Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Small Great Things

I really don't know how to feel about this book! It is a book about racism written by a white woman, and that's major alarm bells from the start. However, I did appreciate the author's note at the end (which, having read some reviews, I actually read first) - that Picoult was aware that it was not her story to write, and that instead she wanted to write the story of someone like her, who might see themselves as anti-racist without acknowledging all the ways they betray this. That was a really interesting approach, although being white I don't feel that I can assess whether that's the 'right' one or not. I think that did lead me to wonder about the inclusion of Ruth's chapters - by writing them, Picoult was writing from a viewpoint that she explicitly said is not hers and that she will never truly understand; but equally, if she hadn't written them, I guess it would have been a way of erasing Ruth from a story in which she played a pivotal part. All this to say I don't know. I did really like the chapters from Kennedy's perspective, in large part because I could see myself and similar viewpoints through them; and I found the Turk chapters, particularly the early ones, interesting as an example of the ways that extremism can 'take hold' on an individual level. Equally, do Turk's chapters - and the humanising of Turk - belong in the same book that's about the harm caused to Ruth? And can it ever be okay for a white author to portray such vitrolic racism (and homophobia), even if it's in aid of not shying away from reality? I don't know. Something that did stand out, positively, was the "damned if I do, damned if I don't" that arose from the dual charges levelled at Ruth. Otherwise, there's little in this book that I really know how I feel about!

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stephhamp's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

3.5

I could not put this book down. But I also could not be more confused and conflicted about a book either.
As a black woman, I knew immediately that this book was written by a white woman. The thoughts and choices that Ruth made were beyond confusing. Infuriating at times. Even during the trial, Ruth's insistence to testify, seemed so out of character for any intelligent black woman to make. Why shoot yourself in the foot and admit to a lie of omission? Throughout the book, Ruth is playing a version of identity politics within herself. The belief that if she could just explain herself, she could just go home scot-free. I know Ruth is lighter skinned and the inclusion of colorism was a good touch, but she's an educated woman who went to Yale. Have you never seen a Law & Order show? You're a nurse in a hospital for 20 years, have you no idea how racial bias works and truly think you're the exception? That made no sense to me.
I did not like the fact that Picoult tried to find common ground with Turk's character. It's conflicting because while I don't think a white supremacist character should be written as sympathetic, I know in this world many people like Turk have been rehabilitated and changed, and that's a good thing. It won't erase their actions, but many people like Turk are trying to do good. It feels like by including Turk's backstory and the passages about his pain at losing his son, the reader was meant to feel sympathy. Why should I be sympathetic to him? I also did not like the big "twist" at the end when it was revealed Brit was half-black. It was meant to be this huge hypocrisy. "Oh you hate black people, but you are black." Unfortunately, many POC hats their race, and that comes out in a myriad of ways.
I think Picoult was trying to do something I hate. Trying to make a statement that we can all get along and change despite our politics. That is not true.
Kennedy was a realistic character, and I think the character probably most like the author. A grown woman who never really looked at race until she had to. Despite being a public defender. I don't think Jodi Picoult is a bad person, or a bac writer, quite the contrary. When I say I could not put this book down, I meant it. And I find this with all of her books that I've read so far. I plan to read more. I think her intentions and hopes were pure and good. But as a black intersectional feminist, the blind spots were very glaring.

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cielo's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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caseyleigh1024's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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destined_333's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring fast-paced

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

3.5

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cheaploaf's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This book was a ride. I really appreciated the 3 different angles it was told from. It was captivating, it was hard to put down. As a white person, it’s a book that made me think and reflect a lot. I appreciate Jodi Picoult’s author’s note and how extensive the research she did for the book was. I think it’s super important as a white author to be able to use your platform to talk about issues such as race.

I’m glad that the story didn’t revolve around white saviourism and that Kennedy didn’t even win Ruth her trial, the case was just acquitted. At first it seemed crazy to me that someone like Turk could end up on the complete opposite of the spectrum but I guess there are people out there like him in the real world.

Would absolutely recommend this book to anyone.

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mrs_elliott19's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I normally don’t write a hole sappy thing, but this boook!!!! I life is forever changed! I thing every needs to read this book at least once! I’m balling!!!

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