The Story of Jane

The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service

By: Laura Kaplan

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert

Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

First published in 1997, The Story of Jane recounts the evolution of Jane, the underground group in Chicago that performed abortion services before the procedure was legalized. An extraordinary history by one of its members, this is the first account of Jane's evolution, the conflicts within the group, and the impact its work had both on the women it helped and the members themselves. 

This audiobook stands as a compelling testament to a woman's most essential freedom - control over her own body - and to the power of women helping women.

A movie based on the book, titled This Is Jane, is being produced by Amazon Studios, with Michelle Williams attached to star. 

©1995 Laura Kaplan (P)2019 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Will we need Jane again?

This was a wonderful book about women’s history. As a 50 something mom of two adults this is not something that I need to worry about, but my daughters do. With the way the Supreme Court looks, I wonder if we’re going to need Jane again?

This is Happening Again

Reading the words of this book and hearing how illegal abortions were done in the 1960s is fascinating considering our present day dilemma!

very interesting

I was fascinated by this book. very interesting history that isn't taught in schools. I would gladly recommend.

This should be read by everyone.

The narrator was outstanding in her ways of portraying each different member, woman coming through the service and other characters in the story. 1973 is not that long ago. This book will give the listener a raw, descriptive and indepth look at what it was like when abortion was illegal. The lengths women and girls sadly would go through to get something that we take foregranted today done back then. As much darkness is in this book there is also a bright light of hope. It shows what a group of women working together for the common good and well-being of fellow women. Therapeutic abortions seemed just as terrible as back street ones because they would often say yes to the procedure if they agreed to be sterilized. Whether pro life pro choice or not sure, give this a listen to broaden knowledge of the past so we are less doomed to repeat these mistakes in the future.

This book is terrific!

These women created a great clinic. We can do it too! This is no time to follow “the law”.” This basic right has been snatched from us without even a vote. Outrageous!!

So important right now... in 2022

I, like so many others, was devastated by the June 2022 Suprem Court ruling which overturned Roe v Wade. I then stumbled upon this book. I was born in 1973, so I've never lived, until now, during a time when abortions were illegal in America. This book was so insightful as to what that was like. I was also utterly gobsmacked to learn that there were many Baptist leaders supporting the woman's right to choose safe abortions. My, how things have changed. I found this book to not only be well written and an enjoyable listen, but also so very informative and inspiring.

Essential history & organizing primer

You can listen to this as a history of women's liberation viewed through the lens of women banding together to provide safe abortion services, or you can listen to it as a primer on underground social organizing. It works on both levels. What is particularly important is that Kaplan pulls no punches dissecting both the group's successes and shortcomings.

This is literally unknown ground for most people, and Kaplan covers it thoroughly and with great sensitivity. If you are resolutely anti-abortion you can still listen to this with profit if you can get beyond your knee-jerk negative reaction to the topic.

Narration is clear and workmanlike -- does not either add or detract.

4/5 Estrellas

Things have to be pretty terrible to force you to act.

En conmemoración del día internacional de la mujer decidí elegir una lectura cuyo tema central fuera algo relacionado con el feminismo. The history of Jane trae a la luz una increíble historia basada en hechos verídicos, donde un grupo de mujeres decidió unir fuerzas para iniciar un servicio en pro del aborto en el año de 1971, cuando tales acciones eran penadas por la ley. Desde su fundación nos vamos adentrando de la mano de una de sus miembros, siguiéndolas desde sus orígenes contactando y buscando doctores capaces de realizar los abortos (cobrando 500 dlls por operación), hasta el punto donde ellas mismas están realizando el procedimiento, cobrando a las mujeres 100 dlls (o lo que ellas pudieran aportar).
Es una historia llenas de agallas, valor y resiliencia. Una lectura imperdible para conmemorar el 8 de Marzo, sin importar si quien lo lee es una persona que reside en los EEUU.
Fue particularmente duro de escuchar dado que el libro cierra tras la aprobación de Roe V Wade en 1973; es increíble el retroceso histórico al que se llego en 2022, con la abolición de esa misma propuesta. Bien dijo Simone de Beauvoir:
"No olvidéis jamás que bastara una crisis política, económica o religiosa para que lo derechos de las mujeres vuelvan a ser cuestionados. Estos derechos nunca se dan por adquiridos, debéis permanecer vigilantes toda vuestra vida."

Hubo momentos que llegaron a sentirse repetitivos a lo largo del libro pero en general es una lectura imperdible que no dudare en recomendar a cada oportunidad que se me presente.
4.5/5 estrellas

must read/listen

Regardless of you beliefs all women and even men should listen to this. Sometimes what we don't choose for ourselves is still something we shouldn't exclude from others. this book gives some great insight on a topic that is still a huge debate. I feel like people choose a side without enough information and it's to important to not educate yourself on.

Must-Read Now

Excellent. These brave women showed us what to do—and why. Now that we’re here again I’m calling it a must-read.