Book Club - April 2026 - Looking for Jane
Details
Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Goodreads 4.4 **
note - the story is based on historical events. Some parts may be emotionally triggering - we will discuss women's right to choose - and all points of view are welcomed. We are a safe group and will have a safe discussion.
The right to abortion is the main focus of the story. In the 1960s and 70s, the only way to get a legal abortion was to stand before a board of men and plead your case. Very few were approved, even if you were a young teen and a step-father had raped you (well-researched events are set in Canada, but the themes are applicable and relevant).
The story details the movement of women fighting for the right to make decisions over their bodies. “Jane” emerges….Jane becomes a code word - women who were looking for a safe (then illegal) abortion would call doctor's offices and ask for Jane. This part of the story is true, historically accurate.
One reviewer said, "This book may have you question your stance on abortion, however it's not written to debate abortion, it's written to highlight the importance of making one's own choices, and the utter lack of womens rights in our (quite recent) history to make our own choices."