My Sister's Keeper

That was heavy. This book kept me spellbound with its unique stlye and interesting plotline. I loved this book for its thought-provoking nature, its ethical questions. What is truth? What is right and wrong? Is there a definite line? And can we answer these questions? Jodi Picoult masterfully adresses the issues rising to the forefront of philosophical minds today and attaches these...more

That was heavy. This book kept me spellbound with its unique stlye and interesting plotline. I loved this book for its thought-provoking nature, its ethical questions. What is truth? What is right and wrong? Is there a definite line? And can we answer these questions? Jodi Picoult masterfully adresses the issues rising to the forefront of philosophical minds today and attaches these issues to a beautifully-weaved storyline. I so enjoyed watching a family discover the depths of love. I also truly enjoyed the irony infused into the end of Picoult's work. She forced me to consider the sort of backwards reality of life; sometimes things don't turn out like they do in the fairytales. The girl with cancer doesn't always get to say those beautiful last words on her dying breath; sometimes life doesn't work that way. Sometimes we have to laugh a little at what we thought was to happen, and cry a little at what actually did happen. So,thank you, Ms. Picoult, for gifting me with that realization. Your work is a true masterpiece. My only objections are an overabundance of curse words that jarred me away from the story and the somewhat choppy nature of Picoult's style of incorporating each character's point of view in alternating chapters. Although this was an interesting way of writing (and I am glad she wrote it that way), I still found myself getting a bit confused.   hide

Another one of my favourite authors. She does not consistently produce 100% must read but nearly all are award worthy. My Sister's Keeper is about Anna (she's 13) suing her parents for the rights to her own body. Before you pass judgment on her thinking her selfish and want to enhance her boobs or something, think again. She was at first 'created' to help her sister, Kate, who has leukaemia...more

Another one of my favourite authors. She does not consistently produce 100% must read but nearly all are award worthy. My Sister's Keeper is about Anna (she's 13) suing her parents for the rights to her own body. Before you pass judgment on her thinking her selfish and want to enhance her boobs or something, think again. She was at first 'created' to help her sister, Kate, who has leukaemia because she has the required cells etc. By the time she is thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions and injections rivaling her sick sister. This story is told through the perspective of various parties, Anna, Kate, the mother, father, brother, defending lawyer and guardian ad litem (person who has a big influence on the judge's decision). It covers so many perspectives that you just don't know black from white. That's life... how different people have to take different perspectives into account until you can't tell which is black or white. This book will make your heart go on a roller coaster ride and if it does not, no book ever will.   hide

he ending was a cop out. Things wrapped up much too neatly, which was really disappointing since what I enjoyed most about this book was that nothing was neat and tidy and easy. The ongoing tension and the moral tug-of-war that Picoult developed through most of the book were wonderful. The ending totally burst that bubble in an unsatisfying way. Like some others, I felt the relationship...more

he ending was a cop out. Things wrapped up much too neatly, which was really disappointing since what I enjoyed most about this book was that nothing was neat and tidy and easy. The ongoing tension and the moral tug-of-war that Picoult developed through most of the book were wonderful. The ending totally burst that bubble in an unsatisfying way. Like some others, I felt the relationship between Campbell and Julia added nothing to the story. It felt like excess baggage and I didn't see the point of including it. Still, after all that criticism, I really enjoyed this book. Picoult took a very difficult topic and had me struggling through the moral dilemmas right along with the characters. The differing perspectives added to the story, though I would have liked to hear more from Jesse and less from Julia/Campbell. I found it interesting that we didn't hear Kate's voice much, except as seen through other people's eyes. I think that was effective though, since everyone else was so focused on her. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The writing was powerful and it was a quick read. Now if Picoult would rewrite the ending, I'd give it higher marks!   hide

I enjoyed this book very much. I had high expectations about it because I became a Jodi Picoult fan after reading Plain Truth, and I wasn't disappointed. Although I knew a twist was coming, since this is Ms. Picoult's specialty, never in a million years would have I imagined what happened. The characters are well developed and their motivations are complex and ambiguous, as they would be in...more

I enjoyed this book very much. I had high expectations about it because I became a Jodi Picoult fan after reading Plain Truth, and I wasn't disappointed. Although I knew a twist was coming, since this is Ms. Picoult's specialty, never in a million years would have I imagined what happened. The characters are well developed and their motivations are complex and ambiguous, as they would be in real life. There are no easy answers for the dilemmas posed in this book and we go back and forth between our loyalties with different characters as their points of view are presented. I also commend the author for chosing such a contemporary and controversial topic. I look forward to reading other books by the same author.   hide

This phenomenal novel by Jodi Picoult has left me speechless. However after the shock of it all I cannot hold back but retell the tale to anyone who is interested to know. The themes that were presented in My Sister’s Keeper were controversial. Picoult challenges the reader to be in the mind of all her characters. She didn’t only let us feel for the unfortunate family, but has given...more

This phenomenal novel by Jodi Picoult has left me speechless. However after the shock of it all I cannot hold back but retell the tale to anyone who is interested to know. The themes that were presented in My Sister’s Keeper were controversial. Picoult challenges the reader to be in the mind of all her characters. She didn’t only let us feel for the unfortunate family, but has given other characters such as Julia and Campbell to take the lime light as well and how I love them. From the sickly Kate who had been diagnosed since 2 years old, to the mother—Sara—that could only be the picture of a brave warrior wanting to protect her daughter. There was Jesse the oldest son who gives a tough persona but wears his heart on his sleeve, not to miss Brian the father who tries to hold everything together. Lastly, there’s Anna the daughter of Sara and Brian that was born for a reason. Picoult takes us on an emotional ride through what is really right for our children and are we really thinking for all of their benefits equally? As well as the mocking transience of time and how we are mistaken by what we think is right is in fact wrong, or vice versa. A book that is not to be missed by the highly acclaimed international best seller Jodi Picoult. The author truly dares her reader to go into her world of all the “What ifs” and put them in a spot of asking themselves, “What would I do if I was in this position?”   hide

(Warning: This review contains a spoiler. If you haven't read the book--it may be best not to read this review) This is a fantastic idea for a story but a little lean on character development. There are so many fascinating characters and not enough time spent understanding them. The sub-plot involving a romance between the lawyer and Anna's guardian is a little annoying and just seem to distract...more

(Warning: This review contains a spoiler. If you haven't read the book--it may be best not to read this review) This is a fantastic idea for a story but a little lean on character development. There are so many fascinating characters and not enough time spent understanding them. The sub-plot involving a romance between the lawyer and Anna's guardian is a little annoying and just seem to distract from the real story. The dynamics of a family struggling with more than its share of moral and ethical issues makes for a compelling story. I would have liked to see more emphasis on the son, Jesse, who seems to be forgotten at many important points in the book. It's an easy read but I really didn't like the ending. It makes the whole thing seem pointless (does anyone even mention whether Anna signed her organ donor card??) Raises some fascinating issues and is a fast-paced story, but there are too many characters and not enough meaningful exploration of the primary relationships (i.e. the son is totally glossed over).   hide

finished reading this while on my 6-hr roundtrip commute between fontainebleau and versailles rive droite yesterday. i have say this was the main reason why i managed to stay awake after a 16 hr flight (and not missed any of the stops where i had to switch trains twice each way). the story itself was controversial enough, and the characters were so lively where i can sort of relate to. it's also...more

finished reading this while on my 6-hr roundtrip commute between fontainebleau and versailles rive droite yesterday. i have say this was the main reason why i managed to stay awake after a 16 hr flight (and not missed any of the stops where i had to switch trains twice each way). the story itself was controversial enough, and the characters were so lively where i can sort of relate to. it's also very thought provoking that in between lines i couldnt help but to think, what would i think, say, react, feel and do if I was just any of the characters!? i also love the fact that it wasn't until the end that kate had actually "spoken out", a completely different angle and helped make sense of the whole story. the only few parts that i didnt like as much was campbell & julia's story... was that necessary? or Jodi was just trying to make a good plot out of a sad story? also about jesse, i could easily follow how he had become the way he was up until the very end... can someone actually chagne that drastically? anyways, this is a great read if you are in the mood of some serious thinking about morals, ethics, laws, family love etc, and how much they are closely related to but also contradicts with one and other. this is more than one of those shopaholics books that you just read to spend your sunday afternoon with.   hide

For the record, this book had been recommended to me and highly rated by a number of friends. When a book or movie or television show is given too much hype, the result is often sky-high expectations that fail to be met by a mediocre piece of work. This novel is no exception. While I appreciate Picoult's personal attachment to the subject matter and the fact that her novel calls attention to...more

For the record, this book had been recommended to me and highly rated by a number of friends. When a book or movie or television show is given too much hype, the result is often sky-high expectations that fail to be met by a mediocre piece of work. This novel is no exception. While I appreciate Picoult's personal attachment to the subject matter and the fact that her novel calls attention to the necessity for continued efforts in stem-cell research, I cannot applaud the book itself. The voice never seems to change, despite the fact that the story is narrated by no fewer than six different characters, all of whom are so grossly exaggerated in their traits (and flaws) that they come across as caricatures of what the author originally intended them to be. In other words, the narrative is not particularly well-written or convincing. If nothing else, this book made me appreciate my own sister that much more and effectively distracted me from an otherwise grueling 9 hours of air travel.   hide

When you read your first Jodi Picoult’s book, you start thinking, "Oh! A lot of things seem to have fit quite well. What a coincidence!" It is not until you read another book of hers before you can conclude, "She is really thoughtful" "My Sister's Keeper" is well-planned and well-narrated. The main storyline, a 13-year-old girl filing a lawsuit against her parents, fighting for autonomy...more

When you read your first Jodi Picoult’s book, you start thinking, "Oh! A lot of things seem to have fit quite well. What a coincidence!" It is not until you read another book of hers before you can conclude, "She is really thoughtful" "My Sister's Keeper" is well-planned and well-narrated. The main storyline, a 13-year-old girl filing a lawsuit against her parents, fighting for autonomy over her own body, is being told from different perspectives, Anna's, her mother's, her father's, her brother's, the lawyer's, the guardian ad litem's. The sister, Kate, who is dying seems to have been left out as no one ever sees from her point-of-view even though she is the starting point of the whole story. It is not until the post-story that you get to hear her voice. Fire, ashes, flame, stars. All the burning or burnt things are nicely connected to the story. I'm not sure if I like the ending that much, but I personally can't think of a better one. So, I can only take it!   hide