thereadingbee's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that needs to be read. Plain and simple.
At times it is uncomfortable, but only in the way that something is uncomfortable because we aren't informed enough to talk about it. This book is brutally honest and covers the stories of many women and men whose lives are forever changed one this one day. The book is written backwards, it takes some getting used to the formatting and the chapters are also ridiculously long (my only complaint).
Picoult likes to cover real issues in a fictional way. This is a book I will think about for a long time and highly recommend to others looking for a heavier read. I can see where this book wouldn't be for everyone, but I think the way it is presented is a good as it could be. It takes a very controversial and sensitive topic, that people like to tiptoe around, and put it at the forefront of the story. It makes you think, and that is what a book should do. Evoke emotion, whether that be positive or negative.
At times it is uncomfortable, but only in the way that something is uncomfortable because we aren't informed enough to talk about it. This book is brutally honest and covers the stories of many women and men whose lives are forever changed one this one day. The book is written backwards, it takes some getting used to the formatting and the chapters are also ridiculously long (my only complaint).
Picoult likes to cover real issues in a fictional way. This is a book I will think about for a long time and highly recommend to others looking for a heavier read. I can see where this book wouldn't be for everyone, but I think the way it is presented is a good as it could be. It takes a very controversial and sensitive topic, that people like to tiptoe around, and put it at the forefront of the story. It makes you think, and that is what a book should do. Evoke emotion, whether that be positive or negative.
thereadingbee's review against another edition
5.0
I have read this book twice and I just love the message Picoult is trying to put out into the world. I think most people would find this book quite controversial in the sense that it takes place at a women's reproductive health services clinic.
The day starts out like any other, and by the evening is eclipsed by a gunman who opens fire and takes all those in the clinic hostage. You are not only getting the events going on inside the building with the gunman and hostage, but also from the hostage negotiator on the outside trying to get everyone out safe. Each character is explored and their reasonings for being at the clinic explained.
Picoult is the queen of tackling controversial topics in the most thought provoking ways. This book was incredibly well researched and the characters were phenomenal. My only "issue" I had was the book was how it was laid out; in a narrative structure that counts backwards during the standoff. It looks at each individual and traces back to what brought each individual to the clinic that fateful day. It was a difficult book to put down for a few days and then pick back up with is basically being written backwards, but that's just my opinion. Others could love that type of formatting.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and all the research the Picoult presents at the very end.
Read this is you are fans of: Liane Moriarty, If These Walls Could Talk, irregular narrative format, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, heavy hitting topics
The day starts out like any other, and by the evening is eclipsed by a gunman who opens fire and takes all those in the clinic hostage. You are not only getting the events going on inside the building with the gunman and hostage, but also from the hostage negotiator on the outside trying to get everyone out safe. Each character is explored and their reasonings for being at the clinic explained.
Picoult is the queen of tackling controversial topics in the most thought provoking ways. This book was incredibly well researched and the characters were phenomenal. My only "issue" I had was the book was how it was laid out; in a narrative structure that counts backwards during the standoff. It looks at each individual and traces back to what brought each individual to the clinic that fateful day. It was a difficult book to put down for a few days and then pick back up with is basically being written backwards, but that's just my opinion. Others could love that type of formatting.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and all the research the Picoult presents at the very end.
Read this is you are fans of: Liane Moriarty, If These Walls Could Talk, irregular narrative format, All the Ugly and Wonderful Things, heavy hitting topics
jaded618's review against another edition
3.0
The way this book was written (backwards) was very cool to read! It was unique to know how the book was ending and back it up as the pieces all started to fit together and give you the full picture.
Not my favorite Jodi Picoult book, but it was still good.
Not my favorite Jodi Picoult book, but it was still good.
mirandapiorun's review against another edition
3.0
This was a hard book for me to review.
I at first LOVED this book, I couldn't get enough of it until I got the middle and it became so repetitive. The big "twist" was super predictable, I don't even consider it a twist. I do believe this book is a very informative and well-researched book, but could have been so much better if written not in reverse but normally.
I at first LOVED this book, I couldn't get enough of it until I got the middle and it became so repetitive. The big "twist" was super predictable, I don't even consider it a twist. I do believe this book is a very informative and well-researched book, but could have been so much better if written not in reverse but normally.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
RATING: 3 STARS
(Review Not on Blog)
I liked that Picoult showed different point of views on pro-choice/pro-life via different characters. I found the characterizations a bit scant in comparison to her other novels. I found it hard to connect to the characters as they feel more one dimensional. I did enjoy the overall plot, but wished the character vignettes were a bit more fleshed out. I also liked way the author tells the story from end to beginning, it made the story more engaging.
(Review Not on Blog)
I liked that Picoult showed different point of views on pro-choice/pro-life via different characters. I found the characterizations a bit scant in comparison to her other novels. I found it hard to connect to the characters as they feel more one dimensional. I did enjoy the overall plot, but wished the character vignettes were a bit more fleshed out. I also liked way the author tells the story from end to beginning, it made the story more engaging.
beccap104's review against another edition
4.0
It was a great book but felt a little too drawn out to me.
annebrooke's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed the structure of this one - where the book starts with the end and works back to the beginning - though it does force the reader to work hard. As usual with Picoult, it's a page-turner, but I do wish she would write character-led stories and not issue-led one as it would lead to far more satisfying books - and the issue-approach does get terribly wearing ...
I also thought the epilogue was far too short - we don't get any information on what happens to any of the characters after this dreadful day they've just been through and that's very frustrating indeed. I needed a far better thought-out ending.
I also thought the epilogue was far too short - we don't get any information on what happens to any of the characters after this dreadful day they've just been through and that's very frustrating indeed. I needed a far better thought-out ending.
meaks91's review against another edition
5.0
Can always count on Jodi to write a beautiful book. This book is phenomenal! The various points of view are excellent and it gives a lot of food for thought. The backwards narration gets some time to get used to, but you could re-read the book backwards!!!
joey1914's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kimdw's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly not my favourite Jodi Picoult book, but still a good read! It was a little difficult to read for two reasons: 1) the format/timing of the book - it is written backward, each chapter starting an hour before the last, and 2) the topic: abortions. With each chapter starting an hour before the last, it was a book that you really needed to pay attention to, and remember details from the past. Often, I'd forget who a character was or what'd already happened. In part, that was due to the pace in which I read it (I started in December and finished in April). Perhaps if I'd read it faster/in less time, I would've enjoyed it more. I may try to read it and re-review it sometime in the future. The topic of abortions was approached from various points of view, which I appreciated but at times it was just hard to read because of the details (especially coming from the doctor's POV). As usual, there was a plot twist of sorts, though I'd call it more of a side-story twist. It wasn't as huge as her other plot twists, but she still threw me for a loop. As always.