The Strange Case of Jane O.

by Karen Thompson Walker

In this mind-bending novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Miracles, a young mother and her unconventional psychiatrist encounter strange dimensions of the human mind and love as they try to understand the eerie things that are happening to Jane.

A woman born with perfect memory suddenly develops a series of eerie psychological symptoms--blackouts, hallucinations, premonitions, an inexplicable sense of dread. It is the first year after her child is born, and she and her untraditional psychiatrist struggle to solve the mystery of what is happening to Jane, to her mind. Then Jane suddenly goes missing and is found a day later lying unconscious in Brooklyn's Prospect Park, with no memory of her missing hours. A police detective becomes suspicious of Jane, and begins to track her, convinced that Jane is lying and is a danger to others, especially to the infant son she loves. What happened to Jane, and what do these peculiar experiences, including in something called a fugue state, have to do with a hallucination Jane has about a young man she knew twenty years ago, who warns her of a disaster ahead?

The extraordinary mystery behind Jane's symptoms leads the forward-thinking young Dr. Byrd to reassess everything he thought he knew about Jane, the mind, psychology, and reality, including the events of his own life. This stunning novel is a provocative literary puzzle about memory, identity, consciousness, and the tender bonds of love between a mother and child, a man and a woman, as well as a celebration of the gymnastic capabilities and the unexplained nature of the human mind.

Inspired by The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, and alternating between Dr. Byrd's story and Jane's, Karen Thompson Walker's spellbinding novel delves beyond hard logic and rational understanding to offer a beautiful exploration about the ways in which love, memory, the mind, and fate defy explanation.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 25, 2025

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog

This book is written in a way that it feels like you're reading a doctor's case notes and a journal written by one of his patients, and I loved it. It’s told from two points of view, Jane the patient and her psychiatrist, Dr. Byrd. The writing is very dry because it is a very clinical tale but it is also very straight to the point, which was another aspect I enjoyed.

The book is twisty, but not in the way you may think and it's also very intelligently written. It's a very good character study and case study if you will. This was an utterly unique premise that was executed wonderfully. I highly recommend going into this one blind because the less you know the more interesting it will be. I will say it's a multi-genre tale. It's science fiction, mystery, suspense and literary fiction all rolled into one and it’s done extremely well.

I am left wondering if this will be a series and I certainly hope so because I would love to go on another Journey with Jane to see how she and Caleb are doing in the future. That says a lot because I am not into reading series. The blurb says it's a literary puzzle and pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely by the end but you'll still close this book scratching your head and wanting more. That’s why I hope there is another book on the horizon. I was surprised by this one, in a really good way.

I just want to add that I loved the name of the bookstore in the story. I thought it was fabulous that the author came up with that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is already one of my favorite psychological thriller/sci-fi reads of 2025! If you left me alone in front of a whiteboard with a marker to write my feelings about it, I would keep filling the board with "I freaking love it!" over and over again!

I love challenging my brain cells with extra smart, twisty books that push me to form theories and make far-fetched guesses, ultimately disturbing my mind until my grey cells burn. I also enjoy a great adrenaline rush and surprises that pull the rug out from under me. I love to pick my fallen jaw off the floor and reposition my popped-out eyes after reading a remarkable thriller. Thankfully, this book gave me all those feelings, and I'm still holding my head with a bag of ice to cool down my burning grey cells.

This story revolves around Jane O., told through the journals of her psychiatrist Dr. Henry Byrd and her own letters written to her son Caleb. The two different POVs drag you into very different perceptions and make you question everything when you have two not-so-reliable narrators: one who might be suffering from dissociative disorders and delusions, and the other a disgraced doctor for mixing his feelings with his profession. Which one tells the truth?

Their connection starts when Jane appears at Dr. Byrd's office, at first leaving without saying a word, and next, the doctor is summoned to a hospital to find out Jane went missing for one day, leaving her child behind, lying in the park without remembering anything about her missing day. Her short-term amnesia pushes her to see her doctor again, and as they start their sessions, Henry realizes there are many things about Jane, like her gift of hyperthymesia: highly superior autobiographical memory.

She insists they met twenty years ago. She even describes everything about his office, including every knick-knack, the books shelved in his library and study. She can tell the weather, events, and her full schedule of a random day in detail. But that also raises the big question: Why can't she remember what happened during her blackout? And why is she hiding the truth about the tragic incident she faced twenty years ago: her friend Nico's death?
She insists she talked with his future self as a middle-aged doctor in the park, which might be an illusion because ghosts can't talk. After this episode, she has a one-day blackout. What are the connections between these incidents?

Before digging deeper, Jane disappears again, this time with her child. As the investigation turns into a sensational news story, bringing about the doctor's suspension, a detective's suspicions about Jane's motives after seeing her on CCTV walking in her apartment corridor, and inconsistencies in her statements about Nico's death make him wonder if Jane is just a regular mother suffering from postpartum depression who put her child's life at risk. What if she never had episodes and is playing a very dangerous game? Is she a liar or a very troubled woman who deserves to be locked up for her own good?

Well, I have to say the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly in the end. I loved the conclusion of this story. I couldn't put this book down, kept theorizing about what was happening to Jane. How can she have a deteriorated perception of things when she has a perfect memory? How can a woman who remembers everything lose days of her life without acknowledging it?

I'm still putting ice on my burning head! But it's truly worth it! This book is such an amazing masterpiece! I wholeheartedly loved it! Don't miss it, my bookish friends! It's FANTASTIC!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing this fantastic book's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

blog
instagram
facebook
twitter

[JanB · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved the author's previous books so jumped into this one without hesitation.

The story is told in a dual perspective between Jane and her psychiatrist. Together, they begin to unravel what happened to Jane.

Jane is unremarkable, an average Jane. But when she is found in a public place with no memory of how she got there, the authorities delve deep into her life. She's worried about her young son, who was left at his daycare when she entered a state of fugue.

Jane suffers from amnesia, premonitions, and hallucinations. She tells the story to her psychiatrist of how she saw a man who she knows to be dead. Jane has a photograph memory. She forgets nothing and can remember events in her past down to the most inconsequential details. There are a lot of details which must be pieced together to get a complete picture of her life.

Meanwhile, Henry, the psychiatrist, has secrets of his own.

What follows is a compelling story where the reader is never quite sure what is going on, but I was left so curious the pages flew by. I was completely immersed in their stories.

This is a chilling story that has threads of the pandemic in these pages but years before the actual pandemic of 2020. Time is fluid, which is a major theme in this book.

This is such a unique premise and beautifully written. I don't want to say too much, but this a compelling and mind-bending story that made me think. I love a book that delves into the inner workings of the mind and this book delivered! Speculative fiction can be hit or miss, but this was a complete hit for me.

I realize my thoughts are all over the place, much like this book. Read it for yourself!

* I received a digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Terrie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mysterious. Unpredictable. Inexplicable. Mind-Bending...

Jane, a single mother of one-year-old Caleb, has a perfect memory, yet suffers from blackouts, hallucinations, and more. She seeks help from Dr. Bryd, a free-thinking psychiatrist, who agrees to work with Jane but struggles to solve what is happening to her mind. Then Jane goes missing...

The Strange Case of Jane O., as the title indicates, IS strange. It is told from the perspectives of Dr. Byrd, through his case notes of Jane, and Jane, through her journal entries, written for her son to read when older. It becomes an intimate journey for both of them, but their voices remain dry, matter-of-fact, and restrained throughout the book. I was fond of these two characters, and I found both of their backstories compelling.

This is a slow-burn that becomes a suspenseful, convoluted ride. It is a puzzle I am still digesting. If you choose to read this, go in knowing as little as possible for the best outcome. It blew the top of my head clean off.

This was an immersion read with the gifted DRC and the Audible audiobook narrated by Jay Meyers and Alex Sarrigeorgiou, whose recounting of the story and voicing skills effectively capture the essence of both characters.

The Strange Case of Jane O. proves that the mind is truly a conundrum, and kudos to the author for blowing mine!

5⭐

Thank you to Random House and Karen Thompson Walker for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Thompson Walker creates a brilliant storyline. A psychological thriller but with a sprinkle of sci-fi. A perfect combination.

Jane is a new mom who finds herself having recurring blackouts where she goes missing for days at a time. The police aren’t buying it when she claims she has no memory of her time missing.

It’s up to slightly flawed psychiatrist Dr. Byrd to help Jane discover her troubling condition, while others question her sanity.

This is not a fast-paced thriller, rather a journey into Jane’s reality told from the perspectives of both Jane and Dr. Byrd.

I love a book that’s just a bit mind-bending. And this book fits the bill perfectly. My second read by this author and looking forward to what she comes up with next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing

[Joey R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 stars— “The Strange Case of Jane O.” Is a tough book to review. I finally decided that it was a paler, much slower version of “The Silent Patient.” However, despite the fact “Jane O.” would have been much better as a novella or short story, I did find the last 75 pages or so entertaining and thought provoking— so definitely not a total dud. “Jane O.” Is told in alternating viewpoints of the treating psychiatrist (Dr.Byrd) and his highly unusual patient (Jane O.), who seems to have a very loose grip on reality. Dr.Byrd has a fascination with premonitions and even got into some early trouble in his career due to him misrepresenting some of what he was doing in this area when he was supposed to be researching other less interesting areas of psychology. He definitely met his match with Jane O., a young mother who may or may not be telling the truth of what she is experiencing in her life. A truth that Jane O. is incapable of discerning on her own. The further I got in the book the more I enjoyed Jane-and the doctor’s understanding of her condition. However, the twists and turns were few and far between, and there is a large portion of the book that seemed repetitive as Jane’s symptoms were the same every time she lost touch with reality. This one was definitely middle of the road for me — with a strong ending making up for all of the inactivity in the first three quarters of the book.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane is a young single mother of a toddler living in NYC. She works at the library and leads a rather unassuming life. One day while getting off the F train she see's someone on the sidewalk. Someone that she knew 20 years earlier. Someone who should not be on the street because that someone had died. What's odder is they even have a conversation. A conversation in which he warns her of trouble to come. Once they depart ways she's left shaken. When she arrives at work she googles his name only to be met with his obituary. Has she hallucinated this entire experience?

This bring her to the door of psychiatrist, Dr. Byrd. The more he hears Jane's story and the troubling incidents that inflict her the more fascinated he becomes.

And I assure that YOU as a reader will be equally fascinated.

This is a marvel of a novel. Most definitely one of my favorite books I've read this year. A dazzling look into the inner workings of the mind of a young woman who experiences things that baffle nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, and detectives. It's a book that will make you think. I grew so fond of Jane and Dr. Byrd. Both characters were perfectly drawn making it impossible to put this down. It's a book that when, god forbid real life intrudes, that you think about and can't wait to get back to. I enjoyed Walker's last book, The Dreamers, but this is in a class all it's own. Absolutely enthralling and damn near perfect in every way. Highest recommendation. ALL THE STARS!!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my complimentary copy.

[JaymeO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Karen Thompson Walker’s The Age of Miracles so I was thrilled to find out that she had written a new speculative fiction book!

Psychiatrist Dr. Byrd is struggling to diagnose his newest patient, Jane O. She is unlike any other patient that he has treated before, as her symptoms include episodes of amnesia, premonitions, hallucinations, and a strong sense of dread. Jane soon begins to experience blackouts where she goes missing for days at a time and seems to have no memory of what happened. Unfortunately, the police aren’t buying her story and she finds herself the center of an investigation. In order to figure out what is really happening within Jane’s mind, Dr. Byrd must question his knowledge of reality.

Through this mind-bending journey, Thompson Walker explores themes of memory, identity, fate, loneliness, and loss. It is obvious that the book is well-researched and her characters are wonderfully flawed. However, the plot includes sci-fi elements that feel a bit rushed at the end. It would have been helpful if these were explained in a bit more detail.

This book really intrigued me the entire way through, so I highly recommend it to those who enjoy speculative fiction.

4/5 stars

Expected publication date: 2/25/25

Trigger Warning: suicide, talk of pandemic

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing group for the ARC of The Strange Case of Jane O. in exchange for an honest review.

[NILTON TEIXEIRA · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Strange Case of Jane O.”, by Karen Thompson Walker

4 brilliant stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A terrific concept and very well executed.
I loved the writing and the storytelling, although it was a bit dry in some parts, especially in the beginning, but later on I did feel the emotions of each character, even Nico’s, although his was a retelling. And the slow development was still enjoyable nonetheless.
I was very impressed as how confident the writing felt.
I found the topic to be fascinating and interesting.
The story is told by two POV, one by a psychiatrist and the other by way of letters/journal by the patient.
There are lots of “perhaps” and “what if’s”, so things are not completely clear.
I wished this book was bigger, because i wanted to know more, especially about all of the characters.
Some chapters are very short, and there are too many empty pages for a book of only 288 pages (hardcover edition), so I kind of felt cheated.
Regardless, I thought this was very compelling, original and a refreshing read.
I would label it as speculative fiction.
Really fascinating.

Hardcover (Random House): 288 pages

Ebook (Kobo): 288 pages (default), 76k words

[Andrew Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of this book is reminiscent of how Brett Easton Ellis opens up his magnificently creepy tale The Shards. A man, a psychiatrist in this case, begins an account of an episode in his life. It's about a woman who became his patient, under somewhat unnerving circumstances. He goes on to provide a first-person narrative, setting out how their relationship began and worked through, in all its strangeness. It’s a case that baffled him then and baffled me throughout my reading of this book. That is until an ending is provided that might just explain things. It’s without doubt one of the most interesting and compelling books I’ve read in a very long time.

The woman, referred to as Jane O., had been found unconscious early one morning in Prospect Park in Brooklyn by a maintenance worker. She was taken to a nearby hospital where upon waking, she could not recall how she’d come to be in the park or, initially, where she lived. She was dehydrated but otherwise uninjured. Eventually, her confusion began to clear, and she gave her name as Jane and provided the name of the psychiatrist – Dr. Henry Byrd – as her doctor. In fact, Byrd had only had one brief interaction with Jane: an appointment she’d made with him three days previously, in which she’d sat in his office looking at him for a few minutes before abruptly leaving.

After this second meeting, Jane did become a patient of Byrd’s and began regular visits to his office. The psychiatrist attempted to explore the reasons for her episode in the park, but hit a brick wall as Jane could recall nothing beyond an earlier point in time when she was in her house alone, events beyond that remaining a mystery. Exhaustive medical checks had identified no obvious trigger and no signs that she’d ingested drugs or alcohol that might have caused something. Jane had a young son who she should have – was possibly about to – collect from daycare. Luckily, the son had been looked after through the night by one of his carers.

A good deal of the narrative beyond this point explores possible reasons for the event, but again, no obvious cause is identified – though various theories are espoused. Another element that comes into play is the fact that Jane appears to have something called hyperthymestic syndrome, a condition that means she can remember an abnormally large number of her life experiences in vivid detail. Lots of fun is had with this diagnosis. But one of the most compelling aspects is the relationship between the two of them, which develops over time. It’s always maintained at a professional level, but it’s clear that as well as being fascinated by Jane’s case he’s continually being drawn closer to her. This is something he’s determined to control, at all costs.

Jane subsequently has a number of experiences that are traumatic, possibly hallucinatory, but ultimately unexplained. Other people enter the frame: a policeman who seems to have aggressive intent towards Jane and Jane’s parents, who travel to New York from their home thousands of miles away on the other side of the country. Mysteries abound. There are also any number of technical theories and thoughts that Byrd explores. Along the way, while discussing the mysteries of science and the brain, he posits the concept that general anaesthesia continues to mystify and that it’s main effects may only actually be to induce amnesia and paralysis. Wow, imagine that! But still it’s that central relationship between doctor and patient that holds centre stage.

In the end, a conclusion of some sort is reached, both to the relationship between the two and also a rationale for the mysteries behind Jane O’s experiences and behaviour. It’s something that some might not fully accept, but I have to say that it really worked for me. This is a story, brilliantly told, that really made me think a great deal about things I’ve never really considered before. It is a fantastic way to start my reading year.

My thanks to Bonnier Books UK for supplying a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 Stars

One Liner: That’s interesting! Not for everyone

Jane O. suffers a few strange episodes in the year after her son’s birth. She has blackouts, hallucinations, amnesia, and a sense of dread that doesn’t leave her alone. She visits a psychiatrist, Dr. Henry, who tries to understand her case in vain.

As Jane’s situation seems to be getting worse, they need to find out the reason. Is it due to the overwhelming life as a single mother or the result of a long-buried and unresolved trauma from her past? Why did the dead man’s vision warn Jane of a disaster? Is her mind playing tricks, or is it something beyond science and human knowledge?

The story comes in the first-person POV of Dr. Henry and the journals of Jane O.

My Thoughts:

Firstly, thanks to Shelley, whose terrific review made me request the book immediately even though this is not really my genre.

The writing style can be a deal breaker. Despite getting two POVs, both have a detached sense of style. The psychiatrist’s POV is clinical despite his borderline obsession with the case. Even Jane’s journals carry a dry and matter-of-fact tone which aligns with her character arc.

The tone couldn’t have been better, if you asked me. It prevented the story from getting overly emotional or falling into pieces all over the place. I enjoyed the book as much because I liked the narrative style.

Since there’s no garnish or seasoning (descriptions), the story is focused on the plot. The pacing is great too even if it feels like nothing much has happened. In fact, that’s the point. Something is happening even when it appears as if everything is good. The sense of unease lingers in the background without distracting the reader from the events.

However, I feel the suspense (for the lack of a better word) went a bit too long. I’d liked the reveal and the explanation to come a bit earlier so that we’d have more time for the story to move ahead.
While some questions have been answered, a few are left untouched. Also, I’m not sure about a particular development on a personal level. It may or may not work for everyone. I don’t mind it but I won’t say I liked it.

The concept is actually cool. It’s exactly the kind of stuff that appeals to me. That’s why, I wanted it to be explored a bit more.

However, the book has a massive trigger for the pandemic. This occupies around 30% of the content in the second half, so please be careful.

Also, at one point, I was confused enough to go and check the news reports. Of course, the reveal explained the situation, but as an Indian I can’t say I particularly like the developments, especially considering what happened a year later, through a neighbor.

To summarize, The Strange Case of Jane O is an interesting read with what some might call unreliable narrators (I don’t think so). Not sure who I can recommend it to. I did enjoy it though!

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group (Random House), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #TheStrangeCaseOfJaneO

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange is certainly the right word for this book and the character named Jane. Almost felt like I was reading something by Emily St. John Mandel. I am fascinated by psychiatry and neuroscience, but I lack the desire to be trained in it. That's why I tend to read books about psychiatry and neuroscience, both fictional and nonfictional.

Then I read a book like this, and I have to remind myself that there are probably aliens in space too - the possibilities of what might be real are larger than what our brains can contain. Most people would probably treat Jane as if there really was something damaged in her brain. Very few would, if any, would be as openminded as Dr. Henry Byrd. I believe that it's his openness that allows him to experience Jane fully in both states, though it takes him a long time to get there. He tries hard to stay neutral and not to judge her at all. He follows the questions, and he eventually understands that he understands nothing - at least not in terms of what is truly real.

I love that Walker used COVID-like circumstances to bring everything to a head. It's so recent in our own memories that we can all feel more compassionate toward her (I hope), and we can also get into the deep with her as she experiences another fugue state, for lack of a better term.

With all the books, movies, and theories out there regarding the space-time continuum and the multiverse, I think we should think about taking this book as seriously and if not more so, given no one is flying around in a leotard and cape in this book. Yet, the same questions are explored. Just with a heck of a lot more subtlety.

There was only one thing I really didn't understand, and that's why police would care about a single parenting mother, who appears to be of sound mind, leaving town with her son.

[Dutchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very strange book indeed!

Quick synopsis… Jane has reached out to Dr. Byrd, hoping to find a resolution to her episodes of fugue states. Dr. Byrd is mystified by what is causing the condition.

The book is told solely through Dr. Byrd’s patient notes and Jane’s letters to her young son in the form of a journal. How this is portrayed to the reader is very unique and reads very clinically. I liked the idea of this format, but ultimately, I felt myself glazing over at the wording. It was distracting to me and very wordy. I had a hard time focusing and I kept putting down the book to do other things. I wanted to know how this all played out for Jane, but it just was too slow to become fully invested.

For 70% of it there wasn’t a ton going on. There were certain plot pieces that I wanted more information on specifically her relationship with Nico. The sci-fi details were a nice touch, but felt that they were just added too late. I was very excited once I saw where the author was going in regards to the sci-fi elements, but ultimately by that time I had checked out. I wanted more in that aspect as I found it really interesting. The ending also seemed anti- climatic. Overall the idea behind this had a lot of potential. It just didn’t resonate well for this reader.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

With two unreliable narrators, I found myself constantly questioning what was real and what was imagined. I found Dr. Byrd’s frequent changes in diagnoses for Jane’s psychosis to be frustrating. Finally, the “attraction” between the main characters that’s mentioned was not particularly believable. While I really enjoyed this author’s first novel, The Age of Miracles, I did not find this novel particularly engaging, especially when I got to the unusual ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Madison Dettlinger of Random House Marketing for the opportunity to read a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this engaging, fast paced novel, which has an intriguing and unique premise. I listened to the audio book, and the narrators, Jay Myers and Alex Sarrigeorgiou, do an outstanding job voicing the characters.

[Hannah Greendale (Hello, Bookworm)]

Diagnosis: An exceedingly quiet sci-fi mystery in which characters spend considerable time speculating or revisiting what's already been said.

I OPENED JANE O.'S FILES. 📂 Her case wasn't that strange. My notes:

CHP 01
At age 38, Jane O. made her first visit to a psychiatrist. She was pale and slim. Sat very still. Remained silent. When at last she spoke, she said, "Something strange happened to me." She left without saying much else.

This appears to be a story told from the perspective of Jane's therapist. Consider me intrigued.

The act of remembering, we know from neuroscientists, has a way of rewriting a memory, and this day, in particular, the day I met Jane for the first time, is one I have often revisited in my mind, perhaps altering it slightly with each remembering.

CHP 02
Three days later, Jane was found unconscious on a field in Prospect Park with no recollection of how she'd gotten there.

We have a name for Jane's psychiatrist: Dr. Henry Byrd.

One thing can always mean another, and a doctor learns early the law of what is known as Occam's Razor: The simplest explanation is the likeliest to be true. On that day in the hospital, it seemed to me that the two events—Jane's short visit to my office and this unusual amnesiac episode—were linked, somehow, perhaps two consequences of the same source of internal distress.

Because the story is being told by a psychiatrist, there's an air of clinical detachment. It makes for fairly emotionless writing, yet it suits the character.

Dr. Byrd is slowly materializing as something of a mystery himself. Interesting...

CHP 03
Welp, we can add hallucinations to the list of Jane's mysterious symptoms.

The word for hallucination was for three centuries in the English language interchangeable with the word for "ghost": apparition.

I'm curious: Could there be a connection between Jane saying she met Dr. Byrd 20 years ago and the fact that she hallucinated someone who's been dead for 20 years?

The more I learned about the case, the less certain I was about its nature. It was as if each conversation led me further from a diagnosis instead of closer to one.

CHP 04

A new picture of Jane was emerging—some form of psychosis might explain all of her symptoms: hallucination, her memory loss on the day she was found in the park, and also this new contradictory conviction.

CHP 05

Whatever the case, research has established what would otherwise be intuitive: Memory and trauma are powerfully linked.

^ Commentary on memory is ALL OVER this book. It almost feels excessive at this point (and I'm only five chapters in), yet I'm curious to see where Walker is going with this. Memory is unreliable. Memory is linked to trauma. Yes, AND? Gotta keep reading...

PART TWO
Ooh, the perspective has changed. Now we're reading Jane's journal. ✍️

I'd rather face a darkness outside than a darkness within.

My memory sometimes gives me a false sense of familiarity with people—or a sense of familiarity that would feel false to someone else. With Dr. Byrd, I have the feeling, which is true in one sense but not true in another, that I have known him for twenty years.

👉 Some thoughts... I am loving the dichotomy Karen Walker Thompson has created with her two protagonists. Dr. Byrd is very aware of the infallibility of memory, yet Jane claims to have a perfect memory, one that allows her to remember events in exact detail decades later. I'm still not sure where Walker is going with this, but it makes for an interesting contrast.

Just finished reading Part 2 (Jane's journal entries). For several pages, she recapped what had already been discussed with Dr. Byrd, even expanded on it slightly. Then she gave us a few more pages of background. Sadly, none of it really caught my attention.

A second observation: I was fine(ish) with Dr. Byrd's voice being dry and unadorned because he's a doctor, but Jane's is equally flat. Her voice has no sparkle, no compelling emotional pull, no sensory embellishments to ground me in the story. I confess, I find this disappointing. 😕

CHP 08
If I'm being honest, I'm tempted to DNF. Then again, I'm coming up on the midpoint fast, so I think I'll hang in there for a bit longer. See if this picks up in some way.

CHP 11

It occurred to me that night, as I read [...] Alice in Wonderland, [...] that it is so often the girls who vanish into realms beyond reach, whether into Oz or the underworld, a hundred years of sleep, or the simplest, most familiar dark woods: madness.

CHP 16
I have officially reached the midpoint. The last few chapters have been little more than Dr. Byrd's (fruitless) speculations about Jane and her sudden disappearance. I'm surprised by how little Jane is actually in the book.

I once read a book on writing that advised against including a character's dream in a story (unless it was truly significant), because character dreams are often irrelevant and therefore waste the reader's time. I have similar feelings about Dr. Byrd's speculations about Jane. Since he keeps circling the same ideas without result, it feels like a waste of time. ‼️Nonetheless, this is a quick read, so I'm not giving up yet.

PART THREE
We've returned to Jane's journal. ✍️

Once the mind begins to question itself, there is no bottom to its questioning.

If I could pore through the missing records in my brain, maybe I could solve this thing.

Much like before, Jane's journal entries recap and expand slightly on what's already happened with Dr. Byrd. They also briefly explore a quiet mystery Jane is trying to solve regarding her memory, but her speculations keep circling the same thing again and again. 🫤

CHP 30
Returning to Dr. Byrd now...

I am having trouble putting down on paper what my real thoughts are in this case, but I'll say this: I am at a loss to explain certain features of Jane's case, certain threads of her delusion, certain very specific and personal details, without violating rules of reality as we currently understand them.

CHP 32
Dr. Byrd finally zeroing in on what's been obvious to reader for quite some time:

If there really do exist the kinds of parallel universes that some branches of physics posit, and if we lived in a world—and I am not necessarily saying that we do—where certain human beings could sense the events unfolding in those places, what might that sensory experience take?

CHP 34
Dr. Byrd finally cementing his conclusion

I no longer believe that these episodes of Jane's are a kind of psychosis, or that anything is clinically wrong with her. I think it may not be appropriate to think of Jane's experiences as psychiatric symptoms at all. Instead, I believe that they are what the ancients might have called a way of seeing. Not the future, though, but the parallel.

In other words: When Jane has dissociative episodes, she is temporarily moving through a parallel timeline.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a psychological case of Jane O. The book uses the view point of the psychiatrist, Dr. Henry Bryd, and Jane, as letters to her baby son. Jane has perfect memory, except in a couple of cases and lost time.

Jane goes to Dr. Bryd because she had a day of lost memory, she didn’t know where she was or what happened and this was very unusual for her. The book tries to piece together what's going on as she has more of these "fugue states".

This does become an interesting case.

I had a strong interest in psychology when I was younger, which was why this book appealed to me for reading. It’s interesting how reading tastes or interests change through the years. In any case, this book is set up like a psychological case, which added to the appeal.

Book rating: 3.5

Thanks to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book. However, I listened to a published audiobook copy of the book.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story had a compelling start but the more I got through this book, the less intrigued I ended up. It just felt lacking to me.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Thompson Walker performs a fascinating sleight-of-hand with The Strange Case of Jane O.. The novel is distant, opaque, cool and yet riveting. Its two main characters—Jane, a 38-year-old single mother experiencing blackouts and hallucinations, and Dr. Byrd, her glum psychiatrist—are unreliable but sympathetic. The narrative is delivered via journal entries and case notes, surely the driest of methods, and yet the pages turn so fast, you can see them smoking.

Jane has hyperthymesia—perfect recall. It's a condition that renders memories into never-ending present reality and to compensate, Jane has distanced herself from the world as much as possible. She works deep in the bowels of the New York Public Library and chose artificial insemination over a traditional relationship to become a mother. An only child, she lives far from her California-based parents. When increasing and prolonged blackouts plague her, she seeks the help of Henry Byrd, a psychiatrist she'd met over twenty years before. Although he has no memory of meeting Jane, Dr. Byrd is fascinated by her case. Experiencing his own personal ordeals, he feels a kinship to the reserved, quietly-distressed woman.

There is a nuanced mystery here: whether or not Jane's fugue states and hallucinations are real, what happened to a friend of Jane's during a college summer in New York, and what Dr. Byrd himself is hiding in his own isolated life. The tension ratchets up when Jane disappears with her infant son.

The novel's twisty final chapters are breathtaking, but I found the conclusion incomplete and unsatisfying, a let-down after all the high stakes that preceded it. Still, a highly recommended read- come to your own conclusions and let us know what you think!

[Claire Fuller]

An entertaining, tantalising, and satisfying mystery. I was sent a proof by the publisher and I picked it up because I saw that Thompson Walker used Oliver Sacks' writings as inspiration - and I love his work. Jane O. is a patient of psychotherapist Dr. Byrd, when she suddenly disappears for three days and when she is found doesn't remember anything about where she was or what she did. Told through both Dr. Byrd's account of the case and Jane's diary entries written to her young son, what happened (and keeps happening) to Jane is slowly revealed. There is a speculative element to the resolution which I found completely satisfying. This will be published by Bonnier Books in March 2025.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book. Maybe I really liked this book even, but the end was just so frustrating and silly that I can't forgive it. I hate it when mysteries get explained away by something that doesn't make sense. I feel like I got no answers. I really wanted this story to have an exciting ending where connections were made and the big reveal shocked me, but nope. There was never a real answer and the possible explaination was visions of a parallel universe?!?! It felt like a cop out.

The first 90% of this book was great. I ended up liking the writing style and the way the story was presented. I even liked that we had 2 unreliable narrators taking us through the story.

If it wasn't for that end.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced review copy.

[Rae | The Finer Things Club CA · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘖., author Karen Thompson Walker tells an intriguing story that I would characterize as literary fiction with psychological thriller and sci-fi elements. The novel’s point of view shifts back and forth between two narrators: in the present, psychiatrist Dr. Henry Byrd recalls his treatment of a patient he refers to as Jane O.; in the past, Jane herself writes down daily events as letters to her son as part of a therapeutic exercise. At the time of their sessions, Jane is a woman in her late 30s, single mom to an infant, and city librarian who is suffering from hallucinations and bouts of what Dr. Byrd suspects is dissociative fugue—a kind of amnesia where one loses awareness of their identity and memories and feels the need to flee. As they work together, Jane’s episodes continue and her symptoms worsen, leading Dr. Byrd to question her sanity… and even the nature of reality.

𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘑𝘢𝘯𝘦 𝘖. has a captivating plot. I very much wanted to discover the root of Jane’s issues and what would happen to her and her young son. However, I found the narrative pace very slow and the personalities of the characters—despite their extraordinary circumstances—somewhat bland, so this ended up being a surprisingly sluggish read for me. But overall I did enjoy the book and recommend it to those with a propensity for literary fiction with a psychological bent. Thank you to Random House for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Joy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jane O. is a thirty-eight-year-old single mother experiencing gaps in her memory. She seeks help from a therapist she visited twenty years ago after a traumatic episode. The story is told through two points of view: Dr. Henry Byrd's case notes and Jane's journal entries written in the form of letters to her son. It is an unusual mystery involving mental health that takes an unexpected turn toward the end. My curiosity was piqued right from the start. It is one of those books where I don’t want to say too much, since it is best experienced without knowing ahead of time. The author tells us it is based on the writings of Oliver Saks, particularly focusing on the mysteries of consciousness and memory, and includes speculative elements. The concept is intriguing, and I enjoyed it very much.

[Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collective GR fellows:

This book deserves way more than 3.94 stars. Please let’s re-think and re-star here stat.

This book is equal parts genius and madness. And the intersection of genius and madness. And there is not one fully believable character from beginning to end.

“It’s easy to believe in nothing. It takes no courage to dismiss the unlikely.”

“And so, how about this for a question: if there really do exist the kinds of parallel universes that some branches of physics posit, and if we lived in a world—and I’m not necessarily saying that we do—where certain human beings could sense the events unfolding in those other places, what form might that sensory experience take?”

“Humans have pattern-making brains. People suffering from psychosis often see patterns that aren’t there—or are there but have no underlying meaning. “

“Our memories, he explained, are inherently spatial, which is why one of the most effective ways to memorize information is to imagine that information occupying a physical space. A memory palace it’s called.”

Plus the cover of this book is super cool.
Plus the author leaves a delightful list of research fiction and non-fiction she read that inspired this book. Oliver Sacks features prominently on that list and I’m going to add them now to my want to read list.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that you would be best going into without reading any of the reviews or summaries. I enjoy Karen Thompson Walker as an author, and I thought this book was unique from her other books, but still had me hooked the entire time in the same way. I could see this book as an anchor for a series, because at the end I was absolutely left wanting more. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, I was excited to get to read this one early.

[Abolfazl Nasri · Rating 3 out of 5]

کتاب از همون اول با ماجرای عجیبی شروع میشه: زنی به اسم جین او. بعد از یه جلسه کوتاه با روان‌پزشکش، بیهوش توی پارک پیدا میشه، بدون این‌که چیزی از ۲۵ ساعت گذشته یادش بیاد. کم‌کم معلوم میشه پای یه سری اتفاقات عجیب‌تر وسطه؛ از دیدن آدم‌های مرده گرفته تا حافظه خارق‌العاده‌ای که باعث میشه همه‌چیز رو دقیق به خاطر بسپاره. روایت از زاویه دید دکتر پیش میره و بیشتر شبیه پرونده روان‌شناختی باز میشه تا یک ماجرای صرفاً معمایی.
به نظرم کتاب خوب پیش میره و آدم رو نگه می‌داره، اما اون‌طور که در معرفی‌ها میگن، علمی‌تخیلی نیست. اشارات کوچیکی به جهان‌های موازی و ناشناخته‌ها داره، ولی هیچ‌وقت وارد دل ماجرا نمی‌شه. همین باعث میشه پتانسیلش برای یه اثر خیلی بزرگ به هدر بره. در عوض، بیشتر حس خوندن یه رمان روان‌شناختی ـ معمایی با کمی رنگ و بوی ماورایی رو می‌ده.
در کل خوش‌خوانه، شخصیت جین هم گیرا و به‌یادموندنیه، ولی به قول معروف دست نویسنده بسته بود یا خودش نخواست شجاع‌تر عمل کنه. برای همین من سه ستاره بهش میدم: خوب و سرگرم‌کننده، اما نه فراتر از این.

[Yari · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker could have been so many things, but ended up just falling flat. It appeared to lean toward a psychological thriller, paranormal experience, or even stroll in parallel universes, but ultimately barley scratched the surface of any of these and the ending leaves the reader wondering why did we go through this entire experience.

The characters were shallow and not well developed, and I could not connect to any of them. This book could have been so many things, but the author did not take the time to develop the story or characters, As a reader you just get a series of events told from two different perspectives, and az underwhelming ending.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was propulsive - I'm not the fastest reader, yet I read this over a weekend. I was sure Jane was a fraud, and to be honest I think I would have liked this story better if she had been. The conclusion was too hasty, in my opinion, and the concept wasn't explored deeply enough to be satisfactory. All the red herrings about Jane's involvement in one death or another that went nowhere was frustrating too.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imaginative, compelling and so beautifully told - I could not put this down. A real winner.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of this novel.

[Lynn Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little too hard to understand when read over 4 days for me I think. I kept losing track of what was going on and was this a hallucination or what? I enjoyed the ending and the thoughts of what happened were very interesting but all in all not a book I loved.