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Das Ding mit Jane Spring

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Jane Spring sieht umwerfend aus - und trägt gern unauffällige Kleidung in gedeckten Farben. Sie ist Staranwältin - und beleidigt schon mal den Richter. Sie hat eine erstklassige Erziehung genossen - ihr Vater hat sie mit Trillerpfeife und Stoppuhr eiserne Disziplin gelehrt und ihr beigebracht, die Fehler ihres Gegenübers blitzschnell zu analysieren und zur Sprache zu bringen. Kein Wunder also, dass Jane Spring Single ist. Doch eines Tages sieht sie im Fernsehen alte Doris-Day-Filme und kommt auf eine sehr spezielle Idee, ihr Leben zu revolutionieren und sich den Traummann zu angeln

Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

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598 people want to read

About the author

Sharon Krum

4 books14 followers
Sharon Krum is a journalist and author based in New York City. She writes about everything from celebrity profiles to women’s issues, fashion and health for The Guardian, The London Times, The Australian, Harpers Bazaar Australia and The Australian Women’s Weekly among other publications. She has also written for People, The New York Post, Marie Claire and Fitness.

She has published two novels, Walk of Fame (2000) and The Thing About Jane Spring (2005), both have been optioned for movies. She is currently at work on her third novel, The Doctor Will See You Now.

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5 stars
255 (19%)
4 stars
372 (28%)
3 stars
442 (34%)
2 stars
177 (13%)
1 star
49 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
Profile Image for Krystal.
217 reviews
February 14, 2008
This I think will become a guilty favorite. The writing isn't bad, there's nothing technically wrong with it, and its amusing if not laugh out loud funny. My love for the book comes from the girl in me that watched the Doris Day movies and longed to be so effortlessly a lady.
Though the plot is implausible, and the characters turn around and realizations happen at break neck speeds, it is so reminiscent of a Doris Day Technicolor movie, it doesn't seem that off.
I'm more than halfway through this book, of a hard no nonsense District attorney raised by a colonel (well, more like trained, much in a way the colonel trained in the military) becoming Doris Day to catch "the one" that will stay forever.
Not only has it become a guilty favorite already, its made me plan a Doris Day marathon of all those great movies of hers that I began watching in 7th grade. Soon.

Just finished reading it...I couldn't stop myself from finishing it. It really was a fun read, but I suppose that in large part, the fun comes from having been obsessed with the Doris films in my youth. I also, though, liked the character of Jane on her own. I don't think a person would enjoy the story if they started reading it from a highbrow perspective. It's campy fun, well worth the read, if you can let go and believe with a 60's kind of idealism =)


best quote "This meant taking time with her hair and make-up as well as changing the polish on her nails. Jane had never realized how much time women took getting ready until she'd decided to impersonate one."
Profile Image for NATUI.
117 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2012
This book cracked me up. I read it with a big, dopey grin on my face. It felt a little slow in the beginning, but once she hit the movie marathon I could not put it down. I could not wait to see what the reactions to her transformation were going to be. Most people do not see me as a conservative person, but Doris Day holds a special place in my heart. I wish I had had the idea for this book because I have had moments like Jane's, but on a much smaller scale. I am so glad my book club chose this for us to read as I don't know if I would have come across it otherwise. We had a Doris Day movie night with my family because of it and watched That Touch of Mink. Great read, and I will definitely read it again in the future.
Profile Image for Puni Anderson.
49 reviews
March 18, 2022
This was a nice easy read. There was some language that didn’t need to be. I enjoyed it more then I thought I would.
Profile Image for Emily.
78 reviews14 followers
May 21, 2008
When I caught "Doris Day" on the inside jacket of this book my interest was sparked.

Perhaps if you strip away the trappings of the overt physical changes and adapted to understanding the underlying positive outcome that arrives when using the Golden Rule, then maybe this book has a shot.

Jane Spring is a woman who has found success in being whip-smart, systematic, censorless, pragmatic, and truthful. The struggle that women face in the business world of being seen as overbearing or "manly" when they are confident is an ugly thing. Promoting the idea that changing your looks, inspired from head to toe by a 60's icon, dulling your intelligence and personality by bowing to other people's attitudes...I can't really approve.

This book has the underlying love story and coming into your own idea that I may have liked more if I didn't find the rest of it insulting.
Profile Image for MB (What she read).
2,554 reviews14 followers
November 29, 2011
1st read: I enjoyed this book a lot! I thought it was a cute story and an interesting take on how Jane feels she "is" and how everyone else perceives her. I could certainly identify with her about that.

Since I know nothing about Doris Day movies, I have no problem with the quotes used. (Other reviewers have mentioned this as a problem.)

Overall this is a light-hearted and cute chic-lit novel! The usually tiresome "makeover" trope is used in an odd and funky way.

I think this could make a cute little movie. It seems as if it would translate well visually.

If you liked this book, you may want to try "The Little Lady Agency" by Hester Browne or "Elegance" by Kathleen Tessaro or even books by Jennifer Weiner, Jane Green, Anna Maxted, or Marian Keyes.

2nd read: 3.5 stars. Writing is choppy, but the humorous premise is just as enjoyable as ever.
5 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2007
Cute premise. I admired the fact that when she made up her mind about something she went all the way with it. The author did a good job of capturing Jane's coworkers and family's reactions to her dramatic change. The ending was slightly predicatble but then I would have been disappointed if it hadn't been. I would recommend this for a light read on a plane or at the beach.
114 reviews10 followers
April 29, 2013
I absolutely loved this book! I think it was one of the funniest books I have read in a long time. I don't understand why people complain when things aren't exactly as they are in real-life: it is FICTION people. I did read that the movie rights had been purchased, but that was awhile ago. To be honest, a movie would probably just wreck it (Nanny Diaries, Something Borrowed come to mind.)
Profile Image for Gretchen Bernet-Ward.
553 reviews21 followers
June 29, 2025
A delightfully sweet and sexy retro story written in 2005 about a lawyer Jane Spring who has a fixation on her idol and role model, former Hollywood movie star Doris Day. I am reading it in 2025 and both the book and the cast have held their shape well. This tale is a witty homage to finding your true self (being nice to people along the way) as well as a delightful tribute to screen legend Doris Day who lived to 97 years of age. Of course the book has cute quotes from Rock Hudson and Cary Grant from her movies ‘That Touch of Mink’ and ‘Pillow Talk’ but the eponymous Jane Spring steals the limelight. With a twist! She is Doris Day incarnate, a walking, talking, sweet and thoughtful modern young woman. Yes, Jane turns her starchy life (and stiff clothing) around from a thoughtless, insensitive person to a thoroughly delightful person. All thanks to her movie star idol Doris Day but naturally her friends and staff are completely bamboozled by her change in behaviour. Considering she’s a big New York City lawyer with high-profile cases, it does necessitate suspension of disbelief at the dolly-bird attitude men drool over. Although rather dated now it’s a well-written fun read and one that exposes male chauvinism, female obsessions, overbearing parental control and the need to revaluate our outlook on life. The book was optioned for film but never went ahead. Nevertheless, Jane learns how to be positive towards people and their attitudes, even while wearing pinched shoes and living in that city of cities NYC with its multitude of personalities which can test the strongest resolve.
Profile Image for Gayle.
262 reviews3 followers
November 24, 2021
In general, I am not a great fan of Chick Lit. This book, written by Sharon Krum, is an exception. Jane Spring is an assistant DA who was raised under, and wholly embraced, total military discipline. Dissatisfied with her persistent single status, she decides to morph into Doris Day.

Good things: Pleasant upbeat voice. Cute plot. Better written than the usual Chick-Lit novel. Explicit is not in the story, unless you count the noisy upstairs neighbors, and they're just noisy.

Not-so-good things: ...I'm thinking....It's not Literature. It's definitely a fantasy, but is that bad? It stays barely within the bounds of believability, until when it steps over the line, I was hooked, and decided to enjoy the ride. Which I did, all the way to the end.

Jane Spring would be a fun role for Reese Witherspoon or Kate Hudson. I think either could play Jane pre-Doris Day. Think "Legally Blonde." Think "Just like Heaven." And think "How to Lose a Man..". And that's The Thing about Jane Spring.
Profile Image for Amarilli 73 .
2,714 reviews89 followers
October 17, 2013
da www.sognipensieriparole.com

Qui si parte da un dilemma fondamentale: esistono ancora ai nostri tempi delle icone femminili che abbiano mantenuto inalterati fascino e sicura presa sull'altro sesso?
In altre parole, a chi potrebbe ispirarsi per trovare il Vero Amore una ragazza di buoni propositi ma ancora nubile, figlia di un generale e sorella di militari, cresciuta in una base e unica della famiglia ad essere stata inviata tra i famigerati "civili" (niente meno che a fare il sostituto procuratore)?

Detto fatto, con caschetto cotonato (più in alto è la messa in piega, più si è vicini a Dio...) e con i tailleur coordinati della nonna, pure la terribile Jane in versione Doris Day è pronta per buttarsi nel grande gioco, anche se questo può avere influenza sul processo penale che sta seguendo.

Tra avvocati della difesa con abbronzatura perenne, detective burberi ma affascinanti, e giurie confuse, si sorride, si ride e si rimane deliziati in questa commedia scritta oggi ma che strizza l'occhio agli anni '50-`60.
Profile Image for Jennie.
651 reviews47 followers
March 6, 2012
I found this to be the usual frothy summer reading with the usual implausible plot: entertaining enough to while away a sunny afternoon without requiring too much thought.

One warning, however, and this really started to bug me about 75 pages in: the author's generalizations about growing up civilian vs. growing up on an army base were both totally inaccurate and a little offensive. If Ms. Krum bothered to get to know any real army "brats" (I hate that term), she'd see that we don't view civilian life with disgust (maybe a little envy for a lifestyle that allows you to know the same people all your life), and we don't snort "civilians!" whenever something happens that we don't understand.

Jane Spring's problems aren't from growing up army, but from having been raised by a B-movie caricature of a windbag general. Considering that Ms. Krum is Australian, I wouldn't be surprised if her only experience of American military life actually came from B-movies.
Profile Image for Ruth.
4 reviews
July 30, 2012
I really really liked this book! It was very easy to read, took me only a few days to finish. Jane Spring is an assistant procecuting attorney in New York City. She is in her early 30's and can't figure out why no one will ask her out on a second date. Then over a long snowed in blizzardy weekend she tries to figure out what guys want in a woman. While searching for a role model she happens to see a Doris Day marathon on tv. Then it dawns on her who her new role model will be. It is hilarious to read how she turns herself into Doris Day. I wished this book had picturesd! You'll have to read it yourself to find out what happens when she shows up in court looking like Doris Day, and to find out if she gets her man.
Profile Image for Chiara.
44 reviews2 followers
September 3, 2011
E’ una storia semplice quella di Jane Spring. Una donna vera, cresciuta da un generale dell’esercito, in un base militare, frequentando scuole militari. Nella sua famiglia non ci sono donne, ha perso la madre quand’era piccola, e complice l’ambiente militare non c’è posto nemmeno per sentimentalismi e debolezze. Così è cresciuta Jane, credendo per esempio che le critiche formino il carattere e migliorino le persone. Quindi sentendosi autorizzata a far notare all’amante “di turno” se la sua performance sessuale non è all’altezza o potrebbe essere migliorata in qualche modo.

Recensione completa:
http://abookbite.blogspot.com/2011/09...
Profile Image for Stephanie.
2,011 reviews122 followers
June 12, 2010
Jane Spring was raised with a military father, two older brothers, and no mother causing her to be ultra masculine and somewhat offputting to most men. In order to find love, she decides to makeover herself in the image of an effortless lady, Doris Day.

Now I find the premise ridiculous and somewhat insulting but I love Doris Day movies and I think this could totally have been one. It is just adorable chick lit with some very amusing sections. Warning: you may want to have a Doris Day marathon after reading this as each chapter starts with a quote from one of her films.
73 reviews1 follower
August 29, 2011
This, for me, was one of those books that I thought was going to be totally ridiculous but I kept reading just because I wanted to see how the author handled things, and while it was totally pie-in-the-sky, and dated as well, I liked it. You can read the jacket for the particulars, but this is so much more. Silly but thoughtful. And perhaps it is just my age group. Anyway, this is one of those books that make me wish I had another reader to discuss it with. More of a parable (not religious) than chick lit.
Profile Image for Damaskcat.
1,782 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2013
I absolutely love this book and cannot recommend it highly enough! To me this is a chick lit masterpiece. I know the scenario is unlikely but it is fun. Hot shot lawyer Jane Spring sets out to turn herself into Doris Day in order to find a man who will not be put off by her legal skills and apparently abrasive personality.

The story is told with humour and a lightness of touch which makes it irresistible. Naturally Jane gets her man in the end and it is someone who has been under her nose the whole time. I have read this book at least half a dozen times and it still seems fresh.
Profile Image for Debbie.
2,164 reviews49 followers
July 27, 2012
Contemporary romance featuring Jane Spring, a tough-as-nails prosecutor who just can't figure out why she can never get a second date. Inspired by a Doris Day movie marathon and a trunk filled with her grandmother's old clothes, Jane transforms herself into the woman who always gets her man. Amusing in places, but I had a hard time believing that a woman as smart and successful as she was could be THAT clueless about relationships.
30 reviews3 followers
June 13, 2007
I loved this book. It's a great story of a normally cold & harsh lawyer trying to win a man and when she tries to figure out what it is that makes a guy tick, she turns to Doris Day. I am also a big fan of Doris Day movies so I loved the references and how she pulled out the "Doris" in this day and age and how it helped her emerge both personally and in love.
Profile Image for Carol.
308 reviews2 followers
November 29, 2008
This is just a fun book. I needed it before I tackle something depressing again. It's about a woman lawyer who cannot understand why men won't go out with her more than once or twice. She decides to make a huge change in her life. It's very funny. I loved it. If you want a funny quick read, you'll love this one.
Profile Image for Endimione .
483 reviews56 followers
April 2, 2011
Very funny!! Really I've laugh ALL the time... The protagonist is the reincarnation of Doris Day: same disaster, the book recall all the movie in which Dorys played! This book had turn up my moral!! I've love it!!
306 reviews
January 9, 2009
This was another one of those fun books. It was a nice break from some tricky reading.
56 reviews2 followers
February 2, 2015
I loved this book. It was an easy and fun read. I saved it for a rainy Sunday, and could not have been more pleased with the outcome. Looking forward to more from Sharon Krum.
95 reviews
July 29, 2015
This was a fun book to read. At times I laughed out loud . Oh, what we do for love....
Profile Image for Ali.
190 reviews10 followers
November 7, 2025
Este libro recuerdo que lo compré hace años porque estaba muy barato y la portada me pareció linda, so: "venga el líquido".

La primera vez que lo leí me gustó bastante y lo releí varias veces, principalmente porque antes mi biblioteca no era tan abundante y no tenía mucho de dónde elegir (en realidad creo que al menos durante un año y medio o dos esta fue la única comedia romántica que tenía en mi biblioteca). Pero desde que empecé a leer más y, en concecuencia, comprarme más libros, no lo volví a tocar, así que ahora, al agarrarlo después de tanto tiempo, hubieron cosas que me sorprendieron, no por dar un giro particular a la historia, sino por haberlas pasado por alto las veces anteriores.

La historia en general es muy simple: Jean es una mujer criada por un padre militar que, al morir su madre cuando ella apenas tenía 3 años, la crió a ella y a sus hermanos como pequeños soldados. Por lo que Jean, al haberse formado en ese ambiente, y hasta empezar la universidad no tener contacto con gente fuera de él, le cuesta mucho desenvolverse entre "los civiles" (como ella llama a todos los no militares).
Jean, luego de repetidos fracasos en su vida amorosa, se ve forzada a considerar que hay algo que está haciendo mal, por lo que decide buscar un referente, un modelo que haya triunfado en el ámbito sentimental y al cual ella pueda imitar. Luego de pensar mucho en quién podría ser esa persona, da con una maratón de películas clásicas de los 60 en la televisión, cuya protagonista en todas ellas es la actriz Doris Day, y decide que ésta es la ideónea para tomar como ejemplo en el campo del amor (por cierto, esta actriz es un ser completamente opuesto a a ella), por lo que todo el mundo cree que Jean se volvió loca cuando empieza a ctuar como Doris 24x7 y empiezan a armar diversas teorías al respecto.

Hubieron, en esta ocasión, varias cosas que, como dije, me sorprendieron y más que nada me molestaron (recuerdo que algunas sí las había notado anteriormente pero, muchas otras no). Hubieron, durante la historia variedad de comentarios homofóbicos, sexistas, machistas que me hicieron gritarle al libro y a la autara bastantes veces. Algunas las dejé pasar por alto puesto que venían a ser descripsiones de como pensaban determinados personajes como el general (papá de Jane) o la propia Jane, que son entendibles debido al ambiente del que provienen, es decir, sería "normal" que pensaran de ese modo, pero hubieron otra gran cantidad de comentarios de este tipo que vinieron directamente de la autora que fueron inexcusables.

También algunas cosas en la trama me parecieron muy poco creíbles, por ejemplo que los jurados del caso en el que estaba trabajando Jane hayan estado más pendientes de ella que del caso en sí (ESTABAN TRATANDO UN ASESINATO!!! KÉ LES PASA?! ME VUELVO LOKA!!!), o el argumento final del abogado defensor, entre otras. Pero bueno, ante lo anterior creo que ya ni ganas tenía de prestarle mucha atención a eso.

Una de las cosas que más me molestó, al punto de querer tirar el libro por el balcón, fue la siguiente:

"[...] Aunque Jane jamás justificaría su cimen, no dejaba de envidiar la pasión de esa mujer. Esto es amor auténtico, pensó. Sentirlo tan ferozmente que una estaba dispuesta a matar antes de dejar que algien se lo arrebatara. Yo quiero sentir eso, quiero que alguien me ame hasta ese punto."

¡NO, NO Y NO! Eso NO ES AMOR y me parece HORRIBLE romantizar la VIOLENCIA de ese modo. Me parece que éste es el mensaje más detestable y equivocado de todo el libro. Me acuerdo y me pongo a gritar de indignación OTRA VEZ.

Otros comentarios que me molestaron muchísimo fueron que se insinuara que la gente empezó a querer y a tratar mejor a la protagonista porque se volvió más "femenina" o empezó a "actuar como una mujer" (HABER SI ME MUERO!!!!).
A ver, la gente empezó a tratar mejor a Jean porque ella empezó a tratarlos mejor, no por ser más "femenina". Al principio del libro se nos presenta a una Jean altanera, soberbia, mandona y desconsiderada con todo el mundo. Ella era una persona realmente difícil de tratar: odiosa y apenas tolerable. Claro que no era puro defectos: era responsable en todos los aspectos de su vida y tenía una ética intachable, era honesta y sincera, pero su forma de relacionarse con los demás dejaba mucho que desear aunque por supuesto ella no se daba cuenta de eso para nada. Al encarnar a Doris Day, esto se resuelve. Jane se vuelve infinitamente más considerada, aprende a pedir en vez de ordenar, a prestar atención a los demás y a interesarse en ellos sinceramente y, principalmente, se vuelve muchísimo más tolerante, por lo que es de esperar que el resto del mundo responda de manera positiva a esos cambios, no tenía nada que ver con que ahora usara vestido y maquillaje ¿ok?

Hubo, además de estas, varias otras cosas que me molestaron, como el hecho de ver a las personas como objetos al hacer comentarios del tipo "¿Quién no desea pertenecer a alguien?" O ese concepto de "robar" el marido a otra persona (hamiga a menos que te lo hayan secuestrado, nadie lo robó, se fue solito, aunque no te guste aceptarlo, no le obligaron a nada, es más, capaz hasta lo buscó), pero estaría una semana intentando recordar todo lo que me pareció mal en este libro, así que lo dejo ahí.

Por otro lado, tampoco fue todo malo en esta historia, dejando de lado lo anterior, hubieron cosas que me causaron bastante gracia y otras que hasta llegué a disfrutar.

Jean me gustó mucho como protagonista (una vez superado su desastrozo comienzo, claro). Me gustó su evolución y como de a poco fue rompiendo con muchos de sus prejuicios y lo valiente que fue al enfrentarse a lo que todo el mundo pudiera creer o pensar de ella, para conseguir su objetivo. Aunque no estaba muy de acuerdo con la importancia esa que le dió a "conseguirse un hombre", me gustó que al final eso haya pasado a segundo plano para ella, porque descubrió que le gustaba arreglarse para sí misma, no para el resto; descubrió que había cosas, que antes juzgaba como superficiales o egoístas, que realmente la hacían sentir bien y que disfrutaba haciendo (como mimarse a sí misma tomando un baño largo o maquillándose o ir de compras y eligir regalos para su papá y sus hermanos). Ese autodescubrimiento de la protagonista me pareció bastante positivo.

También me gustó la narración en general, era ligera y la historia abanzaba a buen ritmo, además me gustó el hecho de que esté narrado en tercera persona y que no se concentre en un solo personaje, sino que podamos conocer los puntos de vista de casi todos.

En fin, anteriormente le había puesto 3.5 estrellas a este libro, pero con las cosas que noté en esta lectura, tengo que bajar ese puntaje al menos un punto, o sea, le daré 2,5 ☆☆ (dos estrellas y media) ya que no deja de ser entretenido en general y divertido en ciertas partes, pero para mi gusto habría que sacarle muchas cosas que están mal para poder disfrutarlo completamente (o sea estuve gritando de indignación en varios capítulos y casi que lo tiro por la ventana en una parte, así que evidentemente podría ser muchísimo mejor de lo que es).

Fin♡.
Profile Image for Jm.
287 reviews3 followers
July 15, 2020
I was gifted this book by a good friend for a fun read.

Jane Spring, brought up by her regulation Army father with her two older brothers, has been drilled to excel and be her best. Denied an army career that her brothers followed (Sir is like a drill sergeant, and conservative in his views), Jane determined to uphold law and order as a District Attorney in NYC. She is tenacious, bright, loyal, thorough, outspoken, and ruthless. In fact, she can be more like an attack dog than a person and views civilians as barbarians who need to be whipped into shape. Jane, approaching her mid 30s, is wondering why she is alone.

An unusual courtroom loss and a frank coworker conversation overheard by Jane leaves her confused and strangely devastated. She tries asking others what is wrong only to be told that if she doesn't know, she needs to think about it and find out. After coming up blank, Jane decides she needs an answer ... suddenly realizing that she is now watching a Doris Day marathon on TV. And that Doris Day is someone who is loveable, and always gets her man.

The book follows her amazing transformation and her life blossoms as people get over the shock and respond to her new looks and personae - her coworkers, her new jury, the ladies at the YWCA, her admin, and ... two dishy gentlemen. Which one of them is her Mr. Right who will want Jane for who she really is?

This story requires a lot of suspension of belief and a "just go with it" mentality. It's Chick Lit and yes, you can drive a semi through the plot holes, the sexism glossed over, and realism is questionable for the series of events but the characters are fun and not too complicated. The appreciation for the appeal of Doris Day and the fashions of her leading lady era are on full display, mixed with a decent courtroom case and just enough background history to make the story hang together and be an enjoyable read.
Profile Image for Ricki Treleaven.
520 reviews13 followers
August 18, 2020
Jane Spring is fierce, beautiful, intelligent, and lonely. Men rarely ask her out for a second date, and it's because she's intimidating. Reared by her military father in a family of older brothers, she is no-nonsense, and has little patience for "civilians." She yearns for a boyfriend and a relationship, but with no girlfriends, sisters, or a mother to guide her, she relies on a weekend Doris Day movie binge to educate her on the best way to catch (and keep) a man.

She goes ALL OUT on her quest to channel Doris: She cuts her hair in a sassy bob; she completely transforms her black, masculine power suits for vintage and feminine suits, purses, and accessories; and she redecorates her spartan apartment by painting literally everything yellow and installing baby blue silk curtains. She also talks and walks like Doris, and guess what? The new and improved Jane Spring is a hit with the men. Even her arch rival from law school, the local hotshot attorney Jane often spars with in court, has it bad for her. An added bonus: each chapter begins with a quote from a Doris Day movie. If you love Doris, you will love this book.

Y'all, I can't say enough about this book. I laughed out loud, I cringed and was embarrassed for Jane, and I cheered for her as she discovers that she can have it all because the real Jane Spring is a fascinating women.

I bought this book via Amazon because I couldn't find it locally.
44 reviews2 followers
March 5, 2022
I loved this book. Many reviews gripe that it's outdated, anti-feminist, and trite. And while it is a LITTLE bit of all those things, it was a DELIGHTFUL read. I read it when I was 19, smiling and giggling through the whole thing, and hoped it would hold up in my adulthood. It really did.

Jane is unusually aggressive, to whom people are a constant disappointment. Frustrated with her track record with men, (who initially think she must be soft under all that blocky facade, and discover they're wrong), and obviously slightly socially unaware, she has the ludicrous idea to transform herself into Doris Day, from the 60s, in 2015.

She commits 100%. And while people think she's crazy, they are also enchanted by her. And her feelings about the people around her change as she does.

This book is about the power of perceptions, and reinventing yourself. Even though we wish the gender expectations didn't exist, they still very much do. And this book, albeit exaggerated, calls out what it looks like to play on those expectations.

I would argue that it IS feminist, in the sense that traditional femininity has wonderful qualities: warmth, kindness, encouragement, and sometimes color, and those things, as Jane discovers by trying them on, are valuable to any community.

I thought it was funny and charming and surprisingly poignant.
Profile Image for Labirinto di pagine .
311 reviews11 followers
May 9, 2025
Chi l'avrebbe mai detto che un libricino che ho trovato per puro caso nella cassetta dei libri, mi avrebbe aiutata a riscoprire il piacere della lettura...
È strano, ma da qualche tempo, leggere è diventato faticoso e mi annoia.
In questo caso con NON SPARARE, BACIAMI, c'è stato qualche momento in cui mi sono persa (il sonno era più forte e ha vinto), ma poi Jane, Mike e compagnia bella, mi hanno rapita.
Questa storia, la storia di Jane, è talmente particolare che quasi si fa fatica a stare al passo con la protagonista.
Immaginate una donna che ha come principi fondamentali il rispetto, l'ordine, il decoro, la giustizia e il dovere.
Immaginate questa ragazza bella, con un fisico da paura, cresciuta in una base militare da un generale fissato con gli stessi principi già citati sopra...
Bene ora visualizzate la suddetta ragazza sola, isolata dagli altri per questa sua visione rigida della vita, tanto che nessuno ha piacere a starle vicino.
Il suo mondo è triste, senza qualcuno con cui condividere vittorie e successi, così all'ennesimo rifiuto, l'idea di cambiare sembra essere l'unica soluzione.
Ma non sarà una cosa piccola.

Jane non sarà più Jane...

La trasformazione radicale le porterà ciò che desidera?
5 reviews
January 18, 2020
I cannot describe the absolute joy I felt reading this book. Not only did it make me laugh within the first few pages, but it kept me laughing and curious throughout all 319. I think that this book is so charming and relatable in it's own way and I was sad when I realized I had finished it. Jane is a character that I won't soon forget, and most of the characters (albeit they play much smaller roles throughout the book) will continue to linger in my mind for many stories to come. I would suggest picking this book up if you're looking for something more light hearted and nostalgic, as well as if you're in the mood to join a badass and classy lady in her journey to discover the joys of being a woman and decipher the ever unsolvable question: what do men truly want in a woman?
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104 reviews1 follower
April 13, 2020
I feel like this book was intended for adults but the writing and premise of the story made it feel as though it would have been better suited to younger readers.

Implied that businesswoman in high positions are cold and cruel and are unable to hold relationships with those of the opposite gender because men do not like women who speak their minds or now what they want without having to be told by a man. As well as showing that a women needs to change (into a 50s housewife) to gain the attention of men. And it also show that you can be neither and have healthy happy relationships, but that you must be both and not too much of either one.
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