MISS JANE

Watson's novel is based on the life of his great-aunt, who was born with a rare genital defect at a time when medicine had no treatment or cure. Rural Mississippi in the early twentieth century was not equipped to understand and deal with Jane's condition, and she seemed condemned to an ostracized life. Tiffany Morgan narrates the story with assurance and compassion while avoiding sentimentality. Her delivery, detached and unemotional, nevertheless allows us to feel Jane's pain, isolation, and determination to live as full a life as possible. Morgan brings all the characters to life, conveying compassion for the overwhelmed parents and making the life-affirming relationship between Jane and the wise country doctor especially poignant. A difficult yet ultimately life-affirming story of endurance. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2017]