A woman is caught in a gripping moral dilemma that resonates far beyond her place in time and history in number one New York Times best seller Jodi Picoult’s latest.
‘I don’t want that nurse touching my baby.’ Those are the instructions from the newborn child’s parents. However, when the baby goes into cardiac arrest, Ruth, a nurse of 20 years’ experience, sees no option but to assist. But the baby dies. And Ruth is charged with negligent homicide.
Ruth is shattered and bewildered as she tries to come to terms with her situation. She finds different kinds of support from her sister, a fiery radical, and her teenage son, but it is to Kennedy McQuarrie, a white middle-class lawyer, to whom she entrusts her case, and her future.
As the two come to develop a truer understanding of each other’s lives, they begin to doubt the beliefs they each hold most dear. For the privileged to prosper, they come to realise, others have to suffer. Racism takes many forms and is reinforced by the structures of our society.
In gripping dramas like Nineteen Minutes, My Sister’s Keeper and The Pact, Jodi Picoult has explored the big issues of our time through characters whose lives resonate with us. Here we see once again her unrivalled ability to immerse us in a story whose issues will linger with us long after the story has finished.
Wonderful book Thought provoking and satisfying story that dares to look at the race issue in the US. Written from the perspective of a white lawyer, a white supremacist, and a black nurse. Kept me interested and I felt engaged with the characters.
Eye opening This book is not exactly what I expected. It ended being so much more . I can’t imagine how writing this book has changed the author, reading this has changed me, even if in a small way. I’ve read several of Jodi Picoult’s books and most of her books deal with tough topics, but I believe she’s done justice again. Would recommend to anyone with an open mind.
Thoughtful Insight into Racism Since I have read every single one of Jodi Picoult’s books, I knew that I had to read this one when it was up for review on the Vine program. Some would say that they find Picoult predictable especially after reading so many of her books. I have learned to stop second-guessing what Picoult is going to put to paper because she will always surprise you. Was I surprised in this book? Not really, because I knew she would have a twist or three up her sleeves. It just wasn’t surprising to me but it…