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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic book!, June 27, 2005
Since my name is Jane, I could not resist buying this book when I saw it. It lived up to my expectations and Jane Prentice is very worthy of the name Jane.
When Lady Jane Prentice at 14 arrives in America from England, she is already able to take care of herself, because she had been w/o a mother since the age of 3 and her father (a penniless earl) never paid her much attention. She is met by her Uncle Robert's brother-in-law, Arthur Ainsley, and his family. Jane immediately becomes attached to "Uncle Arthur" and "Aunt Harriet". The Ainsley's son, Brandon, is romantically interested in Jane.
Jane stumbles upon the schoolmaster, Simon Cordwyn, and he invites her to join his school, because he sees in her an intelligent and inquisitve mind. People question Simon's political standing, but he maintains his neutral position in the rising rebellion.
Jane is annoyed at how everyone treats her like a child. She believes she is capable of understanding the upcoming conflict between England and America. Finally, Simon Cordwyn explains the situation in full to her. She slowly begins to sympathize with the Patriots but is still loyal to England.
Meanwhile, there is strife in Jane's family. Uncle Robert is a staunch Loyalist but Cousin Hugh is a dedicated Patriot. Jane is not allowed to even visit her cousin Hugh because of his Patriot leanings. However, she manages to meet him with the help of Simon Cordwyn.
As war breaks out, Jane finds herself torn between her family; half of which are Patriots, and the other half Loyalists. Jane tries to remain neutral, but finds it harder and harder to do so.
Jane is pursued not only by Brandon Ainsley, but the British officer Captain Flemming. While receiving their advances, she wonders about the whereabouts and her strange feelings concerning Simon Cordwyn.
Telling all to refer to her as "Just Jane" istead of her formal title, Lady Jane, Jane Prentice is an endearing heroine with courage, intelligence, kindness, and the presence of mind to decide for herself where her sentiments stand: with loyalty to England, or liberty for America.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Good Story--Questionnable Values, May 18, 2006
As an avid reader of young adult fiction, I was immediately drawn to this interesting and beautiful book. The writing was good, the history interesting and informative, and the characters intriguing, but I had a few concerns.
My biggest concern is that adultery is made to look understandable and sympathetic. While the female, married counterpart is held accountable and punished for her part in the affair, Simon (the hero and love interest to our heroine) needs only tell Jane he has ended it in order to recieve her forgiveness. This man is regarded as the moral compass of the entire book, and yet never once is his part in the affair discussed in any way other than part of a misunderstanding which makes Jane jealous. We don't know how far this affair has gone, but isn't a romantic relationship with a married woman something that should at least be considered a flaw in this hero's past? Shouldn't we see the morally sound and defiant Jane actually consider that maybe he isn't quite her match (especially since the affair was with her aunt, old enough to be her mother)?
This is one of the many moral contradictions I find in Jane. She talks big, but can't back it up. She is horrified to find Simon is having an adulterous affair, but really only because she is jealous. She refuses to indulge the attentions of an advantageous connection for whom she has no real feelings to those who ask it of her, but then she does it anyway because she's having a good time. In fact, she continues to indulge the attentions of her cousin Brandon as well, each time only telling the truth when it suits her. And yet the other characters continue to consider her a remarkable and moral woman.
The biggest problem with this is that it is written for ages 12 and up. These are adult issues. I don't think we need to be telling 14 year old girls that it's fine to have hopes and dreams of marriage with their much older and adulterous teachers. What kind of morality is that? Even if this double standard of allowing men to get away with what makes a woman completely outcast IS historically correct, is THIS what we want to teach our teenage daughters?
I'm really horrified that a middle school teacher would be recommending and actually assigning this book to the children. I hope a letter is sent home to the parents explaining the issues contained in the book so they can make their own moral judgments and teach correct principles to their children.
It may be easy to look past these issues and applaud this novel for its other good qualities, but with considering the impressionable minds it was written for, I can see it as nothing other than an morally depricating agenda. It should not be read by children.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best Revolutionary War book!, July 22, 2003
This review is from: Just Jane: A Daughter of England Caught in the Struggle of the American Revolution (Hardcover)
"Just Jane: A Daughter of England Caught in the Struggle of the American Revolution" holds the status as best Revolutionary War book, in my eyes. Finally, an author who wrote a female character as not rebelling against her female roles in society. Finally, an author who did not sugar coat what happened to torn families or captured men. Finally, an author who didn't need to end everything on a happy note. The beginning may seem slow, but once Jane matures and the war progresses, the story picks up speed, it will make you never want to put the book down. I recommend.
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