Why You Should Read ‘Fiona and Jane’

This year, I’ve made myself a promise to read more books and expand my taste beyond the rom-com and thrillers that I usually gravitate toward. Enter the coming-of age genre. While I love a good story about teenagers discovering themselves, they can sometimes be a little boring. And all too often, they center around the same types of characters experiencing a series of firsts—usually a girl entering her first romance with a guy followed by a sort of happily ever after.

When I found out about this, I was thrilled. Jane and Fiona on Goodreads’ list of books coming out in 2022, I had low expectations. I knew it was supposed to be a story of friendship, but I wasn’t expecting anything particularly spectacular. I can confidently state that I was wrong after I finished the book in two days. This collection of stories about two Asian American women is full of relatable queer characters you’ll wish you could meet up with for a coffee IRL. Fiona struggles to find approval from others, while Jane questions her identity after she kissed her piano teacher after school. It was Jane’s internal conflict over her attraction to this piano teacher, another girl, that finally made me stop and realize that this coming-of-age novel is different.

From complex characters to an exploration into Jane’s sexuality, I absolutely loved the way author Jean Chen Ho depicted the realities of what it’s like to be attracted to more than one gender. This depiction of bisexuality was honest and raw. It was exactly what I was looking for in a modern novel. What was it that made this story about queerness stand out from the rest? There were a few:

It’s Truly Great to Find Comfort in Queer Friendships

When Jane first questions her sexuality, it’s because she and Fiona kissed “for practice.” However, in a later snapshot of Jane’s life, she finds comfort in another one of her friends, Won, who is also questioning his own sexuality. However, rather than try to determine a label for themselves, the two instead bond over what it’s like to watch other people their age, including Fiona, openly flirt while they don’t really know who they like.

Yes, the book centers around Fiona and Jane’s friendship and the unique bond between women, but I loved every chapter Won was in. Won was there to support Jane in whatever relationship she chose, and he also made sure she was taking care herself. Won convinces Jane that she should start keeping a journal when she split with her long-term boyfriend. Do I journal? No, and I honestly might not pick it up just with the recommendation of a friend, but it’s the thought that counts. As two queer people, Won and Jane’s discussions on attraction were great to see and reminded me of how wonderful it can be to sit down and just feel comfortable with someone who’s not going to ask awkward questions about your identity.

Jane is an excellent reminder that you might explore your sexuality in later life

I love queer representations in media. But so often the story is about someone coming out in their teens and early 20s. And I mean, a lot of people can definitely know who they like at a young age, but it’s also very normal to discover your sexuality later in life. This is why I love seeing Jane’s uncertainty over who she’s meant to be within the later chapters of the story. When Jane wonders if she has a stronger connection to a man or a woman, she realizes she really doesn’t know which type of relationship would be better for her and what she wants. I was able to relate to her desire to date another woman when she was exploring her sexuality in her adolescence as well as her reluctance to pursue something serious when the opportunity arose—other women are kind of intimidating.

Jane is incredibly relatable, and she proves that sometimes the best love stories may be imperfect. Instead of a fairytale romance, we’re given a raw depiction of what it’s like to not even know who you’re supposed to be attracted to—hello, bi panic—and dealing with the hardships of dating, not only someone who is bisexual but just as a person in the 21st century. A mysteriously distant and unavailable suitor. A lover who seems perfect on paper but something’s off IRL? We’ve all been there. Whether you’re bisexual or not, Jane’s character is written with such depth, you can’t help but sympathize with her romance woes, especially if, like the rest of us, you haven’t found your soulmate by the time you’re 22. Let’s normalize understanding and exploring your sexuality past your college years.

Bisexuality is different from other queer experiences

Though Jane is able to identify with Won’s feeling of being othered, they don’t have the same experiences throughout the book. I’ve read a few books with bisexual characters in them, they often just are characters who happen to be bisexual and don’t spend any length of the novel questioning their sexuality. And if they do, it’s usually because they already have an attraction to the main love interest. Jane and FionaThis narrative is different because Jane discusses her relationships and how they have been. Once she realizes she likes any gender, she isn’t ashamed of her sexuality—she’s just coming to terms with the different lives she could potentially lead with different people.

For some, liking a man feels different than liking a woman, and that’s OK. I loved that the novel actually dove into Jane’s thoughts on her ex-girlfriend and a fling with a man and the raw emotions she felt as she navigated these choices.

Not everyone is going to understand your sexuality

When I read Jane and FionaIt was clear that Ho wanted to depict young adulthood in a real way. From discussing friendship fallouts to just plain bad decisions, it was clear that none of the characters were perfect, and, though I connected with Jane and rooted for her, I didn’t see much of myself in this character except for the fact that she was bisexual—that is until others started questioning and labeling her sexuality. Especially if you’ve only ever dated or been with one gender, bisexual people are often told that their own bisexuality is invalid. So, when Jane’s friends called her lesbian in the beginning, only for us to learn later on that Jane is more fluid, I can see why she had a mini identity crisis.

Unfortunately, I’ve learned to realize that your friends might not understand why you choose—or don’t choose—to label yourself in a certain way. However, that doesn’t always mean that this judgment comes out of a malicious place. Simply put, not all of your friends will get what you mean when the topic of sexuality comes up, and as long as they’re willing to listen to you and offer support, that’s all right.

Even as Jane and her friends grew older, no one really asked her that much more about her sexuality or which label she preferred; however, Jane’s still discovering her identity, so it makes sense that she doesn’t discuss this as much with her friends and instead focuses inward. Even so, Fiona and Won focus on being supportive friends to Jane and openly discussing her relationships, even if they themselves couldn’t relate to feeling romantically toward another woman. Fiona is an integral part of Jane’s life and is a symbol of a stable friendship, especially at the end of Jane’s novel. Not all of your friends will understand what you’re talking about or how to respond when you come out or get into a relationship—Jane and Fiona shows this reality but also explores the dynamics of a friendship in which two very different girls’ connection never fades.

Jean Chen Ho

Jane and Fiona

Fiona Lin, Jane Shen, best friends since second grade, explore Los Angeles’ lonely freeways and seedy bars together as teenagers. They also survive unfulfilling romantic encounters and carry the scars from their turbulent families’ pasts.

Final Thoughts

This book was a great coming-of-age story. Ho tells a compelling story about friendship and identity through her accurate portrayal. Honestly, when I picked this book up, I didn’t have high expectations for this story, but it perfectly captures the complexities of dating when you’re bisexual. Jane’s character was so carefully thought through and developed to the point that I wished she was real and I could have a heart-to-heart with her.

If you’re looking for a story with queer characters in a novel about personal identity, friendship between women, and Asian American representation, Jane and FionaThis book is a must-read.