Plain Jane

by Eve Horowitz

Meet Plain Jane Singer, "an updated female Holden Caulfield from Cleveland," who tells the story of a family and change, in a remarkable novel that has already been praised as "poignant," "delightful," "irresistible." Whether the topic is siblings, sex, shrinks, or sniping in the Singer family, Jane Singer isn't afraid to speak up, and to confront the tough questions. Such as: Why is her promiscuous sister, Caroline, suddenly abandoning her bohemian ways to marry an Orthodox Jewish doctor? Why doesn't her mother stand up for herself when her husband criticizes her cooking, her judgment, her weight? Why does Jane's younger brother, Willy, lie all the time - and do it so badly? Jane has some questions about herself, too. Such as: Why is she engaged to a systems analyst she doesn't love? Why, after graduating from high school at the top of her class, does she take a secretarial job down the hall from her former psychiatrist? Why, when everything else about her family is changing, is she fighting so hard to remain in a place she doesn't even like very much? Frank, funny, full of surprise, truth, and the pain and turmoil of growing up, the novel that Eve Horowitz has created is destined to be remembered by readers for years to come. As Plain Jane takes us into her confidence, her home, and her heart, what we discover is moving, challenging, true - and always superbly entertaining.

Genres: Fiction, Humor

Hardcover

First published May 4, 1992

Reviews

[Ghym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my favorites. Jane Singer is a neurotic 19 year old Jewish girl who is lost. She's got a crap boyfriend, a dysfunctional family, an inappropriate crush on her old psychiatrist and a shameful secret. Brilliant, touching and hilarious. I can't imagine why Horowitz never wrote a book again. Like Jane, she had such promise. Worth scouting out though it is hard to find.

[Nancy Carbajal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really, really liked this book! Jane has her little world that seems to be falling apart. It's super funny and also insightful about everyday life and family dynamics. But mainly I enjoyed the laughs that were drawn out of me loudly....then of course the book got somewhat serious. Good book, I enjoyed myself. Thumbs up!!

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

8

[Kim Malavey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great coming-of-age book. Truly enjoyable.

[Lynn Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirty years,when this as written, doesn’t seem so long ago, but it felt so dated.

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of this book's biggest weaknesses is its cover. It's also a bit longer than it really needs to be. It's become a cliche, but Jane is a modern Holden Caulfield. This meant that at times I wondered why she was bothering to talk about some things, but it also meant that she was very relatable and very real. The book also has some wonderful quotes about human nature.

[Lery · Rating 5 out of 5]

the second book i bought and i really had fun reading this one,, ;)
after i read this book, i started to buy more,, haha

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jewish family. Jane's sister gets married to an Orthodox Jew.