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Small Great Things

(Ruth Jefferson #1)

Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author)

4.34 · Rating details · 284,576 ratings · 26,623 reviews

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital co ...more

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Hardcover, 480 pages

Published October 11th 2016 by Ballantine Books

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Oct 10, 2016 Emily May rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, contemporary, 2016

“The State just sees a dead baby. They’re targeting you because they think you failed as a nurse.”
“You’re wrong.” I shake my head in the darkness, and I say the words I’ve swallowed down my whole life. “They’re targeting me because I’m Black."

3 1/2 stars. I have some issues with the ending, but otherwise Small Great Things is such a pageturner. It's the kind of book you can easily stay up until 2am to finish (even without the teething infant to help you along). True, it's Racism 101 for whi ...more

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Sep 22, 2016 Tracey rated it it was ok

Shelves: arc, fiction, womens-fiction, 2-stars, read-in-2016, women

I have tried to write this review several times. I guess I have a lot of thoughts about this novel.

My first thought is that Jodi Picoult did not write this for me. I don't know what the demographic is for Ms. Picoult's novels but being a book person for a long time and having been to a couple of her book readings, I think I can make a pretty accurate guess at the demographic that buys her novels. So this is a novel that was written for white women and it doesn't stray far from Ms. Picoult's othe I have tried to write this review several times. I guess I have a lot of thoughts about this novel.

My first thought is that Jodi Picoult did not write this for me. I don't know what the demographic is for Ms. Picoult's novels but being a book person for a long time and having been to a couple of her book readings, I think I can make a pretty accurate guess at the demographic that buys her novels. So this is a novel that was written for white women and it doesn't stray far from Ms. Picoult's other novels. So it will most likely do very well in terms of how much it's read.

Even as I'm writing this I can feel the huge BUT that comes after all of that. My "but" is that this is really Ruth's story. Ruth is the African American nurse who is accused of harming the infant of a white supremacist couple. We see things from Ruth's perspective, the husband's perspective, and Ruth's lawyer's perspective. By showing all of the perspectives, we get the whole well rounded story, right? Not really...because this is Ruth's story or it should have been. As I was reading, I couldn't help but ask myself, how many other novels written by people of color about people of color could have been published? The answer is a lot but how many of them would have been read by Jodi Picoult's readers? I have no idea. (Yes I do.)

I don't begrudge Ms. Picoult writing Small Great Things. I don't believe that white authors shouldn't write from the perspective of people of color. My issue (and I guess it is an issue because it's been nagging at me since I finished this book) is the execution of it? Ms. Picoult wrote a how-to not be racist novel for white people. Every single cliche and trope that has ever happened to a person of color is in this novel. The hyenas in The Lion King? They get a mention. The lawyer tells Ruth she doesn't see color? Yes, that happens.

Here is where I say that I don't speak for all Black people. Okay?

I connected with Ruth very much. I did the same things she did. I did well in school, I didn't "flaunt" my color, I believed that if I just acted the same as everyone else around me, I'd be treated the same. And that's just not the case. I've been at work (where I was one of a few people of color) and had someone say something inappropriate. Sometimes I used it as a teaching moment, more often than not, I rolled my eyes and moved on. I've wondered about encounters with salespeople. Are they having a bad day or do they just not want to be helping me buy this? Why are they so friendly to the pretty blonde lady behind me? I didn't want Ruth to have to be a teaching moment. I wanted Ruth to be able to have her story without the function being to teach white people something. I believe that if this was written by a person of color, this would have been Ruth's story.

I gave Small Great Things 4 stars...it's more like 3.5 but I do enjoy a Jodi Picoult novel every once in awhile.

10/9/16: I'm updating to include an exchange I had with Jodi Picoult over Twitter during the debate tonight. A black gentleman from the audience asked a question that literally had nothing to do with race but Trump made it about race talking about how he would improve the inner cities for the black people living in hell there. Here was Ms. Picoult's response.

Jodi Picoult Twitter

This is the kind of thing that she would include in her book as an example of a well meaning white person making a point to Donald Trump. Are the Obamas the only black people she knows? Obviously, Trump is not talking about wealthy famous people like the President and Mrs. Obama. He is talking about me and my family. It's a little thing (which is why it's called a microaggression) but the Obamas aren't all black people and the "inner city" isn't hell. And Jodi Picoult knows better. Or she should after writing this book.

Update 10/10/16: I don't usually change my stars when I review a book. The more I talk about this book with people, the more I realize that I am giving it the benefit of the doubt and it doesn't deserve that from me. It's a solid 2 stars. The way Ms. Picoult chose to tell this story rubs me the wrong way. If other people get something out of it, that's great. And I'll admit to being a little petty about her Obama text last night. That cost her half a star. ...more

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Nov 18, 2016 Tia rated it did not like it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I have so much to say about how terrible this book is. I hated it. I hated it so much idk how I even finshed it. I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes this much while reading a book.

I am a black female medical student. The whole premise of this book is completely wrong. There is no way any medical professional was allowing a supervisor's rule prevent them from saving a patient in an emergency. We swear to do no harm and to act in the benefit of the patient. This would never happen, and if it di I have so much to say about how terrible this book is. I hated it. I hated it so much idk how I even finshed it. I don't think I've ever rolled my eyes this much while reading a book.

I am a black female medical student. The whole premise of this book is completely wrong. There is no way any medical professional was allowing a supervisor's rule prevent them from saving a patient in an emergency. We swear to do no harm and to act in the benefit of the patient. This would never happen, and if it did, then of course the nurse would be guilty of negligent homicide. Ruth is guilty, idgaf what the patient's family said, you save that baby. She has a moral and legal obligation to save that baby. But the point is, that would never happen.

Jodi Picoult is not black. Yet she writes in the point of view of a black woman and her life struggles. She does not know our struggle. There are so many little inaccuracies throughout the book that prove that she was not in the position to tell this story. For example, Ruth got bullied for her light skin. Are you fucking kidding me? Yes there is a division between light skin and dark skin, but dark skin is always always always on the losing side. So that pissed me off. Also, Ruth was the only black nurse in the department? Highly unlikely. Walk into any hospital esp on the east coast there are numerous black nurses. Idk if that was for dramatic effect but no. There was this part where Kennedy was like she told me about weaves and extensions, I told her about sunburns. Black people get sunburns, we know how it works like wtf.

I can't even begin to talk about this damn trial. Picoult really tried, she did. But again, Ruth is the stubborn angry black woman who doesnt listen to counsel and explodes in court. Ughhh everything about this book made me so mad. I hated the little anecdotes and metaphors, hated all of the characters except maybe Violet and Edison. Also the ending was completely ridiculous. But hey it made me laugh that Britt was half black. The scariest thing about this is the prevalence of white supremacists. I mean Donald Trump is our president we have so much to fear.

Maybe I'm nitpicking but all these little things add up and I got so angry while reading this because of how ridiculous it is. If anything, I hope this story inspired white people to pause and acknowledge their implicit bias.

I would suggest greys anatomy for a more realistic take on a similar topic. The episode when a white male supremacist enters the emergency room and he has a nazi tattoo and refuses to be seen by non white physicians, but bailey saves his life anyway because she understands non judgmental regard. ...more

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Oct 14, 2016 Deanna rated it it was amazing

Shelves: highly-recommended, my-favorites

My reviews can also be seen at: https://deesradreadsandreviews.wordpr...

I could probably write a twelve page review on everything I want to talk about from this book, everything I learned from this book. However, my reviews are long as it is so I will try my best to keep it short (well...shorter than twelve pages).

I have read every book by Jodi Picoult and they all make me think. As I've said before I always learn something too. But I feel like this book is the one that hit me hardest. I learned ...more

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Oct 12, 2016 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: emotional, unputdownable, made-me-cry, netgalley, womens-fiction, heartbreaking, unforgettable-reads, 2016

4.5 stars

This is an incredibly heavy read—one that’s told with brutal honesty and a lot of heart.

My initial reaction after I read the final page of the story—why would she choose to end things on that note? After all of the hate and uncomfortable feelings throughout this story, how could things ever possibly be wrapped up in such a way? Never. No way. I wasn’t buying it. Then, I read the earnest note from the author following the story and cried my eyes out. I felt like Jodi Picoult had crawled ...more

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Nov 10, 2016 Will Byrnes rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction

…every baby is born beautiful.
It’s what we project on them that makes them ugly.

A drop of water is a tiny thing. Only a twentieth of a gram. It takes almost six hundred drops to make an ounce, and a hundred twenty eight ounces to make a gallon. That gallon is eight pounds of weight. You can feel the weight of water when you stand on the beach and try to hold your place as waves push you back. It takes only six inches of moving water to take control of your car. If you could stand underneath ...more

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Jul 08, 2016 Elyse Walters rated it it was amazing

Shelves: netgalley

THIS REVIEW IS SAFE TO READ ......NO SPOILERS. There is nothing in this review which isn't already suggested in the blurb.
I begin with an excerpt:

"Suddenly Roarke Matthews is standing in front of me. His suit is ironed
with knife-edge pleats, his shoes are buffed to a high gloss. He looks like a soap
opera star, except his nose is a off-kilter, like he broke it playing football in high school.
He holds out a hand to greet me. "Mr. Bauer, he says, why don't you come with me?"
"He leads me into a ...more

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Oct 03, 2016 Debbie rated it liked it

Shelves: netgalley

Oh dear, sigh sigh. I’m sad I didn't like this book more--I so wanted to. Lots of friends love Picoult, so I feel sort of like an alien, one standing at alert, with her handy but annoying Complaint Board right here front and center.

The story line drew me right in. A black labor and delivery nurse is accused by a white supremacist of murdering his newborn, and a very sympathetic and determined lawyer defends her. All three—Ruth the nurse, Turk the supremacist, and Kennedy the lawyer have their ow ...more

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Sep 28, 2016 Angela M rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-reviews

This is a powerful book, bold in some ways , as we have a white author bringing to us a story depicting what racism looks like and trying to tell those of us who are not black, what it feels like . But anyone who has read any of Jodi Picoult's books knows that she doesn't shy away from difficult to discuss topics. I don't think very often about white supremacists . Maybe because there hasn't been much about them in the news on a regular basis (until recently) or maybe because it's so uncomfortab This is a powerful book, bold in some ways , as we have a white author bringing to us a story depicting what racism looks like and trying to tell those of us who are not black, what it feels like . But anyone who has read any of Jodi Picoult's books knows that she doesn't shy away from difficult to discuss topics. I don't think very often about white supremacists . Maybe because there hasn't been much about them in the news on a regular basis (until recently) or maybe because it's so uncomfortable to admit that there are people of this way of thinking around us that it's easier to not think about it . Lately though there has been some news attention to white supremacy as it's ugly face comes out, but the ugly face of racism is front and center in the every day life of Ruth Jefferson in this novel not just with the white supremacists portrayed here . This is what makes Picoult's new novel so relevant.

An African American labor and delivery nurse, Ruth Jefferson is on trial for the murder of a newborn baby she tries to save after she was told she could not care for the baby at the request of the white supremacist parents. I couldn't help but like Ruth , a hard working widow who works hard at a job she loves to make a good life for her son. Ruth's narrative alternates with Turk, the baby's father. It was definitely uncomfortable reading what Turk has to say about black people but that's the point - showing it to us , jarring us into seeing it. A third narrative is provided by Ruth's public defender, attorney, Kennedy, who has lived a charmed life and who thinks she's up to the job and not racist. She may very well not be racist but she definitely doesn't know what Ruth is feeling.

Racism is prevalent in other ways than the blatant views of Turk, in the hospital lawyer, from the police , from friends of Ruth's son, a patient thinking the white student nurse was in charge and not Ruth and worst of all for Ruth from people she thought of as good friends. The ending, the twist are a little too pat. Having said that, Picoult has done an admirable job of raising an issue that so needs to be discussed. A compelling story that needs to be read.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley. ...more

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Dec 31, 2016 Brina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: race-relations, fiction

Jodi Picoult has been a best selling author for over twenty years. Twenty years ago she wanted to discuss a hot button issue but did not feel like she had the platform to do so. About a year ago, Picoult read where a black female nurse in Flint, Michigan had been dismissed by a white supremacist patient over skin color. Feeling that the time was right to discuss race, Picoult used this court case as a basis for Small Great Things, her current best selling novel.

Ruth Jefferson has been a labor a Jodi Picoult has been a best selling author for over twenty years. Twenty years ago she wanted to discuss a hot button issue but did not feel like she had the platform to do so. About a year ago, Picoult read where a black female nurse in Flint, Michigan had been dismissed by a white supremacist patient over skin color. Feeling that the time was right to discuss race, Picoult used this court case as a basis for Small Great Things, her current best selling novel.

Ruth Jefferson has been a labor and delivery nurse for over twenty years. On one snowy Saturday, she is assigned to Davis Bauer, the child of Turk and Brittany Bauer. When the parents see Ruth, they go ballistic because they are members of the Aryan movement and do not want someone like her touching their baby. Reassigned, Ruth is enraged but does her job, yet by doing her job to the fullest, Davis Bauer dies in her care, or so it seems. The parents automatically point to Ruth, her license is revoked, and the drama begins.

Picoult alternates the novel from the points of view of Ruth, Turk, and Kennedy McQuarrie, Ruth's attorney. Employing flashbacks and the present day narrative, Picoult creates rich, multi layered characters who all bring varying perspectives on the rap on race to the table. Ruth- who has been building up rage her entire life by having to fit into a white society that does not accept her. Turk- who believes the white superiority movement from a young age and has just as much rage inside him. Kennedy- a middle class, caucasian lawyer who has enjoyed white privilege for her entire life and has not realized it until taking on Ruth's case. Adding to the tapestry of the novel are supporting characters who bring their own views on race to the table, creating a rich story.

While an enriching story, I did find some parts cliched. Additionally, while the story is captivating, the prose is limited and straight forward. This makes for a fast reading novel, but one that most likely will not win awards for its literary prowess. Yet, Picoult weaves an intricate cast of characters, making it easy for me to like Ruth and just as easy for me to detest Turk and Brittany and their followers. As a result, I quickly read through the pages to find the end result to Ruth's case.

Easy reading women's literature is not a genre I generally subscribe to. Many of my goodreads friends had read Small Great Things and I was curious about the story. Even through Jodi Picoult has been writing best sellers for over twenty years, she did not have to write about race, just as Kennedy did not have to take on Ruth's case; this takes courage. Basing her title on a famous quote by Dr Martin Luther King, Picoult does take on this issue that still dominates headlines. Despite the cliches and some obvious story lines, I found Small Great Things to be a thought provoking read that had me exploring many sides of the race debate in this country. An easy read that I read in a better part of a day, I rate Small Great Things a solid 3.75 stars. ...more

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Apr 23, 2017 Susanne Strong rated it it was amazing

Shelves: buddy-read, favorites, re-read, audiobooks

12.7.19 updated review: Re-read with Kaceey - November 2019.
Re-reading this novel with Kaceey, was an eye-opening experience. There is so much to learn from this story - which once again, made me look at my own behavior. What I cherished was sharing this with someone else and talking it through with them, having those incredibly hard conversations. My thoughts on Jodi Picoult’s power house novel are the same. It is Powerful, thought-provoking and heartbreaking and it shook me to my core. Thank y ...more

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Oct 18, 2016 Max G. rated it did not like it

I actually find this book a bit offensive. I get what Jodi Picoult is trying to do here but this story is rife with offensive stereotypes - angry Black sister, long-serving servant mama, flamboyant pastor, sassy transgender prostitute. All the same tired tropes I could find literally anywhere else.

But even worse is the thread of respectability in Ruth's story. She's the classic palatable Black person; light skinned, educated, inoffensive, widow of a veteran, doesn't colour all white people with ...more

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Aug 22, 2016 Brian rated it did not like it

-This Review is Based on an Advanced Reading Copy--

A woman with frizzy hair stands in front of a giant wheel. On this wheel are many many social issues. She glances at the wheel and smiles and then begins to spin it, waiting for her inspiration. The wheel spins around and around and finally lands on “Amish.” The woman frowns a bit and realizes that she had already covered that topic. She spins the wheel again. “School Shooting” appears in the crosshairs. She frowns again and stamps her feet a b -This Review is Based on an Advanced Reading Copy--

A woman with frizzy hair stands in front of a giant wheel. On this wheel are many many social issues. She glances at the wheel and smiles and then begins to spin it, waiting for her inspiration. The wheel spins around and around and finally lands on “Amish.” The woman frowns a bit and realizes that she had already covered that topic. She spins the wheel again. “School Shooting” appears in the crosshairs. She frowns again and stamps her feet a bit. She spins it a third time. The wheel lands on “White Supremecist.” She goes over to her main character wheel and spins this one and it lands on “African American.” Finally, she goes to her third and final wheel, the technobabble wheel. She recalls that the last time she wrote a book, she researched elephants so when she spins the wheel, she hopes to get another topic. The wheel stops on “medical” and she smiles to herself.

In “Small Great Things,” we meet Ruth, a delivery nurse who works at a busy hospital. She stumbles upon a patient named Turk whose wife is pregnant. When Ruth goes to check on her patient, the father, Turk, he says that he doesn’t’ want an African American woman touching his child. But when a medical crisis arises, Ruth must decide whether to intervene or not. What follows is your typical Jodi Picoult plotline involving lawyers, courtroom drama and the twists and turns that we have come to depend on in a Jodi Picoult plot. Jodi spent her time researching the lingo involved in being a maternity nurse and she saturates the reader with technical terms that will confound anyone except for those in the medical field.

On the topic of Turk, the white supremacist, it’s an interesting take on having a character whose perspective is so rooted in hatred and ugliness. I didn’t like this character, nor care about their fate but I thought it was definitely an interesting, if not dull choice. The stuff that was included on what this character did in his life and the arc that the author took him on really felt a bit disconnected.

Overall, the characters in this novel are nothing remarkable or special. Jodi Picoult has gone back to her tried and true formula that she has used so many times: choose a social issue that is guaranteed to raise eyebrows, do the research to make it sound like you know what you are talking about, and present it in an overly long novel that feels like the plot of a TV movie that you thought you had seen and seems so familiar, but must be new. ...more

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Nov 20, 2016 Mischenko rated it it was amazing

Once again, a great read from one of my favorite authors. The story felt very authentic to me and the topic, I'm so glad she covered. Tons of emotion. I listened to this on audible and enjoyed all the narrators.

I've read every one of Jodi's books and this is definitely one of my favorites. Very important authors note at the end... ...more

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Mar 18, 2017 Jen rated it really liked it

I had a heavy heart starting this and it got that much heavier as I read. As much as it was not uplifting, there were moments of beauty here that made my heart swell.

This is a story about racism told from 3 perspectives: A black nurse not sure what choice to make; A skinhead who is sure of his choices; a defense attorney who is questioning her own choices.
A tough theme that still exists, sadly, in our culture. It's about justice - or injustice - and how is this defined? It's about the loss of li ...more

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Dec 14, 2019 Kaceey rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: top-reads-for-2019, buddy-read

Where to even start? This was one of the most difficult and thought provoking reads I’ve come across in a long time.

Ruth Jefferson is a dedicated Labor and Delivery nurse, working for the same hospital diligently for the past 20 years. She is hands-down one of their best! But today is quite different. New parents have just demanded she be removed from their newborn son’s case. They don’t want her having any contact with him. Why you ask? Well bluntly, because she’s African American and they are ...more

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Mar 29, 2017 Sheri rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017, fiction

As always, Jodi Picoult does not disappoint. Other reviews have really done a stellar job telling you why you should read this book. I agree with them -- not just the good reviews, but some of the critical ones too. This book will make you think about the good, the bad, and the ugly. A fantastic read that I highly recommend!

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Oct 08, 2016 Lori rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This was a 'beast' of a novel for me... not in the sense that it was long, but in that it was a difficult topic. I, like Picoult, think of myself as not discriminating in how I treat people, however, the issues this novel raises had me questioning that. A very thought provoking novel that I think people need to read. As uncomfortable as it may be, these issues need to be raised and reflected on. We can all do "small great things." ...more

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Oct 29, 2016 Norma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorite-reads-of-2016

Jodi Picoult is by far my most favourite author! She has done it again! The subject matter at times was hard to read as the story being told was very heartbreaking and disturbing but it was executed perfectly. This author always makes me think and I have always learned something new from reading one of her novels.

The novel was told in three voices that of Ruth, Kennedy & Turk. All three were very strong characters which all brought life to this story.

I love how Jodi Picoult finishes the storyli ...more

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Dec 23, 2016 Luffy rated it really liked it

Jodi Picoult is a daring, talented author who knows how to write new stuff about age old controversies. She can write a male or female character with equal ease. In this book, she writes about Ruth, her grown son, and Jodi Picoult writes from the point of view of the racist father (I thought the 'clan' KKK would be prominent in this book), and her white lawyer who took up her case, Kennedy.

Jodi Picoult obviously believes that God is in the details. She cares for each sentence so much, that, she ...more

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Jul 12, 2016 Berit☀️✨ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2017, audiobooks, faves

5 Real, raw, and brilliant stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This book is one of my top Reads of 2017 ......I read this book last January and it still sticks with me today, really a truly powerful story!

Jodi Picoult definitely writes books that make you think....

Not even sure where to start with this.... there is so much I want to say, but I don't want to ruin it for anybody...

The story was told from three different POVs... Ruth a nurse.... Kennedy A lawyer..... and Turk The white supremacist...

I think the author di ...more

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Apr 22, 2017 Jaline rated it it was amazing

Shelves: xx2017-completed

In a crisis situation, a nurse makes a choice that ends badly – and we are left to wonder if it could have possibly gone differently. Given the circumstances, given the pressures and the conflicts between training and fear, any person’s mind is likely to go into paralysis even for a fraction of a second. Would that fraction of a second have influenced the outcome? This is the basis of the story Jodi Picoult weaves, but it is by no means all there is. Woven throughout the story and, in fact, inte ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Esil rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley

A high 4 stars. I've had mixed experiences with Jodi Picoult. I've loved some of her books, and found others to be real duds. This one goes in the positive pile. Picoult typically picks a social issue, creates a crisis situation and tells the story from the perspective of a few characters caught up in the crisis. When her books work, it's because she is able to create powerful characters who give real dimension to the issues the books grapple with. Small Great Things is one that worked for me -- ...more

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May 25, 2016 Cheri rated it it was amazing

Shelves: literary-fiction, 2016, racism

NOW AVAILABLE

We all have “preferences.” Men, women have a “look” they are drawn to. Blondes. Brunettes. Redheads. Tall. Short. Blue eyes. Skinny. Muscular. Even children, infants, long before they can understand or form words develop preferences, for people, sounds, and colors.

Color, the preference for specific “colors” is at the heart of this novel, or more specifically the intolerance for people who are a “different” color, or a “different” religion, a “different” lifestyle. Race, discriminati ...more

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Jul 17, 2017 *TANYA* rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-fav, own-it

OUTSTANDING!!!! This book is one of those books that is educating, jarring and inspirational. Kudos to Jodi for taking on the topic of racism and opening my eyes to things I wasn't aware of. I most definitely was schooled.

"If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." ...more

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May 02, 2017 Lauren Cecile rated it it was amazing

Six stars!
Jodi Picoult has written an outstanding book and shows a keen insight into race, racism and race-related issues. The newborn baby of a white supremacist couple dies during the care of a respected black nurse who'd been told by her boss that she was not to "touch" the baby. She is subsequently dismissed from the hospital, charged with murder and represented by rookie public defenders at a tumultuous jury trial. Picoult weaves in just enough backstory to explain the motivations behind th ...more

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Oct 13, 2019 Ahmad Sharabiani rated it really liked it

Shelves: 21th-century-bc, fiction, crime-mystery, novels

Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult

The book deals with the issue of race in America and revolves around the protagonist, a delivery nurse named Ruth Jefferson.

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years' experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she's been reassigned to another patient.

The parents are white supremacists and don't want Ruth, who is African American, to to ...more

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Oct 30, 2016 Lyn rated it really liked it

Racism is not black and white. It is not simply a matter of what is or is not; it is a matter of degree.

Jodi Picoult’s 2016 story about modern racism is masterfully crafted to describe this truism with a setting and themes that are unfortunately as relevant today as they would have been 40 years ago.

There are the white supremacists, described in the narrative as consumed and made cruel caricatures by their inherent hatred and on the other end of the spectrum there are the garden variety of passi Racism is not black and white. It is not simply a matter of what is or is not; it is a matter of degree.

Jodi Picoult’s 2016 story about modern racism is masterfully crafted to describe this truism with a setting and themes that are unfortunately as relevant today as they would have been 40 years ago.

There are the white supremacists, described in the narrative as consumed and made cruel caricatures by their inherent hatred and on the other end of the spectrum there are the garden variety of passive racists who would never openly or flagrantly do or say anything hateful, but hold in the back of their mind an insidious idea of quality based on skin color and culture.

What is this about? In summary, a white baby dies in a hospital, the victim of an infant disorder that kills. His parents are white supremacists who have made clear that they do not want an African American nurse to touch their child. When the disorder creates a situation where the child is about to die, the black nurse, along with everyone else available, fights valiantly but unsuccessfully to save the little one. The nurse is blamed for the death, as supposed retaliation for her treatment by the racist parents, and is charged with murder. The second half of the book is a legal courtroom thriller.

Ruth Jefferson is the black nurse, Turk Bauer is the white supremacist father and Kennedy McQuarrie is Ruth’s public defender. Picoult’s use of names is almost Dickensian in its symbolic representation. This is my first experience reading a book from Picoult and I was struck by her mastery of characterization and dialogue. Her deft writing ability makes this a page turning, fast moving thriller that grips the reader in the first few pages and literally does not let up until the final pages. Picoult develops the characters and provides backstory throughout the narrative. Switching perspectives between the three leading first person narrators we are presented with a kaleidoscope of complicated issues that is narrowed down into a judge and jury decided outcome.

A poignant, thought provoking modern morality play about active and passive racism in our society, small great things demonstrates Picoult’s place in our literary culture as a voice that needs to be heard.

*** A free copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review

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Oct 21, 2018 Brandice rated it really liked it

Small Great Things is a story about Ruth, an African-American L&D nurse at a Connecticut hospital, who is given orders not to treat an infant because the infant’s parents, Turk and Brittany, are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth interacting with or administering care for their baby. Ruth faces a tough decision during a medical emergency: follow orders and do nothing, or break orders and risk insubordination. As a result of the situation, Ruth is charged with a serious crime and must endure Small Great Things is a story about Ruth, an African-American L&D nurse at a Connecticut hospital, who is given orders not to treat an infant because the infant’s parents, Turk and Brittany, are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth interacting with or administering care for their baby. Ruth faces a tough decision during a medical emergency: follow orders and do nothing, or break orders and risk insubordination. As a result of the situation, Ruth is charged with a serious crime and must endure a trial.

”It is remarkable how events and truths can be reshaped, like wax that’s sat too long in the sun. There is no such thing as a fact. There is only how you saw the fact, in a given moment. How you reported the fact. How your brain processed that fact. There is no extrication of the storyteller from the story.”

The story is told in alternating POVs, between Ruth, Turk, and Kennedy, Ruth’s public defender.

I liked Ruth - Her determination and courage in the many obstacles she faced was admirable. You can do everything right and by-the-book, and still be challenged every step of the way. Her husband was killed in Afghanistan. She’s a single mom, trying to raise her teenage son, Edison, to be the best man he can become. It’s easy to get defeated and not everyone has the strength and composure Ruth continuously displayed.

Turk was (unsurprisingly) not a favorite character. While I can respect having a difference of opinions, it’s baffling to me how some people arrive at and choose white supremacy as being acceptable. It’s awful to know people like Turk exist, shamelessly or, now in hiding behind the comfort of their computers. Though I cannot imagine the grief that ensues with the loss of a child - a true tragedy for anyone - I found his attitude to be ignorant and had a hard time sympathizing with him beyond the loss.

I don’t think Kennedy was racist or ill-intentioned but I do think she was grossly out of touch on the issue of racism, especially given the book’s current time period. She grew on me a bit as the story progressed, but it took a long time to get there. All of our experiences are truly not the same. It’s unfair and dismissive to pretend otherwise.

Small Great Things is the first book I’ve read by Jodi Picoult and although the topic is heavy and intense, centered on racism as well as grief, it was a fast-paced read. I had a hard time putting the book down, as I was dying to know what would happen in the trial. It was also a thought-provoking story. ...more

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Sep 11, 2016 Roxane added it

Review forthcoming in the paper of record. Interesting novel.

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About Jodi Picoult

Jodi Picoult

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Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-six novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Small Great Things, A Spark of Light, Leaving Time, The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

Her new novel, THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS, is ...more