Review: Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson || That Awkward Moment When You Relate To Insufferable People

Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson

Pages: 216

Genre: Historical Middle Grade

Publication Date: 1980

Growing up on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island in the early 1940s, angry Louise reveals how Caroline robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name. While everyone pampered Caroline, Wheeze (her sister's name for her) began to learn the ways of the watermen and the secrets of the island, especially of old Captain Wallace, who had mysteriously returned after fifty years. The war unexpectedly gave this independent girl a chance to fulfill her childish dream to work as a watermen alongside her father. But the dream did not satisfy the woman she was becoming. Alone and unsure, Louise began to fight her way to a place where Caroline could not reach.

I hated reading as a kid, but Katherine Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia was one of the few books that I read over and over. It’s possible that I’ve read it more times than any other book. I think I related to the artsy rural characters who didn’t fit in with their community. I liked Terabithia so much that I wrote a paper about it as an adult, which got me accepted to grad school. As much as I loved Bridge to Terabithia, I had never read anything else by Katherine Paterson. I thought I should correct that. Jacob Have I Loved is one of her better-known books. I decided to try that one.

Louise and Caroline are twins, but they’re nothing alike. Caroline is beautiful, talented, and popular. Anything Caroline wants, she gets. Louise is the opposite. She’s a tough loner who’d rather be fishing than socializing. Deep down, Louise is painfully envious of Caroline. She wishes that she got attention from boys and had the talent to attend a prestigious performing arts school. Unfortunately, the residents of the small Chesapeake Bay island shower Caroline with praise and ignore Louise. Louise can either allow herself to be consumed by envy, or she can free herself from Caroline’s shadow and forge her own path.

“To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another.” – Jacob Have I Loved

This is a character-driven novel. It focuses on Louise and her sibling rivalry with Caroline. The plot is subtle and mostly consists of Louise attempting to differentiate herself from her sister. First Louise thinks she wants to be a hero who uncovers Nazi spies, but that doesn’t work out because she can’t find any Nazi spies on the island. Then Louise tries to make friends with newcomers to the island, but she can’t keep Caroline away from them forever. Then Louise tries to be beautiful and feminine, but she’ll never be as beautiful as Caroline. She’s constantly frustrated that she can’t be as perfect as her sister.

I think this is the type of book that people either love or hate. Louise is kind of insufferable. She’s angry all the time. She treats Caroline terribly and blames Caroline for her own problems. She’s mean to her mother and bossy with her friends. Louise demands to be praised for everything she does. If you can’t stand unlikeable characters, you probably won’t like this book.

That being said, I could relate to Louise. I saw a lot of my younger self in her. (Which is awkward because she’s awful.) Sibling rivalry was definitely part of my childhood. I was never the smartest kid, or the prettiest kid, or the most talented kid in my family. Like Louise, I often felt overlooked. I think it’s important to show sibling rivalry in children’s books. It’s a daily part of life for many kids.

Since the plot is slow and meandering, I’d recommend this novel for older middlegrade readers. Parts of the story would have gone over my head as a young child. Older kids might have more patience and experience. As an adult reader, I appreciate this book. It’s well-written and looks at a subject that isn’t often shown realistically in children’s literature.

“Don't tell me no one ever gave you a chance. You don't need anything given to you. You can make your own chances. But first you have to know what you're after, my dear.” – Jacob Have I Loved

TL;DR: Louise has a bad attitude, but I found the story relatable. It’s about growing up and finding your own path in life instead of being envious of others’ paths.