Peggy L. (paigu) reviewed on 11/24/2007 + 120 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 36

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.

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