Reviews

Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall

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eaglespoon1982's review against another edition

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emotional informative inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

mamakbear1116's review against another edition

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3.0

Well-researched but hard to connect with any of the three main characters. The twist was far more confusing than it needed to be due to some inconsistencies, or really lack of clarification on the author's part.

leslivresdemilie's review against another edition

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5.0

Je n’ai pas les mots. Coup de cœur énormissime.

Il y a deux choses. Le thème, et la façon dont c’est écrit.

La maternité, les droits dont les femmes ne disposent pas, l’avortement illégal, l’obligation d’aller au terme de la grossesse « illégitime » puis se faire arracher son enfant.

Un sujet qui me fait ressentir beaucoup de choses. Du dégoût, de la révolte, du désespoir, de l’espoir, de la tristesse et de l’empathie,… Un sujet qui me touche et me touchera jusqu’à ce que le monde laisse cette liberté aux femmes (et c’est pas demain la veille vu que c’est de pire en pire)

La façon dont le roman est écrit est important évidemment, c’est ce qui fait qu’on est touché-e ou pas, qu’on a envie d’accompagner les personnages dans leur histoire. Et bien ce soir, j’ai lu 200 pages sans m’arrêter. La boule au ventre, les larmes aux yeux. Il y a plusieurs temporalités, plusieurs personnages, plusieurs rebondissements. Une grande maîtrise des allers et venues à travers les dernières décennies. Je me suis attachée aux personnages, toutes ( il n’y a que très peu d’hommes, et très secondaires, ce que j’ai trouvé très pertinent dans ce contexte)

C’est un sans faute. Vraiment, un coup de cœur comme on n’en a qu’une fois dans l’année. Je ne cesserai jamais de recommander ce livre. Lisez le pour le sujet qu’il aborde et pour lequel on doit se battre, mais également pour l’histoire en elle-même, qui est bouleversante et très bien écrite.

genannj's review against another edition

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5.0

Wow! What an amazing book! I did not want to stop reading this book. This heartbreaking and poignant story had me feeling all kinds of emotions. This book will be one of those that I can’t stop thinking about well after I read it. I highly recommend this book. It is a five+ rating from me. I am already promoting it with my daughter.

catarina_pego's review

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Content Warnings

jenmangler's review against another edition

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3.0

While I hated the (completely unnecessary!) twisty ending, I enjoyed the rest of the book.

the_escape_artist_'s review against another edition

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2.0

Spoiler

This book was a massive disappointment. First off, I have issues with the writing style. This book is the best example of tell not show. So often there would be some lovely imagery followed by a line that explicitly explained the imagery to the reader. Give us some credit, let us have our own thoughts as readers. Additionally, there were factual errors in the pregnancy and fertility treatment stuff and that took me right out of the story.

There was also too much going on. Having Maggie and Evelyn both have these tragic twisty stories was confusing and unnecessary. It honestly felt like the writer had two story lines in mind, couldn’t decide which one was better, so included them both. She really needed a stronger editor.

Furthermore, every abortion story was dramatic, this was a mistake. If you want to tell a story about how abortion is necessary, show the women who are in very normal scenarios. The women that could be any of us.

I would have given this book a 3.5 or 4 except for that ending! The story had merits, and despite my issues it was still and interesting story. But the ending!! Wtf. The stabbing, the identity change, the obit. Why?!? No one was ever looking for her! Also, no, it is not in fact that easy to assume an identity, particularly not if you’re going to have a job that requires a professional license. Maybe if you never wanted a passport or to attend university okay, but not in the case of someone like Evelyn/Maggie. This twist was lazy, unnecessary, and honestly ruined the book.

This book needed a better editor, it read like a self published novel, which was a disappointment since the story was interesting and the topic is important.