Jane is very timely as women's access to birth control in the United States is being limited. It's hard to believe history is repeating itself.
This would be an excellent book to read "in conversation with" The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson as both are centered around similar themes from different perspectives.
The story begins with the discovery of a misdelivered letter which eventually links the three narrators: Angela in 2017, Nancy in 1980, and Evelyn in 1971. I was deeply invested in these women's lives and the heartbreak and happiness they experience. Listening to the audiobook skillfully narrated by Sarah Borges made their stories even more real in my mind. The ways the storylines were linked together surprised and intrigued me.
Looking for Jane is very timely as women's access to birth control in the United States is being limited. It's hard to believe history is repeating itself.
This would be an excellent book to read "in conversation with" The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson as both are centered around similar themes from different perspectives.
Such an important and heartbreaking book! This book is based on true stories from the 1960's. A home for unwed mothers in Canada, who takes in young women, calls them inmates, treats them like housemaids, allows no personal communication between each other or their families, gives them no instructions on impending births, and takes their babies from them when they are born. The other side of the story is The Jane network, a group of doctors who practice in secret behind closed doors doing abortions, fearing police raids and being caught. And the underside of it, the back street butchers of the time who killed and maimed women without a second thought. And the way this country is headed, they may all be back in business again. A very frightening thought.
