The Evolution of Jane

How it reads

The Evolution of Jane is contemporary fiction (comic family novel, specifically), and its dominant mood is funny. The humour is the point, not garnish. The pace is moderate — neither a page-turner nor a slow burn — so it holds up whether you read it in long sittings or short ones.

It's set in several locations, in the present day, told in the third person across several viewpoints. Its central concerns are family, friendship and identity. In weight it sits in the middle: substantial without being heavy going.

It stands alone, so there's nothing else you need to read first or after. The ending resolves happily. At 210 pages it's a quick read. It's moderately known: read by plenty of people, but not a household name.