Jane

by Dee Wells

American expatriate's adventure in England, in love affairs with three different men. Her wit and sardonic wisecracks are spliced with aggressive liberal opinions and sympathy for the underdog. Widely translated, the book sold two million copies.

Genres: Fiction, London

Paperback

First published March 1, 1973

About the author

Born: Alberta Constance Chapman. Controversial broadcaster and journalist with one best-selling novel, "Jane" (1963).

Twice married Professor Sir A. J. Ayer, the celebrated philosopher whose first and most important book, Language, Truth and Logic (1936), lucidly and forcefully dismissed moral and religious discourse as not significant.

Reviews

[Starre Vartan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally brilliant. Am reading "The House in France" by the daughter, Gully, of "Jane" author Dee Wells. Gully Wells' memoir greatly concerns her mother, and so I was thrilled to find "Jane" randomly on one of those free bookshelves at Stratton resort in Vermont (crowded in among the usual ski resort dreck). The book is an incredible (fictional) look inside early 70s feminism and a fun and touching story to boot. Loved the author's perspective and the multi-lover angle is a good romp, but the writing is also humorous and zips along on its merry, but political, way.

[Jeanne Horn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never tire of re-reading this book.

It was published in 1973 and is now therefore somewhat dated, but the plot still intrigues and the dialogue is still crisp.

[Cindy Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book about a woman living a great fantasy life - effectively juggling three very different lovers who don't know about each other.

[Casie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a feminist writes a romance novel, you get Jane. It’s a ridiculous notion that Jane can secretly juggle three boyfriends who never cross paths. It’s ridiculous that no one ever asks about exclusivity or the status of their relationship. This book was written pre-AIDS, but surely rational adults would have given at least a passing thought to STDs and unplanned pregnancies. It’s ridiculous that a man literally drops into Jane’s life. It’s ridiculous that any man—much less three—would choose to date Jane given how unlikeable she is. Really, she’s the worst. And most ridiculous of all is that all three paramours are perfectly content to continue dating Jane throughout her Maury-worthy pregnancy. All that to say...I enjoyed this far-fetched story. I’m glad I found it at a used book sale. I couldn’t wait to find out who the baby daddy is and for that, I recommend it.

[Edward Champion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since Lois Gould proved to be a huge and very welcome surprise, and since I need to get my head in the 1970s for this script I'm working on, I decided to read a few more of the popular women's writing that landed with audiences during that decade. Wells has a fairly good ear for dialogue (and she rather amusingly refuses to capitalize jesus christ) and there are a few passages I liked, such as a scene showing the disconnect between journalists and their readership and some description of London refusing -- even in 1973 -- to fix some of the bombed out buildings from the Blitz. But Wells is not a very good storyteller. And Jane's journalistic adventures are ho-hum.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read this book in 1975, 1987 and 2022. I am not a re-reader of books but I read it once again to see why a younger me liked it so well. I still like it. Funny and opinionated. My book fell apart in my hands as I read it, which was strange because it was an unread hard copy I picked up at a book sale years ago. Anyway, she smokes and drinks while pregnant and uses the “n word” freely which definitely dates the book to the “olden” days of 1973 when it was written. I noticed other reviewers mentioned reading it more than once so I’m pleased to see I’m not the only one.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

A London woman who reviews movies for a living finds out she is accidentally pregnant. The problem is she doesn't know who the father is. She has three lovers; one is black. They all want to marry her. But, she has to wait until the baby is born.

I first read this book many years ago. When I started it this time, I didn't really like but I finally became interested in it. However, I did not like the ending.

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stayed with me for decades.
I adore it and want to live inside it.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jane is pregnant and must choose between her three lovers.

[Leslie Betsabe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sola con mi soledad, sola y con un hijoooo (insertar aquí tono de canción de Marisela).