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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
As much as I love Jodi Picoult, the endings always feel like a cop-out. I hate how it’s the plot twist of the century but no elaboration on it or how it affects the characters. We have no idea what happened to Jacob, or Theo, or their family, and it’s a little bit frustrating. I guess it’s just the style in which she writes, but it bothers me. However, I also felt like the book was great. Theo’s perspective was incredibly interesting, and his conflicting emotions about his brother felt so realistic. I would’ve like to hear more from Emma and less from Rich, however.
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
I loved Jacob. This story brought awareness to Aspergers.
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment
Minor: Cursing
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes