My Sisters Keeper Author:Jodi Picoult "A major decision about me is being made, and no one's bothered to ask the one person who most deserves it to speak her opinion." The only reason Anna was born was to donate her cord blood cells to her older sister. And though Anna is not sick, she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots ... more »so that her sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since she was a child. Anna was born for this purpose, her parents tell her, which is why they love her even more. But now that she has reached an age of physical awareness, she can't help but long for control over her own body and respite from the constant flow of her own blood seeping into her sister's veins. And so she makes a decision that for most would be too difficult to bear, at any time and at any age. She decides to sue her parents for the rights to her own body.« less
OK,I'm in the minority here in thinking this book was only so-so. There were certain parts of the book that had me in tears, and then there were other parts that just didn't seem to fit into the whole book. The story is told from a bunch of different perspectives, but I almost wish they'd just kept the POV within the family and possibly the lawyer and judge. With all the different narratives, you get bits and pieces of peoples' lives, and sometimes I feel that leads to distraction. I loved the flashbacks or the pieces of family history- those, I felt, added to the whole complexity and dynamic within the family. BUT, why was there so much time spent on the lawyer and his ex? SUre, their romance was a sweet side story, but it really took up too much of the plot. Also, we have this whole mystery going on about the lawyer's medical ailment that really adds zilch (and, to be honest, pales in comparison to Kate's leukemia).
I guess what I'm trying to say is, when the story is told from the eyes of the family, it is intriguing. When narrative switches to someone outside the family, it starts to plod. Jodi Picoult is extremely good at capturing emotions and the tiny nuances within the not-so-perfect family. But this just isn't her best book.
This book has so many dimensions! A true page-turner that makes you think about your life as a mother and as a sister. The last 10 pages truly make the book.
There had been so much hype around this book because of the movie that I tried to keep my expectations in check. And I'm glad I did. While I enjoyed the book, I felt like the author just kept adding more and more lines to draw things out. What was said in 50 pages could have been said in 30, in my opinion. I just kept thinking, "get to the point, already!" Scenes were drawn out when they could have been more economized, is all I'm saying. Anyway, I did enjoy the book for the most part. I was definitely ready for it to end. And boy, what an ending! IT WAS NOT BELIEVABLE, and that part stuck with me for awhile. I kept telling myself, "well, that's what fiction is all about, Tammy." But, I dunno....I came to like the ending after it settled with me. Suspension of disbelief, they say.....
Emotionally jarring story of a daughter's struggle to become an individual, without comprising love for her family, especially her sister. I found the mother abhorrent and disturbing.
This was an amazing book! I'm a new mom myself, so this book had a whole new meaning to me. I'm not usually one to cry at books and movies, but this was definitely a tear jerker. Had me crying more than once! This was a wonderfully written story about an impossible situation. It's told from multiple points of view and each one is entirely believeable. I highly recommend this one.
If you've never read Picoult before, I highly recommend this book. She is an amazing author who writes in such a way that the characters become three-dimensional because you learn so much about them and the way that the chapters are laid out keeps you omniscient of events in the story. She manages to have two stories that become intertwined in this book as a result of one family's decision to go to extreme measures to save a daughter from cancer.
Sometimes, I wanted to feel sorry for Sara, the mother, but I just couldn't because it came down to her being a selfish person until it was too late. Though it's admirable she refuses to give up hope and accept inevitable death for one child, the pain she causes both daughters in order for Kate to live leads to a dramatic action by Anna. With Sara, it's always about what she wants in order to keep, who is obviously, her favorite child alive and so she ignores the true needs of all of them in order for herself to play the martyr.
The father, Brian, ends up being nearly as bad, though he has his moments of empathy with all his kids, in some of the decisions he makes in order to try to keep his family together. And the brother, Jesse, is almost understandable in the anger that he projects at having felt ignored and helpless though he expresses it in an awful way. As for the sisters, you can feel the love that they have for each other while at the same time wishing for a normal life.
It's a story that made me feel like my heart was compressed in my chest as I read and laughed and cried as I felt the anger, hurt, love and sacrifice within its pages.
If you've never read Picoult before, I highly recommend this book. She is an amazing author who writes in such a way that the characters become three-dimensional because you learn so much about them and the way that the chapters are laid out keeps you omniscient of events in the story. She manages to have two stories that become intertwined in this book as a result of one family's decision to go to extreme measures to save a daughter from cancer.
Sometimes, I wanted to feel sorry for Sara, the mother, but I just couldn't because it came down to her being a selfish person until it was too late. Though it's admirable she refuses to give up hope and accept inevitable death for one child, the pain she causes both daughters in order for Kate to live leads to a dramatic action by Anna. With Sara, it's always about what she wants in order to keep, who is obviously, her favorite child alive and so she ignores the true needs of all of them in order for herself to play the martyr.
The father, Brian, ends up being nearly as bad, though he has his moments of empathy with all his kids, in some of the decisions he makes in order to try to keep his family together. And the brother, Jesse, is almost understandable in the anger that he projects at having felt ignored and helpless though he expresses it in an awful way. As for the sisters, you can feel the love that they have for each other while at the same time wishing for a normal life.
It's a story that made me feel like my heart was compressed in my chest as I read and laughed and cried as I felt the anger, hurt, love and sacrifice within its pages.
If you've never read Picoult before, I highly recommend this book. She is an amazing author who writes in such a way that the characters become three-dimensional because you learn so much about them and the way that the chapters are laid out keeps you omniscient of events in the story. She manages to have two stories that become intertwined in this book as a result of one family's decision to go to extreme measures to save a daughter from cancer.
Sometimes, I wanted to feel sorry for Sara, the mother, but I just couldn't because it came down to her being a selfish person until it was too late. Though it's admirable she refuses to give up hope and accept inevitable death for one child, the pain she causes both daughters in order for Kate to live leads to a dramatic action by Anna. With Sara, it's always about what she wants in order to keep, who is obviously, her favorite child alive and so she ignores the true needs of all of them in order for herself to play the martyr.
The father, Brian, ends up being nearly as bad, though he has his moments of empathy with all his kids, in some of the decisions he makes in order to try to keep his family together. And the brother, Jesse, is almost understandable in the anger that he projects at having felt ignored and helpless though he expresses it in an awful way. As for the sisters, you can feel the love that they have for each other while at the same time wishing for a normal life.
It's a story that made me feel like my heart was compressed in my chest as I read and laughed and cried as I felt the anger, hurt, love and sacrifice within its pages.
You will NOT be able to put this book down, as you follow the lives of a family in crisis, seeing the situation from all perspectives as the author writes each chapter from a different character's point of view. An excellent read for anyone over, say, 13, due to some mature inferences.
Man...I don't know if I have ever read a book that made me think more. While this book does bring up ethical questions in parenting it also talks about designer babies, and how far you'd go to keep your child alive. LOVED IT!!
I loved this book, like the other reveiwer said, do not finish it in public, very emotional! This is one of those titles that will stick with me for life and I thouroughly enjoyed the read!!
This is a great book. It really brings the meaning of what a cancer family has to deal with, and how a child in that family feels. It is moving and inspiring to treasure the moments you have. By far one of my favorite books I've read in a long time.
Really well written book about a family that seems believable, coping the best they can with a bad situation. The ending hits like a ton of bricks. The whole premise of the book really makes you think about the moral implications of some of the scientific advances we have today.
What a surprise. I saw the movie and enjoyed it and expected the same book. If you saw the movie, you will be totally surprised by the actual book. It's excellent and worth a second look. As usual Jodi Picoult does not disappoint.
Enjoyed this very much. The narrators were very good and the ending was a big surprise. It touched my heart and made me realize how fragile life can be.
I have mixed feelings about this one. Insightful and heartbreaking look into the cruel world of cancer. Worth the time, yet I can say I have no desire to read it again. I will say it is WAY better then the movie.
I have a love/hate relationship with this book. First, the way the book is formatted kind of makes it confusing. Each chapter is from the perspective of a character and some chapters are real short, others are long. This makes the book choppy in areas and I feel like it disrupts some important parts.
Second, I have a problem with Anna's parents. I can somewhat understand where they are coming from but when their daughter is born as a "spare parts baby" it turned me off.
The ending really shocked me. I was not expecting it. Overall it's a decent read. I wish I would have read the book a long time ago before the movie came out.
I just had to have this so i bought a copy and snuggled down to what i knew would be a great read and was not dissappointed--it was fantastic. I have loved Ms Picoult's way with words since my first book of hers. Then i had a friend come over who had just read this novel and put it in my hands and say--"you have to read this book", i chuckled and told her i had already read it. She also liked it enough to refer it to someone else. I think if you like heartfelt stories you will enjoy this one. It is a bit of tears, alot of heart, and a beautiful story.
I liked this book. Wasn't my favorite I've ever read, however... It presents a troubling dilemma that I haven't forgotten, PLUS I don't have the answer to. That's the mark of a good book. The twist that comes later in the book seemed a little too convenient, but did take me by surprise. #1. This book makes you think. #2. You remember the story and characters.
I loved this book. The book is totally better than the movie. The movie is totally different. If you watched the movie you HAVE to read the book. You'll need a box of tissues.
This is the second book I have read by Jodi Picoult (Second Glance was the first), and I think I comprehend the Jodi PiCULT now, another PHENOMENAL book. I'm ready to read everything she has written lol... This book was divided into chapters by which character's voice she was writing in. The book flew because you felt like you we hearing a bunch of different conversations about the unenviably difficult challenge that faced this family, a child with cancer; but so much more... HIGHLY recommend!
If you've never read Picoult before, I highly recommend this book. She is an amazing author who writes in such a way that the characters become three-dimensional because you learn so much about them and the way that the chapters are laid out keeps you omniscient of events in the story. She manages to have two stories that become intertwined in this book as a result of one family's decision to go to extreme measures to save a daughter from cancer.
Sometimes, I wanted to feel sorry for Sara, the mother, but I just couldn't because it came down to her being a selfish person until it was too late. Though it's admirable she refuses to give up hope and accept inevitable death for one child, the pain she causes both daughters in order for Kate to live leads to a dramatic action by Anna. With Sara, it's always about what she wants in order to keep, who is obviously, her favorite child alive and so she ignores the true needs of all of them in order for herself to play the martyr.
The father, Brian, ends up being nearly as bad, though he has his moments of empathy with all his kids, in some of the decisions he makes in order to try to keep his family together. And the brother, Jesse, is almost understandable in the anger that he projects at having felt ignored and helpless though he expresses it in an awful way. As for the sisters, you can feel the love that they have for each other while at the same time wishing for a normal life.
It's a story that made me feel like my heart was compressed in my chest as I read and laughed and cried as I felt the anger, hurt, love and sacrifice within its pages.
This book is written from each characters point of view, which adds such dimension to each person. I felt like I understood each persons reasoning. And I fell in love with the main character, Anna. I really loved this book.
Wow! What a story! Written from different character's view points, interesting and insightful! Family, life and death, choices and an ending that you'll never forget!
I decided to read the book first. The book was great. It has a lot of the same characters as the movie, but I would suggest reading the book even if you have seen the movie. You may be surprised ! Thata all I can say witout giving it away.
