I had very high expectations and a keen interest going in to Jessica Anya Blau's new book, Mary Jane. A coming of age novel set in the 1970s? Sign me up! Coming of age stories are some of my favorite to read due to their tendency to reveal and expose the truths about life, love, and people, in general. Furthermore, I have heard my parents talk much about growing up during the 60s and 70s, and how that distinct period of time was in such stark contrast to the world in which we live today. I have a bit of a nostalgia for this era that I have never seen with my own eyes, and find myself fascinated with the history and culture contained within these years. It might be obvious for me to say that Mary Jane was a perfect fit for me and that I loved every minute of it.
Mary Jane is a fourteen-year-old girl who has lived quite the sheltered life. Her father is a patriotic, hard-working, God-fearing attorney, who fulfills the traditional paternal role of leading and providing well for his family. As can be expected, Mary Jane's mother's lot in life is that of the quintessential housewife, planning out nutritious meals daily, keeping an orderly and respectful home, and tending to her perfect daughter, Mary Jane. And Mary Jane is everything her parents want her to be - a dutiful daughter, who sings in the church choir, always looks presentable, and never talks back or deceives her parents.
So imagine Mary Jane's surprise when she takes a summer job as a nanny at the Cone's home; a family who appears distinguished and respectable on the outside (Mr. Cone is a doctor, after all), but are anything but behind closed doors. It's not that they are BAD people; it's just that their home is a mess, there is no organization to their lives, and their daughter Izzy is generally left to fend for herself. Mary Jane has a huge mess on her hands, literally and figuratively, because if her parents knew what the Cones were really like, they would never let her set foot in their house again. To further complicate matters, Dr. Cone has a secret that cannot escape the house - he will be treating a very famous rock star and his starlet wife this summer, as he helps the musician work toward drug addiction recovery.
Mary Jane soon finds herself swept up in the world of the Cones, and their celebrity guests, Jimmy and Sheba ... and she loves every minute of it. Although her days are mostly spent entertaining Izzy, keeping the Cone home tidy, and cooking meals for the family, she feels that she can finally be herself around these caring and accepting people, and she is experiencing a kind of life she never knew existed - one where she can be happy and free. Mary Jane feels herself changing day by day - for the better - and when she goes home at night, she no longer recognizes the consummate daughter she presents to her parents. What would they do if they ever learned the depths of Mary Jane's deception, and how she can reconcile the little girl her parents see her as with the young woman she is becoming?
I cannot say enough good things about Jessica Anya Blau's Mary Jane. This book is simple, yet deep, and packs so much emotion and angst into its pages. I found myself devouring this novel, and so enjoyed watching Mary Jane blossom and grow throughout the course of the story. But perhaps even better, Mary Jane is one interesting book! Coming of age stories sometimes have a tendency to be predictable, and while Mary Jane follows the well-worn path of a young girl finding herself over the course of a life-changing summer, there were so many interesting story lines worked into the plot that further developed and enhanced Mary Jane's journey. The addition of Jimmy and Sheba was an excellent choice by Blau, as they provided Mary Jane with a varied view of a world much larger and colorful than the one that has been delineated to her by her parents. The relationship between Mary Jane, the Cones, and Jimmy and Sheba is as interesting as you would expect, yet at times touching as well. These individual lives converge to create a whole that is better together - it is not only Mary Jane who blossoms from her time spent at the Cone's - there is something for everyone to learn from the relationships forged here. Furthermore, Blau's characterization is captivating and rich, and I found myself falling in love with the way she unites people in this heartwarming story.
Anyone who can relate to Mary Jane's parental plight and upbringing will surely love this novel of a young girl's struggle to unite, what feels to her, her multiple selves into one person who will be loved and accepted by everyone who is important to her, but most importantly, to herself. Recommended to those who loved Judy Blume's books growing up - Mary Jane carries on Blume's tradition of the classic coming of age story in a new novel that is fun, fresh, and fantastic.
Availability: Book; eBook & eAudiobook in cloudLibrary Rating: ***** Stars (I loved it) Reviewer: Brooke, Public Relations Librarian
ARE YOU AND THIS BOOK A GOOD MATCH? DISCOVER MORE WITH NOVELIST APPEALS! Mary Jane
AWARDS: LibraryReads Favorite: 2021
GENRE: Coming-of-Age Stories; Literary Fiction
TONE: Nostalgic
STORYLINE: Character-Driven
CHARACTER: Likeable
WRITING STYLE: Engaging; Witty
TIME PERIOD: 1970s
SUBJECT: Drug Use; Nannies; Psychiatrists; Rehabilitation; Rock Musicians; Self-Discovery in Teenage Girls; Teenage Girls
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