Reviews

Mille petits riens by Jodi Picoult

krisreadseverything's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

carrot_cake's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

kilbmc's review against another edition

5.0

This one was tough. It challenged me in ways that I didn't expect, and I saw a bit too much of myself in the teacher who swears that race doesn't play a part in who is or is not disciplined at school. A bit too much of myself in Christina. A bit of myself in Kennedy. A bit of my father in Ava. A bit of my son in Violet. Most uncomfortably, bits of lots of people I know in Turk. And I'm sure if I was more aware and a better listener, bits of people I know in Ruth. So that begs the question: now what? What do I do with this? Time will tell, but I hope to hell that I'm able to work on it, like Kennedy.

sharppointysticks's review against another edition

4.0

I do not always love this author, but I enjoyed this one. Lots and lots of food for thought.

michaelajay's review against another edition

5.0

Such an incredible book. Jodi Picoult did an amazing job of really providing insight and opening the readers eyes to what racism is all about. Such a captivating read. I’d highly recommend!

rennegade's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, this actually came out of left field and really surprised me with how much I enjoyed it.

I mentioned in my last Piccoult review that I was getting a little tired of the whole "Hot button issue, explosive court case, WHOA WHAT A TWIST!" thing that she does in all of her books. I picked this one up with a lot of trepidation because race issues are so incredibly complicated, and I was not sure that a privileged white woman would do it justice.

There are way too many nuances in this book to really explain exactly what spoke to me. I can say that I rolled my eyes when Kennedy first meets Ruth and cheerfully tells her that she doesn't "see race." Of course, it is easy to say that when you are a white woman in a world that sees whiteness as the norm and everything else as a hindrance to success.

The two women had really important journeys, and it was gut-wrenching to see it unfold. Without getting too spoilery, I am so glad that the end of the case played out the way it did, and that Kennedy had that particular epiphany.

Listening to the audiobook was tough during Turk's parts. He was really awful, and hearing the hate made me very tempted to turn it off more than once.

So, I waffled between four and five stars at multiple points throughout the book. As it ended, I was pretty set on four stars because

Spoiler

I don't really give a crap about Turk changing into less of a racist and getting a happy ending because screw him

, but the author's note changed it back to a five. There seemed to be a lot of self-awareness, and the fact that she readily called out passive racism and white privilege was really impressive. It definitely led to some reflection on my part. I hope the people who needed to read that really read it and thought about it.

isaac_tee's review against another edition

3.5

Pretty solid story & overall good read. I did however, find the pacing of the book kinda weird and I feel like everything was a bit drawn out.

alexkmort's review against another edition

5.0

This book. THIS. BOOK.

This book made me relook at my life, my thoughts and my heart.

Everyone needs to read this book and imprint it on his or her brain.

elysahenegar's review against another edition

5.0

In the afterward, after the closing curtain, you discover the pulsing heart of this book, the significance that makes it one of the best of Picoult's ever-growing library. Jodi Picoult explains why Small Great Things---a novel about racism--was such an important novel for her, how she tried a few times to write it but never could until the audience - - people just like her, people who would never consider themselves to be racists- - became clear. In classic Picoult style, the novel is well-researched, thorough in its perspective, and honoring to the complex personalities and history of our brokenness. I found the story engaging, heartbreaking, and even vulnerably funny in places; I found the characters rich and real, the pace perfect. I found myself honestly considering my own unacknowledged prejudices, periodic frustration, assumptions, and sometimes lack of compassion over this issue, an issue that still and perhaps always will have teeth for minorities. Picoult gives much needed voice - - again--to an issue that should not be left simmering in hidden spaces. This book has potential for impact beyond its pages; I love Kennedy's comments near the end about equity versus equality. It's a book that has already taught me things; a book that will stay with me and help me find the paths I really wish to tread when it comes to loving others. I think everyone should read this novel; give it a good, open-hearted read and then let it begin a thousand real conversations.

sarahstyf's review against another edition

5.0

The most important Jodi Picoult book I have ever read. The older I get the more I wrestle with the realization of the privilege I have grown up with as a white, middle class woman. This is Picoult's audience with this book. Knowing things to be true and reading them and being forced to confront those truths is the only way we will move past the systemic racism that continues to plague our country. More people need to read books like Small Great Things.