What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? is a 1962 psychological thriller novel by Henry Farjeon. It follows the intertwined stories of two sisters – Jane and Blanche – who have been living together in a decaying Hollywood mansion since their careers as child movie stars ended. Jane, the elder sister, is mentally unstable and increasingly tormented by her childhood. Blanche is an aging beauty queen, confined to an invalid wheelchair since an apparent accident. As the story progresses, the truth surrounding the sisters’ lives becomes increasingly complex and darker than one could ever imagine.
The novel begins with Jane returning to the decaying Hollywood mansion where the two sisters once shared their celebrity lifestyle. She arrives to find the house a shambles and her sister Blanche wheelchair-confined and unable to speak. Jane begins her reign of terror, taking out her anger and resentment upon Blanche through a series of cruel and abusive acts. Soon, Jane takes control of the household, enslaving Blanche and attempting to keep her from any form of company or communication with the outside world.
In Chapter 2, Jane discovers a manuscript Blanche has been secretly writing regarding their childhood. She is shocked to find it full of stories of bizarre childhood antics, in which Jane was the main protagonist and Blanche the victim. Jane is filled with rage and enacts further retribution upon her sister in various ways, including denying her medical attention and cutting off Blanche’s access to the outside world.
Chapter 3 sees Jane descend further into madness as she attempts to maintain control over Blanche. She takes elaborate steps to prevent any interference, including enlisting a mysterious stranger to become her assistant. Jane also attends a Hollywood party in search of material for a new movie production, leading to a memorable and disturbing scene where she mocks her childhood rival at the event.
In the fourth chapter, Jane's bizarre behavior leads to further tension when she receives a visit from a producer interested in her movie idea. However, despite his persistence, she pushes him away and instead finds solace in a bottle of alcohol. Her mental state deteriorates even more and she accidentally reveals Blanche’s hidden manuscript.
In the fifth chapter, the manuscript is revealed. It contains a detailed account of Jane’s childhood obsession with becoming a star and Blanche’s inability to please their perfectionist mother. As memories begin to resurface, both sisters must confront unanswered questions from their past if they are to find peace in the present.
The finale of the novel takes place at a movie theater, where the sisters view the debut of the movie Jane wrote. The climax exposes the wounds that have served as the foundation for the entire novel and for the sisters’ relationship. It becomes clear that Jane’s recent actions have been motivated by her desperate need to finally achieve stardom. In a bittersweet ending, readers are left with the sense of closure and an understanding of the bond the sisters ultimately share.
