sommerlarson's review
2.0
I honestly tried to read this book, but I could not get past somebody writing about a boy being molested. It was just so depressing for me to read about the pain this boy and his family was in. So I quit reading it, and moved on to something else. Im hoping Jodi Picoult isn't this depressing with all her books, because I would like to read more of what she has to offer.
kcoccia's review
5.0
*Prepare yourself before reading. This book does contain sexual abuse towards a child and it is described from the child's point of view*
I love Jodi Picoult. She chooses to write books about difficult and controversial topics but I always love them. I couldn't put this book down.
Only thing that didn't seem to fit was the narration of Nathaniel. I don't have kids so I don't know for sure but I couldn't imagine kids thinking that way. It just seemed like he was having very grown up thoughts but he's 5 so it didn't fit for me.
I love Jodi Picoult. She chooses to write books about difficult and controversial topics but I always love them. I couldn't put this book down.
Only thing that didn't seem to fit was the narration of Nathaniel. I don't have kids so I don't know for sure but I couldn't imagine kids thinking that way. It just seemed like he was having very grown up thoughts but he's 5 so it didn't fit for me.
crikhopit's review
2.0
Unfortunately, I've read so many of Jodi's books that they are all becoming too predictable and too convoluted.
sarose13's review
5.0
Really good! Jodi Picoult has an amazing writing style capturing the thoughts and feelings of characters. This story had me interested and invested in all the characters the whole time!
fkshg8465's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Frustrated by this one. Its the ending. I realize this probably was the most likely outcome given it’s a book, but I totally disagree with the verdict.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Mental illness
beccbugg's review against another edition
4.0
JP does a very good job writing her books. This book took the longest for me to read because of the content. It was an amazing book but not my favorite by her.
The one thing that I like about her books is that she develops the characters very well. Out of the books I have read, her books have developed a theme around kids. At this point I have read, My Sister's Keeper, Change of Heart, Vanishing Act and The Plain Truth.
The one thing that I like about her books is that she develops the characters very well. Out of the books I have read, her books have developed a theme around kids. At this point I have read, My Sister's Keeper, Change of Heart, Vanishing Act and The Plain Truth.
felinity's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jenmat1197's review
3.0
This is the story of lawyer, Nina Frost. She and her husband has a five year old son named Nathaniel. One day after church, Nathaniel stops talking. His parents have no idea why, so they take him in for counseling. After a few weeks, there is no success, so they start to teach him sign language. The counselor - after Nathaniel has learned some basic signs - ask Nathaniel if someone hurt him. He is able to sign whom has abused him, and this sets off a wirlwind of events. Nina finds herself in a position that no mother should ever have to be in as she watches her family fall apart. It will take all of their resolve to start to heal.
This book was....okay. That is a lot of okayish books for me this month, and I am not happy about it. I like many of Piccoult's books, but this one was a bit of a miss. Positives - I had to keep reading it because I wanted to know where the story was going . (Jodi is famous for some twist endings and crazy story lines). But in the end, I was disappointed in the direction the story took. Without giving away too much, all I can say is that there is a 1% chance that in real life, this story would end the way it ended in the book. Just too unrealistic.
I don't NOT recommend it, because it had some reall great mystery parts that would keep the reading engaged. It was just the overall ending that did it for me.
This book was....okay. That is a lot of okayish books for me this month, and I am not happy about it. I like many of Piccoult's books, but this one was a bit of a miss. Positives - I had to keep reading it because I wanted to know where the story was going . (Jodi is famous for some twist endings and crazy story lines). But in the end, I was disappointed in the direction the story took. Without giving away too much, all I can say is that there is a 1% chance that in real life, this story would end the way it ended in the book. Just too unrealistic.
I don't NOT recommend it, because it had some reall great mystery parts that would keep the reading engaged. It was just the overall ending that did it for me.
attoliairene's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.5
(I need a few days to collect my thoughts and present them in a coherent manner)
I feel so conflicted. Part of me wants to give this book a 3 star rating and lock it away into the deepest abyss of my mind. However, despite being published more than 20 years ago, the issues it brings up are still quite prevalent in the news today.
The character POV switches every paragraph which is definitely unique and takes some time to get used to.
My thoughts are circling and I don’t know how to describe how I feel.
chelsea_jean's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0