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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
A big surprise while reading was the connection with Nineteen Minutes. Not the actual connection of the stories, but connecting my own personal life when I read NM vs this book. I read Nineteen Minutes in 8th grade (yeah, I thought I was so cool reading "adult" books then lol) and found it extremely profound. Reading this, I could see my 8th grade self finding it so "edgy" and "realistic" and "unlike anything I've ever read before". Whereas now, after reading hundreds (I think?) more books over the years, my tastes have certainly shifted. I'm now wondering if all of this is to say I'm just more pretentious LOL
My Sister's Keeper and Nineteen Minutes were instrumental for me in discovering a new branch of conversation around death and tragedy as an early teenager. One of Picoult's overall strengths is taking huge topics and whittling it down to a size that is easily digestible for those who may be a little afraid of things outside their comfort zone. I will always support this and will always be a fan because of it.
The issue I have is deciding on leaning into the melodrama. I have yet to read a court scene of hers that doesn't have me on the edge of my seat. The stakes are always high and I'm always expecting something crazy to come about at the end. In this particular story, it certainly does happen, but some of it felt a little stretched and the scenes outside the courtroom had some great moments, but lacking emotional punch overall.
The best examples of "great moments" are any pages with a parent-child connection, particularly with the mothers. Emotional highlights, for sure!! However, these tender moments are surrounded by bad melodramatic beats so it almost takes you right out of everything. The first thing that comes to mind is the ending. So the DA isn't going to prosecute the ACTUAL MURDERER of this so-called "high profile case"? A Hail Mary last minute save by Jordan/Selena about the medical condition? Hmmmm sure, Jan.
Unfortunately there were a few moments like that in the story, which took away from the emotional parts. To be clear, I'd rather have healthy stories surrounding transgenderism that don't wow than no stories at all!!! Just wish there was better melodrama around some great emotional moments.
My Sister's Keeper and Nineteen Minutes were instrumental for me in discovering a new branch of conversation around death and tragedy as an early teenager. One of Picoult's overall strengths is taking huge topics and whittling it down to a size that is easily digestible for those who may be a little afraid of things outside their comfort zone. I will always support this and will always be a fan because of it.
The issue I have is deciding on leaning into the melodrama. I have yet to read a court scene of hers that doesn't have me on the edge of my seat. The stakes are always high and I'm always expecting something crazy to come about at the end. In this particular story, it certainly does happen, but some of it felt a little stretched and the scenes outside the courtroom had some great moments, but lacking emotional punch overall.
The best examples of "great moments" are any pages with a parent-child connection, particularly with the mothers. Emotional highlights, for sure!! However, these tender moments are surrounded by bad melodramatic beats so it almost takes you right out of everything. The first thing that comes to mind is the ending. So the DA isn't going to prosecute the ACTUAL MURDERER of this so-called "high profile case"? A Hail Mary last minute save by Jordan/Selena about the medical condition? Hmmmm sure, Jan.
Unfortunately there were a few moments like that in the story, which took away from the emotional parts. To be clear, I'd rather have healthy stories surrounding transgenderism that don't wow than no stories at all!!! Just wish there was better melodrama around some great emotional moments.
So. So. So good. The end wasn’t at all what I expected but wrapped so well. My heart aches for every character and all they’ll miss.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
inspiring
sad
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:
Yes
medium-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
I appreciate learning about the trans community and struggles they experience. I did find the book to be a little long and slow in places.
Never read anything like it and I’m so glad I did. This is a book that helps you expand your understanding of people who’s life path is not the exact same as yours. By the end you’ll have more in common than you you might have imagined before. It became less about “Who did it?” and more about following the life of a spectacular young woman gone to soon. Lily’s story is compelling, beautiful, and heart wrenching. I appreciate how you don’t really know all the characters until the end. Reads at a great pace!
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Violence