Looking for Jane, Heather Marshall
I really loved this book. I am fairly conservative, and although this novel could have been overshadowed by the political nature of its message, regarding not only abortion, but same sex relationships, not only the church and religious intolerance, but equal access to appropriate and safe services for unwed mothers, not only unwanted pregnancies for whatever reason, but also the abuses in the business of adoption, because each of the author’s characters seemed so authentic, so did their message. Those of us of a certain age, know that the ugly reactions of the family to a child that was pregnant outside of marriage were very realistic. Therefore, a book that could have seemed contrived in every way, was not in any way contrived, but felt genuine and heartfelt.
Why the author chose to include the effort of a same sex couple to conceive a child through in vitro, rather than a heterosexual couple, is not given. However, I assume it was to show how those involved in same sex relationships were also scandalized and abused by the ignorance and nature of the times in which this novel takes place. I do remember a couple that lived around the corner from me, that married for convenience, in the same way Dr. Evelyn Taylor and Tom did. He was a hairdresser and a homosexual, and she was a lesbian. Their relationship worked exceedingly well, and they were not ostracized, but they were discussed in whispered conversations that I overheard as a child. Perhaps the author’s reason for using Angela and Tina as the couple seeking pregnancy is actually one reflecting the author’s politics, but in this book, it still seemed to be a reasonable approach, and did not feel artificially created to promote any one political view.
This is an amazing book because it examines not only the reasons making the right to an abortion a necessary part of a woman’s life, but it also shows how meaningful the desire is to become a mother, and how it can become all consuming, especially when it does not happen naturally. It highlights the benefits of adoption, but also the consequences. As a teenager, I had a friend who was told at age 16 that she was adopted. She was devastated by the news. I know she ran away from home, but remember little else. She felt betrayed. I also know of someone who found his birth mother and preferred her to the mother who raised him. That was a sad consequence. On the other hand, I have a close relative who is perfectly content with the knowledge of his adoption and has no desire to find his birth mother. Since I grew up at the time this novel addresses, I also had a friend who left high school and disappeared for about a year, presumably to have her baby, and another whose sister suffered the consequences of a rape. Shaming these people seemed to be the order of the day. Perhaps how we treat those who disagree with us today, with our cancel culture, mirrors this same behavior in another way, and is not recognized as such. Perhaps it also needs to be examined more fully. Cruelty needs to be removed from all avenues of life.
Mention should be made that without the technology of modern science, same sex couples would be unable to have children, even partly of their own genetic makeup, and would, of necessity be forced to adopt. That option, however, was unavailable to them for many years, but is an option today. This book superbly details the trauma that an unwanted pregnancy can cause at any age, and for any reason, as well as the absolute joy a sought after pregnancy can bring.
Because the novel relies on the extensive research of the author into the very real cold-hearted behavior of families and friends, nuns and priests, the book is not only interesting, it is very credible. One could easily imagine any of the circumstances created by the author to propel the story forward. Heather Marshall has written a wonderful treatise on the reasons for the existence of birth control, abortion and choices for adoption, but, she has also subtly presented the argument for legalizing the marriages of devoted same sex couples and for compassionate adoption. All the themes in this novel are deserving of attention, however, there are other opinions about these issues that do have a right to be heard, as well.
I do believe that there is an argument as to whether or not abortion should be on demand whenever and for whatever reason. I don’t believe the original intent was for abortion to be used as a means of birth control, but rather as a means of controlling one’s access to the life one wants and the lives one brings into the world. However, it should not be a conduit to infanticide, which is what an abortion at any time one chooses, signifies. Also, there is an argument for the idea that the union between two people of the same sex should have its own terminology, just as there are other types of unions between men and woman, like common law marriages, etc., but still all unions should be afforded the same rights, regardless of what they are called, since it is the loving relationship that is important, not the name the relationship is given. My brother had a legal union with his partner in New York City, so that she could visit him in the hospital and participate in all his decisions. Their relationship was a durable, loving relationship without the marriage license. They mutually agreed not to marry.
In this novel, secrets, lies, criminal behavior and supercilious virtue are very real issues in the lives of the characters. They are also issues in our real lives. Excuses do not justify behavior, but perhaps doing the wrong thing for the right reason can be forgiven. The existence of networks like the Janes, saved many lives. However, the author acknowledges, having an abortion is an experience that stays with you and leaves its mark forever. Some feel relief and some remorse, but all are saved, in the end, from the uncertain future that would have awaited them without the safe access to the procedure.
Although this book takes place in Canada, in light of today’s politics in the United States, it needs to be aired in the light of day so that women’s rights will not be set back when abortion rights are returned to the states. Whether or not it is a right guaranteed by the Constitution is a moot point. It is a human right and each state, regardless of whether or not they agree with the idea of abortion, should find a way to provide the service elsewhere, if at all possible, and those that avail themselves of the procedure should not be criminalized in any way.
None of the characters in this novel are one-dimensional stick figures or one size fits all. They are very well developed and become real. They are diverse in all ways, but united in their need to help others. It is good that society has moved forward and now accepts diversity more openly, but we need reasonable guidelines to insure we are all treated with respect.

Great story on many levels. Parts of Canadian health history are plugged into the plot but never distract from the story.. Janes be proud