book data
3170 ratings, 3.52 average rating, 385 reviews
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published
August 23rd 2007
(first published 2002)
by Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
binding
Paperback, 448 pages
isbn
0340835508
(isbn13: 9780340835500)
description
'What could have been a competent, topical novel about a mercy killing becomes, in Picoult's hands, an inspired meditation on love… Picoult pays lov...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 4692)
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avg 3.52
Read in January, 2008
Mercy??? This book should have been named Selfish. I mean, I get it, I get it -- by the end, the title is more than understandable, the way it ties into pretty much every storyline -- but overall I was semi disappointed in this book. I think the main reason for my disappointment stems from the fact that I couldn't STAND Cam. He is every wife's worst nightmare: lying, cheating, the works. I was so disgusted with him, and so indifferent toward the other characters, that for the first t...more
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
those looking for a mindless read
I only read it a few weeks ago and can't really remember anything of the story. Didn't make much of an impression at all, but was good at distracting me from the fact that I was a passenger of an eight hour drive.
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Read in August, 2008
If there had been half-stars, this book would have ratedd 2.5. It was better than ok, but I didn't really like it. I had read four or five Jodi Picoult novels and found, from the first high of My Sister's Keeper it to be a slow, downhill road and this book doesn't break that path.
The first half, which took me three days to read, established the characters, none of whom I liked.
There is the adulterous husband who feels guilty about never passing up an opportunity to screw his wife's...more
The first half, which took me three days to read, established the characters, none of whom I liked.
There is the adulterous husband who feels guilty about never passing up an opportunity to screw his wife's...more
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Read in July, 2008
I could not put this book down- Jodi's writing is so deep and captivating that I found profound thoughts and insights on nearly every page. The story itself was ok, but what I liked about the book the most was how psychological it was- the insights and emotions of the characters, and how you could literally see through their eyes and understand their circumstances... thanks to Jodi. She's so poetic and uses the most amazing imagery to describe how someone is feeling, or what they are thinking. ...more
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Read in July, 2008
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Read in August, 2008
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Read in July, 2007
"Police chief of a small Massachusetts town, Cameron McDonald makes the toughest arrest of his life when his own cousin Jamie comes to him and confesses outright that he has killed his terminally ill wife out of mercy.
Now, a heated murder trial plunges the town into upheaval, and drives a wedge into a contented marriage: Cameron, aiding the prosecution in their case against Jamie, is suddenly at odds with his devoted wife, Allie -- seduced by the idea of a man so in love with his wife tha...more
Now, a heated murder trial plunges the town into upheaval, and drives a wedge into a contented marriage: Cameron, aiding the prosecution in their case against Jamie, is suddenly at odds with his devoted wife, Allie -- seduced by the idea of a man so in love with his wife tha...more
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Read in April, 2008
Another volume in my Picoult obsession... I'm starting to see the formula: ripped-from-the-headlines story; three or four characters presenting their point of view; a trial. Even knowing sort of what to expect, I still get caught up in the narratives.
I think I had the most visceral response to this book out of five or so others I have now read... I felt for the wife of the police and clan chief, who loved her husband more than he did. But also for her husband, who was so caught up in his att...more
I think I had the most visceral response to this book out of five or so others I have now read... I felt for the wife of the police and clan chief, who loved her husband more than he did. But also for her husband, who was so caught up in his att...more
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Read in January, 2008
I started this book three times before actually getting hooked and finishing it. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors, but this is not my favorite book by her.
I felt sorry for Allie and what she was going through. She was so devoted and in love with Cam, but he didn't return the infatuation. Mia was annoying and selfish. Angus was awesome! Jamie had a broken heart and did what he was asked to do, even though it meant he could go to jail for the rest of his life.
Overall it's a good...more
I felt sorry for Allie and what she was going through. She was so devoted and in love with Cam, but he didn't return the infatuation. Mia was annoying and selfish. Angus was awesome! Jamie had a broken heart and did what he was asked to do, even though it meant he could go to jail for the rest of his life.
Overall it's a good...more
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Read in November, 2008
Police chief and clan chieftain Cameron McDonald arrests his cousin Jamie when he confesses to killing his wife, Maggie. Maggie had asked Jamie to kill her after a prolonged and painful illness from cancer. Jamie is so in love with his wife that he does as she asks.
Cameron is married to Allie. Allie supports Jamie and helps him in his defense. This book questions the right to kill someone (euthanasia). Whatever side of the controversy it is an inflamatory subject.
Allie owns a local flowe...more
Cameron is married to Allie. Allie supports Jamie and helps him in his defense. This book questions the right to kill someone (euthanasia). Whatever side of the controversy it is an inflamatory subject.
Allie owns a local flowe...more
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Read in May, 2007
It was ok, but I am liking J.Picoult's books less and less. Besides her two best, The Pact & My Sister's Keeper - all her books have been so-so at best.
Only the second book - ever - I have not finished (but in fairness, I skipped ahead and read what happened and then stopped reading because I didn't like where it was going and was not interested in the 'in between').
Only the second book - ever - I have not finished (but in fairness, I skipped ahead and read what happened and then stopped reading because I didn't like where it was going and was not interested in the 'in between').
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Read in July, 2007
I read this book in lieu of my mother's recommendation after we had a discussion about euthanasia. The book is long and at times I wanted to give up reading it. I am glad that I stuck with it. I enjoyed the ending and look forward to talking about different issues in this book with my mom. It is not my favorite Picoult book.
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Read in March, 2006
Jodi Picoult writes fast-paced contemporary novels exploring current issues in the news. In Mercy a man is arrested and put on trial for killing his terminally ill wife. Jodi Picoult eloquently explores the legal, moral and emotional issues in a heart-rending situation.
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Read in January, 2007
Although I love Jodi Picoult's writing style, I didn't love this book as much as I loved her others. It felt kind of standard, with all the elements of a JP book - a legal issue, etc. I did enjoy it but didn't love it.
book club choice January 2007
book club choice January 2007
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Another great book by Jodi Picoult. Another very touchy subject. What would have done in Jamie's shoes? I did not like Cameron. Reminded me of my EX.
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Again, I can't seem to put down Picoult's books. This book is all about how people define "love." It makes you think about what you would be willing to do for the person you love most. The story centers around a man who suffocates his wife, whom he truly loves, because she asks him to since she is dying of cancer. Picoult's story is about what happens to the Police Chief, his wife, and his family while this man stands trial. There are some chilling scenes, and some heartbreaking s...more
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Read in October, 2008
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I first discovered this author two years ago and have enjoyed reading every one of the previous six novels, which I have read so far. ‘Mercy’ is another typical Jodi Picoult formulaic novel published in the USA in 1996, but not in the UK until last year. I felt that this is one of her early novels shows in the lack of balance that she has acquired as her writing style has matured. ...more
I first discovered this author two years ago and have enjoyed reading every one of the previous six novels, which I have read so far. ‘Mercy’ is another typical Jodi Picoult formulaic novel published in the USA in 1996, but not in the UK until last year. I felt that this is one of her early novels shows in the lack of balance that she has acquired as her writing style has matured. ...more
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Marika by:
Sherarecommends it for: Danica, Shannon
In this Picoult novel, Jamie McDonald brings his terminally ill wife to a small Massachusetts town in order to end her painful suffering by granting her request to be killed. Jamie's cousin, Cameron, is the police chief in the same small Massachusetts town and, after Jamie confesses to his wife's murder and is put on trial, Cameron watches as members of his community are divided by Jamie's courageous, yet questionable, act of mercy.
This novel left me in a heap of emotional distress as my ow...more
This novel left me in a heap of emotional distress as my ow...more
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Read in September, 2008
"You knew your were damned when you woke up in the morning and realized with a jolt, that you were still alive. You knew you were damned when you went to sleep at night, and you kept seeing the love of your life just at the reach of an arm's length, but every time you went to touch her face she vanished like a reflection in a pond."
Like other Jodi Picoult novels, the book talks about a sensitive and controversial moral issue: euthanasia or mercy killing.
Jamie McDonald out of lo...more
Like other Jodi Picoult novels, the book talks about a sensitive and controversial moral issue: euthanasia or mercy killing.
Jamie McDonald out of lo...more
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"I know you love me. The question is, how much?"
This is the second Jodi Picou't's book that I read. I must say, the question asked above is the most intriguing part of the book. It kind a makes you thinking..whether loving someone means willing to do anything for that someone in any consequences?
Mercy tells the story about Jamie and Maggie, a husband and wife who truly loves each other and meant for each other. Maybe because of that love, Maggie knew when her body simply couldn...more
This is the second Jodi Picou't's book that I read. I must say, the question asked above is the most intriguing part of the book. It kind a makes you thinking..whether loving someone means willing to do anything for that someone in any consequences?
Mercy tells the story about Jamie and Maggie, a husband and wife who truly loves each other and meant for each other. Maybe because of that love, Maggie knew when her body simply couldn...more
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