I finished reading "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult last night. The writing was engaging and fluid - in that, I found it easy to read. The style of writing was wonderful, because each part of the book was broken into chapters by the different characters of the story surrounding the girl, Anna, who was conceived purposefully to donate her cord blood to hopefully extend her sister's life. The plot is front and center: Anna does not want to be a donor any more. She's thirteen and seeking legal council so she does not have to give her sister one of her kidneys. Her sister has a form of leukemia that one can only medically halt and reverse for so long before it will eventually take her life. Everyone knows this. Even Kate, the older sister who is dying of renal failure. Of course, the book takes a twist and turn toward the end (which I will not give away). This is a story of a family torn to shreds by decisions about how to save one of their members, while each member still has their own demons (so to speak) to deal with. Everyone in the story feels marginalized by Kate's fight for life, even Kate.
Although I did not cry once during the reading of this story, I know that it has impacted me in a profound way as I was angered by the mother in the story many times - if you read the book, you will know why. I am a mother and would probably not have put my Anna through anything more than the cord blood transfusion. Why? Well, when you child is given such a horrible outlook, quality of life becomes more important. Length - not so much. That's just my two cents. I'm probably not alone, though.
If' you are a cryer, keep the tissues handy. Two thumbs up on this one. If anything, it does provoke conversations and deep analysis about our current ethical treatments and what kinds of decisions people have to make in life. In any event, let's not forget Jesse, the older brother . . . I am tempted to say "Anna and Kate's mother", but she is also the mother of Jesse . . . motherhood and fatherhood calls us to be above many things, and sacrificial things are no different.
There is no greater love than to lay down ones life for ones friends. Moms? Dads? We know this, do we not?
Monday, June 1, 2009
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8 comments:
HMMM...I have wanted to read this one for a while. I may have to download it on my kindle now. Thanks for the great review WITHOUT spoilers.
Good book! Can't wait to see the movie...
Here is the spoiler...hee hee just kidding.
You always do such a good job with your book reviews. I get the sacrificial thing also. Being a daughter I sometimes wonder where in the heck my parents were when I was living through hell. Guess what...they didn't know.
Her book Handle with Care is the same kind of thing with ethical issues. You might like the 10th circle with Dante, hell, and not knowing what teenagers are up too.
This is kinda like a book clubby thang....fun chatting about it with ya. Get me a tissue.....
I read it awhile ago - I have mixed feelings. I thought for the most part the book was well written, but the ending was truly bad.
I agree, Jesse was definitely the forgotten child
I saw this book at WalMart yesterday. I wanted to pick it up but after reading that you were in the middle of it...I thought I'd wait till you were done. Maybe I'll just get it from the library.
It did sound good though. Interesting concept for a book.
Thanks for your review!!
P.S....I think Nathan just finished the last MTreehouse book that you sent! He has enjoyed them a lot! Thank you again for all the effort you went to!
Blessings to you!
My MIL gave me the book about a year and a half ago, and I still haven't read it. Just the other day I had finished reading one book and was trying to decide what to read next. I picked up My Sister's Keeper and ALMOST started it, but decided I wanted to read something else. Hopefully I'll read it this summer. Thanks for the review! :)
I also enjoyed this Picoult book (although I am almost swearing off her after some of her latest -- ugh!). I totally did not see the ending coming -- how 'bout you?
Therese - you are welcome for no spoilers! Let me know what you think if you read it.
Brandie - I'm waffling; I kinda want to see the film, but didn't they already say they changed the ending???
Kissteen - thanks for the compliment! I often wonder if I am saying enough or spoiling it. Parents just need to realize that we need to be balanced about our kids lives, but to always be present and engaged.
Mimi - my heart just wrenched so much for Jesse. I agree, the ending was just . . . ugh! argh!
Nancy - gosh, quit thanking me already :)!!! I'm so glad he's happy and it's just an heart swelling joy to do something for others. Gladness abounds!!! Yes, get this book from the library. Walmart does have a soft cover for under $6 and it's a book you can pass on w/out feeling guilty. I'm passing my copy on locally. Do not need the extra bulk in my bags.
BTW, Life of Pi was great. Yes, it's odd, but I like the philosophy in it and you end up really liking Pi and wanting the best for him - in the end, you, too, must ask yourself, which version of his story you prefer. It's beautiful. For bulk reasons only did I pass my copy on to another "loves to read" person. I'll likely get another copy for my shelf. I definitely want to revisit this book in the future. (HOW ABOUT THAT, DAWN?!?)
SCMOM - no, did not see that ending and it just broke my heart. This book is my first of this novelist. If I venture her way again, it will be via the library.
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