What do you think?
Rate this book
I Am Roe: My Life, Roe V. Wade, and Freedom of Choice
The plaintiff in the landmark Roe v. Wade case shares the fascinating and highly controversial story of her struggle to obtain a legal abortion 20 years ago and what has happened to her since. "A powerful and important American document."--New York Times.
224 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
4 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Norma McCorvey
9 books2 followersNorma McCorvey was better known by the legal pseudonym "Jane Roe". She was the plaintiff in the landmark American lawsuit Roe v. Wade in 1973 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that individual state laws banning abortion are unconstitutional. McCorvey's views on abortion changed substantially. She became a Roman Catholic activist in the pro-life movement.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 6, 2017
While I think I would have enjoyed I Am Roe more had I not recently read The Glass Castle, which is an extremely well-written account of an abuse victim’s life, I don’t think I would have fully enjoyed this work. McCorvey just isn’t a strong writer, and coupled with her 180 soon after this book was published, I’d just as easily have read a biographical account of her life instead.
I enjoyed what McCorvey had to say about pro-choice politics, LGBT rights, and feminism in general, but that doesn’t stand when you know that she completely changed later in life. I agree with what McCorvey writes in the book, but knowing that she tried to overturn her own case, claimed she was no longer lesbian, disrupted the hearings for Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, etc. makes her unsympathetic to look on now. I was one of those people who saw her as a part of history, but now, I’m just disappointed.
To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of McCorvey throughout the book, either. I thought the lawyers were upfront about what they wanted in the case, and didn’t agree that they had “tricked” McCorvey. And even though I understand why she did it, I was so upset to read the part where she lied about being raped because she thought it would help her get an abortion. That’s so vile, and even though I know why she did it, and how she had such a horrible life, I had trouble sympathizing with her. The abuse she went through was horrible, but I wish I felt more for her. Drug addicts and alcoholics deserve sympathy, but the way she wrote her memoir didn’t really lend herself any. It was very facts, back and forth between jobs, not particularly caring about the people in her life. It wasn’t that interesting of a read overall.
As a reader who leans liberal, this book was really frustrating to read. McCorvey didn’t attend the trials, didn’t even agree with the ruling at the time of her death, and any parts of the book that I agreed with her on were soured knowing that she became so hateful throughout the rest of her life. There were also multiple typographical errors in the book that detracted from it. While I am glad that I now know the life story behind Roe of Roe v. Wade, I’m much more interested in checking out works by the two lawyers who argued McCorvey’s case, and who did more for women’s rights and pro-choice politics than McCorvey ever would.
I enjoyed what McCorvey had to say about pro-choice politics, LGBT rights, and feminism in general, but that doesn’t stand when you know that she completely changed later in life. I agree with what McCorvey writes in the book, but knowing that she tried to overturn her own case, claimed she was no longer lesbian, disrupted the hearings for Sonia Sotomayor’s confirmation, etc. makes her unsympathetic to look on now. I was one of those people who saw her as a part of history, but now, I’m just disappointed.
To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of McCorvey throughout the book, either. I thought the lawyers were upfront about what they wanted in the case, and didn’t agree that they had “tricked” McCorvey. And even though I understand why she did it, I was so upset to read the part where she lied about being raped because she thought it would help her get an abortion. That’s so vile, and even though I know why she did it, and how she had such a horrible life, I had trouble sympathizing with her. The abuse she went through was horrible, but I wish I felt more for her. Drug addicts and alcoholics deserve sympathy, but the way she wrote her memoir didn’t really lend herself any. It was very facts, back and forth between jobs, not particularly caring about the people in her life. It wasn’t that interesting of a read overall.
As a reader who leans liberal, this book was really frustrating to read. McCorvey didn’t attend the trials, didn’t even agree with the ruling at the time of her death, and any parts of the book that I agreed with her on were soured knowing that she became so hateful throughout the rest of her life. There were also multiple typographical errors in the book that detracted from it. While I am glad that I now know the life story behind Roe of Roe v. Wade, I’m much more interested in checking out works by the two lawyers who argued McCorvey’s case, and who did more for women’s rights and pro-choice politics than McCorvey ever would.
March 2, 2012
I had a LOT of thoughts while reading this book. Foremost: wow. I want to hug this woman. How many painful things can happen to one person in one half lifetime!?
Another thought: there's an awful lot of propaganda in this book. All pro-lifers aren't ignorant, bomb-throwing, hatemongers. If a prolifer generalized about pro-choicers the way she did, they'd be called judgemental and hateful. Surely it isn't impossible to have civil discourse about this subject!
Still another: If Roe v. Wade were overturned now, the Church wouldn't be ready for the residual need created. We'd better get on it, and start caring for the poor and marginalized in tangible ways.
Finally, I can't wait to read her second book, Won By Love. I'm waiting for it to come in the mail! The public library doesn't stock it. (I find that odd.)
Another thought: there's an awful lot of propaganda in this book. All pro-lifers aren't ignorant, bomb-throwing, hatemongers. If a prolifer generalized about pro-choicers the way she did, they'd be called judgemental and hateful. Surely it isn't impossible to have civil discourse about this subject!
Still another: If Roe v. Wade were overturned now, the Church wouldn't be ready for the residual need created. We'd better get on it, and start caring for the poor and marginalized in tangible ways.
Finally, I can't wait to read her second book, Won By Love. I'm waiting for it to come in the mail! The public library doesn't stock it. (I find that odd.)
November 24, 2008
I absolutely hated this book. I saw it at the library and decided to read it, in hopes of understanding something I so violently oppose. Nothing in this book gave me any hope of understanding. I hated all the excuses and mumbo-jumbo to support the violence done to in-utero babies! Didn't even bother finishing it. A book that is fit for kindling.
May 26, 2023
Norma McCorvey led a very hard life, bringing her to the point of having a third unexpected pregnancy. Through an unlikely series of events she got connected with two young female attorneys who were ready to file a pro abortion lawsuit and needed a plaintiff; thus, Norma became Jane Roe.
She remained anonymous and was not adopted as a public representative for the cause because of her poverty, her rough exterior and temper, her circumstances, and the fact that she was a lesbian. Eventually, she "came out" as Jane Roe and got involved in the pro choice movement. The book, published in 1994, ends with a speech she wrote and delivered which seems to indicate she was feeling more whole and was becoming comfortable in her own skin and her role in history.
The book reminded me that perhaps this right to choose, which I so deeply value, was never really guaranteed. It was hard won but ever since, there has been a STRONG opposition who never stopped fighting. In 1994, Norma wanted this book published because the right to choose was in danger of being overturned. It took 30 more years but the right is gone.
My additional research shows that Norma later became Christian/Catholic and spoke out against abortion for many years. However, at her death she stated she had been on the payroll of pro life groups (confirmed via their financial records). While she had always personally remained pro choice, she had publicly changed her view for the money. To me this simply shows another aspect of how desperate she had always been, a fractured, tortured soul.
She died in 2017. RIP, Norma Jane.
She remained anonymous and was not adopted as a public representative for the cause because of her poverty, her rough exterior and temper, her circumstances, and the fact that she was a lesbian. Eventually, she "came out" as Jane Roe and got involved in the pro choice movement. The book, published in 1994, ends with a speech she wrote and delivered which seems to indicate she was feeling more whole and was becoming comfortable in her own skin and her role in history.
The book reminded me that perhaps this right to choose, which I so deeply value, was never really guaranteed. It was hard won but ever since, there has been a STRONG opposition who never stopped fighting. In 1994, Norma wanted this book published because the right to choose was in danger of being overturned. It took 30 more years but the right is gone.
My additional research shows that Norma later became Christian/Catholic and spoke out against abortion for many years. However, at her death she stated she had been on the payroll of pro life groups (confirmed via their financial records). While she had always personally remained pro choice, she had publicly changed her view for the money. To me this simply shows another aspect of how desperate she had always been, a fractured, tortured soul.
She died in 2017. RIP, Norma Jane.
September 13, 2025
A very good book about her struggles in life and eventual unexpected fame as a champion of women's rights
May 24, 2022
"There was a baby. No, not a baby. I couldn't even bear to think of it as that. There was this thing growing inside of me, getting bigger every day, and I couldn't push the terrible fact of it out of my mind. This wasn't like the other times. I didn't want to give birth to another unwanted child. I didn't want to have to give up another child. I didn't want a child to be born with me as its mother.
There was no good reason to bring this poor thing into the world. I simply didn't want to be pregnant. I didn't want to be pregnant."
A powerful and moving memoir. Written before the shocking change in politics (which she has since offered a death-bed confession detailing how she'd been paid to switch ideologies), McCorvey's writing offers a painful and deep look into her life before, during, and after Roe.
There's so little I think we know about Norma McCorvey--such as, she was a lesbian, an addict, and a victim of abuse. She got married before she was legally an adult, and accidentally signed away her guardianship to her first child to her mother. She never had an abortion. She and her lover became cleaning partners and started a business. So much, so much has been revealed, which helps to contextualize Roe v Wade's conception.
Some folks, I believe, don't think that this is the most elucidating memoir. Certainly, Norma McCorvey is an amateur, and the story she tells is not one of literary prowess but of true, unboundaried reality. McCorvey writes the way I imagine she'd talk, which makes it all the more personal. It's not something for which someone scoured a thesaurus, nor is it written to give her acclaim or merit. Instead, it is something that comes unabridged from her heart and her experience as a way to show people that she isn't just some political figure, she that Roe isn't just a stand-in to further a cause--Roe is real and Roe is her. And doesn't that count for something?
For me, I think it absolutely does.
There was no good reason to bring this poor thing into the world. I simply didn't want to be pregnant. I didn't want to be pregnant."
A powerful and moving memoir. Written before the shocking change in politics (which she has since offered a death-bed confession detailing how she'd been paid to switch ideologies), McCorvey's writing offers a painful and deep look into her life before, during, and after Roe.
There's so little I think we know about Norma McCorvey--such as, she was a lesbian, an addict, and a victim of abuse. She got married before she was legally an adult, and accidentally signed away her guardianship to her first child to her mother. She never had an abortion. She and her lover became cleaning partners and started a business. So much, so much has been revealed, which helps to contextualize Roe v Wade's conception.
Some folks, I believe, don't think that this is the most elucidating memoir. Certainly, Norma McCorvey is an amateur, and the story she tells is not one of literary prowess but of true, unboundaried reality. McCorvey writes the way I imagine she'd talk, which makes it all the more personal. It's not something for which someone scoured a thesaurus, nor is it written to give her acclaim or merit. Instead, it is something that comes unabridged from her heart and her experience as a way to show people that she isn't just some political figure, she that Roe isn't just a stand-in to further a cause--Roe is real and Roe is her. And doesn't that count for something?
For me, I think it absolutely does.
August 14, 2018
Although this book is not very well written - in fact, it was a big effort to get past the first four chapters - I am glad I persisted. Norma's story feels like an important part of our history and whether you are anti-abortion or pro-abortion, I believe this story needs to be read and discussed. As I took in the story of her childhood, the abuse doled out by her mother and her statement that the best years of her childhood were those spent in a juvenile facility for girls - I had to wonder, where are the pro-lifers in this picture? How can we let child abuse happen like this and yet be so certain that every life needs to be brought into "that" world? And then there's the pro-abortion folks, who took advantage of Norma to help their case, without being truthful to her about how the case would really unfold for her. I look forward to reading her second "turn around" book, Won By Love, to hear what I theorize is her based on her disillusionment with the pro-choice movement for not acknowledging her for the instrumental part that she is in Women's History.
May 6, 2011
Luckily, this was written before her most recent history, as an ex-gay(?!?!) Catholic anti-abortion activist. It gives not only her life and history, but the history of abortion in general. All in all a good read - I read it in two days. Surprisingly, it was well written for someone who has had so much drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, and abuse in her life. With this in mind, her later 180 isn't the least surprising.
December 22, 2008
Excellent book. Too bad the author recanted everything in the text a few mere years later.
April 24, 2024
I, like everyone else, knew about the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. I did not know her story though. In the wake of Roe being overturned, I was really curious about the woman behind the case, and my heart ached for her throughout the entire book. I feel like Norma started life with none of the comforts that most of us take for granted: love, happiness, a stable home. She was left mostly on her own to figure life out, and in a time when the world wasn't kind to women. Not that history has ever truly been kind to women...
I was unaware that she had very little to do with the actual case, other than being the plaintiff in the case. I loved that she became such a strong advocate for women, for reproductive rights, and our absolute right to have advocacy over our own bodies. I feel like she would be so crushed today, knowing that such a wonderful right we were afforded because of her has been stripped away.
I was unaware that she had very little to do with the actual case, other than being the plaintiff in the case. I loved that she became such a strong advocate for women, for reproductive rights, and our absolute right to have advocacy over our own bodies. I feel like she would be so crushed today, knowing that such a wonderful right we were afforded because of her has been stripped away.
July 10, 2022
In light of Roe v. Wade, I honestly did not know very much regarding it. This memoir was written by Norma McCorvey, better known as Jane Roe. McCorvey describes her childhood, her failed marriage (and how it came to be) with Elwood McCorvey, and how Roe v. Wade came to be (as well her life after Roe v. Wade). Regardless of my personal thoughts and opinions on Roe v. Wade/abortion, I am glad I chose this memoir to read because it gave me some perspective on the time, subject, and just learn about McCorvey's life up to this point. There were points in the book that were tough to read on the perspective of her life; however, it gave me some insight into why she went to measures she did up to Roe v. Wade. In the end, I encourage anyone reading this review to give the memoir a shot (regardless of how you feel about Roe v. Wade/abortion).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2021
I went in not knowing much about Norma McCorvey, and I learned so much about her. Learned about her struggles and why she became Jane Roe. I understand why she did what she did. It's a choice that a lot of women are forced to make.
My heart went out to McCorvey, I understood a little bit of her feelings of inadequacy and never feeling like she was enough, and struggling to find her place in the world.
I'm not sure what else to say about this book, other than to read it yourself and keep an open mind.
My heart went out to McCorvey, I understood a little bit of her feelings of inadequacy and never feeling like she was enough, and struggling to find her place in the world.
I'm not sure what else to say about this book, other than to read it yourself and keep an open mind.
August 9, 2019
Norma McCorvey had a tough life and this book really showed all the obstacles she overcame. I would have liked to read her follow up books to see if her attitude and tone changes. Reading this book you can feel the hurt and anger, but I know she had major conversions after the writing of this book, therefore her other books reflect that.
November 6, 2022
Everyone needs to read this book. Every one. This is the true story - the way it went down and why. Don't believe the Republicans. Believe the person who put her name - and then face - to one of the greatest landmark cases. An every day hero the very few know anything about.
June 27, 2022
Still relevant.
August 2, 2022
Gut wrenching.
December 4, 2016
I saw the title at my local library and thought it would be a good opportunity to learn more about a Supreme Court decision that has shaped women's reproductive freedom; I was extremely disappointed.
Had I known that Norma McCorvey, or Jane Roe as we more commonly refer to her, would later change her position on abortion, I'm not sure I would have read I Am Roe. About a year after the book's publication, McCorvey came forward as a pro-life activist, broadcasting that her involvement in Roe vs. Wade had been a mistake. She then recanted much of what she said in I Am Roe, stating that she was initially interested in adoption for her child, not abortion. She explained that her lawyer, Sarah Weddington, had used the vulnerable McCorvey to push her own agenda.
Reading McCorvey's story didn't enlighten me or enrich my understanding of the pro-choice movement. It was interesting and frustrating to discover that McCorvey actually had very little to do with the progression of the abortion issue. In fact, McCorvey wasn't really an advocate for women's reproductive freedom at all; she was a pregnant woman who was desperately trying to abort her baby.
Had I known that Norma McCorvey, or Jane Roe as we more commonly refer to her, would later change her position on abortion, I'm not sure I would have read I Am Roe. About a year after the book's publication, McCorvey came forward as a pro-life activist, broadcasting that her involvement in Roe vs. Wade had been a mistake. She then recanted much of what she said in I Am Roe, stating that she was initially interested in adoption for her child, not abortion. She explained that her lawyer, Sarah Weddington, had used the vulnerable McCorvey to push her own agenda.
Reading McCorvey's story didn't enlighten me or enrich my understanding of the pro-choice movement. It was interesting and frustrating to discover that McCorvey actually had very little to do with the progression of the abortion issue. In fact, McCorvey wasn't really an advocate for women's reproductive freedom at all; she was a pregnant woman who was desperately trying to abort her baby.
October 11, 2012
Interesting story about McCorvey who grew up in a dysfunctional family with no one to really help her out. Her first child was stolen from her by mother. Her second child was given up for adoption. Interesting that she wanted an abortion but ended up having a third child because the court case ended too late for her. That child was also given up for adoption. She never really had anything to do with the case after she gave her story to the lawyers. Never appeared in any court. Wondered why her lawyers never helped her get her first child back from her mother. They basically got her story and then ignored her. She straightened out her life and seemed to be competent to be a mother. Also, rather than showing that abortion is necessary I felt this book showed that while some people think that having a baby is the end of the world, it is possible to have a good life after giving a child up for adoption. She was pretty messed up but came out ok in the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2011
I didn't hate this book as much as I expected to. The pro-lifer bashing was limited to one or two chapters, and most of the book focused on telling McCorvey's life story, rather than promoting a cause. I did, however, wonder how accurate her memory was, especially since some of the verifiable details didn't fit together quite right. (For example, she was born in 1947, but she says that when she was at Catholic school when she was 10 or 11, she was crazy about "the new president," JFK.) There were also too many typos for me to take the book too seriously. On deck for my reading list: the next part of McCorvey's story, told in Won by Love.
August 18, 2011
How Norma McCorvey became Jane roe and her decision to go public. Poor, uneducated, hooligan youth-turned-homeless, pregnant, uneducated, jobless, drug-addicted alcoholic. A very interesting story, though it's written in an Oprah Book Club style (but it's not). It is tragic that women - especially Norma - could not have abortions. Sarah Weddington = lawyer who argued the case. I'd probably enjoy reading more about her.
April 7, 2013
An interesting read. I almost abandoned it because of typos. I'm glad I read it, it was informative about Norma McCorvey herself but not too much insight on Roe V. Wade. McCorvey was pretty well out of it while the case was going on. I suppose if you want that info you need to read the lawyer's book, which she refers to. I'm curious now, and will probably research further to see what came of her and her children.
October 1, 2016
Quote that caught me :
... Sometimes I have despair. Sometimes I have lost hope. But I have always gotten hope back again.
That is because even on my lowest days I always knew this : I am only searching -even in my wildest, meanest , craziest,saddest moments at the very bottom-for what everybody else is always looking for--happiness, security , love.
... Sometimes I have despair. Sometimes I have lost hope. But I have always gotten hope back again.
That is because even on my lowest days I always knew this : I am only searching -even in my wildest, meanest , craziest,saddest moments at the very bottom-for what everybody else is always looking for--happiness, security , love.
February 26, 2013
What I find amazing and sad is that in 2013, we are still having the same discussions about reproductive choice.
July 31, 2013
Had no idea about the woman that this case was based on. What a life!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews