Helpful Score: 36
OK,I'm in the minority here in thinking this book was only so-so. There were certain parts of the book that had me in tears, and then there were other parts that just didn't seem to fit into the whole book. The story is told from a bunch of different perspectives, but I almost wish they'd just kept the POV within the family and possibly the lawyer and judge. With all the different narratives, you get bits and pieces of peoples' lives, and sometimes I feel that leads to distraction. I loved the flashbacks or the pieces of family history- those, I felt, added to the whole complexity and dynamic within the family. BUT, why was there so much time spent on the lawyer and his ex? SUre, their romance was a sweet side story, but it really took up too much of the plot. Also, we have this whole mystery going on about the lawyer's medical ailment that really adds zilch (and, to be honest, pales in comparison to Kate's leukemia).
I guess what I'm trying to say is, when the story is told from the eyes of the family, it is intriguing. When narrative switches to someone outside the family, it starts to plod. Jodi Picoult is extremely good at capturing emotions and the tiny nuances within the not-so-perfect family. But this just isn't her best book.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, when the story is told from the eyes of the family, it is intriguing. When narrative switches to someone outside the family, it starts to plod. Jodi Picoult is extremely good at capturing emotions and the tiny nuances within the not-so-perfect family. But this just isn't her best book.
Helpful Score: 18
This book has so many dimensions! A true page-turner that makes you think about your life as a mother and as a sister. The last 10 pages truly make the book.
Helpful Score: 17
There had been so much hype around this book because of the movie that I tried to keep my expectations in check. And I'm glad I did. While I enjoyed the book, I felt like the author just kept adding more and more lines to draw things out. What was said in 50 pages could have been said in 30, in my opinion. I just kept thinking, "get to the point, already!" Scenes were drawn out when they could have been more economized, is all I'm saying. Anyway, I did enjoy the book for the most part. I was definitely ready for it to end. And boy, what an ending! IT WAS NOT BELIEVABLE, and that part stuck with me for awhile. I kept telling myself, "well, that's what fiction is all about, Tammy." But, I dunno....I came to like the ending after it settled with me. Suspension of disbelief, they say.....
Helpful Score: 13
Emotionally jarring story of a daughter's struggle to become an individual, without comprising love for her family, especially her sister. I found the mother abhorrent and disturbing.
Helpful Score: 11
This was an amazing book! I'm a new mom myself, so this book had a whole new meaning to me. I'm not usually one to cry at books and movies, but this was definitely a tear jerker. Had me crying more than once! This was a wonderfully written story about an impossible situation. It's told from multiple points of view and each one is entirely believeable. I highly recommend this one.
