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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I have read some good reviews of Picoult and supposedly she is famous for doing lots of research for her books. After reading this one, frankly I don't quite get the hype. The story is about a young girl who starts getting stigmata after her parents have a traumatic divorce. The Dad thinks the Mom is trying to play these events for money or attention or...something. Press hullabaloo and weighing in from various religious leaders ensue. There is also a completely unbelievable and eye-rollingly sappy romance plopped into the middle of things just to ensure there is a happy ending and leaven the proceedings I suppose. I originally gave this 3 stars but upon reflection, I don't know why. I am knocking it down to 2.
Like her other books, I was very let down by this Picoult novel. I don't know why I keep reading/listening to them. Her writing follows a formula, and it's not even good writing. Don't waste your time with this book.
This is not my first Jodi Picoult book but it will be my last for awhile. I have enjoyed the other books by this author, but found I could barely get through this one and I also found myself avoiding it. I had many problems with this book, mainly with the amazingly unbelievable characters.
1. Mariah:
The mother of a 7 year old daughter, who lives her life by a schedule of laundry, children's activities, outside errands, etc. No other family or women relationships other than her mother. A woman who is obsessively in love with her husband, which is nice, but it sounds more like a high school obsession rather than a full-grown woman and mother in her 30's. She is fragile and weak and suicidal over a man of virtually no substance whatsoever and allows herself to not think of her child first.
2. Millie:
Mariah's mother. This character is so stereotypical and textbook, she is hardly worth mentioning.
3. Colin:
The adulterous husband who for some reason brings out this obessessive weakness in his wife and can't stand to live with someone like this so seeks solace in other women as his excuse. Aside from Picoult trying to add some value to his character by showing how much he loves Faith, his daughter, somehow it never rings true for me. How he jumps from one woman's arms to another and all of a sudden finds himself divorced and remarried with a baby on the way with one of these women and not even really sure about it just makes him a complete cad in all regards. Never once do I buy into him being a father.
4. Faith:
The little girl who all the fuss is about. She is Mariah and Colin's 7 year old daughter who all of sudden after her parents split, sees an imaginary friend she calls her "guard", which is really "God". Starts quoting from the Bible and produces stigmata and does the "laying of hands" healing. This is about as far-fetched a Picoult story has ever gone. Thiss part of the story does not wrap up cleanly for me almost allowing us to believe this drivel, if I wanted to read fantasy I would have. Didn't like this premise at all and it went on and on and on and on and left so many holes. When this child was in the hospital and when the hospital virtually was empty as a result of her being there because all these folks were healed, such as the entire AIDS ward were cured, it was all talked about as gossip and oh wow, oh really, like it was no big deal. No ever even elaborated on this. In the custody battle, they just went on as if that didn't even happen. GGGRR!
5. Ian:
The tele-atheist. I actually liked this character alot. But then when he fell for MAriah, I lost my interest. What was there to fall for? How could he fall so hard? I did not feel any chemistry there at all. She was still a needy woman in the end as well, I never felt her strenghth, yet he still was ga-ga over her. Didn't get the attraction.
I cannot recommend this ridiculous book which was complete waste. However if you want to pick up a Picoult book, I would kindly recommend, A Change of Heart, which is beautifully done.
1. Mariah:
The mother of a 7 year old daughter, who lives her life by a schedule of laundry, children's activities, outside errands, etc. No other family or women relationships other than her mother. A woman who is obsessively in love with her husband, which is nice, but it sounds more like a high school obsession rather than a full-grown woman and mother in her 30's. She is fragile and weak and suicidal over a man of virtually no substance whatsoever and allows herself to not think of her child first.
2. Millie:
Mariah's mother. This character is so stereotypical and textbook, she is hardly worth mentioning.
3. Colin:
The adulterous husband who for some reason brings out this obessessive weakness in his wife and can't stand to live with someone like this so seeks solace in other women as his excuse. Aside from Picoult trying to add some value to his character by showing how much he loves Faith, his daughter, somehow it never rings true for me. How he jumps from one woman's arms to another and all of a sudden finds himself divorced and remarried with a baby on the way with one of these women and not even really sure about it just makes him a complete cad in all regards. Never once do I buy into him being a father.
4. Faith:
The little girl who all the fuss is about. She is Mariah and Colin's 7 year old daughter who all of sudden after her parents split, sees an imaginary friend she calls her "guard", which is really "God". Starts quoting from the Bible and produces stigmata and does the "laying of hands" healing. This is about as far-fetched a Picoult story has ever gone. Thiss part of the story does not wrap up cleanly for me almost allowing us to believe this drivel, if I wanted to read fantasy I would have. Didn't like this premise at all and it went on and on and on and on and left so many holes. When this child was in the hospital and when the hospital virtually was empty as a result of her being there because all these folks were healed, such as the entire AIDS ward were cured, it was all talked about as gossip and oh wow, oh really, like it was no big deal. No ever even elaborated on this. In the custody battle, they just went on as if that didn't even happen. GGGRR!
5. Ian:
The tele-atheist. I actually liked this character alot. But then when he fell for MAriah, I lost my interest. What was there to fall for? How could he fall so hard? I did not feel any chemistry there at all. She was still a needy woman in the end as well, I never felt her strenghth, yet he still was ga-ga over her. Didn't get the attraction.
I cannot recommend this ridiculous book which was complete waste. However if you want to pick up a Picoult book, I would kindly recommend, A Change of Heart, which is beautifully done.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
jodi picoult is brilliant but i do wish she would end her books a bit more clearly sometimes
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Keeping Faith" tells the story of a little girl, Faith, who out of a sudden claimed that she could see and talk to God. This odd claim happened after her parents' brutal divorce. Soon Faith started healing people, and experienced stigmata. Is Faith really a prophet? Can she really talk to God, or is it just the result of her imagination?
I quite enjoyed this book; the way Picoult writes it makes the book interesting, and it had quite a good plot. I always enjoy Jodi Picoult's books. I like the dose of drama and tragedy in the story, and a little touch of romance every here and there. The ending, however, feels kind of "rushed" to me. Picoult's endings always leave me thinking of many things, since it is usually half open-ended.
But, as I said before, I quite enjoyed this book. I read it in a few weeks, and I liked it. Only that I sometimes disagree with some of the characters' statements about God and faith, since they are rather of an opposite to my beliefs. But still... Jodi Picoult is my favorite author by far.
I quite enjoyed this book; the way Picoult writes it makes the book interesting, and it had quite a good plot. I always enjoy Jodi Picoult's books. I like the dose of drama and tragedy in the story, and a little touch of romance every here and there. The ending, however, feels kind of "rushed" to me. Picoult's endings always leave me thinking of many things, since it is usually half open-ended.
But, as I said before, I quite enjoyed this book. I read it in a few weeks, and I liked it. Only that I sometimes disagree with some of the characters' statements about God and faith, since they are rather of an opposite to my beliefs. But still... Jodi Picoult is my favorite author by far.
Keeping Faith, an early novel of Jodi Picoult’s, is about love, heartbreak, trust, and healing.
After Faith White, daughter of Mariah White, starts to exhibit some strange symptoms, Mariah becomes a bit wary. But once Faith starts talking to “her God” and performing what some may call miracles, Mariah doesn’t know where to turn to.
The public eye is now on her and her daughter, leaving many to wonder if this could be a ploy for attention, and who would be the one seeking it.
Leaving you wanting more, Keeping Faith will have you turning the pages and loving every second of it.
This may be my favorite book by Jodi Picoult, which is saying something as she is my favorite author. I absolutely adore the characters, they are so relatable, lovable, and interesting. Their story is one that is as incredible as it is hard to swallow.
As I went through this novel and heard every character and their personalities, I knew right away that the main character, Mariah White, is someone that a large majority of moms could relate to and understand. She is critical with herself, a perfectionist. She thrives on her routine, and throws herself fully into whatever matter may be at hand. She has a lot of doubts as a mother, but she cares so deeply for Faith. She is the epitome of a good, loving mother. Going as far as to believe in her daughter when nobody else in the family would.
Ian Fletcher became someone who I could easily find myself enjoying a drink with, conversing about his beliefs and thoughts. His way with words is incredible and will have you right in the palm of his hand. He has such a devilish charm about him, it really ties well with the other characters and the whole outline of the novel.
Faith is such a sweet girl, so young and so innocent. You can only feel the heartbreak in her as she watches her parents enter a nasty divorce. The light that becomes her, though, as she starts talking to her “god” is otherworldly.
It goes in depth with background information and detail about religion and how it feels to be going through many life changing experiences. I 100% recommend this novel.
After Faith White, daughter of Mariah White, starts to exhibit some strange symptoms, Mariah becomes a bit wary. But once Faith starts talking to “her God” and performing what some may call miracles, Mariah doesn’t know where to turn to.
The public eye is now on her and her daughter, leaving many to wonder if this could be a ploy for attention, and who would be the one seeking it.
Leaving you wanting more, Keeping Faith will have you turning the pages and loving every second of it.
This may be my favorite book by Jodi Picoult, which is saying something as she is my favorite author. I absolutely adore the characters, they are so relatable, lovable, and interesting. Their story is one that is as incredible as it is hard to swallow.
As I went through this novel and heard every character and their personalities, I knew right away that the main character, Mariah White, is someone that a large majority of moms could relate to and understand. She is critical with herself, a perfectionist. She thrives on her routine, and throws herself fully into whatever matter may be at hand. She has a lot of doubts as a mother, but she cares so deeply for Faith. She is the epitome of a good, loving mother. Going as far as to believe in her daughter when nobody else in the family would.
Ian Fletcher became someone who I could easily find myself enjoying a drink with, conversing about his beliefs and thoughts. His way with words is incredible and will have you right in the palm of his hand. He has such a devilish charm about him, it really ties well with the other characters and the whole outline of the novel.
Faith is such a sweet girl, so young and so innocent. You can only feel the heartbreak in her as she watches her parents enter a nasty divorce. The light that becomes her, though, as she starts talking to her “god” is otherworldly.
It goes in depth with background information and detail about religion and how it feels to be going through many life changing experiences. I 100% recommend this novel.
The first Jodi Picoult book I ever read was The Pact. I loved it and became a Picoult fan immediately. After that I decided to read all of her books, in the order that they were written, so I made my way through Songs of the Humpback Whale, Harvesting The Heart, Picture Perfect, and Mercy, and that brought me to Keeping Faith.
Normally, I'm not a fan of religious books, but this one, is a book that poses more questions about religion than it answers, and while containing plentiful religious references, it is not a thinly-veiled attempt to convert you or convince you of anything other than "you just never know." Just like all of Picoult's books I have read so far, I found myself drawn into the story straight away. Mariah, is an easy to relate to mother figure, to Faith, and it's easy to imagine how easily any of us could fall prey to the same difficulties that Mariah, and Faith have to face. I'm not going to spoil the story for anyone else who should read it, so I will end, simply by saying, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it warmed my heart, and it got into my head and made me think. If you are a Picoult fan, this is a must read, and if you're not, give it a try... When you're done reading you surely will be.
Normally, I'm not a fan of religious books, but this one, is a book that poses more questions about religion than it answers, and while containing plentiful religious references, it is not a thinly-veiled attempt to convert you or convince you of anything other than "you just never know." Just like all of Picoult's books I have read so far, I found myself drawn into the story straight away. Mariah, is an easy to relate to mother figure, to Faith, and it's easy to imagine how easily any of us could fall prey to the same difficulties that Mariah, and Faith have to face. I'm not going to spoil the story for anyone else who should read it, so I will end, simply by saying, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it warmed my heart, and it got into my head and made me think. If you are a Picoult fan, this is a must read, and if you're not, give it a try... When you're done reading you surely will be.
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced