What Lengths Should a Family Go to Save a Life?
Anna was conceived as a bone marrow donor for her sister Kate. Originally it was just going to be taken from the placenta but when that didn’t hold, Anna ended up being a long-term donor for Kate. By the age of 13, Anna had undergone several surgeries and transfusions. Now she is expected to donate a kidney to her sister. Now she will draw a line in the sand. She will fight this.
What length should parents and siblings’ go to save a family member’s life? What is ethical, moral, and legal? What is right for the person who has the disease? Picoult does not give us the answers but leads us through the journey of what one family, lawyers, and the courts go through. In the end, we must decide.
I like how the narrative of the story switches from character to character so that we can get inside what each person is thinking and feeling. Picoult also throws in a few twists and turns to keep the story and plot going.
Several people have recommended this book to me. I must admit I hesitated, blowing it off as “chick lit”. Boy was I wrong. This story is not superficial fluff; it deals with deep ethical issues and is well written.
This is the first Jodi Picoult book I have read, but it is certainly not the last. I highly recommend My Sister’s Keeper!
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I skipped right over your review because I’ve already read a few too many potential spoilers and this one’s on the stacks. But, the last line is all I needed to know! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
And, I love your blog, too. 🙂
Bookfool,
I try really hard not to give away spoilers. I don’t think I did with this review. I hate it when reviews give away spoilers, so it is my policy not to.
I’ll be interested to hear your thoughts after you read the book. I do think you will like it.
My Sister’s Keeper was the first Jodi Picoult book I read and I loved it. I was so emotional throughout the book. This is definitely one of my favorite books by her. I think you will enjoy her other books as well.
Shon,
What other books of her’s do you recommend?
I am probably the last person to have never read Jodi Picoult. I’ll have to give her a try one of these days!
I appreciate the no spoiler review. I try to do the same. If I think I’ve crossed the line, I leave a warning at the start of the review.
I’ve been dying to read this book but my library doesn’t have it and I don’t have the money to just buy books new because I want to read it but I don’t think I’ve seen a single person say they didn’t like it.
The only Jodi Picoult book I’ve read so far is The Tenth Circle which was really good too.
This book has been on my reading radar for some time now; I will get to it…eventually.
Spoilers are a contentious issue. I usually try to give a brief ‘feel’ for the book along with my personal opinion. Your reviews Teddy, always feel like a teaser, giving just enough to have me wanting more. Keep ’em coming. 🙂
Beth,
If you read Picoult, come back and share your thoughts.
That’s a good idea, “May contain Spoilers”
Callista,
I am so suprised that your library doesn’t have the book. Do they offer inter-library loans, where they can see if a different library has it? It usually takes awhile to get the book, but it’s usually free. At least it is at my library. I read this as a library book, or I would offer to send it to you.
I’ll have to look at Tenth Circle.
Wanda,
I try to keep my reviews short but with giving a good idea of what the book is about. It soulds like thats what your getting from them and that makes me very happy! Thanks so much for letting me know!
I think you would like My Sister’s Keeper.
I loved this novel of Picoult’s-it was one of her very best. So many of hers are really good-a few of my favorites were Second Glance and Nineteen Minutes.
Dar,
Thanks telling me your other favorites of Picoult’s. I’ll take a look at those when I’m ready to read another.
Teddy, very nice review. I think I fluffed the word verification but if this appears twice, sorry!
I haven’t read this one but Picoult definitely writes intense books that peel the layers off contemporary issues. Have you got Nineteen Minutes on your list? You probably should.
(Oh good, this word veri looks easier!)
Linda,
Thanks! I do have Nineteen Minutes on my TBR.
I’ve noticed on other blogs that sometimes the words in the verification are hard to read. Glad you got a better word. LOL!
This was the first Picoult book and, boy, did it have an impact on me! I’ve sense been working my way through some of the author’s other books. I’ve read four so far.
Teddy, I avoided Picoult for years too, because I didn’t take her seriously. I thought she wrote fluff, probably because she writes so many books. I was pleasantly surprised. I love when that happens!
Literary Feline,
It really does stick with you.
Kristy,
I’m so glad that I decided to try it and pass judgement after. It wasn’t the fluff I took it for either.
I think that your right, part of the reason I suspected her as a fluff writer is because she has written so many books.
I really loved this book as well and it was my 1st encounter with Piccoult. I’ve read a few others by her and this is still my favorite.
Thanks for stopping by Samantha. I look forward to reading some of her other books, but I think it would be hard to top this one.
I thought this was a great book. I’ve read several of Picoult’s novels and enjoyed them all. I like how she writes about heavy topics that aren’t always black and white.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Few years back my sister, I and my dad tried to read Jodi Picoult (my sister introduced her to us,) and my dad mentioned he tried to read this book, but it was a DNF for him. I only read one of her books and didn’t like it.
I have a paperback copy of this book that I bought at my local library yearly sale for 25 cents. I have been hesitant reading it but after reading your review I will have to put it into my to read pile of books. I have read quite a few of Jodi Picoult’s books and my favorite are two older novels that I got at the library. The two books are Salem’s Falls and The Pact. I loved these two books and when someone mentions them the ends are still vivid in my mind.