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bayleecox's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
romonko's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
5.0
This is probably the most devastating book I've ever read. Jodi Picoult has never been one to hold things back in her books, but this one rises above all of her other books. Her novel about two sisters who are emotionally and physically tied to each other. Kate is 16 when the book opens, and she has been suffering from a rare form of leukaemia since she was two. Anna is three years younger, and to quote her, she says that she's never had to wonder about who or what she is, or why she was born. She knows she was genetically programmed to be a donor for her older sister. As a result, Anna states that she's been in the hospital more than most people who are really sick. There was always another donation to be made to help her sister fight her leukaemia. When this book opens, most options are no longer open to Kate, and it looks like the only thing that may serve her is a kidney donation from her sister. Anna is not prepared to go through with this invasive surgery, so, after some research, she approaches a lawyer named Campbell Alexander and asks him to help her to become medically emancipated from her family. Campbell finds he can't say no to this girl, and agrees, even though he has enough of his own medical problems to deal with. The friendship and trust that develops between this girl and the lawyer is the glue that binds this book together, and the ups and downs of their relationship push the book forward to its unexpected and devastating close. I found that I couldn't put the book down, and just to had to see what was on the next page or the next chapter. The book is told from varying viewpoints, but Anna's character and her viewpoints is what binds them all together. The book will make you reexamine all your preconceived notions about family dynamics and responsibilities. After the emotional rollercoaster it puts you through, the end will break your heart but it will also inspire you.
amberwalters14's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
mpimental's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
dianacoz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bekacrook's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
What a hard hitting, emotional book. The characters were all flawed but genuine, they felt like they could be real people just stuck with an unfortunate lot in life. It was easy to understand where they each got their perspective on the court case and the way the author often dipped into their pasts while in their points of view really showed what key moments shaped them individually and as a family.
At times it was a hard read, there were so many feelings involved for all the characters, so many secrets and misunderstandings and lack of communication between characters in an effort to save them from more pain.
The ending absolutely gutted me, it differs from the film but ultimately I think it hits harder. It feels unfair and devasting and more in keeping with the unpredictable nature of life and peoples lives. It genuinely made me cry and gasp in shock. The timing of it was so effective but god, it was horrible. It felt like the whole story was for nothing.
The only bit that I wasn't the biggest fan of was the jumping between perspectives, different times and locations for all of them. Sometimes this made it hard to keep track and keep immersed in the story because you kept leaping to learn about it from another perspective. It was effective but just sometimes tricky to keep up.
At times it was a hard read, there were so many feelings involved for all the characters, so many secrets and misunderstandings and lack of communication between characters in an effort to save them from more pain.
The ending absolutely gutted me, it differs from the film but ultimately I think it hits harder. It feels unfair and devasting and more in keeping with the unpredictable nature of life and peoples lives. It genuinely made me cry and gasp in shock. The timing of it was so effective but god, it was horrible. It felt like the whole story was for nothing.
The only bit that I wasn't the biggest fan of was the jumping between perspectives, different times and locations for all of them. Sometimes this made it hard to keep track and keep immersed in the story because you kept leaping to learn about it from another perspective. It was effective but just sometimes tricky to keep up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Medical trauma, Cancer, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
Minor: Suicide attempt, Child death, Car accident, and Suicidal thoughts
jennharrott's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
build_a_bridget's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
thimsu's review against another edition
2.0
I'm so disappointed. While the concept was great, the execution much worse.
I sympathised with Anna from the very beginning, I loved how bold she was to press charges and fight for the quality of her life... until she wasn't...
I hated this plot twist!
The author once again made it about Kate while, I think, the point was to give Anna her spotlight. I acknowledge the fact how young Anna is but still- it bothers me that she did it all as a ANOTHER favour to Kate.
I try to understand Anna. In fact I too have two amazing sisters that I would do everything for, but I believe that it shouldn't be the point of this story
I did not enjoy most of the flashbacks, I think that the author should've left only the necessary ones (like Sara's or Anna's) and just delete the rest. I believe it would make the experience way better.
And, oh boy, how many pov's could've the author squeeze there?
There were way to many perspectives and it made reading so exhausting.
I sympathised with Anna from the very beginning, I loved how bold she was to press charges and fight for the quality of her life... until she wasn't...
I hated this plot twist!
The author once again made it about Kate while, I think, the point was to give Anna her spotlight. I acknowledge the fact how young Anna is but still- it bothers me that she did it all as a ANOTHER favour to Kate.
I try to understand Anna. In fact I too have two amazing sisters that I would do everything for, but I believe that it shouldn't be the point of this story
I did not enjoy most of the flashbacks, I think that the author should've left only the necessary ones (like Sara's or Anna's) and just delete the rest. I believe it would make the experience way better.
And, oh boy, how many pov's could've the author squeeze there?
There were way to many perspectives and it made reading so exhausting.