Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

This was the first book I have read by this author, and I really liked it!  The main character, Jane Forrester, was so young yet so brave.  She went against "society" and stood up for what she believed in, despite what it cost her.  She stood her ground with her husband, with her boss, with her coworkers, with her mother.  She put everything on the line to help a dirt poor 15 year old pregnant girl.  I think that it's awful that she was told - and believed it herself - that she would never make it as a social worker because she cared too much.  What a sad statement that is! Jane bucked the system for all the right reasons, in my opinion.

Ivy was also incredibly strong, and she had such faith in Henry Allen - certainly more than I did at times!  I really didn't think Henry Allen had it in him to leave his family behind for Ivy.  I was definitely disappointed in his father.  What a jerk.  There were so many half-siblings in the book, I was hoping that Henry Allen and Ivy weren't related!  

The exploration of the Eugenics Program in this novel was very interesting.  It's amazing to me that not long after the world discovers Hitler's disposal of all people who were not "perfect Germans" - all those "flawed people" who were not blond hair/blue eyed intelligent individuals, America can develop the Eugenics Program and carry it out for decades without batting an eye;  without noticing - or caring - about the similarity in thought between this Program and what Hitler was doing in WWII.  Incredible.  And kudos to Jane for saying "NO". 

This book was very well-written with well developed characters.  I read it quite quickly because it was such an interesting read.  I felt like Robert was made out to be the "bad guy", but I had some sympathy for him.  Considering it was the 60's, and he was a doctor, he was a "sign of the times".  I imagine it would be difficult, especially in those days, to have a wife like Jane!  I think a lot of other men wouldn't have been nearly as patient as he was.  I was amused by his comment when Gavin called to tell him that Jane was in jail: "Why couldn't she take up knitting, like normal wives?" :)

I will be reading more by this author!

Wendy's Rating: *****