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stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
3.0
A very interesting portrayal of Asperberger's syndrome. As with all her books, Jodi Picoult does an amazing job researching her topic and incorporating it into the story. I thought that the main character (with Asberger's) was very well developed, but some of the other characters were lacking depth. Also, the ending was very unsatisfying.
rachdonz's review against another edition
3.0
As someone who had no idea the depths of what Asperger Syndrome looks like, it was mind blowing to understand the impact of what a special needs child does to a family dynamic. Speaking from privilege, this is something I have not had to experience — which is why this book was eye opening.
With that being said… THE ENDING?!?! I would’ve given this book 4 stars, but the way the book ended realllllly rubbed me the wrong way. All that build up, and then it just ends. Throughout the novel I said “ASK JACOB FOR THE TRUTH” about 100x. Extremely frustrating end to an enjoyable read.
With that being said… THE ENDING?!?! I would’ve given this book 4 stars, but the way the book ended realllllly rubbed me the wrong way. All that build up, and then it just ends. Throughout the novel I said “ASK JACOB FOR THE TRUTH” about 100x. Extremely frustrating end to an enjoyable read.
cobycoyle's review against another edition
2.0
Her take on Asperger’s (which doesn’t actually exist anymore as of me reading this) just makes me uncomfy. I’m not autistic so maybe I have no idea what I’m talking about, but.
Also I work at a school and for large part of that I sat there asking myself if I was in a training or reading a book for pleasure.
Also I don’t think Jodi knows that you don’t *have* to have a romance between characters in every single book….Emma and Oliver make no sense.
Also I work at a school and for large part of that I sat there asking myself if I was in a training or reading a book for pleasure.
Also I don’t think Jodi knows that you don’t *have* to have a romance between characters in every single book….Emma and Oliver make no sense.
anjalisudarsan's review against another edition
2.0
This book seemed to have a lot of potential for a courtroom drama and a mystery-themed story.
It’s also narrated in different people’s perspectives - from the mother, jacob (the boy with asperperger's), the ignored brother, the defending lawyer, and the police inspector. I feel like the book could've been cut short by a lot, and that it was obvious - they could've just asked him the right questions and got the answer. This was a lot of rambling and back and forth.
I also detested the whole mama bear trope - there was literally a sentence where the mom says something along the lines of 'I am not upset about my son being a murderer, just that another mother’s child is dead'. I hated how she was so over-defensive about Jacob, it was getting onto my nerves. It’s a mom thing, definitely, but it was off putting reading about how her son could do no wrong, that he was pure etc etc. Like cmon, just LOOK at your other son.
I think there was an information overload on Aspergers, which was also a bit tedious to read. Including the link between autism and vaccines, that came out of nowhere!
It’s also narrated in different people’s perspectives - from the mother, jacob (the boy with asperperger's), the ignored brother, the defending lawyer, and the police inspector. I feel like the book could've been cut short by a lot, and that it was obvious - they could've just asked him the right questions and got the answer. This was a lot of rambling and back and forth.
I also detested the whole mama bear trope - there was literally a sentence where the mom says something along the lines of 'I am not upset about my son being a murderer, just that another mother’s child is dead'. I hated how she was so over-defensive about Jacob, it was getting onto my nerves. It’s a mom thing, definitely, but it was off putting reading about how her son could do no wrong, that he was pure etc etc. Like cmon, just LOOK at your other son.
I think there was an information overload on Aspergers, which was also a bit tedious to read. Including the link between autism and vaccines, that came out of nowhere!
read_with_holly128's review against another edition
5.0
it was a really great book dealing with asperger's and the way a child may act with asperger's. It was very well written. I love Jodi Picoult now and she is just an amazing author.
ohhedgehogs's review against another edition
2.0
if the ending didnt blow goats it would be higher rated. at this time. i feel like i just WASTED my time reading this. super. mad.
llynnsey's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Jacob. This story brought awareness to Aspergers.
hkantola11's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness and Abandonment
Minor: Cursing
booktrovertjen's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.25
devonforest's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, overall I enjoyed the book but there were a few things that bothered me/I didn't like. Once again we have a mother falling in love with her son's lawyer while he's on trial for murder. I'm sorry, but really? Not only that but there's like a 10-15 year age gap. Not everyone has to fall in love with someone. In general the story was slow moving there was a lot of flashbacks and tangents, while helpful after a while just dragged the story on too long. And we weren't told what really happened until the last 10 pages or so; which I guess keeps the reader interested until the very end, but is also frustrating as a reader. (I won't count that necessarily as a negative for the book.) Like I said I enjoyed the book but there were a few things that stuck out that prevented me from loving it.