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Boston Jane #1
Boston Jane: An Adventure
Sixteen-year-old Jane Peck has ventured to the unknown wilds of the Northwest to wed her childhood idol, William Baldt. But her impeccable training at Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy in Philadelphia is hardly preparation for the colorful characters and crude life that await her in Washington Territory. Thrown upon her wits in the wild, Jane must determine for herself whether she is truly proper Miss Jane Peck of Philadelphia, faultless young lady and fiancée, or Boston Jane, as the Chinook dub her, fearless and loyal woman of the frontier. An exciting new novel from Jennifer L. Holm, author of the Newbery Honor Book Our Only May Amelia.
273 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
100 people are currently reading
2828 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Holm
105 books1,726 followersJennifer L. Holm is a USA TODAY and NEW YORK TIMES-bestselling children's author with more than 9.8 million books in print She is the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels OUR ONLY MAY AMELIA, PENNY FROM HEAVEN, and TURTLE IN PARADISE and a Scott O'Dell Award for her novel FULL OF BEANS.
Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!
For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.
Jennifer collaborates with her brother, Matthew Holm, on three bestselling graphic novel series -- the Eisner Award-winning Babymouse series, the SUNNY series, and the Squish series. SQUISH is now an animated tv series on YouTube!
For more information, visit her website at www.jenniferholm.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
April 26, 2023
Philadelphia 1849: Jane ist elf Jahre alt, als William in ihr Leben tritt. Er möchte Arzt werden und lernt bei Janes Vater. Jane ist von William fasziniert. Als der junge Mann in den Westen auswandert, um dort sein Glück zu suchen, ist Jane traurig. Doch dann erhält sie per Post einen Heiratsantrag von ihm, und mit 16 Jahren macht Jane sich auf die lange Reise in die Wildnis...
***
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich bin positiv überrascht von diesem Buch. Ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen und konnte das Buch dann kaum noch aus der Hand legen. Die Geschichte hat mich sehr gefesselt, und ich konnte mit Jane sehr mitfühlen.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach; das Buch ist gedacht für junge Leser ab 12 Jahren. Die Geschichte lässt sich flüssig und schnell lesen und ist doch richtig spannend und interessant.
Erzählt wird die Geschichte von Jane in der Ich-Erzählform. So kann man sich beim Lesen noch besser in die Hauptprotagonistin hineinversetzen und spürt auch deutlich die Entwicklung, die Jane im Laufe der Geschichte durchmacht.
Mir hat es großen Spaß gemacht, dieses Buch zu lesen!
***
Mein Leseeindruck:
Ich bin positiv überrascht von diesem Buch. Ich hatte keine großen Erwartungen und konnte das Buch dann kaum noch aus der Hand legen. Die Geschichte hat mich sehr gefesselt, und ich konnte mit Jane sehr mitfühlen.
Der Schreibstil ist sehr einfach; das Buch ist gedacht für junge Leser ab 12 Jahren. Die Geschichte lässt sich flüssig und schnell lesen und ist doch richtig spannend und interessant.
Erzählt wird die Geschichte von Jane in der Ich-Erzählform. So kann man sich beim Lesen noch besser in die Hauptprotagonistin hineinversetzen und spürt auch deutlich die Entwicklung, die Jane im Laufe der Geschichte durchmacht.
Mir hat es großen Spaß gemacht, dieses Buch zu lesen!
July 6, 2018
I spent the past week of my life reading this historical fiction for 9-12 year olds out loud to my daughters. And, while my 7-year-old was waxing and waning in her interest and my almost 10-year-old was completely fascinated by the story, I was spending most of my time wondering. . . what in the hell is this OBSESSION in literature with plucky, vivacious redheads??
Now, if you are a redhead, please know. . . I am not anti-redheads. One of my very best friends is just about the most stunning woman I've ever known, and her waist-length red locks put nutmeg to shame. It's just that. . . according to the ever-reliable Wikipedia, only 1-2% of all women on the planet have red hair, so why. . . why does almost every adventurous female protagonist possess red hair? And, why, oh why does the author need to mention those fiery locks in every chapter?
I mean. . . it doesn't CREATE character. It's HAIR.
And, if blondes have all of the fun, and redheads have all of the adventure, what is left to the poor brunettes? Are we all relegated to librarians?
At this moment, I'd like to give a shout out to Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith (who I'm sure are on Goodreads at this very moment, reading my review of Boston Jane). Ladies, without you, my childhood idols, I'd never have known that brunette women could not only wear fabulous, crocheted bikinis, but they could carry small handguns in their clutch purses and shoot at bad guys with perfect aim.
Now that's vivacious.
P.S.
The book is pretty good.
Now, if you are a redhead, please know. . . I am not anti-redheads. One of my very best friends is just about the most stunning woman I've ever known, and her waist-length red locks put nutmeg to shame. It's just that. . . according to the ever-reliable Wikipedia, only 1-2% of all women on the planet have red hair, so why. . . why does almost every adventurous female protagonist possess red hair? And, why, oh why does the author need to mention those fiery locks in every chapter?
I mean. . . it doesn't CREATE character. It's HAIR.
And, if blondes have all of the fun, and redheads have all of the adventure, what is left to the poor brunettes? Are we all relegated to librarians?
At this moment, I'd like to give a shout out to Kate Jackson and Jaclyn Smith (who I'm sure are on Goodreads at this very moment, reading my review of Boston Jane). Ladies, without you, my childhood idols, I'd never have known that brunette women could not only wear fabulous, crocheted bikinis, but they could carry small handguns in their clutch purses and shoot at bad guys with perfect aim.
Now that's vivacious.
P.S.
The book is pretty good.
March 1, 2010
Motherless Jane Peck ran wild until age eleven when, against her father's wishes, she decided to become a proper young lady at the urging of her father's apprentice, William. When William leaves for the wilds of the Northwest frontier, Jane is devastated. When, at age fifteen, Jane receives a letter from William proposing marriage, she is eager to accept, even though her father does not want her to. But Jane gets her way, and she sets sail from Philadelphia on a ship bound for Washington. But the year is 1854, and sea travel is not easy. Jane faces dangers and hardships on board, and when she finally arrives at her destination, she finds that William is not there to meet her. Alone in this harsh wilderness, Jane is going to have to work to survive, even if it's something no "proper lady" would ever do.
This is the first book in a trilogy about Jane's adventures. I really enjoyed all three books, and recommend them to readers who enjoy historical fiction.
This is the first book in a trilogy about Jane's adventures. I really enjoyed all three books, and recommend them to readers who enjoy historical fiction.
July 22, 2024
4.5 stars.
No complaints. Old fashioned and simple.
I love stories where the slightly stuck up girl learns to do real things and to be compassionate.
No complaints. Old fashioned and simple.
I love stories where the slightly stuck up girl learns to do real things and to be compassionate.
July 1, 2016
I tried very briefly. But. Look considering what the blurb on the back says I don't feel this is a spoiler at all. It makes NO SENSE. She's in friggen Philadelphia and she takes a ship. Daddy's all "OH CHOLERA IT'S TOO DANGEROUS" just so the author can put her on a ship. Because sailing Cape Horn was SO SAFE. What. How does that even make sense??? Plus overland would have taken half the time, thus less time for something bad to happen. Lazy lazy lazy illogical storytelling. On top of which did we really need another "white girl in the wilderness" book? DNF will never try again.
November 25, 2009
Fun, delightful book. Not one that was life-changing or inspiring, but a quick, amusing read.
I read a few reviews saying it was racist. Ridiculous! Obviously those readers didn't get a chance to finish. The main character starts out top the frontier with decided views on the "savages" were like, but in the end realizes that all of that was wrong.
At the beginning of the novel, she has decided to go to finishing school to become a lady. This conversation between her and the teacher on the first day cracked me up:
"Miss Hepplewait said, 'A young lady should never, ever, under any circumstances whatsoever, run. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are at risk, it is always preferable to faint. Do you understand me?'
The other girls giggled.
'Yes, Miss Hepplewhite,' I whispered.
I knew better than to ask about spitting or lobbing manure."
As she goes out on the frontier it cracks me up to hear about how she is supposed to be a "lady" and what Miss Hepplewait would think about circumstances.
I read a few reviews saying it was racist. Ridiculous! Obviously those readers didn't get a chance to finish. The main character starts out top the frontier with decided views on the "savages" were like, but in the end realizes that all of that was wrong.
At the beginning of the novel, she has decided to go to finishing school to become a lady. This conversation between her and the teacher on the first day cracked me up:
"Miss Hepplewait said, 'A young lady should never, ever, under any circumstances whatsoever, run. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are at risk, it is always preferable to faint. Do you understand me?'
The other girls giggled.
'Yes, Miss Hepplewhite,' I whispered.
I knew better than to ask about spitting or lobbing manure."
As she goes out on the frontier it cracks me up to hear about how she is supposed to be a "lady" and what Miss Hepplewait would think about circumstances.
January 24, 2024
It wasn’t as good as I remembered it being but I think that’s because it’s for ages 8-10. 9 year old me loved this series and it is good, but for 8-10 year olds.
February 11, 2020
This oftentimes humorous account of a young girl growing up without a mother, in Philadelphia, was priceless to read! The insecurities of this young girl, the whole reason she left home to go and meet her husband -- all of it reveals the character of this Jane Peck.
She is absolutely a selfish, uppity girl, trying her best to please and impress everyone she knows. Her life is shallow, built around her wants and proving herself to all those around her -- and in Philadelphia, that means learning etiquette, becoming obsessed with clothing and gloves, and learning to pour tea and coffee.
Then she leaves, takes a horrendous trip to meet her betrothed, the young man who was apprenticed to her father.
Her father has realized the character of this man, and he tells her no when she receives his letter proposing marriage.
But she wears him down, and eventually he realizes that if she won't be happy without William, she had better just go ahead and head to him. I kinda think that we are going to learn in a later book that he was sick and has died, and he didn't want Jane to be left alone, and so he tells her she can go. As Jane puts it, he gave her his permission, but never his blessing.
And then she drives in Shoalwater Bay, and there is no William to meet her. This fine lady must learn how to survive in the wilderness -- and she grows more and more into a woman of character, who can kill a mountain lion, and make a house a home.
The transformation of Lady Jane Peck to Boston Jane was fun to read about. It was definitely an adventure, and one that I enjoyed immensely. I could;dn't tell if it was written for younger children -- some phrases sounded like it -- or if it was written for young adults -- there was kissing. Whoever it was written for, the phrases and the language was almost poetic, and it was so very descriptive.
And, as I mentioned, there was a kiss. One. And it did have a bit of description -- but it wasn't an uncomfortable kind of description, but a "wow, I've never heard anyone describe it like that!" kind of description.
And while this was a book about a girl doing off to meet her betrothed, and she did think about him -- not in an inappropriate way, but in an all consuming way, if that makes sense -- it wasn't offensive.
The ironies of what society was really teaching girls at this time was accurate, historically, and the way those things taught as truths had to be debunked and relearned and put into their proper sphere was a challenge for our heroine . . . but she rose to the occasion, most marvelously. And the end character of this anomaly of a lady was more lovable and sweet than when we were first introduced to her. She went from being a tomboy, to being an affected little goose, to being a lady in every sense of the word.
And, may I just say, Jehu is the best?
I didn't realize there was more than this one book until I searched for it on here -- and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Jane's adventures!
She is absolutely a selfish, uppity girl, trying her best to please and impress everyone she knows. Her life is shallow, built around her wants and proving herself to all those around her -- and in Philadelphia, that means learning etiquette, becoming obsessed with clothing and gloves, and learning to pour tea and coffee.
Then she leaves, takes a horrendous trip to meet her betrothed, the young man who was apprenticed to her father.
Her father has realized the character of this man, and he tells her no when she receives his letter proposing marriage.
But she wears him down, and eventually he realizes that if she won't be happy without William, she had better just go ahead and head to him. I kinda think that we are going to learn in a later book that he was sick and has died, and he didn't want Jane to be left alone, and so he tells her she can go. As Jane puts it, he gave her his permission, but never his blessing.
And then she drives in Shoalwater Bay, and there is no William to meet her. This fine lady must learn how to survive in the wilderness -- and she grows more and more into a woman of character, who can kill a mountain lion, and make a house a home.
The transformation of Lady Jane Peck to Boston Jane was fun to read about. It was definitely an adventure, and one that I enjoyed immensely. I could;dn't tell if it was written for younger children -- some phrases sounded like it -- or if it was written for young adults -- there was kissing. Whoever it was written for, the phrases and the language was almost poetic, and it was so very descriptive.
And, as I mentioned, there was a kiss. One. And it did have a bit of description -- but it wasn't an uncomfortable kind of description, but a "wow, I've never heard anyone describe it like that!" kind of description.
And while this was a book about a girl doing off to meet her betrothed, and she did think about him -- not in an inappropriate way, but in an all consuming way, if that makes sense -- it wasn't offensive.
The ironies of what society was really teaching girls at this time was accurate, historically, and the way those things taught as truths had to be debunked and relearned and put into their proper sphere was a challenge for our heroine . . . but she rose to the occasion, most marvelously. And the end character of this anomaly of a lady was more lovable and sweet than when we were first introduced to her. She went from being a tomboy, to being an affected little goose, to being a lady in every sense of the word.
And, may I just say, Jehu is the best?
I didn't realize there was more than this one book until I searched for it on here -- and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Jane's adventures!
April 19, 2010
Three andc 1/2 stars, really. Jane (actually from Philadelphia) grows up a rascally hoyden, under the kindly, but offhand guidance of her sensible and tolerant, but not particularly attentive, father--until she meets William, her physician father's attractive assistant. Inspired by him, and by her rivalry with the obnoxious Sally Biddle (think Rachel McAdams in _Mean Girls_), she attends Miss Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy. She learns all kinds of helpful tips, like how to behave while traveling, and how to talk to strangers, which she attempts to follow when eventually she travels by ship to the Northwest coast, which is just beginning to be settled by white homesteaders. Naturally, Miss Hepplewhite does not allow for all the exigencies of Jane's journey, like her being the only woman in a cabin full of flea-bitten settlers, and like her losing all her dresses to a hungry, but not very discriminating, cow.
The book has been criticized for its racist comments about the Chinook Indians who populate the Shoalwater Bay area, some of whom help Jane adapt to her desperately changed circumstances. It is true that upon arriving in Shoalwater Bay Jane describes the Indians as savages, and is reluctant to accept their assistance or advice. She reflects how shocked Miss Hepplewhite would be to know what Jane has had to cope with. However, she soon learns how to learn from them, especially Suis, who teaches Jane how to barter for what she needs, and Handsome Jim, who proves to be more reliable than most of the white men she encounters. As the novel progresses, so does her attitude toward the Indians. Teachers should be sensitive to the derogatory comments especially if there are Indian children in the classroom, but overall Jane's attitude toward the Chinooks becomes more open and intelligent as time passes. The writing is lively and humorous, and children will enjoy the irony between Jane's frequent reflection on her education with Miss Hepplewhite, and the direction her life has taken.
According to an afterword by the author, the novel was inspired by _Skulduggery on Shoalwater Bay_ a book bo poetry by Willard Espy about the Shoalwater Bay pioneers and Indians, and by an account by one of the settlers, James G. Swan, called _The Northwest Coast, Or Three Years Residence in Washington Territory_. Compare this to _Worlds Apart_, by Kathleen Karr. Curriculum applications: Multicultural books, Indians of North America, bullying, survival, humor. Lexile 690.
The book has been criticized for its racist comments about the Chinook Indians who populate the Shoalwater Bay area, some of whom help Jane adapt to her desperately changed circumstances. It is true that upon arriving in Shoalwater Bay Jane describes the Indians as savages, and is reluctant to accept their assistance or advice. She reflects how shocked Miss Hepplewhite would be to know what Jane has had to cope with. However, she soon learns how to learn from them, especially Suis, who teaches Jane how to barter for what she needs, and Handsome Jim, who proves to be more reliable than most of the white men she encounters. As the novel progresses, so does her attitude toward the Indians. Teachers should be sensitive to the derogatory comments especially if there are Indian children in the classroom, but overall Jane's attitude toward the Chinooks becomes more open and intelligent as time passes. The writing is lively and humorous, and children will enjoy the irony between Jane's frequent reflection on her education with Miss Hepplewhite, and the direction her life has taken.
According to an afterword by the author, the novel was inspired by _Skulduggery on Shoalwater Bay_ a book bo poetry by Willard Espy about the Shoalwater Bay pioneers and Indians, and by an account by one of the settlers, James G. Swan, called _The Northwest Coast, Or Three Years Residence in Washington Territory_. Compare this to _Worlds Apart_, by Kathleen Karr. Curriculum applications: Multicultural books, Indians of North America, bullying, survival, humor. Lexile 690.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2021
The first book that I read that I really enjoyed as a youth was The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. It was a girls adventure in being something other than what she was expected and surviving across the sea and into the wild lands of the new Americas. When I saw this cover with a girl and a ship I was excited! It is a youth book, but even in my 20's I enjoyed this book. A girl ripped from her normal European Society life and thrust into life on a ship and then in the new Americas, here it just happens to be Boston. Love it!
March 12, 2015
What a charming late middle-school/ early YA book. Jane's father, a surgeon, is raising her alone, and when she gets teased by neighborhood girls for her hoydenish ways, she works on becoming a lady. Some years later she travels to Oregon Territory to marry a fellow and has to adapt to the rough circumstances there. So her personal journey is from competence to incompetence (aka "being a lady") and back to competence. The historical details are interesting and convinced me the author did her research.
A 2-3 hour read for an adult.
A 2-3 hour read for an adult.
October 4, 2009
Although this book is probably aimed at upper elementary/middle school age level, I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to read the rest in the series.
January 18, 2015
I liked it! The messaging was not subtle. But it was not bad messaging. Men can't be trusted, some etiquette cannot be learned from a book, and when all else fails just butcher the whale.
July 26, 2024
Another book I read around 13 yrs old. I decided to reread because I remember really enjoying it and just thinking it was such an adventure. One I easily could see myself doing if alive in that time period.
Today I laugh. I cannot at all imagine myself truly living through Jane's ordeals. Firstly living my life word for word from a book about how women should behave. Hahahaha.
Next, the months at sea🤢
And the horrors of harsh mt living and illness brought by the white.
The part I remember vividly from reading as a young girl is when Mary is bitten by a rat and Jane stitches her up. It was amazing. The bravest event and put me very much in awe. Still in aw. This would definitely gross me out now. Could I stitch up my kid if bitten by a rat?!!!
Why Mary dying from hitting head, or the adventurous boy smashed by the sail, or all those dying from the pox was lost on me back in my first read is beyond me.
Mostly, I am beyond sick of hearing what a proper young lady should do and not listening to oneself.
I enjoyed Mary coming back as a ghost.
Overall. It's just okay. Fine and good if you are very young and new to reading in this time period.
Won't be reading again and wonder if it should still be taking a spot on my book shelf.
Today I laugh. I cannot at all imagine myself truly living through Jane's ordeals. Firstly living my life word for word from a book about how women should behave. Hahahaha.
Next, the months at sea🤢
And the horrors of harsh mt living and illness brought by the white.
The part I remember vividly from reading as a young girl is when Mary is bitten by a rat and Jane stitches her up. It was amazing. The bravest event and put me very much in awe. Still in aw. This would definitely gross me out now. Could I stitch up my kid if bitten by a rat?!!!
Why Mary dying from hitting head, or the adventurous boy smashed by the sail, or all those dying from the pox was lost on me back in my first read is beyond me.
Mostly, I am beyond sick of hearing what a proper young lady should do and not listening to oneself.
I enjoyed Mary coming back as a ghost.
Overall. It's just okay. Fine and good if you are very young and new to reading in this time period.
Won't be reading again and wonder if it should still be taking a spot on my book shelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2012
While I do also like Jennifer L. Holm's "Our Only May Amelia", I have always preferred Miss Jane Peck's adventures. From the ridiculous (but based in historical fact) rules of Miss Hepplewhite, and the unfortunate morals of William Baldt, to the unconventional love of an unconventional father and the romanticized realism of Jesu Scudder, the story is insightful and entertaining.
As a young child I read historical fiction almost constantly, and this story has stayed with me because of its wonderfully realistic portrayal of historical values and lifestyles. More than that, it manages to blend modern sensibilities into characters in such a way that they feel as real today as they could have been then.
One of my biggest pet-peeves from historical fiction is an unconventional character beloved by everyone when they would more likely have been some kind of an outcast - but this is cleverly avoided by our young lady feeling the prickles of being an outsider at times, and yet finding people she belongs with, who are outsiders, too.
Jane Peck carefully weighs the merits of belonging to the various societies that she has been exposed to and is lucky enough to have a choice. While most girls from Philadelphia at the time would not have even imagined such a life as she lived, it is an important reminder of the lives that brave men AND women lived on our broad frontiers.
In conclusion of this scattered and somewhat insensible review: I would recommend this book to any young girl (or boy who can be interested in a girl's perspective) who enjoys American history. An additional warning: this book does address (primarily indirectly) issues involving women's equality and racism (involving Native Americans). While I love that this book doesn't simply gloss over such issues as so many children's books do, I do believe that a parent should be prepared to discuss some of these things if a child had a question - though by no means are these handled in a heavy handed manner that would require close monitoring.
As a young child I read historical fiction almost constantly, and this story has stayed with me because of its wonderfully realistic portrayal of historical values and lifestyles. More than that, it manages to blend modern sensibilities into characters in such a way that they feel as real today as they could have been then.
One of my biggest pet-peeves from historical fiction is an unconventional character beloved by everyone when they would more likely have been some kind of an outcast - but this is cleverly avoided by our young lady feeling the prickles of being an outsider at times, and yet finding people she belongs with, who are outsiders, too.
Jane Peck carefully weighs the merits of belonging to the various societies that she has been exposed to and is lucky enough to have a choice. While most girls from Philadelphia at the time would not have even imagined such a life as she lived, it is an important reminder of the lives that brave men AND women lived on our broad frontiers.
In conclusion of this scattered and somewhat insensible review: I would recommend this book to any young girl (or boy who can be interested in a girl's perspective) who enjoys American history. An additional warning: this book does address (primarily indirectly) issues involving women's equality and racism (involving Native Americans). While I love that this book doesn't simply gloss over such issues as so many children's books do, I do believe that a parent should be prepared to discuss some of these things if a child had a question - though by no means are these handled in a heavy handed manner that would require close monitoring.
May 21, 2013
I picked up this book to read for my nook from my local library, when I wanted something quick & fast to read. I didn't realize it's young adults (and considered middle school at that, which I don't normally read too much of) so the book was a lighter than I had planned, but overall was a great read.
Poor Jane - she falls in love with a man vastly unsuited for her, and from almost the very beginning of the book does everything she can to make him love her even more. Very true for its age, this drove me nuts throughout the book. Daughter of a doctor, I kept expecting her to take care of people, which never happened, which also drove me nuts.
All of that being said, however, I just loved Jane. You couldn't help but groan at her whenever she made (another) bad decision but you couldn't help routing for her all the same.
So you are probably wondering why I gave this book 4 stars, when I am not exactly raving about the book so far? Well, it's Miss Hepplewhite - the schoolteacher who teaches Jane how to be a proper young lady. So much of Miss Hepplewhite's teaching comes from a book actually written at the time, and it's fascinating to me some of the things she teaches. Though I knew women were raised to be docile and servants to men, it always amazes me to read that women actually acted that way!
Poor Jane - she falls in love with a man vastly unsuited for her, and from almost the very beginning of the book does everything she can to make him love her even more. Very true for its age, this drove me nuts throughout the book. Daughter of a doctor, I kept expecting her to take care of people, which never happened, which also drove me nuts.
All of that being said, however, I just loved Jane. You couldn't help but groan at her whenever she made (another) bad decision but you couldn't help routing for her all the same.
So you are probably wondering why I gave this book 4 stars, when I am not exactly raving about the book so far? Well, it's Miss Hepplewhite - the schoolteacher who teaches Jane how to be a proper young lady. So much of Miss Hepplewhite's teaching comes from a book actually written at the time, and it's fascinating to me some of the things she teaches. Though I knew women were raised to be docile and servants to men, it always amazes me to read that women actually acted that way!
December 31, 2015
Jane Peck, has spent her whole teenhood trying to be the ideal lady. At 16, she leaves her comfortable Philadelphia life and travels to Washington Territory in order to marry a man she hasn't seen in three years. After a grueling voyage and the loss of her best friend, Jane arrives in Shoalwater bay and quickly finds that her years of etiquette lessons are no good. She tries to maintain her ladylike ways, but she must ask why she's following a set of rules that have no significance to frontier life. And in the end, she chooses to be herself, rather than someone else's idea of herself.
The Boston Jane series are on the list of the standout books I read in my early teens, back when middle grade historical fiction was my jam. I was OBSESSED. Seriously. Girl crosses the country all on her own, faces mountain men and jealous Chinook ladies, smallpox, vicious cows, a handsome sailor and a stupid betrothed. This is the kind of book Little Renae's dreams were made of.
And, y'know, Adult Renae's dreams aren't so different, either.
This book is legit, and Boston Jane is 100% my kind of lady.
The Boston Jane series are on the list of the standout books I read in my early teens, back when middle grade historical fiction was my jam. I was OBSESSED. Seriously. Girl crosses the country all on her own, faces mountain men and jealous Chinook ladies, smallpox, vicious cows, a handsome sailor and a stupid betrothed. This is the kind of book Little Renae's dreams were made of.
And, y'know, Adult Renae's dreams aren't so different, either.
This book is legit, and Boston Jane is 100% my kind of lady.
July 18, 2009
I was skeptical about this one, but was pleasantly surprised. It was one of those cases where I came home from the library with twelve books, because I couldn't decide what I really wanted to read. I continued to dither at home and Michael suggested I read them in alphabetical order. Boston Jane was the winner and, because I am dealing with a bad case of insomnia, I was up reading it for a good portion of the night. A four star book is one I can spend a sleepless night reading and not have adverse feelings toward during the day.
The writing isn't earth shattering or even profound, but Jane is an interesting character dealing with all the struggles and insecurities of growing up. Her honest expression of ambivalence about her true character is one with which teens of most time periods can relate. Jane's is an appealing story of the Washington frontier that I intend to follow.
Now to the next in the alphabetical pile, but hopefully I'll get some sleep instead.
The writing isn't earth shattering or even profound, but Jane is an interesting character dealing with all the struggles and insecurities of growing up. Her honest expression of ambivalence about her true character is one with which teens of most time periods can relate. Jane's is an appealing story of the Washington frontier that I intend to follow.
Now to the next in the alphabetical pile, but hopefully I'll get some sleep instead.
May 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. I could hardly put it down! It reminded me, almost exactly, of True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, which I read recently. However, it had a bit more history because an important element to the plot was Native American relationships with the white men.
This story also contained a romantic plot, which was nice, but not the main draw for me. I particularly loved this story because of the message it sent about women. I was annoyed for half of the book because Jane was holding back her true self in compliance to what a man thought a woman should be like. However, that issue was resolved for me when her hard circumstances forced her to shed her vanity and become courageous, opinionated, strong, and slightly unrefined. The evolution of her character was fascinating and actually quite realistic.
A great read for teen girls.
This story also contained a romantic plot, which was nice, but not the main draw for me. I particularly loved this story because of the message it sent about women. I was annoyed for half of the book because Jane was holding back her true self in compliance to what a man thought a woman should be like. However, that issue was resolved for me when her hard circumstances forced her to shed her vanity and become courageous, opinionated, strong, and slightly unrefined. The evolution of her character was fascinating and actually quite realistic.
A great read for teen girls.
February 10, 2015
gr 6-10 266pgs
1854, Philadelphia, PA / Washington Territory. 16 year old Jane had been a tomboy until she turned 11 and met neighbor William. In order to gain his approval, Jane convinced her father to let her attend the Young Ladies' Academy where she learns all about how to behave properly. When William moves West and writes asking her to follow him and married him, Jane, despite the protests of all those around her, eagerly accepts and makes the long sea voyage to Washington Territory. Jane arrives and discovers that she is on her own and that all her fancy manners aren't going to be of much use.
I would've liked this book better if she hadn't started out as a tomboy. I didn't really find her sudden decision to become a "lady" or to marry William, whom she barely knew, very believable.
1854, Philadelphia, PA / Washington Territory. 16 year old Jane had been a tomboy until she turned 11 and met neighbor William. In order to gain his approval, Jane convinced her father to let her attend the Young Ladies' Academy where she learns all about how to behave properly. When William moves West and writes asking her to follow him and married him, Jane, despite the protests of all those around her, eagerly accepts and makes the long sea voyage to Washington Territory. Jane arrives and discovers that she is on her own and that all her fancy manners aren't going to be of much use.
I would've liked this book better if she hadn't started out as a tomboy. I didn't really find her sudden decision to become a "lady" or to marry William, whom she barely knew, very believable.
February 11, 2009
I loved this series! I read Boston Jane to my students and the girls just absolutely loved it, the jury is still out on what the boys thought. It's a GREAT historical fiction piece with such a great LOVE STORY! I have been obsessed with the series and have stayed up late this week to finish all three books. It's a story of Jane who lives in Philadelphia and travels to the wild frontier of the Oregon Territory in search of a man. I loved the adventure and it really was a good page turner. The ending leaves everything unresolved, so of course I had to read the next book. Her motto is ," You have to make your own luck." I just love that!
March 1, 2012
The whole time I was reading this book it seemed SO familiar to me...I couldn't tell if it was because I'd already read it or because so many of the plot points/twists were similar to ones in other books. By the end I was 95% sure it was because I'd read it before, but even then, I don't remember what happens in the next 2, so I guess I'll be reading those next as well lol. It was a good book though, so I don't mind if it's my 2nd time through. Jane was a fun, spunky character and I really enjoyed reading her story. Definitely a book I would have loved as a historical fiction loving tween. I hope I can get Amya to read it. :)
August 31, 2016
My favorite book of all time! I basically grew up with it. It was the first book I bought for myself and I've read it more times than I can count. The last time I read it was actually a couple of months ago.
I'll always love Boston Jane and I'll never stop loving Jennifer L. Holm for writing it and making it such a huge part of my life.
Jane and Jehu will be in my heart forever. And Handsome Jim, too. And all the others.
I'll always love Boston Jane and I'll never stop loving Jennifer L. Holm for writing it and making it such a huge part of my life.
Jane and Jehu will be in my heart forever. And Handsome Jim, too. And all the others.
June 18, 2022
I was looking through this to see how it compared to my memories (and if it was worth a reread) and, well, the two star rating should tell you something. WHY is she crushing so hard on a nineteen-year-old when she is eleven? More importantly, WHY IS HE INTERESTED IN HER???! I am very concerned, and even if the book was good that would not be okay.
But the book's really not that good, so... I won't be rereading it.
But the book's really not that good, so... I won't be rereading it.
April 10, 2011
A girl who has spent her schooling learning all about proper manners heads west to meet her fiance. There she runs into the crudest of people and those manners that seemed so important weeks ago are useless as she is forced to get used to much more primitive conditions. Humor and a potential romance (but not with her fiance!)
September 12, 2016
This was a quick young read. I think Adele will enjoy it someday.
May 31, 2021
A quick, sweet read with a strong heroine.
September 6, 2019
It starts with Jane recalling how she’d been the luckiest girl in the world before her luck changed. I perked up as I read about her best friend Jebediah, the housekeeper's son. He taught her how to throw manure at carriages and spit. They had throwing contests with boys and she threw a rotten apple and hit the perfect, prissy girl in the chest. Except he wasn’t the hero.
Sally turned into a bully because of it, said Jane killed her mom and her mom didn't want a daughter like her, made fun of her house, until a guy came in and "declared" he'd never seen a finer house. He was William, her dad's apprentice. He also commented "That's a nice piece of pie you have there." He says shabby houses are the finest and compliments pie. Not only is that unrealistic, it's weird.
Jane went on and on about his perfection, and she literally used that word to describe him. Elegant nose and the perfect shape of his earlobes. That’s insulting to girls.
William was embarrassed of people's reactions to her. She was a mess with stained clothing and tangled hair. He told her she needed to become a proper young lady and Jane was on it, followed Sally wherever she went and enrolled herself in school. She was always telling him what she learned, all those boring rules, when he clearly didn't like her the way she was but wanted her to change. At least her dad asked if the school was turning her into a useless woman who cares for nothing but clothes. He was always asking what she thought and wanted her to speak her mind.
William was so clearly the wrong choice but stupid Jane couldn't see it, blinded by his looks. Even worse, Jebediah wasn't mentioned again. William announced suddenly that he was leaving the next day for the frontier. They wrote to each other and eventually he asked her to marry him, and she pitched a fit with her dad until he finally agreed. I was so annoyed with her.
I had a problem with Jane saying she was fat and learning in school that women's cheeks should be hollow and waist small. But on the voyage she said her hip bones jutted out and it had helped her waist, her cheeks were hollow and her breasts had shrunk to bumps. Some girls are naturally this size with hip bones that stick out and small breasts and waists so you shouldn't use that as an example of unhealthiness. Some of us can't help it.
Jehu Scudder is the first mat and has a jagged scar on his face. He self-consciously touched it as she came aboard. He asked why she was making the trip and wasn't impressed when she said William's a surgeon in the timber business. The ship bucked and she fell into him. He held her steady and she remembered her lessons not to let a guy touch her. But before she could move she got sick on his boots. Why do people do this? What is funny about her puking on him? It's disgusting.
There was a missionary on board saying savages were the most unfortunate of God's creatures. Jane felt savages were more fortunate because at least they were on land. Mary said she felt bad for them because they'd be bored to death before they were converted. That is not ok. Calling them savages negates standing up for them.
One day she was on deck and the captain got mad and Jehu said he'd take responsibility for her. Jehu learned Mary was sick and at night he came into their cabin when Jane was only in her nightdress. Jane noticed how blue his eyes were. He asked if she could cook and looked disappointed that she couldn't. Another night he came in when her hair was down and she was combing it and had a strange expression on his face.
I was beyond irritated that the young cabin boy, Samuel, died during the storm. But when Mary died I wanted to lose it. She was the best character hands down, funny and sensible. I wanted her to be the heroine, not the dumb, naive, stupid Jane. I wish she'd died and we'd had a lead change. When Jane had gone out to help with Samuel, she left Mary with Father and Sturgis, the drunk surgeon. When she got back they told her Mary hit her head. Jane started screaming because women are crazy. We always lose our shit and go off the deep end and snap like psychos. She blamed Sturgis for her death and tried to attack him. Jehu grabbed her and held on and she started crying that she'd left Mary. Women are always hysterical creatures who lash out at the slightest occurrence. Not that I missed reading "Jane my girl." I was sick of Mary saying that to Jane, multiple times in a conversation.
When they arrived in the city where William lived, Jehu came to stand beside her and said she had a lot of green dresses. When she told him William said she looks beautiful in green, he got sarcastic. His eyes were hooded as he said he thought she'd look better in blue.
Jane was going down the ladder and her skirt blew up and showed her legs. Jehu asked if she was trying to impress the locals. Jehu picked her up and carried her to shore.
Her portrayal of Native Americans didn't improve. She kept calling them savages, said they had broad noses and flat foreheads. She'd expected the chief to have a sharp nose, war paint, and a necklace of human teeth. She saw a baby in a cradle board and told Mr. Swan the mother was torturing it. I guess it was supposed to be funny that the baby was fast asleep. She asked if one of the savages could draw her a bath. She was surprised that Indians bathe more than whites. She didn't want to be left alone with them.
"I entertained little hope of proper conversation from such ignorant creatures. They didn't even have enough sense not to go around half-naked."
This is one of those books where the author employs the tactic of having a spoiled brat character who is judgmental and annoying, for humor's sake. It's supposed to be funny that she goes around saying all these mean, prejudiced things. I don't want to have to wait for the heroine to realize how bitchy and prejudiced she is. She made me hate her past the point of redemption. There's no way I was ever going to like her.
It was interesting that most of the settlers spoke a mixture of Chinook, English, and French in that area.
William was away on business and since he didn't receive her letter he thought she'd changed her mind. He didn't even have a house, like I knew would happen. He'd been sharing a cabin with others. Ms Prim and Proper got all upset and kept asking a million ?s. She was really getting on my nerves. If that wasn't bad enough, when she was standing in the cabin losing it over the sleeping arrangements in front of all the men, a handsome young Native American came in. She'd never seen such a handsome man in her life, except William, "of course," even though he was a hazy memory. She stared and blushed like a ninny, commented aloud that his name Handsome Jim suits him. I expected Jehu to be jealous or mad, but he just snorted.
A cow ate all her dresses and she screamed for Handsome Jim to shoot it. I guess it was supposed to be funny that she wanted an animal put to death over a stupid dress. She had to trade Suis, the chief's wife, for clothes. Suis demanded her corset for a skirt that comes above the knee and a blouse. When Jane stepped out Mr. Swan said she looked improved and Jehu admiringly said she looked beautiful. She didn't deserve it.
She asked for a messenger to find William and bring him back. The chief recommended his nephew, Yelloh. He had a nose ring which earned Jane's instant disapproval and judgment. "I was having a hard time considering anyone who had a ring in his nose as capable of much of anything. The fellow couldn't even sneeze. How could he find William?"
Toke had a celebration for them and I was super pissed when he said in front of everyone that Jane was more beautiful in the Chinook dress. Of course everyone has to think this little bitch is beautiful. Suis got mad. How cruel to make her overhear her husband compliment this little brat.
Mr. Russel said she was useless and I heartily agreed. It's always bad when a side character puts the heroine down and you applaud them because she deserves it. He told her she needed to start earning her keep and pitching in. The only things she said she could do were the list of useless shit from the girl's school, like embroidering and sending out invitations. He told her to get coffee and she was all too happy to pour it, not realizing he meant make it. When she attempted to do so, she didn't clean out the grinder like he told her to, so it tasted like pepper because that's what was last in there. All the men choked and that was one more thing that was supposed to be funny but wasn't. I've read books like this where authors keep having the heroines screw up and be ignorant and klutzy, and I hate them. Ignorance is never funny.
Jehu announced that he was leaving suddenly. He told her if she needed anything at all to send word. Jane completely ruined it by asking him to tell William she's here if he saw him.
Jane turned into the little homemaker. She started cooking with Mary's recipes, making pillows and curtains, tidying up, and decorating the house. Because like Miss Hepplewhite says, homes are supposed to be a miniature of heaven. And Jane has to live by Miss Hepplewhite's rules.
Jane moved in with Mr. Swan and the roof caved in and she got Handsome Jim to help. He asked why she wanted to marry William because everyone likes her. She said he's very handsome and Jim said many men are more handsome. He was shirtless and she admired his chest, "a thing of glory." Shut the hell up, Jane. I couldn't believe she was loyal to William when she was attracted to so many men and thought Jim was the handsomest person she'd seen. He said she was quiet about her beauty. She asked why Suis didn't like her and he said Suis had been the most beautiful before but now "all men watch you" and she's jealous. Come the f on! Who the hell can relate to being the most beautiful woman in the town, that every man wants. Why do you think we're going to like a character like this? Jane, go die.
I was so happy that Jehu came back. He asked her to dance and Jane was sure she saw Mary dancing. She'd been seeing Mary all over the place. Once she woke up to find Mary eating her pie (because Jane had to be good at one more thing. Her salmonberry pies were the talk of the area). When she was rushing down the canoe she saw Mary holding out her hand to her. Didn't know this was paranormal...
Jane wondered what William would think of her, dancing and being in business and wearing Indian clothes. Jehu said if he didn't love her he's a fool. She wanted to be alone with him. She asked how he got the scar and he told her his dad had hit him when he told him he wanted to be a sailor and not a farmer. He kissed her and called her sweet Jane. Of course she ruined it because she's Jane and she's a stupid little bitch. She ran away and of course fell down a cliff, Jehu telling her to watch out but this moron thinks it's okay to run off in the dark. This had to happen because women are hysterical, frail, stupid creatures who constantly do stupid things that get them hurt.
He was there when she woke up. Mr. Russel said Jehu's been beside himself. They were alone and Jehu held her hand. She told him it was a mistake and he said it was the best mistake he'd ever made. Jane told him she was spoken for and he got mad and said it's a man who couldn't be bothered to meet her and abandoned her on the frontier.
It was funny that Father Joseph tried to teach them and Handsome Jim said their god is very bad because he tried to kill his son. Joseph realizes he couldn't teach them.
This loser settler visited, clearly sick though Jane missed it. She served him food and he came onto Suis, so they all sent him away. The tribe took sick and Suis and her daughter Sootie and Handsome Jim took sick. Suis died and I was beyond pissed off. Yet another woman who deserved life died while we're stuck with this undeserving bitch who deserved to die. Jane had to be the only one standing I guess. I f'ing hate this kind of story. It's the freaking worst.
Jehu had gone to captain a ship and William came, putting her down and chastising her as usual, telling her how things would be. He wanted to be married in a week. He told her she was going to get a new wardrobe and quit her oyster business. An Indian girl was following them around and she knew she had something to do with William. Go ahead and throw other woman drama in here because this didn't have enough shit already. She finally asked William who it was and he said she thinks she's his wife. He had to marry to receive the most land and he thought Jane changed her mind. Stupid Jane realized how foolish she'd been not to see his true character.
She told him the girl was his wife and he left with her. I would have been more impressed had she given up on William after she realized he’d lied to her about having a home. I would have respected her a tad had she realized Jehu was the better choice and broken it off with William instead of insisting on holding on to this years’ long infatuation with a guy who didn’t like her as she was and only approved when she did what he said. The only reason she finally ended it wasn’t because he immediately tried to control he as soon as he saw her; it was because he was already married. It shouldn’t have taken that for her to end it. So she still sucks.
She was going home. Handsome Jim was upset and stormed off. Sootie didn't understand and thinks she's coming back. Jane realized she didn't look like the pale, thin girl who came from Philadelphia. Jehu called her name from the rowboat. He'd come back after all, after saying he wouldn't.
She realized she was Jane of Philadelphia and Jane of Shoalwater Bay, maybe you make your luck as her dad says. And that's where it ended. No interaction with Jehu, no confession of feelings. I'd waited the whole book for this dumbass to realize how mean and stupid she'd been, to get back to being outspoken and stop caring about appearance and etiquette. She never did. Her dad never came back in the story. She didn't even arrive home. I saw this is a series and I can't imagine reading about this vain, vapid, prejudiced airhead of a girl again. When someone lets themselves be controlled, completely changes themselves, for a guy, I’m not going to respect them or like them. It's too bad, because I really liked Jehu. But the first book ended and she hadn't even changed, so I'm sure she won't change in the next either and I'll hate her all over again. I saw it's on my to-read list and if I read the 2nd one to see where it goes with Jehu, I'm gonna need to wait a long time so I can forget this one.
Sally turned into a bully because of it, said Jane killed her mom and her mom didn't want a daughter like her, made fun of her house, until a guy came in and "declared" he'd never seen a finer house. He was William, her dad's apprentice. He also commented "That's a nice piece of pie you have there." He says shabby houses are the finest and compliments pie. Not only is that unrealistic, it's weird.
Jane went on and on about his perfection, and she literally used that word to describe him. Elegant nose and the perfect shape of his earlobes. That’s insulting to girls.
William was embarrassed of people's reactions to her. She was a mess with stained clothing and tangled hair. He told her she needed to become a proper young lady and Jane was on it, followed Sally wherever she went and enrolled herself in school. She was always telling him what she learned, all those boring rules, when he clearly didn't like her the way she was but wanted her to change. At least her dad asked if the school was turning her into a useless woman who cares for nothing but clothes. He was always asking what she thought and wanted her to speak her mind.
William was so clearly the wrong choice but stupid Jane couldn't see it, blinded by his looks. Even worse, Jebediah wasn't mentioned again. William announced suddenly that he was leaving the next day for the frontier. They wrote to each other and eventually he asked her to marry him, and she pitched a fit with her dad until he finally agreed. I was so annoyed with her.
I had a problem with Jane saying she was fat and learning in school that women's cheeks should be hollow and waist small. But on the voyage she said her hip bones jutted out and it had helped her waist, her cheeks were hollow and her breasts had shrunk to bumps. Some girls are naturally this size with hip bones that stick out and small breasts and waists so you shouldn't use that as an example of unhealthiness. Some of us can't help it.
Jehu Scudder is the first mat and has a jagged scar on his face. He self-consciously touched it as she came aboard. He asked why she was making the trip and wasn't impressed when she said William's a surgeon in the timber business. The ship bucked and she fell into him. He held her steady and she remembered her lessons not to let a guy touch her. But before she could move she got sick on his boots. Why do people do this? What is funny about her puking on him? It's disgusting.
There was a missionary on board saying savages were the most unfortunate of God's creatures. Jane felt savages were more fortunate because at least they were on land. Mary said she felt bad for them because they'd be bored to death before they were converted. That is not ok. Calling them savages negates standing up for them.
One day she was on deck and the captain got mad and Jehu said he'd take responsibility for her. Jehu learned Mary was sick and at night he came into their cabin when Jane was only in her nightdress. Jane noticed how blue his eyes were. He asked if she could cook and looked disappointed that she couldn't. Another night he came in when her hair was down and she was combing it and had a strange expression on his face.
I was beyond irritated that the young cabin boy, Samuel, died during the storm. But when Mary died I wanted to lose it. She was the best character hands down, funny and sensible. I wanted her to be the heroine, not the dumb, naive, stupid Jane. I wish she'd died and we'd had a lead change. When Jane had gone out to help with Samuel, she left Mary with Father and Sturgis, the drunk surgeon. When she got back they told her Mary hit her head. Jane started screaming because women are crazy. We always lose our shit and go off the deep end and snap like psychos. She blamed Sturgis for her death and tried to attack him. Jehu grabbed her and held on and she started crying that she'd left Mary. Women are always hysterical creatures who lash out at the slightest occurrence. Not that I missed reading "Jane my girl." I was sick of Mary saying that to Jane, multiple times in a conversation.
When they arrived in the city where William lived, Jehu came to stand beside her and said she had a lot of green dresses. When she told him William said she looks beautiful in green, he got sarcastic. His eyes were hooded as he said he thought she'd look better in blue.
Jane was going down the ladder and her skirt blew up and showed her legs. Jehu asked if she was trying to impress the locals. Jehu picked her up and carried her to shore.
Her portrayal of Native Americans didn't improve. She kept calling them savages, said they had broad noses and flat foreheads. She'd expected the chief to have a sharp nose, war paint, and a necklace of human teeth. She saw a baby in a cradle board and told Mr. Swan the mother was torturing it. I guess it was supposed to be funny that the baby was fast asleep. She asked if one of the savages could draw her a bath. She was surprised that Indians bathe more than whites. She didn't want to be left alone with them.
"I entertained little hope of proper conversation from such ignorant creatures. They didn't even have enough sense not to go around half-naked."
This is one of those books where the author employs the tactic of having a spoiled brat character who is judgmental and annoying, for humor's sake. It's supposed to be funny that she goes around saying all these mean, prejudiced things. I don't want to have to wait for the heroine to realize how bitchy and prejudiced she is. She made me hate her past the point of redemption. There's no way I was ever going to like her.
It was interesting that most of the settlers spoke a mixture of Chinook, English, and French in that area.
William was away on business and since he didn't receive her letter he thought she'd changed her mind. He didn't even have a house, like I knew would happen. He'd been sharing a cabin with others. Ms Prim and Proper got all upset and kept asking a million ?s. She was really getting on my nerves. If that wasn't bad enough, when she was standing in the cabin losing it over the sleeping arrangements in front of all the men, a handsome young Native American came in. She'd never seen such a handsome man in her life, except William, "of course," even though he was a hazy memory. She stared and blushed like a ninny, commented aloud that his name Handsome Jim suits him. I expected Jehu to be jealous or mad, but he just snorted.
A cow ate all her dresses and she screamed for Handsome Jim to shoot it. I guess it was supposed to be funny that she wanted an animal put to death over a stupid dress. She had to trade Suis, the chief's wife, for clothes. Suis demanded her corset for a skirt that comes above the knee and a blouse. When Jane stepped out Mr. Swan said she looked improved and Jehu admiringly said she looked beautiful. She didn't deserve it.
She asked for a messenger to find William and bring him back. The chief recommended his nephew, Yelloh. He had a nose ring which earned Jane's instant disapproval and judgment. "I was having a hard time considering anyone who had a ring in his nose as capable of much of anything. The fellow couldn't even sneeze. How could he find William?"
Toke had a celebration for them and I was super pissed when he said in front of everyone that Jane was more beautiful in the Chinook dress. Of course everyone has to think this little bitch is beautiful. Suis got mad. How cruel to make her overhear her husband compliment this little brat.
Mr. Russel said she was useless and I heartily agreed. It's always bad when a side character puts the heroine down and you applaud them because she deserves it. He told her she needed to start earning her keep and pitching in. The only things she said she could do were the list of useless shit from the girl's school, like embroidering and sending out invitations. He told her to get coffee and she was all too happy to pour it, not realizing he meant make it. When she attempted to do so, she didn't clean out the grinder like he told her to, so it tasted like pepper because that's what was last in there. All the men choked and that was one more thing that was supposed to be funny but wasn't. I've read books like this where authors keep having the heroines screw up and be ignorant and klutzy, and I hate them. Ignorance is never funny.
Jehu announced that he was leaving suddenly. He told her if she needed anything at all to send word. Jane completely ruined it by asking him to tell William she's here if he saw him.
Jane turned into the little homemaker. She started cooking with Mary's recipes, making pillows and curtains, tidying up, and decorating the house. Because like Miss Hepplewhite says, homes are supposed to be a miniature of heaven. And Jane has to live by Miss Hepplewhite's rules.
Jane moved in with Mr. Swan and the roof caved in and she got Handsome Jim to help. He asked why she wanted to marry William because everyone likes her. She said he's very handsome and Jim said many men are more handsome. He was shirtless and she admired his chest, "a thing of glory." Shut the hell up, Jane. I couldn't believe she was loyal to William when she was attracted to so many men and thought Jim was the handsomest person she'd seen. He said she was quiet about her beauty. She asked why Suis didn't like her and he said Suis had been the most beautiful before but now "all men watch you" and she's jealous. Come the f on! Who the hell can relate to being the most beautiful woman in the town, that every man wants. Why do you think we're going to like a character like this? Jane, go die.
I was so happy that Jehu came back. He asked her to dance and Jane was sure she saw Mary dancing. She'd been seeing Mary all over the place. Once she woke up to find Mary eating her pie (because Jane had to be good at one more thing. Her salmonberry pies were the talk of the area). When she was rushing down the canoe she saw Mary holding out her hand to her. Didn't know this was paranormal...
Jane wondered what William would think of her, dancing and being in business and wearing Indian clothes. Jehu said if he didn't love her he's a fool. She wanted to be alone with him. She asked how he got the scar and he told her his dad had hit him when he told him he wanted to be a sailor and not a farmer. He kissed her and called her sweet Jane. Of course she ruined it because she's Jane and she's a stupid little bitch. She ran away and of course fell down a cliff, Jehu telling her to watch out but this moron thinks it's okay to run off in the dark. This had to happen because women are hysterical, frail, stupid creatures who constantly do stupid things that get them hurt.
He was there when she woke up. Mr. Russel said Jehu's been beside himself. They were alone and Jehu held her hand. She told him it was a mistake and he said it was the best mistake he'd ever made. Jane told him she was spoken for and he got mad and said it's a man who couldn't be bothered to meet her and abandoned her on the frontier.
It was funny that Father Joseph tried to teach them and Handsome Jim said their god is very bad because he tried to kill his son. Joseph realizes he couldn't teach them.
This loser settler visited, clearly sick though Jane missed it. She served him food and he came onto Suis, so they all sent him away. The tribe took sick and Suis and her daughter Sootie and Handsome Jim took sick. Suis died and I was beyond pissed off. Yet another woman who deserved life died while we're stuck with this undeserving bitch who deserved to die. Jane had to be the only one standing I guess. I f'ing hate this kind of story. It's the freaking worst.
Jehu had gone to captain a ship and William came, putting her down and chastising her as usual, telling her how things would be. He wanted to be married in a week. He told her she was going to get a new wardrobe and quit her oyster business. An Indian girl was following them around and she knew she had something to do with William. Go ahead and throw other woman drama in here because this didn't have enough shit already. She finally asked William who it was and he said she thinks she's his wife. He had to marry to receive the most land and he thought Jane changed her mind. Stupid Jane realized how foolish she'd been not to see his true character.
She told him the girl was his wife and he left with her. I would have been more impressed had she given up on William after she realized he’d lied to her about having a home. I would have respected her a tad had she realized Jehu was the better choice and broken it off with William instead of insisting on holding on to this years’ long infatuation with a guy who didn’t like her as she was and only approved when she did what he said. The only reason she finally ended it wasn’t because he immediately tried to control he as soon as he saw her; it was because he was already married. It shouldn’t have taken that for her to end it. So she still sucks.
She was going home. Handsome Jim was upset and stormed off. Sootie didn't understand and thinks she's coming back. Jane realized she didn't look like the pale, thin girl who came from Philadelphia. Jehu called her name from the rowboat. He'd come back after all, after saying he wouldn't.
She realized she was Jane of Philadelphia and Jane of Shoalwater Bay, maybe you make your luck as her dad says. And that's where it ended. No interaction with Jehu, no confession of feelings. I'd waited the whole book for this dumbass to realize how mean and stupid she'd been, to get back to being outspoken and stop caring about appearance and etiquette. She never did. Her dad never came back in the story. She didn't even arrive home. I saw this is a series and I can't imagine reading about this vain, vapid, prejudiced airhead of a girl again. When someone lets themselves be controlled, completely changes themselves, for a guy, I’m not going to respect them or like them. It's too bad, because I really liked Jehu. But the first book ended and she hadn't even changed, so I'm sure she won't change in the next either and I'll hate her all over again. I saw it's on my to-read list and if I read the 2nd one to see where it goes with Jehu, I'm gonna need to wait a long time so I can forget this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2020
If you are a well-bred lady, you must carry your good manners everywhere with you. It is is not a thing that can be laid aside and put on at pleasure.
--The Young Lady's Friend (1836), by a Lady.
Once, Jane Peck was the luckiest girl in the world. She helped her father, a surgeon, in his business; she ate as many of Mrs. Parker's cherry pies as she could hold; she ran around and played with Jebediah Parker all day. But when a simple mistake turns a proper young lady against her, Jane can no longer view her life through her eyes, but only through the way others saw it. Desperate to rise above this and become a proper young lady, she joins Mrs. Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy and learns how to Listen Well, Pour Tea and Coffee, Embroider, and beware the Great Mistake. She turns into a perfect lady of her time, perfect enough that William Baldt, a handsome young man, finally notices her. But the world is strange-- at times it seems it's asking for one thing, and then it turns it all around and asks for another. Could it simply be that you must be yourself, regardless of what the world wants?
I stood on the beach, my heart thudding in my chest. My life felt as tangled and messy as my red hair. How had I gotten to this sorry state? I had been such a happy girl. Had my life truly been determined by the unlucky flight of a rotten apple?
Tolle et lege.
--The Young Lady's Friend (1836), by a Lady.
Once, Jane Peck was the luckiest girl in the world. She helped her father, a surgeon, in his business; she ate as many of Mrs. Parker's cherry pies as she could hold; she ran around and played with Jebediah Parker all day. But when a simple mistake turns a proper young lady against her, Jane can no longer view her life through her eyes, but only through the way others saw it. Desperate to rise above this and become a proper young lady, she joins Mrs. Hepplewhite's Young Ladies Academy and learns how to Listen Well, Pour Tea and Coffee, Embroider, and beware the Great Mistake. She turns into a perfect lady of her time, perfect enough that William Baldt, a handsome young man, finally notices her. But the world is strange-- at times it seems it's asking for one thing, and then it turns it all around and asks for another. Could it simply be that you must be yourself, regardless of what the world wants?
I stood on the beach, my heart thudding in my chest. My life felt as tangled and messy as my red hair. How had I gotten to this sorry state? I had been such a happy girl. Had my life truly been determined by the unlucky flight of a rotten apple?
Tolle et lege.
December 30, 2022
Motherless Jane Peck of Philadelphia is used to running wild on the streets, throwing manure and spitting into the hats of proper gentlemen. Then, against her father’s wishes, she decides to become a proper young lady and enrolls in a female academy. All the rules are fine–for Philadelphia. When her childhood crush, William, sails for the Oregon wilderness, she soon follows. What a shock! None of the rules apply any more. How can she keep from showing her ankles when the native costume is a knee-length skirt with bare feet? And when a cow eats her proper dresses off the line, she has no choice but to go native. The rules for ladies are still in her mind, but she abandons them one by one as she has to adapt to frontier life. A delightful adventure!
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