Jane Goes North

by Joe R. Lansdale

[annieb123]

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

Jane Goes North is Joe R. Lansdale at the top of his game. Released 31st March 2020 by Subterranean Press, it's 232 pages and available in a special edition hardcover, audio, and ebook formats.

Full disclosure, I've been a screaming Lansdale fangirl for decades - I still have the first Hap & Leonard book I bought, circa 1990 or so. That being said, there's something about his facility with the juxtaposition of raw/crude language, violence, and humor that really works for me. This one was in much the same vein with 3 completely disparate characters, well written and (in true Lansdale form) completely over the top.

This is a high-octane estrogen fueled road trip with titular character Jane going to visit family (from whom she's mostly estranged) and hopefully find herself along the way. It's violent, the language is extremely rough, there's sexual content, it's irreverent and, frankly, shockingly crusty, and delightful. It's definitely capable of making readers forget about the sh*tstorm that is our daily existence the last few months.

Pure escapist fantasy. Genuinely funny in places and full of action. Five stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes