52 pages • 1 hour read
Katherine PatersonJacob Have I Loved
Katherine PatersonFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
Rass Island, Maryland • 1940s
1980
Middle grade
12-16 years
880L
Super Short Summary
Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson is a 1940s coming-of-age novel about Sara Louise Bradshaw, a teenager navigating a difficult relationship with her twin sister Caroline on a crab-fishing island in Chesapeake Bay. Facing sibling rivalry and struggles with faith, Louise seeks her own identity and purpose while grappling with family and community expectations. The novel includes a depiction of a 14-year-old girl developing romantic feelings for an older man.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
35,819 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved is highly praised for its complex characters and emotional depth, exploring sibling rivalry and self-discovery. Critics appreciate its evocative prose and rich setting but note some predictable plot elements. Overall, the novel is lauded for its thoughtful and nuanced portrayal of adolescence.
Who Should Read Jacob Have I Loved?
Readers who relish coming-of-age tales with deep emotional journeys, such as in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, will appreciate Katherine Paterson's Jacob Have I Loved. This novel speaks to those who enjoy complex sibling dynamics and rich, introspective narratives.
35,819 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
256
Novel • Fiction
Rass Island, Maryland • 1940s
1980
Middle grade
12-16 years
880L
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