Jane Two: A Novel

Today finds me in a ball on the couch, tears welling up in my eyes and streaming down my cheeks. I just finished reading Jane Two by Sean Patrick Flanery.

I first met Mr. Flanery a year ago on the set of a movie my husband was producing. Sean was extremely polite, very southern in his manners, different from most of the people one meets in Hollywood. I liked him immediately. I suspect most people do. So, when he came to LA this week, I was glad to see him again. We discussed many things: work, family, personal philosophies on raising our respective children. Our conversation eventually found it’s way to his book, a book I had no prior knowledge of. Now, let me say that receiving a book recommendation from an author is much like having a buddy ask you to watch his art film. But Sean didn’t tell me to, or even suggest that I read his book. We just talked about the story and how it came to be. Listening to his description piqued my curiosity. That evening I sought out a copy of Jane Two and by the end of the first chapter I was hooked.

Jane Two is a story about growing up. It’s about all those moments that shape us into the human being that we will eventually become. Most of all it’s about love. Not the sappy kind of love you read in harlequin romance novels, but real love that comes when two pieces of one soul find each other.

Each of us has had moments in our past where we found ourselves, either literally or metaphorically, dangling from a flagpole one hundred feet up, convinced our fate was both dire and inevitable. Each has experienced the elation of love and the anguish of loss, known the feeling of regret for missed opportunities and chances not taken. We have all experienced the satisfaction that comes with unexpected successes, moments where we surprised even ourselves. Hopefully we learned from all of those moments. While some of us can remember the moments that shaped our lives, once lived, not one of us can ever go back.

...but Jane Two did take me back...back to those times, to relive what if felt like to be a child, to endure the pains of growing up, and experience the greatest of loves.

So here I sit, blaming my tears on the nonexistent dust in the room, as I ramble to my husband about a story he has not yet read. It took me a while to pull myself together enough to start this review and even longer to finish it, but I knew it needed to be written...if not to convince others of the stories value, to at least publicly thank the author for sharing this story with us. So thank you, Mr. Flanery. Thank you.

It is a rare find for a male author to intimately know the complexities of the human soul. Sean not only appreciates the complexities, he is able to find the best words, weave them into sentences, that leaves no doubt he is a master storyteller. Whether this comes from his life experience literally or he has been an excellent observer, he knows the unexplained connections humans can experience. If you have never felt that deep love and instant connection, you won't fully appreciate what he offers with his words. Sean comes real close to the brilliance of Markus Zusak in knowing the complexities, depth, faults and perfections in people.

I usually get bored really fast with inner dialogue. I did not find this to be the case. I have to give this book a 5, not only for what is written above, but simply because it is rare for me to laugh out loud, not chuckle, but full body laugh and then the next moment sob from sadness, loss, regret and a love that can bring you to tears. BTW Audible narration is excellent.

"Jane Two" by Sean Patrick Flanery

This HAS to be my favorite book.

It had me from the opening words, to my favorite 2 words in the book; "Thank you", to the closing words.

This book took me on a journey I didn't know I NEEDED to take, and had me meeting people who NEEDED to be met.

I can't tell you how many times I've read it, but my "Audible" app was purchased JUST for the audio version of "Jane Two" where you brought the characters to life so many times now, that if it was a 8-track or cassette tape; the tape would be coming out in ribbons due to use.

So, if you haven't read "Jane Two", please consider this an invitation to read a book, told by an incredible storyteller, that you'll be glad you spent some of your time in his world.
@skywolf_fem2

Wonderful book!

Excellent book a MUST READ by Sean Patrick Flanery!!!!

Love him and this boom is great

I had the pleasure of meeting Sean in Chicago this past April. Instead of an autographed photo I chose to receive "Jane Two" with a personalized inscription from him while we chatted. Best choice I could have made.

"Jane Two" instantly catapulted me back to my youth. It invoked strong images of having talks with my own grandpa in his backyard under the apple tree. I would listen to him tell stories and absorb his nuggets of wisdom. The neighborhood football games we all played in the street and across the lawns while the grown-ups watched and cheered and wiped our bloody knees and elbows. This book refers to the music of the 70s, the childhood friendships with some even carrying on in to adulthood, Steve McQueen, lessons learned, love, heartache, and missed opportunities. Every one of those things, and more, are in this book.
I laughed out loud. I cried big tears while snot ran out my nose. I was happy and I was very sad too, all while reading "Jane Two".
I felt moments of pride, anger, confusion and most of all, regret. I felt ALL the emotions.

"Jane Two" is a book that everyone should read. If you had any kind of childhood at all. If you feel any of these emotions then you should read this book. There WILL be a character you will relate to.
I am so thrilled to have read and listened to "Jane Two". I WILL read and listen again, and quite possibly more times after that because even though time is always moving forward, "Jane Two" is that glimpse of the past that will always take us back to a simpler time and hopefully teach us a new lesson or give us some nuggets of wisdom we can pass on to our 'seedlin's'.
I absolutely love "Jane Two"!
I do hope Sean writes more.

This book is so well written that I think Sean Patrick Flannery should give up acting and concentrate on writing.

WISH I HAD NOT BOUGHT...GAVE AWAY