She Was: A Novel

A well written book about the wars that we fight on a national, international and personal front. Seen through the lens of a protester whose actions led to the violence and death that she wanted to end, I did not come away from it feeling that the choices she made were held up to be applauded. War, be it in Vietnam, Iraq or in the streets of the USA, is never what what people think it will be and nobody comes through it unscathed... Read Full Review

Janis Hallowell's second book is a true pageturner. Doreen Woods's past is about to become her future. One of best characters in the book is Doreen's gay brother Adam. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written novel that cast a clear eye on our recent history, and the role it plays in our lives today. EXCELLENT READ

I love Janis Hallowell's new novel, She Was. It's a magnetic story about a dentist named Doreen Woods who lives a quiet life in Denver, Colorado, devoted to her husband, teenaged son, and dying brother, a Vietnam vet. In spite of all the examples we are provided with about Doreen's caring and thoughtful way of life, we feel uneasy: Doreen seems prickly, anxious, uncomfortable. Why? Well, she has a secret. Her life is completely... Read Full Review

This new novel by Janis Hallowell hauntingly redefines the concept of "broken family." A 60s radical goes underground, reinvents herself, and tries to live a normal if completely fraudulent life. Then a former co-conspirator finds her, and all hell breaks loose. Hallowell's true gift as a writer lies in her ability to create a character who can make you mad as hell but still garner your sympathy. We all make mistakes... Read Full Review

A writer of extraordinary range, Janis Hallowell has followed up her lovely and mystical first novel - The Annunciation of Francesca Dunn - with She Was, a tale of personal politics that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. Doreen Woods leads the most apolitical life imaginable on a quiet street in Denver . She's married to the gentlest husband imaginable, has a perfectly nice son, and is a DENTIST, of all things. But... Read Full Review