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Change of Heart
Change of Heart
Author: Jodi Picoult
Shay Bourne--New Hampshire's first death row prisoner in 69 years--has only one last request: to donate his heart, post-execution, to the sister of his victim, who is looking for a transplant. Bourne says it's the only way he can redeem himself ... but with lethal injection as his form of execution, this is medically impossible. Enter Father Mic...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780743496742
ISBN-10: 0743496744
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 447
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 486

4 stars, based on 486 ratings
Publisher: Atria
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Change of Heart on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
This is another wonderful Picoult book. I loved it. It was really interesting to see how my perceptions of the characters in the book evolved as I continued. There are plot twists with the main characters and I also enjoyed the subplots with Father Michael and his struggles, as well as with Maggie and hers. The book was a little slow about 1/3 of the way through for me, but as it continued it got better and better and I didn't want to see it end. Definately another classic from Picoult!
marcyreads avatar reviewed Change of Heart on
Helpful Score: 13
I'm a little let down by Picoult's latest, to tell the truth. I typically only pick up her books when I know I'm going to have time to read them straight through in a day or two, because I usually find her stories and their complexities riveting. Normally, I just cannot put them down. This one has taken me almost a month to get through. I was really disappointed. I've read 11 of her 15 novels to date, and this is my least favorite.

The story was very, very slow moving until the last 50-75 pages, I'd say. And for awhile, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't re-reading "Keeping Faith," for the subject matter is very similar, and characters from that novel make return appearances in this one. I just sort of feel like Picoult is running out of stories to tell. How many more stories do we need about abuse, murder, religious beliefs, and organ transplants? (LOL)

I found, in this novel, that Picoult's characters didn't have the depth that characters in her other novels have had. I didn't feel any particular sympathy for ANY of the characters until the very end, and even then, it was only for one character. I'm hesitant to say more because I don't want to be a spoiler, but overall, I wasn't nearly as thrilled with this endeavor by Picoult as I usually am with her books. A definite letdown for me.
reviewed Change of Heart on + 234 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 10
As with her other books, Jodi Picoult tells the story through several characters. This novel is slightly slower in the beginning than some of her other books, but it quickly picks up, and pulls the reader completely in. If you like Jodi Picoult's works, or even if you have not read anything from her, in my humble opinion, this is a book you don't want to miss. It has everything...mystery, intrigue, love, crime, friendship, and religion. Just like her other novels, the reader may have one belief, or opinion, but bounces back and forth when other views are expressed. Every time I think I have a book of hers that is my favorite, she writes another one that trumps it. While reading, the reader will want to note the details as they will come full circle in the end. Great book!
HarleyMumof2 avatar reviewed Change of Heart on + 19 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Jodi Picoult has been one of my favorite's for some time. I love how she pushes the envelope and writes books about things we as a society often don't want to talk about. This one was little on the edge for me in terms of the reality of the subject matter. While I totally get that there can be redemption, all of the things that it took for the plot of this book to come together were a little unrealistic for my taste. Still, a good read and I recommend just about anything Picoult has written.
treyci avatar reviewed Change of Heart on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
as usual, jodi piccoult delivers a good read. not just good, moving, well thought out...it makes you feel for each and every one of the characters. i will say that if you're sensitive for any reason about religion, it may not be your favorite book, but it was thought provoking as all her books are. intense.
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reviewed Change of Heart on + 2 more book reviews
Text was riveting, and kept me on my feet!
reviewed Change of Heart on + 5 more book reviews
Easy read, typical Picoult book that is quick and entertaining. It has a nice twist or two and a chill-bump/food for thought ending. I'd recommend it.
germangirl1961 avatar reviewed Change of Heart on
What a wonderful book! I think Jodi Picoult outdid herself!
catpur avatar reviewed Change of Heart on + 21 more book reviews
At face value, the book is OK, written in her typical style. However it is a total knock off of Stephen King's Green Mile. The story is extremely similar, with just some details changed.
emeraldfire avatar reviewed Change of Heart on
One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to spending many years filled with laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as barren and empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for her wounds to heal, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for an impossible miracle.

For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance at salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child.

Would you give up your desire for vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true even if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish? I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be incredibly thought-provoking and I give this book an A+!

Jodi Picoult is a new author for me although I have seen the television adaptation of The Tenth Circle, which is another of Jodi Picoult's books that was made into a movie about two years ago. I have three more of Jodi Picoult's books on my bookshelf - Handle With Care, House Rules and My Sister's Keeper - all four books by Jodi Picoult, I picked up from this most recent Library Book Sale that Mareena and I went to on Saturday.
bythebook avatar reviewed Change of Heart on
Well written and engaging, but I hesitate to say it's a good book. Some have complained that it's a rip-off of The Green Mile, but I disagree. There is a a similarity, but it's only superficial.

About halfway through the book, I thought I was getting an idea where the story was going and it disappointed me. The religious issues in the book weren't even hinted at in the synopsis and I'm not sure I would have read the book if I had known.

As it turns out, the story didn't quite go where I thought it was going. It took an interesting , but confusing (for me), turn.

I can definitely say the book was interesting. Whether or not I enjoyed it, I'm still not prepared to say.
JeffersonsAmbrosia avatar reviewed Change of Heart on + 98 more book reviews
What would you do if your child was dying? What would you do if the only person who could save your child was someone you thought killed your husband, and your other child? These are the questions that Change of Heart asks you. These truly are impossible choices to make. Jodi Picoult takes you through an emotional story that has you wondering about a lot of things. Is the bad guy really the bad guy? What would you do if you were faced with this same choice you had to make? What is the difference between religion and faith?

Change of heart takes on so many heavy issues that it is impossible to call this a light read. It takes on Capital punishment, Organ Donation, the United states Justice System as a whole, and religion. Everywhere you turn in this story there is a topic that is mostly spoken of in whispers and hushes, so not to offend anyone. This is one of the reasons that this book is so good. When you read a Picoult novel you know you are going to get something emotional that will pull at your heart strings. I could not believe just how pulled in I got though, I found myself not wanting Shay Bourne to be killed, wondering if he truly did the crime he had been convicted of and yet wanting the little girl Claire to live.

There is no denying that there are some shadows of the Green Mile in this book with some of the things that happen in the prison with Shay there, and even the relationships with some of the guards. That being said the book makes no secret of that and even makes a small joke of it in calling Shay Bourne green Mile in one passage. This book is not Green Mile, and while it has some similar themes stands fully on its own, and gets a hearty MUST READ from me.
fullybooked avatar reviewed Change of Heart on + 61 more book reviews
Thought-provoking, but was disappointed when it became too "Green Mile-ish" (Stephen King). Worth quoting: "When you give birth to a daughter, you've just met the person whose hand you'll be holding the day you die"


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