All You Have to Do Is Call By Kerri Maher
In the gripping novel "All You Have to Do Is Call," author Lesley Parr delivers a powerful narrative based on the true story of the Jane Collective, an underground health clinic in Chicago during the early 1970s. Praised by critics and readers alike, this uplifting tale sheds light on the brave women who worked tirelessly in the shadows to fight for reproductive rights and women's empowerment.
At the heart of the story is Veronica, the founder of Jane, who leads a double life as a conventional housewife while spearheading the underground clinic that offers reproductive counseling and safe, illegal abortions to women in need. As Veronica navigates the complexities of her own high-risk pregnancy, she finds herself facing personal and professional challenges that test her resolve.
Joining Veronica are Margaret, a young professor grappling with her love life and volunteer work at Jane, and Patty, a devoted wife and mother who begins to question the meaning of fulfillment in her life. When Patty's runaway sister, Eliza, reappears, the women are forced to confront their deepest fears and desires, ultimately risking everything to support each other and those in need.
Set against the backdrop of a tumultuous era where the personal became political, "All You Have to Do Is Call" celebrates the resilience and solidarity of women who come together to fight for their rights and shape their own destinies. With compelling characters and an inspiring narrative, this novel serves as a poignant reminder of the power of female solidarity in the face of adversity.