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The Book of Jane
Jane Williams is the happiest woman in New York. She has a dream job, a perfect Manhattan apartment, and a man she wants to marry. Her whole life is mapped out to the finest detail, and things just can't get any better. But in a New York minute, everything changes. After an evening on the town with a hot Hollywood actor her PR firm is wooing, she wakes up to a day filled with strange occurrences—a weird mark on her face and a red-haired woman who seems to be following her every move. This bizarre day turns increasingly horrible, and over the course of it, Jane loses her boyfriend, her best friend, her job, her home, maybe even her dog. Unsure of why she's being tested, Jane struggles to hold herself together while her world falls apart. Has God forgotten her?
In this witty and contemporary retelling of the story of Job, Jane discovers what she really wants, after nearly everything she holds dear slips away. Filled with the sophistication and excitement of city life, but sprinkled with humor and strong values, this new novel from the Dayton/Vanderbilt team charms, inspires, and warms the heart.
In this witty and contemporary retelling of the story of Job, Jane discovers what she really wants, after nearly everything she holds dear slips away. Filled with the sophistication and excitement of city life, but sprinkled with humor and strong values, this new novel from the Dayton/Vanderbilt team charms, inspires, and warms the heart.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
August 16, 2010
Original post at One More Page
It's a bit hard finding good Christian fiction in the Philippines because truth be told, not many bookstores carry it. Sure, there's OMF Literature, but the last time I saw Christian fiction on their shelves that isn't by Frank Peretti (not that I mind, except that I have a lot of Peretti's already) or Ted Dekker was almost four years ago. I'm glad that I can find some good YA Christian fiction in Fully Booked, but as for chick lit or non-suspense Christian fiction...well, it's hard. That's why I result to getting books online instead, because there's a bigger selection of them there, obviously.
So yes, I ordered this online, and I got it from a sale, which is even more awesome. I'm a fan of Anne and May's Miracle Girls series (which I will review as a whole once I get the last book in the series, which I hope gets to Fully Booked soon!), but I've always been curious about their previous books. When I heard that The Book of Jane was included in Chicklit Club's Ultimate 100 Chicklit Collection, I decided to put it in my Amazon purchases before my dad went home.
Enough of the story on how I got the book, and let's get to the actual book. The Book of Jane is a retelling of the story of Job, told in a woman's perspective and in New York City. We all know the story of Job, right? It's about a man who's been blessed by God all his life, and then God allows the devil to wreak havoc in his life (provided he doesn't harm Job) so they could see if Job would still be faithful to God even if he gets all these misfortunes (I mean come on, his entire family dying? Getting boils all over his body? I experienced the flood and it's enough to drive me nuts -- to experience all that might drive me over the edge). It's about Jane Williams, who has the perfect apartment, perfect job, perfect friends, perfect boyfriend and perfect family...until everything turns out to be not perfect, and she's left scrambling for meaning and her faith.
I liked the novel, although I think the similarities to Job ended right there. Okay, I admit to not having read the entire book of Job yet so I can't make perfect comparisons, but I do know that the book of Job had all these poems about Job's friends who talk to him about his misfortunes and his faith. Jane seemed alone during her low points, except when she met up with Coates, but for the rest of the time, she had friends and she had things to remind her of her fortune despite the things that happened to her.
Not that it's bad -- it's actually a pretty good lesson on perspectives. I don't know what I'm wishing for here, really, except maybe I guess I felt that it was too tame, that Jane didn't really have it that hard. Maybe I was expecting something more in Jane's misfortunes, or something. Maybe I'm just a harsh reader? ;)
But the story is quite delightful, and it touches a lot of subjects -- faith (obviously), relationships, friendships and even death. I loved Jane's friend Lee, although I kind of had a feeling he was in the closet. I don't know, he just had that vibe? I figured who Coates would be in Jane's life early enough, but their relationship was kind of nice to see that there was more to Coates' arrogant exterior.
Overall, it's a good read. The basic idea of Job was there, and although I kind of wish for more, it's a nice refreshing clean chick-lit that packs a lot of valuable life lessons. :)
It's a bit hard finding good Christian fiction in the Philippines because truth be told, not many bookstores carry it. Sure, there's OMF Literature, but the last time I saw Christian fiction on their shelves that isn't by Frank Peretti (not that I mind, except that I have a lot of Peretti's already) or Ted Dekker was almost four years ago. I'm glad that I can find some good YA Christian fiction in Fully Booked, but as for chick lit or non-suspense Christian fiction...well, it's hard. That's why I result to getting books online instead, because there's a bigger selection of them there, obviously.
So yes, I ordered this online, and I got it from a sale, which is even more awesome. I'm a fan of Anne and May's Miracle Girls series (which I will review as a whole once I get the last book in the series, which I hope gets to Fully Booked soon!), but I've always been curious about their previous books. When I heard that The Book of Jane was included in Chicklit Club's Ultimate 100 Chicklit Collection, I decided to put it in my Amazon purchases before my dad went home.
Enough of the story on how I got the book, and let's get to the actual book. The Book of Jane is a retelling of the story of Job, told in a woman's perspective and in New York City. We all know the story of Job, right? It's about a man who's been blessed by God all his life, and then God allows the devil to wreak havoc in his life (provided he doesn't harm Job) so they could see if Job would still be faithful to God even if he gets all these misfortunes (I mean come on, his entire family dying? Getting boils all over his body? I experienced the flood and it's enough to drive me nuts -- to experience all that might drive me over the edge). It's about Jane Williams, who has the perfect apartment, perfect job, perfect friends, perfect boyfriend and perfect family...until everything turns out to be not perfect, and she's left scrambling for meaning and her faith.
I liked the novel, although I think the similarities to Job ended right there. Okay, I admit to not having read the entire book of Job yet so I can't make perfect comparisons, but I do know that the book of Job had all these poems about Job's friends who talk to him about his misfortunes and his faith. Jane seemed alone during her low points, except when she met up with Coates, but for the rest of the time, she had friends and she had things to remind her of her fortune despite the things that happened to her.
Not that it's bad -- it's actually a pretty good lesson on perspectives. I don't know what I'm wishing for here, really, except maybe I guess I felt that it was too tame, that Jane didn't really have it that hard. Maybe I was expecting something more in Jane's misfortunes, or something. Maybe I'm just a harsh reader? ;)
But the story is quite delightful, and it touches a lot of subjects -- faith (obviously), relationships, friendships and even death. I loved Jane's friend Lee, although I kind of had a feeling he was in the closet. I don't know, he just had that vibe? I figured who Coates would be in Jane's life early enough, but their relationship was kind of nice to see that there was more to Coates' arrogant exterior.
Overall, it's a good read. The basic idea of Job was there, and although I kind of wish for more, it's a nice refreshing clean chick-lit that packs a lot of valuable life lessons. :)
March 13, 2017
I have an unreasonable dislike for this book. It calls itself a retelling of Job, and I can see it trying, but Jane really did not have enough problems to make her question her faith. She has some pretty bad problems for about two days, before someone swoops in and takes care of part of them. Then things just start to get better. Her friend's trials seemed worse, really. And I so disliked the love interest. Ech. If I could have actually seen her falling in love with him I think I could have gotten over my personal dislike, but I didn't see her actually being in love, she just was (who knows why).
August 7, 2023
3.5 stars.
October 23, 2018
Jane thanks The Good Lord every day for her blessings. She has a great job in PR, (promoting the Statue of Liberty!). She has a cute little apartment with a funny neighbor. She has a great best friend, always there for her. She has a wonderful man who is about to propose to her. Yes, she is blessed and she is thankful.
Just as things can't seem to get any better, they don't. Her life falls apart. She is accused of scandalous and unseemly behavior with a famous movie star, (there are pictures to "prove" it) and she loses her job. Her apartment is destroyed and unlivable thanks to her funny neighbor and a storm. She is homeless. Her dog gets sick, her face develops a horrible rash. Her best friend turns her away in her time of need as do her own parents! She is homeless, gets mugged, and oh, did I mention that the wonderful man broke up with her?
While Jane begins to have a few questions for The Good Lord, a quiet guardian angel seems to be watching out for her. It takes a while, and things don't get solved over night, but eventually that guardian angel leads her back to, yes, an even better life; one that is meaningful. She finally finds out what she truly wants out of life and it just may go beyond what she dared to dream.
I really enjoyed this book. Even with all the trials and pains of Jane, there was some humor in the incidents and Jane still found the strength to plod ahead, not always knowing where she was going, but knowing that she would make it through the bad times. I just couldn't help but cheer her on...and if the reader is alert, the guardian angel's identity isn't so hard to figure out.
Just as things can't seem to get any better, they don't. Her life falls apart. She is accused of scandalous and unseemly behavior with a famous movie star, (there are pictures to "prove" it) and she loses her job. Her apartment is destroyed and unlivable thanks to her funny neighbor and a storm. She is homeless. Her dog gets sick, her face develops a horrible rash. Her best friend turns her away in her time of need as do her own parents! She is homeless, gets mugged, and oh, did I mention that the wonderful man broke up with her?
While Jane begins to have a few questions for The Good Lord, a quiet guardian angel seems to be watching out for her. It takes a while, and things don't get solved over night, but eventually that guardian angel leads her back to, yes, an even better life; one that is meaningful. She finally finds out what she truly wants out of life and it just may go beyond what she dared to dream.
I really enjoyed this book. Even with all the trials and pains of Jane, there was some humor in the incidents and Jane still found the strength to plod ahead, not always knowing where she was going, but knowing that she would make it through the bad times. I just couldn't help but cheer her on...and if the reader is alert, the guardian angel's identity isn't so hard to figure out.
October 25, 2007
If I could have been the editor, this would have been a fantastic book. Since they didn't ask for my opinion before they published it, it's just an OK book. (Just kidding. Sort of. But not really.)
It was cute, Jane was interesting. I'm always a fan of a "modern day" retelling, but this one felt a little too forced. They tried so hard to make it a version of the Book of Job that the references to God felt like they'd been added after the book was written. Like someone though, "how will anyone know this is a retelling of the Book of Job if we don't mention God? Hmm... let's drop the name God in here... and here... and here..." Come on now! We know that West Side Story was a modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but Maria doesn't have to be named "Juliet" to pound the reference into your head. It's really a shame because it was an enjoyable book otherwise. I rooted for the characters, I looked forward to reading it, but each time God was mentioned, it felt like the smooth story was suddenly stumbling again.
It was cute, Jane was interesting. I'm always a fan of a "modern day" retelling, but this one felt a little too forced. They tried so hard to make it a version of the Book of Job that the references to God felt like they'd been added after the book was written. Like someone though, "how will anyone know this is a retelling of the Book of Job if we don't mention God? Hmm... let's drop the name God in here... and here... and here..." Come on now! We know that West Side Story was a modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet, but Maria doesn't have to be named "Juliet" to pound the reference into your head. It's really a shame because it was an enjoyable book otherwise. I rooted for the characters, I looked forward to reading it, but each time God was mentioned, it felt like the smooth story was suddenly stumbling again.
June 3, 2009
This was an easy read and kept my interest, though it became somewhat predictable. It wasn't quite what I expected as summarized by the back of the book and could have had SO MUCH more depth to it. The premise is that Jane is an example of a modern day Job. She loses her boyfriend, her job, etc. It isn't that she doesn't even come close to what the Bible says happened to Job. My surprise was that there was no real God interactions, no realization that " should she die, she would serve God". In the book we never see Jane go to church, never hear her speak of her faith to others (though her closest friends know she is a Christian).
Read
August 9, 2011Eh, it could have been better. It was a quick read and not really bad but the authors definitely could have done more. As another reviewer commented, Jane hardly had time to wallow in her bad situation or doubt her faith before things were looking up again. Not too believable but not a total waste of time either.
February 23, 2021
It’s a fluff read. I really didn’t believe her hardships she faced. It seemed like a bad one night and then things changed. I feel more time and editing should have gone into the writing process
September 16, 2010
This is a modern retelling of the book of Job (which consists of Job, a really godly man who has a great life, and he gets tested to see if he's still loyal to god when his life is really bad..i think he even might have lost a family member. Been a while since I read the bible..). I love modern retellings of things. Jane has a great life, and she's all oh god is great blah and then her life falls apart…and so on. This is chicklit with god thrown in. I was a little iffy at first..will it be too preachy/christian for me? I mean, it's a retelling of a bible story, so I expect to see some god stuff in there. And there was. But it didn’t get shoved down my throat. After a while, I mostly forgot it was a christian book. It definitely got better as it went along, and I did like the main character Jane, which I did not expect to do. I think she became a more interesting person. I would read more by these authors!
April 5, 2018
Novel. Do. Not. Read. What an awful book.
September 4, 2021
The perfect vacation read! Just like a Hallmark movie. And I discovered a new genre! Christian chick-lit?! Who knew!
January 25, 2020
I liked this book but I wasn’t floored enough to want to read it fast. The material is actually pretty good. It was a Book of Job story and it does make you think that do we celebrate God in his decisions for us even in the hardest times?
Jane has it all going for her. Living in West Village, great paying job as a PR, amazing boyfriend, and friends that always see the best in her but then one week comes and all that’s changes. She loses her job, boyfriend, home, and her family/friends aren’t there when she is homeless (kinda) and broke. Until one night she gets a call someone has paid for her to stay at the Four Seasons, and she gets behind what happened with her job.
This book was fast paced which I loved but it was also so fast paced it was hard to really establish relationships. I liked the friendship she had with her neighbor Lee but everything else was what? And it’s now weeks later, ok.
Anyway I wasn’t expecting much. I wouldn’t recommend it, but if someone was reading it I wouldn’t diss it.
Jane has it all going for her. Living in West Village, great paying job as a PR, amazing boyfriend, and friends that always see the best in her but then one week comes and all that’s changes. She loses her job, boyfriend, home, and her family/friends aren’t there when she is homeless (kinda) and broke. Until one night she gets a call someone has paid for her to stay at the Four Seasons, and she gets behind what happened with her job.
This book was fast paced which I loved but it was also so fast paced it was hard to really establish relationships. I liked the friendship she had with her neighbor Lee but everything else was what? And it’s now weeks later, ok.
Anyway I wasn’t expecting much. I wouldn’t recommend it, but if someone was reading it I wouldn’t diss it.
January 26, 2024
Jane is a very privileged woman. The book says it’s a retelling of the book of Job, but she truly experienced hardship for only a day or so before Prince Charming comes in and saves the day. Her friends didn’t truly turn on her and she didn’t truly lose anything (other than a job she realized she didn’t like anyway).
She acted like she knew real deep loss when applying for a new job with underprivileged youth, but still she was wearing designer clothes and had a roof over her head.
The romance was not great either. Coates was insufferable. Their relationship was unbelievable at best.
Personally, I don’t like the way the authors wrote a deaf character and acted like her deafness was something that was solved by cochlear implants. I will give them the benefit of the doubt that this book was written in 2007, but still not a great representation of disability.
She acted like she knew real deep loss when applying for a new job with underprivileged youth, but still she was wearing designer clothes and had a roof over her head.
The romance was not great either. Coates was insufferable. Their relationship was unbelievable at best.
Personally, I don’t like the way the authors wrote a deaf character and acted like her deafness was something that was solved by cochlear implants. I will give them the benefit of the doubt that this book was written in 2007, but still not a great representation of disability.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2022
I had never heard of this book or the authors, but I found it at a used book store and decided to try it. I'm so glad I did!
This is a fun, clean women's fiction story with a light Christian thread. There's plenty of drama and chances for Jane to grow. My only real complaint--I wish there had been more time spent showing the relationship growing between Jane and Coates. I didn't always see where that was going, but it worked out in the end.
Reminiscent of Tamera Leigh's contemporary Christian women's fiction novels. Rated PG.
This is a fun, clean women's fiction story with a light Christian thread. There's plenty of drama and chances for Jane to grow. My only real complaint--I wish there had been more time spent showing the relationship growing between Jane and Coates. I didn't always see where that was going, but it worked out in the end.
Reminiscent of Tamera Leigh's contemporary Christian women's fiction novels. Rated PG.
February 29, 2020
3.5 stars! I loved where this story took place and the descriptions of New York City. It was a great book but I got lost a few times - I could not get into it but decided to finish it anyway because it was fun! The ending I did enjoy however! Recommend for a fun read.
July 14, 2019
Chick lit sprinkled with christianity. Good enough.
January 26, 2021
A great, lighthearted but spiritually encouraging fun book to read!
August 30, 2022
Maybe Christian YA just isn't for me? Christian is fine, YA is fine, together....
October 16, 2021
I love this book. It’s so heart warming, and surprisingly witty. I went into this book blind and had no idea the authors were Christian. And with that I was pleasantly surprised and got to enjoy a well written spin off of the book of Job. Yeah, I didn’t catch that either until I read the synopsis after already finishing the story.
November 2, 2012
Andrea Gatica
English class
November 1, 2012
Class 1 THE BOOK OF JANE
One day you wake up and from a blink of an eye you lost everything your boyfriend, perfect job, home, and your dog. What would you do? This is what happens to Jane she was perfect and one day she woke up and she had lost everything. What most scared her was a red-haired woman that seems to be following her every move. Unsure what was going around her, Jane has decided to stay together while she sees her whole world comes apart. Will she be able to get throw this? This is what happens to Jane in the book The Book Of Jane by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt.
Jane costrasift occur in the Hollywood actors party, girls scout job, elegant hotel, Four Seasons hotel where she has to stay because her apartments roof was broken down, Starbucks, and out in the park. Jane life came down and she thought that her whole life that she had work on was coming down. This are the main places went to.
In the book of Jane the main characters are Jane, Tyson, Raquel, her parents, Coates Glassman, the daughters of Raquel, the red-head woman, Lee, and Charlie. Jane is the main character of the story the book tells her story and her experience. Tyson is the boyfriend of Jane. Jane best friend is Raquel they known each other seams they were little kids. Her parents have shown her to be métier emote and are asking her to go back with Tyson. Coates is one of the man that work with her and she thinks that he hats her. The daughters of Raquel love Jane and Jane loves them she thinks the girls are atom. The red-headed woman follows her everywhere. Lee is this guy that lives on the apartments that are down stairs and he is Jane best friend he help her with everything he could like taking care of Charlie James dog.
The plot of the book is that Jane goes to a party where she meets Matt Sherwin and she goes out with him only for biasness jobs. Tyson gets tired of waiting on her and beaks up Jane was expecting marriage. After they brock up she lost her home, job by some photos that publish that she had a repletion with Matt. Her parents asked her to go back with Tyson but she said no. Coates help her by giving her a place to stay because she didn’t have any where to stay she was staying on this cheap hotel where here parse got stolen. The woman that was following everywhere she always took her photos about what was she doing who she was with and things that didn’t even matter.
The story is solve when James life is starting to get better and clears her name that she never had any realishionship with the fames actor. Her other problem grits solve when Coat helps her by giving there a place where to stay and were to live. Jane thinks someone else is doing this but she doesn’t expect that Coates is the one helping her. Later Jane and Coates date and at the end Coati tells Jane that he loves her and if she wanted to marry him Jane thinks for a moment and she bents down and kiss him and tells him that she wants to spent the rest of her life with him. Jane thanks god for another opportunity and relays that god had never lived her and think that life is a big mystery and never know when thinks are going to happen.
In my concussion after finishing this book I think that is a very interesting book and am hoping to reread it all over again. I think life is a big mystery and you have to be always ready for everything.
English class
November 1, 2012
Class 1 THE BOOK OF JANE
One day you wake up and from a blink of an eye you lost everything your boyfriend, perfect job, home, and your dog. What would you do? This is what happens to Jane she was perfect and one day she woke up and she had lost everything. What most scared her was a red-haired woman that seems to be following her every move. Unsure what was going around her, Jane has decided to stay together while she sees her whole world comes apart. Will she be able to get throw this? This is what happens to Jane in the book The Book Of Jane by Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt.
Jane costrasift occur in the Hollywood actors party, girls scout job, elegant hotel, Four Seasons hotel where she has to stay because her apartments roof was broken down, Starbucks, and out in the park. Jane life came down and she thought that her whole life that she had work on was coming down. This are the main places went to.
In the book of Jane the main characters are Jane, Tyson, Raquel, her parents, Coates Glassman, the daughters of Raquel, the red-head woman, Lee, and Charlie. Jane is the main character of the story the book tells her story and her experience. Tyson is the boyfriend of Jane. Jane best friend is Raquel they known each other seams they were little kids. Her parents have shown her to be métier emote and are asking her to go back with Tyson. Coates is one of the man that work with her and she thinks that he hats her. The daughters of Raquel love Jane and Jane loves them she thinks the girls are atom. The red-headed woman follows her everywhere. Lee is this guy that lives on the apartments that are down stairs and he is Jane best friend he help her with everything he could like taking care of Charlie James dog.
The plot of the book is that Jane goes to a party where she meets Matt Sherwin and she goes out with him only for biasness jobs. Tyson gets tired of waiting on her and beaks up Jane was expecting marriage. After they brock up she lost her home, job by some photos that publish that she had a repletion with Matt. Her parents asked her to go back with Tyson but she said no. Coates help her by giving her a place to stay because she didn’t have any where to stay she was staying on this cheap hotel where here parse got stolen. The woman that was following everywhere she always took her photos about what was she doing who she was with and things that didn’t even matter.
The story is solve when James life is starting to get better and clears her name that she never had any realishionship with the fames actor. Her other problem grits solve when Coat helps her by giving there a place where to stay and were to live. Jane thinks someone else is doing this but she doesn’t expect that Coates is the one helping her. Later Jane and Coates date and at the end Coati tells Jane that he loves her and if she wanted to marry him Jane thinks for a moment and she bents down and kiss him and tells him that she wants to spent the rest of her life with him. Jane thanks god for another opportunity and relays that god had never lived her and think that life is a big mystery and never know when thinks are going to happen.
In my concussion after finishing this book I think that is a very interesting book and am hoping to reread it all over again. I think life is a big mystery and you have to be always ready for everything.
December 21, 2009
This book was described on the back cover as a "contemporary re-telling of the story of Job," but Jane had little in common with Job beyond having it all, then losing it all, then having things get better. (As in, when things started going wrong, she thought God had forgotten her, and, at the lowest point, she doubted God even existed. Her faith only came back once things started to get better. Job never doubted.) Once I realized that and accepted Jane's faith wasn't very deep, I found the story enjoyable and liked the underlying humor that prevented the story from getting depressing. I also really enjoyed her new boyfriend in that both characters helped each other grow and were better people together than apart.
I felt the pacing, especially during the first half, sometimes went too quickly. Jane hardly had time to react to her bad circumstances before things started looking up again. In a way, this made some of her reactions seem shallow--one minute she's feeling angry and betrayed by someone and in the next she's forgiving them simply because they asked. I felt the other characters were more realistic and complex than Jane due to how they handled their ongoing troubles.
This novel had a strong Christian theme, but the characters weren't preachy. Since Christian novels often don't have the following, I'll point out: The characters frequently drank alcohol though they didn't get drunk. Jane also had close physical contact with the men in her life during several circumstances I suspect would have led to temptation if not sex in real life.
There was no sex. There was a minor amount of fake bad language. The novel was written in present tense ("I say" instead of "I said"), but I usually didn't notice and it didn't bother me. Overall, it was an enjoyable, clean novel.
I felt the pacing, especially during the first half, sometimes went too quickly. Jane hardly had time to react to her bad circumstances before things started looking up again. In a way, this made some of her reactions seem shallow--one minute she's feeling angry and betrayed by someone and in the next she's forgiving them simply because they asked. I felt the other characters were more realistic and complex than Jane due to how they handled their ongoing troubles.
This novel had a strong Christian theme, but the characters weren't preachy. Since Christian novels often don't have the following, I'll point out: The characters frequently drank alcohol though they didn't get drunk. Jane also had close physical contact with the men in her life during several circumstances I suspect would have led to temptation if not sex in real life.
There was no sex. There was a minor amount of fake bad language. The novel was written in present tense ("I say" instead of "I said"), but I usually didn't notice and it didn't bother me. Overall, it was an enjoyable, clean novel.
October 25, 2023
I try really hard to rate books higher than lower, but this book would be a 2.5/5 at best. Jane is the epitome of basic NYC girl: the perfect PR job, a perfectly plain boyfriend, and a glamorized view of NYC…until everything goes wrong in an instant. Her apartment gets destroyed by a statue falling through the roof during a storm, her boyfriend dumps her (because he has a right to not desire staying in NYC forever), and her dog nearly dies (among many other things). The only thing I can sympathize with is being mugged because that is truly scary and I would not wish that upon anyone.
Her best friend neglects her in this time of desperation because until now, Jane’s life has been picturesque compared to anyone else. So when she decides to go on a solo pity party, I honestly lost so much interest in even finishing the book. Of course, we throw in the handsome and charming but a bit brooding and off-putting new love interest and suddenly Jane’s life is turning around slowly as she realizes her true desires. It honestly just feels overdone and also cliche in a way that doesn’t make me feel bad for Jane. The only interesting part of the plot is the side story following Lee and his mother. And after her big soul seeking journey, of course Jane gets everything she wanted and more but we’re supposed to think that she deserves it because she discovered herself in a new way. Sigh.
Read this if: you want to read the boringly cliche woes of a woman who had everything and lost it, learning how to cope with feeling bad for herself.
Her best friend neglects her in this time of desperation because until now, Jane’s life has been picturesque compared to anyone else. So when she decides to go on a solo pity party, I honestly lost so much interest in even finishing the book. Of course, we throw in the handsome and charming but a bit brooding and off-putting new love interest and suddenly Jane’s life is turning around slowly as she realizes her true desires. It honestly just feels overdone and also cliche in a way that doesn’t make me feel bad for Jane. The only interesting part of the plot is the side story following Lee and his mother. And after her big soul seeking journey, of course Jane gets everything she wanted and more but we’re supposed to think that she deserves it because she discovered herself in a new way. Sigh.
Read this if: you want to read the boringly cliche woes of a woman who had everything and lost it, learning how to cope with feeling bad for herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2011
I'm intrigued by attempts at Christian chicklit and I thought this had the makings of a good one. It's a modern retelling of Job's story: Jane has it all, then loses it all; will her faith stay intact?
Job has inspired me so many times over the years, so I was looking forward to getting into his story again. But translated a tad too literally, the disasters that befall Jane in this book looked trumped up and scripted. It was hard to sympathize with her. The resolution felt so deus ex machina, although many attempts were made plant-and-payoff style to avoid it.
I don't blame the authors: Job's story DOES sound like an unbelievable fairytale! Perhaps in this modern retelling they shouldn't have stuck like glue to it, and instead used it as a springboard for a plot line that would be more convincing to readers today.
The only intriguing aspect of the book for me was Jane's love interest, a male character that's pretty original, and a masterful love story crafting that leaves the reader rooting for her favorite, but unable to guess the end. Bravo for a literary counterpart to Hollywood's enigmatic, brusque-but-charming, unreadable-but-adorable male lead.
Job has inspired me so many times over the years, so I was looking forward to getting into his story again. But translated a tad too literally, the disasters that befall Jane in this book looked trumped up and scripted. It was hard to sympathize with her. The resolution felt so deus ex machina, although many attempts were made plant-and-payoff style to avoid it.
I don't blame the authors: Job's story DOES sound like an unbelievable fairytale! Perhaps in this modern retelling they shouldn't have stuck like glue to it, and instead used it as a springboard for a plot line that would be more convincing to readers today.
The only intriguing aspect of the book for me was Jane's love interest, a male character that's pretty original, and a masterful love story crafting that leaves the reader rooting for her favorite, but unable to guess the end. Bravo for a literary counterpart to Hollywood's enigmatic, brusque-but-charming, unreadable-but-adorable male lead.
March 8, 2008
The Book of Jane is the third Christian chick-lit book by co-authors Anne Dayton and May Vanderbilt. This one is loosely based on the Biblical story of Job, who was such a righteous person that Satan asked God if he could wreak havoc on Job's life to see if he would still trust in God. So, in Jane's story she feels like her life is great - she lives in New York City, has a great job in a PR firm and a wonderful boyfriend who she thinks will propose soon. But, then in a matter of two days she is fired, her boyfriend breaks up with her, the roof of her apartment caves in and she breaks out in a weird rash all over her face. Jane must still trust in God to get through this bad turn of events in her life - and (somewhat predictably) everything turns out for the better in the end (just like in the Biblical story of Job as well).
April 18, 2014
This would be a 3 star book if it hadn't been branded as a modern retelling of Job. As chick lit it was decent, middle of the road entertainment. But as a reinterpretation of Biblical events, it failed. As reviewer Cassandra below asks
"But where is the wife who tries to convince Job that he should just curse God and die? Where are the friends who criticize Job and tell him that it's his fault God is punishing him? Where is the great illness that causes Job misery? It's not in this modern retelling. The philosophical questions about whether or not to trust God when you've lost everything just aren't there. I was hoping for something deep and this book was incredibly shallow."
I have to agree. Jane does lose almost everything but she never really has to question her faith and lands on her feet almost immediately.
"But where is the wife who tries to convince Job that he should just curse God and die? Where are the friends who criticize Job and tell him that it's his fault God is punishing him? Where is the great illness that causes Job misery? It's not in this modern retelling. The philosophical questions about whether or not to trust God when you've lost everything just aren't there. I was hoping for something deep and this book was incredibly shallow."
I have to agree. Jane does lose almost everything but she never really has to question her faith and lands on her feet almost immediately.
July 22, 2012
I'm really confused... The back of this novel says that it is a "witty and contemporary retelling of the story of Job." It is? I don't see it. Jane loses everything, like Job. She gains back everything, like Job. But where is the wife who tries to convince Job that he should just curse God and die? Where are the friends who criticize Job and tell him that it's his fault God is punishing him? Where is the great illness that causes Job misery? It's not in this modern retelling. The philosophical questions about whether or not to trust God when you've lost everything just aren't there. I was hoping for something deep and this book was incredibly shallow.
April 27, 2013
I enjoyed this book, as it was a light read. After the madness of Dr. Moreau's island in "The Madman's Daughter", it was much appreciated. The characters were fun, the plot was fast-paced, and the main guy, Coates, was charming as ever.
My only hang-up dealt with the fact that it is supposed to be a retelling of the Book of Job from the Bible, and I felt that Jane did not have to suffer nearly as much as Job did. She had a bad two days, whereas he was in deep. Also, Jane's problems seemed to completely evaporate.
My only hang-up dealt with the fact that it is supposed to be a retelling of the Book of Job from the Bible, and I felt that Jane did not have to suffer nearly as much as Job did. She had a bad two days, whereas he was in deep. Also, Jane's problems seemed to completely evaporate.
July 4, 2013
The hero carried this book for me. He was charming in a rather unconventional way. I enjoyed every scene he was in even when Jane didn't. Jane was fairly likable even though I didn't relate to her obsessions with clothes, celebrities or New York City. I didn't rate the book higher becasue I found all the subplots kind of boring. The drama in Jane's family felt manufactured, the Brownie troop made me want to skip pages and the friend's pregnancy seemed added only to show the passage of time.
February 4, 2008
I enjoyed this book, but it wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be. It was, in my opinion, better than the first two books from these authors.
The sumary on the back of the book describes it as a modern day story of Job, but I really thought the story lacked the level of suffering that Job endured. I also would have liked to see more character development in the love interest. So it was disapointing in that respect, but still an enjoyale read.
The sumary on the back of the book describes it as a modern day story of Job, but I really thought the story lacked the level of suffering that Job endured. I also would have liked to see more character development in the love interest. So it was disapointing in that respect, but still an enjoyale read.
August 9, 2010
Easy read, Jane is a likable character, and her story is interesting. I don't like the phrase " Christian chick lit" (it just seems so smug) but I have to say that phrase does describe this book. the This book is sort of a retelling of the Book of Job. The story of Job has always fascinated me, and is of course the puzzle of life "why am I suffering." This book does not come close to inspiring that sort of philosophical exploration. But I still recommend it.
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