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Losing Jane
WINNER OF THE 2020 DLF WRITING PRIZEWhen Maggie Schofield disappears, no one is interested in what Jane, her ten year old daughter, thinks has happened to her. The local police are convinced that she has been murdered by her husband and are determined to prove it. Six months later, at the start of big school, Jane meets Kim. Relying on her childhood memories, the story is told by Kim in an effort to lay the ghosts of her past. She tells what really happened to Jane’s mum and the part she played. Set in a suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire in the north of England and starting in 1968 it spans four decades. This is a story about chance and choice, love and loss and the power of adolescent friendship.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 28, 2018
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81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 7, 2018
Interesting book
Had to read this being from pudsey/bramley myself and cert brought back a lot of nostalgic moments. Found the book really easy to read and enjoyed the storyline it was so down to earth
Had to read this being from pudsey/bramley myself and cert brought back a lot of nostalgic moments. Found the book really easy to read and enjoyed the storyline it was so down to earth
April 14, 2021
Though this is billed as a story about the consequences and aftermath of a woman and mother going missing, it is really the story of a girl, Jane, growing up in the wake of her mother's disappearance. Jane is shaped by her upbringing, at the mercy of others and its effect on her and all that happens to her, witnessed by her friend, Kim, the narrator.
Beginning in 1968 when the two girls meet at the start of 'big school' when they are both on the verge of becoming teenagers, the story spans the 70s, 80s, 90s and ends in 2005, tracing the stories of both girls as they grow up into adulthood in the northern English city of Leeds, itself going through massive change from a coal smoke blackened, industrial city to a modern glass fronted commercial centre.
The Story
Jane and Kim meet on the first day of secondary school, 6 months after Jane's mother, Maggie, went missing when she went out to buy fish and chips for her family and never came home. Jane is wise and mature beyond her years and takes the innocent, wide-eyed Kim under her wing, protecting her from potential bullies.
Kim lives with her parents who both manage a pub which is the hub of their neighbourhood. Jane is the only girl in a family of three petty criminal brothers and an alcoholic, abusive father. Things, though, are not always what they seem.
Crossing several decades from 1968 to 2005, the lives of Kim and Jane ebb and flow, sometimes coming close, sometimes clashing, sometimes growing distant but always affected by the other.
For those who know the Leeds of the past as it changed, there is much to enjoy and have fun with recognising the landmarks and places mentioned. For those not so familiar with the setting you'll enjoy the references to the 70s, 80s and 90s, especially Kim's mother's love of Crimplene and Nylon easy-care and drip-dry.
There is also a dark side to the story and mention of not so caring care when it comes to characters in the story. This was also a time of borstal, hard knocks, policemen who had agendas all their own and a serial killer that terrorised women for almost a decade.
As the two girls mature into women, their respective lives differ, often in tragic and sad ways but also offering hope, laughter and love.
Why 5 stars?
All in all, 'Losing Jane' is a bitter-sweet and poignant tale told from Kim's point-of-view. It is a memoir of sorts though how much it is a portrayal of what actually happened is perhaps for readers to judge. It maybe that new style of real fiction known as 'faction', where real events merge with fictional ones.
'Losing Jane' left a lump in my throat as well as leaving me feeling thoughtful and as if I had lived alongside both Jane and Kim. Kim is studious, creative and, surprisingly, into board games [which I was not as a child/teenager and I never thought at the time other teenagers were] and Kim is a member of the school drama club. Jane is mature beyond her years and not to be messed with, although there is a sadness and a vulnerability about her that still manages to make itself known. The girls are very different which makes their friendship all the more poignant.
The Americanisms, such as 'snicker' instead of 'snigger' and others [which I can't mention without giving away some of the plot] jarred against the very Yorkshire/Leeds setting. As did the occasional type-setting blips but I suppose these are printing mistakes, not the author's and easily corrected in future editions.
Although after the initial good opening and first few chapters, the story did meander and take its time. However, towards the middle and beyond, the story picks up and strikes several blows, including one or two real "Wow" events that hooked me into the story big time.
I think Kim and especially Jane, will remain with me for a long time. I'd be interested to read A.K. Biggins future books and I thoroughly recommend this one.
Beginning in 1968 when the two girls meet at the start of 'big school' when they are both on the verge of becoming teenagers, the story spans the 70s, 80s, 90s and ends in 2005, tracing the stories of both girls as they grow up into adulthood in the northern English city of Leeds, itself going through massive change from a coal smoke blackened, industrial city to a modern glass fronted commercial centre.
The Story
Jane and Kim meet on the first day of secondary school, 6 months after Jane's mother, Maggie, went missing when she went out to buy fish and chips for her family and never came home. Jane is wise and mature beyond her years and takes the innocent, wide-eyed Kim under her wing, protecting her from potential bullies.
Kim lives with her parents who both manage a pub which is the hub of their neighbourhood. Jane is the only girl in a family of three petty criminal brothers and an alcoholic, abusive father. Things, though, are not always what they seem.
Crossing several decades from 1968 to 2005, the lives of Kim and Jane ebb and flow, sometimes coming close, sometimes clashing, sometimes growing distant but always affected by the other.
For those who know the Leeds of the past as it changed, there is much to enjoy and have fun with recognising the landmarks and places mentioned. For those not so familiar with the setting you'll enjoy the references to the 70s, 80s and 90s, especially Kim's mother's love of Crimplene and Nylon easy-care and drip-dry.
There is also a dark side to the story and mention of not so caring care when it comes to characters in the story. This was also a time of borstal, hard knocks, policemen who had agendas all their own and a serial killer that terrorised women for almost a decade.
As the two girls mature into women, their respective lives differ, often in tragic and sad ways but also offering hope, laughter and love.
Why 5 stars?
All in all, 'Losing Jane' is a bitter-sweet and poignant tale told from Kim's point-of-view. It is a memoir of sorts though how much it is a portrayal of what actually happened is perhaps for readers to judge. It maybe that new style of real fiction known as 'faction', where real events merge with fictional ones.
'Losing Jane' left a lump in my throat as well as leaving me feeling thoughtful and as if I had lived alongside both Jane and Kim. Kim is studious, creative and, surprisingly, into board games [which I was not as a child/teenager and I never thought at the time other teenagers were] and Kim is a member of the school drama club. Jane is mature beyond her years and not to be messed with, although there is a sadness and a vulnerability about her that still manages to make itself known. The girls are very different which makes their friendship all the more poignant.
The Americanisms, such as 'snicker' instead of 'snigger' and others [which I can't mention without giving away some of the plot] jarred against the very Yorkshire/Leeds setting. As did the occasional type-setting blips but I suppose these are printing mistakes, not the author's and easily corrected in future editions.
Although after the initial good opening and first few chapters, the story did meander and take its time. However, towards the middle and beyond, the story picks up and strikes several blows, including one or two real "Wow" events that hooked me into the story big time.
I think Kim and especially Jane, will remain with me for a long time. I'd be interested to read A.K. Biggins future books and I thoroughly recommend this one.
September 7, 2017
What I enjoyed immensely about this novel was the authentic recreation of what it was like to be a teenager in the 1970s, with lots of small detail pertinent to the period. Add to this the common, shared experience of the transition from child to teenager: the highs and lows of parental control, the constant testing of boundaries, the fallings-in and fallings-out and the absolute excitement of "firsts"; the first party Kim is allowed to; the first time she is permitted to go to Leeds with her friends; the Blackpool holiday. These are explored through the chatty excitement of the first person narrator Kim and it leaves a lasting impression.
I think the author found it hard (as we all found it hard!) to transition the girls forward into adulthood, as we have to leave the safe cocoon so skillfully crafted. For me, there was a bit too much happening with the different relationships adult Kim ended up in and this took away slightly from the narrative drive. The narrative picked up again once Kim became settled and the plot took an excellent twist which I completely believed. The plot turn seemed unlikely at first, but I felt it totally worked within the context of Kim and Jane's unbreakable friendship. The sub-plot of Kim and Jane's sexual intimacy was also right for this novel, as Kim absolutely adored and worshipped Jane; Jane used this to an extent - although they also both needed love from each other.
A K Biggins has produced a cracking story, part-memoir, part-mystery; however it could have benefited from some sharper editing. There was quite a bit of repetition in establishing characters which I think was due to the author being unsure how quickly a character will "take" with her reader. There was no need to worry, as the characters bounded confidently from the page. I also felt that some characters could have been combined, to slim down and neaten the narrative. Some of the longer sentences would have been smoother with more punctuation to provide pauses; but it could equally be said that long speeches without pause mirrors the way young girls would think or speak.
However, memorable characters were produced, notably our friendly, honest, brave narrator Kim, and her enigmatic but damaged pal Jane. I personally found it very affecting when Kim's parents died, so integral are they to Kim's vivid memoirs, their presence bringing alive the inside of the Unicorn pub. I found the way Jane evolved kept both Kim and the reader guessing, and the full circle aspect of the book was also satisfying. In particular I enjoyed Kim's last visit home and her conversation with Chris which brought loose ends together. I came to understand that death isn't the beginning of loss; you can begin to lose someone much earlier on. Kim in a way, was always losing Jane.
I think the author found it hard (as we all found it hard!) to transition the girls forward into adulthood, as we have to leave the safe cocoon so skillfully crafted. For me, there was a bit too much happening with the different relationships adult Kim ended up in and this took away slightly from the narrative drive. The narrative picked up again once Kim became settled and the plot took an excellent twist which I completely believed. The plot turn seemed unlikely at first, but I felt it totally worked within the context of Kim and Jane's unbreakable friendship. The sub-plot of Kim and Jane's sexual intimacy was also right for this novel, as Kim absolutely adored and worshipped Jane; Jane used this to an extent - although they also both needed love from each other.
A K Biggins has produced a cracking story, part-memoir, part-mystery; however it could have benefited from some sharper editing. There was quite a bit of repetition in establishing characters which I think was due to the author being unsure how quickly a character will "take" with her reader. There was no need to worry, as the characters bounded confidently from the page. I also felt that some characters could have been combined, to slim down and neaten the narrative. Some of the longer sentences would have been smoother with more punctuation to provide pauses; but it could equally be said that long speeches without pause mirrors the way young girls would think or speak.
However, memorable characters were produced, notably our friendly, honest, brave narrator Kim, and her enigmatic but damaged pal Jane. I personally found it very affecting when Kim's parents died, so integral are they to Kim's vivid memoirs, their presence bringing alive the inside of the Unicorn pub. I found the way Jane evolved kept both Kim and the reader guessing, and the full circle aspect of the book was also satisfying. In particular I enjoyed Kim's last visit home and her conversation with Chris which brought loose ends together. I came to understand that death isn't the beginning of loss; you can begin to lose someone much earlier on. Kim in a way, was always losing Jane.
October 29, 2019
Losing Jane
I loved this book and really enjoyed reading it. I was brought up in this area and have some lovely memories which this book brought back. A story of teenage love and transition into adulthood which we all go through but also the dark side of some peoples lives that we never know about.
I loved this book and really enjoyed reading it. I was brought up in this area and have some lovely memories which this book brought back. A story of teenage love and transition into adulthood which we all go through but also the dark side of some peoples lives that we never know about.
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March 10, 2022I really enjoyed it. An excellent story of life for girls growing up in Leeds at the time with topical references to the Yorkshire Ripper and Decimalisation. Ann Biggins certainly has a knack for producing real page-turners with surprises as she did with her other book Indigo Children, which I would also recommend.
February 21, 2020
Page turner
Accurate account of school life, teenage angst and lifelong friendships.
Storyline is believable with an unexpected twist.
Now disappointed as I read it in a day, write another book please!
Accurate account of school life, teenage angst and lifelong friendships.
Storyline is believable with an unexpected twist.
Now disappointed as I read it in a day, write another book please!
December 3, 2020
Absolutely loved this book.Brought back memories of growing up in the area I still live.I could identify with the characters in the book and the school in the book.I hoping to get her new book for christmas x
February 19, 2022
Fabulous book set in my home town. Loved it!
March 13, 2025
Losing Jane Readers Review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Absolutely astonishing! This is the 3rd book I’ve read this year, and the most powerful by a country mile - this year, and last! A riveting, often uplifting and hilarious, but ultimately heart-breaking story of true friendship and the deep love and lengths people are willing to go to for each other, when it really matters. It’s not very often you read a book where the characters are so beautifully 3 dimensionally written, and you get to know them all so well. Over the past 2 weeks I’ve grown to love Kim/Jane/Suzanne/Pam/Ray and even Alison, but equally hate(!) Sharon/Paul Turner and “Harry Bloody Henshaw!” I’ve laughed and cried and prayed for these characters throughout, which is such a gift when reading a book, a real, genuine journey that will echo in my mind for some time to come… “The earth continued to rotate on its normal axis as it circled the sun and the years continued to pass.” STUNNING! Loved every single page! Thank you!
Absolutely astonishing! This is the 3rd book I’ve read this year, and the most powerful by a country mile - this year, and last! A riveting, often uplifting and hilarious, but ultimately heart-breaking story of true friendship and the deep love and lengths people are willing to go to for each other, when it really matters. It’s not very often you read a book where the characters are so beautifully 3 dimensionally written, and you get to know them all so well. Over the past 2 weeks I’ve grown to love Kim/Jane/Suzanne/Pam/Ray and even Alison, but equally hate(!) Sharon/Paul Turner and “Harry Bloody Henshaw!” I’ve laughed and cried and prayed for these characters throughout, which is such a gift when reading a book, a real, genuine journey that will echo in my mind for some time to come… “The earth continued to rotate on its normal axis as it circled the sun and the years continued to pass.” STUNNING! Loved every single page! Thank you!
September 27, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. It took me straight back to my own school days - the attention to detail was incredible and the characters just jumped off the page. I read it in three days as I found it hard to put down. A bitter sweet, nostalgic story of a most wonderful friendship and a subtly interwoven mystery - just brilliant!
March 3, 2019
A real page turner. I really enjoyed the story, the mystery, and indulging in the nostalgia of growing up. So many things rang true, even for a southerner from a different generation!
January 23, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this book. Living in Bramley it was easy to become immersed in the story line. 😊
January 26, 2024
Nostalgia
Insightful story of what it was like to grow up in the 70's as a backdrop.
Good thriller with strong characters. Very much enjoyed
Insightful story of what it was like to grow up in the 70's as a backdrop.
Good thriller with strong characters. Very much enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews