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Jana
Jana is a literary novel. Because of her sexual orientation, Jana Odessi loses her child care job. It's not until she is halfway across the country on a road trip with her partner that she realizes she must return to her home in Connecticut and find resolution for a court case that almost wasn't.
Born in Bristol, CT, author Michael J. Sahno began writing stories at an early age. He obtained a Master of Arts in English from Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY at the age of 24, going on to become a full-time professional writer in 2001. Jana is his second novel.
This title was released on December 10, 2015, on the same day as Mr. Sahno's 1st and 3rd novels, Brothers' Hand and Miles of Files, respectively. All titles are published by Sahno Publishing with cover design and interior by Ryan Ratliff, RR Web and Print.
Born in Bristol, CT, author Michael J. Sahno began writing stories at an early age. He obtained a Master of Arts in English from Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY at the age of 24, going on to become a full-time professional writer in 2001. Jana is his second novel.
This title was released on December 10, 2015, on the same day as Mr. Sahno's 1st and 3rd novels, Brothers' Hand and Miles of Files, respectively. All titles are published by Sahno Publishing with cover design and interior by Ryan Ratliff, RR Web and Print.
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2015
About the author
Michael J. Sahno
4 books114 followersMichael J. Sahno began writing stories at an early age. Eventually, he was selected for Editor-in-Chief of his high school literary magazine. The quality of his work led to several honorary titles and academic awards by his senior year, which made it clear he was destined to serve a role in literary excellence.
Mr. Sahno earned his Bachelor’s from Lynchburg College and later went on to earn his Master’s in English from Binghamton University.
After college, Mr. Sahno served in several management positions, including Director at a marketing research firm, Assistant Vice President at a Tampa-based mortgage company and college professor in the field of English composition.
Sahno became a full-time professional writer in 2001 and, in the following years, wrote more than 1,000 marketing articles on a wide range of topics. His experience with quality copy, research and resourcefulness put him in high demand in the business community across the southeastern United States. In fact, several of the publications with which he was associated won Addy Awards in 2008 and 2010.
Mr. Sahno has written and published four novels, Brothers’ Hand, Jana, Miles of Files, Whizzers, and the short story collection Rides From Strangers. He is the founder of Sahno Publishing and available for professional speaking engagements upon request. For further information, contact info@msahno.com.
Mr. Sahno earned his Bachelor’s from Lynchburg College and later went on to earn his Master’s in English from Binghamton University.
After college, Mr. Sahno served in several management positions, including Director at a marketing research firm, Assistant Vice President at a Tampa-based mortgage company and college professor in the field of English composition.
Sahno became a full-time professional writer in 2001 and, in the following years, wrote more than 1,000 marketing articles on a wide range of topics. His experience with quality copy, research and resourcefulness put him in high demand in the business community across the southeastern United States. In fact, several of the publications with which he was associated won Addy Awards in 2008 and 2010.
Mr. Sahno has written and published four novels, Brothers’ Hand, Jana, Miles of Files, Whizzers, and the short story collection Rides From Strangers. He is the founder of Sahno Publishing and available for professional speaking engagements upon request. For further information, contact info@msahno.com.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 7, 2016
Jana is the story of a young girl discovering her sexuality. Jana Odessi knew she was different, she has come to the conclusion she is Gay. After a tumultuous experience working in a Day Care Center Jana and her best friend and partner Danielle embark on a road trip from Connecticut to Florida stopping and working where necessary to provide some meager funds to continue. This is a journey of discovery, an awakening of their true feelings, a chance to discover what is important in their lives. We experience through Jana’s eyes all the trials and tribulations a Gay woman encounters from an at times non-accepting public.
This book is different, we live Jana’s hopes, fears, and despair. It would certainly resonate with a Gay reader but at the same time everyone would learn from it. I found the story interesting, at times totally captivating, but perhaps the everyday happenings on the road trip became a touch tedious. I particularly enjoyed Jana’s struggle with the Day Care Center and the court case was a fitting finale. To me they were the story.
This book is different, we live Jana’s hopes, fears, and despair. It would certainly resonate with a Gay reader but at the same time everyone would learn from it. I found the story interesting, at times totally captivating, but perhaps the everyday happenings on the road trip became a touch tedious. I particularly enjoyed Jana’s struggle with the Day Care Center and the court case was a fitting finale. To me they were the story.
November 29, 2016
I was given a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Jana was presented to me as a lesbian On the Road, although not in those words. I thought I was getting into a slice-of-life road trip story, and I was... eventually. It literally took half the book to get there. The first 48% detailed the tedious wrongful termination case Jana brought up against her former employer. And I mean every detail, even down to the opposing lawyer's lack of cuff links.
Obviously the case was an important part of her journey, but for someone expecting to read a different type of novel it seemed unnecessary to go into so much detail. Of course there are people looking for that type of legal drama and they would probably love the first half of Jana. Then they might be disappointed to find themselves tossed into a tale of two women driving across the country. Basically, I felt the story was bipolar and couldn't decide which kind of story it wanted to be.
The writing, however, was smooth and laid back. I loved that the story was set in the 90s but wasn't about the 90s. There were no moments when the writer felt the need to smack his reader in the face with nostalgia. It was a good reminder of a decade when things were beginning to change and people were finally starting to be open where they once had to hide. I feel that it's important to be reminded of how those changes felt at the time.
My biggest gripe with Jana was that the narration jumped back and forth from past to present tense. This would be fine if the narrator were telling a story in the present but also referring to the past. This wasn't the case here. The story continued mostly chronologically but for whatever reason the writer spent some chapters in the past voice and some in the present. I don't generally like reading narration in the present tense, but it at the very least has to be consistent.
I found Jana to be a fairly good read and an important one. Just because I wasn't on board all the way through doesn't mean other readers won't be. I still recommend it and hope that it reaches a lot of people.
Jana was presented to me as a lesbian On the Road, although not in those words. I thought I was getting into a slice-of-life road trip story, and I was... eventually. It literally took half the book to get there. The first 48% detailed the tedious wrongful termination case Jana brought up against her former employer. And I mean every detail, even down to the opposing lawyer's lack of cuff links.
Obviously the case was an important part of her journey, but for someone expecting to read a different type of novel it seemed unnecessary to go into so much detail. Of course there are people looking for that type of legal drama and they would probably love the first half of Jana. Then they might be disappointed to find themselves tossed into a tale of two women driving across the country. Basically, I felt the story was bipolar and couldn't decide which kind of story it wanted to be.
The writing, however, was smooth and laid back. I loved that the story was set in the 90s but wasn't about the 90s. There were no moments when the writer felt the need to smack his reader in the face with nostalgia. It was a good reminder of a decade when things were beginning to change and people were finally starting to be open where they once had to hide. I feel that it's important to be reminded of how those changes felt at the time.
My biggest gripe with Jana was that the narration jumped back and forth from past to present tense. This would be fine if the narrator were telling a story in the present but also referring to the past. This wasn't the case here. The story continued mostly chronologically but for whatever reason the writer spent some chapters in the past voice and some in the present. I don't generally like reading narration in the present tense, but it at the very least has to be consistent.
I found Jana to be a fairly good read and an important one. Just because I wasn't on board all the way through doesn't mean other readers won't be. I still recommend it and hope that it reaches a lot of people.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews