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thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition
reflective
slow-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
1.0
merryburnsreads_24's review against another edition
5.0
Probably my favorite Picoult book so far. Gripping, thought provoking and socially important.
nwiltse's review against another edition
3.0
I really thought I'd read this book before. The whole book seemed like deja vu, just like I swear I've written this review before. I even remember looking up how to spell deja vu. Have I told you before that it's a good Jodi Picoult, with great characters (love the lawyer).
kellylhaslam's review against another edition
3.0
This book explores a variety of complex and thought-provoking topics: making health decisions for one's children, the interconnected family impact when one child has a terminal illness, parental love, sibling love, what it means to be a good parent, and donor matching and organ donation within a single family.
I enjoyed how Picoult examined the perspective of each family member (as well as other characters connected to the situation) to better frame the entire situation from a variety of angles. Nevertheless, I found myself continually drawn to the perspective of one particular character. I'm not sure if that was intended since the book was written from a variety of character perspectives? So, while the book enhanced my perspective of other points of view, it did not move me enough with those other persectives for me to feel conflicted (which I actually would have appreciated as a reader).
I am sure there are some readers who do not like how the book ended. However, I am not one of them. I had not predicted some of the events at the end (which is always a plus as a reader) and I found them meaningful.
Overall, I think this is a decent book with very interesting topics. I wanted to love it, but I was not challenged emotionally as much as I may have wanted.
I enjoyed how Picoult examined the perspective of each family member (as well as other characters connected to the situation) to better frame the entire situation from a variety of angles. Nevertheless, I found myself continually drawn to the perspective of one particular character. I'm not sure if that was intended since the book was written from a variety of character perspectives? So, while the book enhanced my perspective of other points of view, it did not move me enough with those other persectives for me to feel conflicted (which I actually would have appreciated as a reader).
I am sure there are some readers who do not like how the book ended. However, I am not one of them. I had not predicted some of the events at the end (which is always a plus as a reader) and I found them meaningful.
Overall, I think this is a decent book with very interesting topics. I wanted to love it, but I was not challenged emotionally as much as I may have wanted.
paperfig's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed the characters and the controversial topic is thought provoking but the ending was disappointing, I was actually disappointed in the author for writing it.
sjbc's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book - incredibly sad on so many levels but an interesting look inside a struggling family. The ending was powerful to me. Many people did not like it, however it spoke to me.
heidi_loves_to_read's review against another edition
5.0
My very first Jodi Picoult book and a great one- have the box of tissues ready!
lelesia's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book I have read by Picoult. She is a brilliant writer - very graceful and controlled.
I thought I would LOVE this book, I could not put it down. But, due to the ending, I merely liked it. I loved this book until the last twenty or so pages. I don't dislike the ending because it's sad, but because it felt rushed. Picoult does a great job of "showing" more than "telling", however, the last pages when everything unravels - she bolts through it. Very frustrating.
I thought I would LOVE this book, I could not put it down. But, due to the ending, I merely liked it. I loved this book until the last twenty or so pages. I don't dislike the ending because it's sad, but because it felt rushed. Picoult does a great job of "showing" more than "telling", however, the last pages when everything unravels - she bolts through it. Very frustrating.