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Donna W. (Wauwatosa, WI)
Miss Jane
This book was beautifully written with lovely characters. The author made the characters so real that I cared for each of them: Jane, the main character born with a birth defect that made her life different, her mother, who was beaten down by the hardness of farm life, and her own personal loss, her hard working father, who was trying to do the right thing, and the caring gentle doctor who takes care of Jane.
I was immersed in the words and the feelings of the characters, and the thoughts of the world around us. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good character study.
Cam G. (Murrells Inlet, SC)
Excellent!
Miss Jane, written by Brad Watson, blew me away! It was that good! Jane is a special, wonderful person who was born with a genital deformity, and about how she lives her life coping with a problem that couldn't be "fixed" in the early 20th century.
The characters, from the loving, gentle doctor who delivered her and was a mainstay in her life, the independent, brash sister, Grace, to the solemn man of few words who was her father were wonderful.
I can't say enough about this book...suffice to say, that I consider Miss Jane to be one of the best books I've read.
Sue J. (Brookfield, WI)
Miss Jane
Watson inspired by his great-aunt, weaves a moving tale about the life she is born into. Jane is born in rural Mississippi in 1915 with a genital birth defect, unable to control her bladder and bowels. Despite having to wear a diaper growing up and an unhappy family life, Jane grows into a happy and resourceful child. The Doctor who delivers Jane, develops a close relationship and helps her adjust to her condition. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!
AnnieP
Miss Jane
A very unusual book! An interesting treatment of a problem a woman and her family has to deal with from her birth and through her entire life. Even though it is the cause of her way of life, it's handled reasonably without great and gory detail. The characters are alive and real, and although there are some "raw" scenes, it's part of Miss Jane's life, and well-presented. Even though it's not for everyone, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, enough to get a couple of Watson's other stories as well.
Cheryl P. (Lebanon, PA)
Miss Jane
Miss Jane was a walk through Mississippi before and after the Great Depression. It was an eye opening read about the life and times of the people in the south during this time period. Miss Jane herself had to grow up learning how to love others and herself during a very difficult time. She found love in nature and all things around her in the midst of dealing with a genital birth defect that made her "unusual and strange" in a small town that wasn't often very sympathetic. The rural doctor who was beside her as she grew into a young woman wanting to love, but not able to understand the complexity of that, was a very integral part of this story. Beautifully written and very thought provoking about our ideas of love of the physical nature.
Amy M. (Redmond, WA)
Unexpectedly uplifting
The subject matter and setting might lead one to believe that this would be a story of sad struggle, but the adversity is met with such courage while still cherishing the beauty of life. Ultimately, it's an uplifting story about what it truly means to choose your happiness and be true to yourself.
Martha P. (Issaquah, WA)
Interesting and different
I will start by saying I thought the writing was wonderful. The author crafted an interesting story from an unusual subject (genital abnormality) and I never once felt squeamish or put off. Following Jane's life was like stepping into someone else's proverbial shoes and knowing what it is like to have a life-effecting condition but trying to be a "normal" person. The other characters were developed well but the doctor was pivotal to Jane's growth and overall spirit. Dr. Thompson was almost too good to be true for that day and age with his open-mindedness and willingness to go the extra mile for Jane and all his patients. He was a saint to be sure. I would definitely recommend this book. It is a very fast read.
Sue (rural PA)
"I am strange."
What a touching way to handle what could have been a "freak show!" The novel follows Jane and her family who live in rural Mississippi during the Depression. Jane is born with a rare genital anomaly which affects her and her family in different ways. After delivering Jane, the local country doctor befriends her and her family. While he recognizes that she is a medical rarity, he doesn't lose sight of her humanity. Over time, he tries to give her the information she seeks and needs in order to manage both her emotional and physical challenges. The author has created interesting and multi-dimensional characters in Jane's parents, sister and the doctor. Even the minor characters are interesting and add to the texture of the story.
I would recommend this book and think it would be a great book group selection!