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Change of Heart
ISBN 9780743496759 moved to this edition.
The acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a spellbinding tale of a mother's tragic loss and one man's last chance at gaining salvation.
Can we save ourselves, or do we rely on others to do it? Is what we believe always the truth?
One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to years full of laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for time to heal her wounds, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for a miracle to happen.
For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance for salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child.
Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?
Once again, Jodi Picoult mesmerizes and enthralls readers with this story of redemption, justice, and love.
The acclaimed #1 New York Times bestselling author presents a spellbinding tale of a mother's tragic loss and one man's last chance at gaining salvation.
Can we save ourselves, or do we rely on others to do it? Is what we believe always the truth?
One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to years full of laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for time to heal her wounds, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for a miracle to happen.
For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance for salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child.
Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?
Once again, Jodi Picoult mesmerizes and enthralls readers with this story of redemption, justice, and love.
447 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2008
4000 people are currently reading
47458 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Picoult
113 books95.1k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,559 reviews
March 27, 2008
OK, I generally like Jodi Picoult. I think she's usually a thinking person's beach read. But this was CRAP. First, she owes Stephen King part of her royalties from this book, because the first quarter or so is a shameless ripoff of THE GREEN MILE (what, she couldn't have picked a more obscure text? Because, I mean, hardly ANYONE has read THE GREEN MILE, right?). Second, she also owes at least a small debt to John Grisham's THE CHAMBER, in that they are both incredibly heavy-handed indictments of the death penalty.
But even separate from her blatant theft, the story line was just....perhaps cumbersome is the best word. The dialogue was stilted, the actions of all the characters were unbelievable (c'mon, folks, EVERYONE would JUMP at the chance for a new heart for his/her child if the alternative was death, I don't care if it was Adolf Hitler's), the romance was forced and irrelevant. UGH. I just really hated the whole thing, with one small redeeming factor - the character of Maggie (clearly modeled on Picoult herself) was well-drawn, and presented as someone the reader would like to have as a friend, but even she collapsed when, naturally, her miserable life was saved by the love of a good man. Why couldn't she just have achieved happiness on her own terms?
Edited to add: HOW could I have forgotten to mention the patented Picoult 11th hour "twist", only in this case you'll see it coming a hundred pages in advance, and only made me hate June even more than I already did.
I just can't recommend this one for anybody.....
But even separate from her blatant theft, the story line was just....perhaps cumbersome is the best word. The dialogue was stilted, the actions of all the characters were unbelievable (c'mon, folks, EVERYONE would JUMP at the chance for a new heart for his/her child if the alternative was death, I don't care if it was Adolf Hitler's), the romance was forced and irrelevant. UGH. I just really hated the whole thing, with one small redeeming factor - the character of Maggie (clearly modeled on Picoult herself) was well-drawn, and presented as someone the reader would like to have as a friend, but even she collapsed when, naturally, her miserable life was saved by the love of a good man. Why couldn't she just have achieved happiness on her own terms?
Edited to add: HOW could I have forgotten to mention the patented Picoult 11th hour "twist", only in this case you'll see it coming a hundred pages in advance, and only made me hate June even more than I already did.
I just can't recommend this one for anybody.....
April 15, 2018
Although this wasn't my favorite book by Jodi Picoult, I still thought it was very good. In this novel, Picoult utilizes a familiar technique; you can expect moral quandaries abound served up on a silver platter. The characterization was excellent and the characters relatable. I wasn't really a fan, however, of the over-arching themes of this particular book. This book capitalized on the controversial subject of capital punishment (see what I did there ?) and religion (two pretty heavy subjects, if you ask me). I found the capital punishment theme interesting.. but I felt Picoult was a little too overzealous about the religious aspect, which could very well turn off a lot of readers, myself included. Picoult always handles controversial and hot-button topics with grace and a deft hand. However, this book hit below the mark, in my opinion.
Bottom Line
Would I recommend this? Yes, if you are a Picoult fan. Was it my favorite book by Picoult? No.. Not by a long shot, but I still enjoyed different aspects of the book.
Bottom Line
Would I recommend this? Yes, if you are a Picoult fan. Was it my favorite book by Picoult? No.. Not by a long shot, but I still enjoyed different aspects of the book.
July 18, 2022
The undisputed and almost uncontested queen of 'dilemma drama' Jodi Picoult built this book on, as ever, a pretty wild core concept, on this occasion a young girl with a heart condition is in desperate need of a heart transplant but the only strongly matching heart donor is the man on Death Row who was convicted of killing her father and step sister! Can I hear a "DILEMMA DRAMA"!
I do feel by this stage of Picoult's niche best selling career core ideas were getting thin on the ground, and I am afraid this is a case in point with her somewhat scattergun approach to looking at some of the issues around capital punishment, although some of the flaccid plotting was made up for by her usual interesting eclectic casting :) 5 out of 12. Although please don't let this rating put you off of this writer, she has turned out so many immensely compelling reads :)
2022 read
I do feel by this stage of Picoult's niche best selling career core ideas were getting thin on the ground, and I am afraid this is a case in point with her somewhat scattergun approach to looking at some of the issues around capital punishment, although some of the flaccid plotting was made up for by her usual interesting eclectic casting :) 5 out of 12. Although please don't let this rating put you off of this writer, she has turned out so many immensely compelling reads :)
2022 read
February 16, 2008
This is the fourth Jodi Picoult novel I've read and they all follow pretty much the same formula : A vunerable child/teenager. Loving parents/parent. Concerned professionals i.e. cops, doctors, lawyer,and or teachers. And a kind stranger.
And while Jodi uses a basic formula, her novels are anything but simple or predictable. The other novels I've read have covered stem cell research, teenage date rape, and school shootings.
What makes me such a fan of Jodi's novels is that rather than use an omnipotent narrator, her stories are told from the point of view of the various characters. There's always two sides to any given story, and by using this method of story telling, the reader receives compelling and personal arguments from both sides of an issue. Most people would never think of taking the side of an accused rapist, a school shooter, or a cop killer, but Jodi's characters are so fairly drawn, that's exactly what happens.
Change of Heart involves many current and important issues. It's core issue is the validity of religion in modern day society. Another theme is the use of capital punishment. And in that vein, the rights of prison inmates are also thoroughly discussed.
Some of the main characters includes Maggie an atheist lawyer who begins to find God. Mike a priest who begins to question his faith. And June who goes through quite a number of Changes of Heart.
Because Shay, a man on trial for his life, is a keeper of many secrets, and as these secrets are slowly revealed, June and the other characters, are taken on many emmmotional roller coaster rides. As a consequence, we the reader get taken along on that same ride. What more could a reader ask for ?
Oh yeah, we can ask a novelist to make as laugh. And boy did I laugh, while reading the passage where a prison inmate named his pet robin, get this, Batman the Robin !
Funny, informative, and emmotional. Just a few of the reason why I love Jodi Piccoult.
And while Jodi uses a basic formula, her novels are anything but simple or predictable. The other novels I've read have covered stem cell research, teenage date rape, and school shootings.
What makes me such a fan of Jodi's novels is that rather than use an omnipotent narrator, her stories are told from the point of view of the various characters. There's always two sides to any given story, and by using this method of story telling, the reader receives compelling and personal arguments from both sides of an issue. Most people would never think of taking the side of an accused rapist, a school shooter, or a cop killer, but Jodi's characters are so fairly drawn, that's exactly what happens.
Change of Heart involves many current and important issues. It's core issue is the validity of religion in modern day society. Another theme is the use of capital punishment. And in that vein, the rights of prison inmates are also thoroughly discussed.
Some of the main characters includes Maggie an atheist lawyer who begins to find God. Mike a priest who begins to question his faith. And June who goes through quite a number of Changes of Heart.
Because Shay, a man on trial for his life, is a keeper of many secrets, and as these secrets are slowly revealed, June and the other characters, are taken on many emmmotional roller coaster rides. As a consequence, we the reader get taken along on that same ride. What more could a reader ask for ?
Oh yeah, we can ask a novelist to make as laugh. And boy did I laugh, while reading the passage where a prison inmate named his pet robin, get this, Batman the Robin !
Funny, informative, and emmotional. Just a few of the reason why I love Jodi Piccoult.
March 25, 2016
“After all, how many of us had tried to forget something traumatic...only to find it printed on the back of our eyelids, tattooed on our tongues?”
The book is narrated from the perspective of four characters: June, Michael, Lucius and Maggie. For each character, the chapter is written with a different font.
The ending was not satisfying, I still have questions. However, was more interesting than I thought.
The book is narrated from the perspective of four characters: June, Michael, Lucius and Maggie. For each character, the chapter is written with a different font.
The ending was not satisfying, I still have questions. However, was more interesting than I thought.
August 26, 2024
Catching up…
I read this one years ago.
But…When it was donated to my Little Free Library Shed a few days ago, I decided to re-visit it.
I am not a religious person, but I am a *spiritual being having a human experience.
So…This book affected me deeply with its discussion about religion and politics and whether they are separate or inextricably tangled, and what happens when that occurs.
There were so many things that were being said that I just needed to stop and pause and think about what I just read, like…
“I don’t think religions are based on lies, but I don’t think they’re based on truths, either. I think they come about because of what people need at the time that they need them.”
Plus…
“Somewhere along the line, organized religion stopped being about faith, and started being about who had the power to keep the faith. You said that the purpose of religion was to bring people together. But does it, really? Or does it – knowingly, purposefully, and intentionally – break them apart?”
Or…
“Religion’s the reason the world’s falling apart…That’s what religion does. It points a finger. It causes wars. It breaks apart countries. It’s a petri dish for stereotypes to grow in. Religion’s not about being holy…Just holier-than-thou.”
Now…I am not knocking organized religion. I love that each of us can believe in the God of our understanding.
I am only pointing out the various questions and thoughts and concerns that were brought out in this book. Which I believe had some merit, considering how divided our country is right now.
Actually…Not just here in the United States. Look at what is happening worldwide!
And…How much of the conflict has to do with religious differences?
So much of what was being stated in this book, brought to the forefront all that feels wrong about today’s world.
Even though…Interestingly, this book was published in 2008.
My concern of what I see too much of is…An expectation that we are all supposed to believe and think the same way, as opposed to working together across the aisle and appreciating our differences.
And…Learning, and being open to, and growing from those differences.
Instead…Our intolerant societies/countries have chosen to cause wars and hate and guns on our streets that kill innocent civilians as we sit back helplessly playing witness to politicians putting our democracy at risk with their indecision and blatant indifference.
For what purpose?
To please their base?
“Religion was supposed to be a blanket drawn up to your chin to keep you warm, a promise that when it came to the end, you wouldn’t die alone – but it could just as easily leave you shivering out in the cold, if WHAT you believed became more important than the fact THAT you believed.”
Yet…
“This is precisely why the founders of the new nation of the United States decided to put an end to religious intolerance by making religious freedom (separation of church and state) a cornerstone of this country.”
With this story…A crime happens and a person is convicted and committed to a death row prison.
And…He wants to die, but he wants his heart donated to the sister of his victim. The state does injections with their state sponsored deaths, but to do that, would not allow him to donate his organs…
“Don’t pay back in kind, pay back in kindness. If someone does wrong to you, do right by them.”
So…An ACLU attorney and a spiritual advisor (Catholic Priest) with his own past, come to his defense.
“Speak from your heart, so that she knows it’s worth taking.”
This isn’t an ordinary death row inmate. There is something special about him.
“There’s a principle in Jewish mysticism called tikkun olam. It means, literally, world repair. The idea is that God created the world by containing divine light in vessels, some of which shattered and got scattered all over. It’s the job of humanity to help God by finding and releasing those shards of light – through good deeds and acts. Every time we do, God becomes more perfect – and we become a little more like God.”
And…As readers we will come to wonder more about what really happened to put this inmate in his current situation.
But…Mostly, we will be fascinated by his gift, and the people that surround him in their willingness to work on his behalf.
Will his attorney win the case that will enable the girl to get his heart?
Will the mother of the daughter who needs a heart, who has endured so much heartache of her own be willing to accept the heart from the man she believed murdered her daughter and husband?
Will readers learn the truth – whatever that truth is? (To say more is to giveaway spoilers.)
Heart-felt. Heart-wrenching. Provocative. Thought-provoking. Complex, interesting characters. A true book discussion group selection for conversations that are worth having.
*Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher, and Jesuit Priest who said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
4.5 stars rounded up
I read this one years ago.
But…When it was donated to my Little Free Library Shed a few days ago, I decided to re-visit it.
I am not a religious person, but I am a *spiritual being having a human experience.
So…This book affected me deeply with its discussion about religion and politics and whether they are separate or inextricably tangled, and what happens when that occurs.
There were so many things that were being said that I just needed to stop and pause and think about what I just read, like…
“I don’t think religions are based on lies, but I don’t think they’re based on truths, either. I think they come about because of what people need at the time that they need them.”
Plus…
“Somewhere along the line, organized religion stopped being about faith, and started being about who had the power to keep the faith. You said that the purpose of religion was to bring people together. But does it, really? Or does it – knowingly, purposefully, and intentionally – break them apart?”
Or…
“Religion’s the reason the world’s falling apart…That’s what religion does. It points a finger. It causes wars. It breaks apart countries. It’s a petri dish for stereotypes to grow in. Religion’s not about being holy…Just holier-than-thou.”
Now…I am not knocking organized religion. I love that each of us can believe in the God of our understanding.
I am only pointing out the various questions and thoughts and concerns that were brought out in this book. Which I believe had some merit, considering how divided our country is right now.
Actually…Not just here in the United States. Look at what is happening worldwide!
And…How much of the conflict has to do with religious differences?
So much of what was being stated in this book, brought to the forefront all that feels wrong about today’s world.
Even though…Interestingly, this book was published in 2008.
My concern of what I see too much of is…An expectation that we are all supposed to believe and think the same way, as opposed to working together across the aisle and appreciating our differences.
And…Learning, and being open to, and growing from those differences.
Instead…Our intolerant societies/countries have chosen to cause wars and hate and guns on our streets that kill innocent civilians as we sit back helplessly playing witness to politicians putting our democracy at risk with their indecision and blatant indifference.
For what purpose?
To please their base?
“Religion was supposed to be a blanket drawn up to your chin to keep you warm, a promise that when it came to the end, you wouldn’t die alone – but it could just as easily leave you shivering out in the cold, if WHAT you believed became more important than the fact THAT you believed.”
Yet…
“This is precisely why the founders of the new nation of the United States decided to put an end to religious intolerance by making religious freedom (separation of church and state) a cornerstone of this country.”
With this story…A crime happens and a person is convicted and committed to a death row prison.
And…He wants to die, but he wants his heart donated to the sister of his victim. The state does injections with their state sponsored deaths, but to do that, would not allow him to donate his organs…
“Don’t pay back in kind, pay back in kindness. If someone does wrong to you, do right by them.”
So…An ACLU attorney and a spiritual advisor (Catholic Priest) with his own past, come to his defense.
“Speak from your heart, so that she knows it’s worth taking.”
This isn’t an ordinary death row inmate. There is something special about him.
“There’s a principle in Jewish mysticism called tikkun olam. It means, literally, world repair. The idea is that God created the world by containing divine light in vessels, some of which shattered and got scattered all over. It’s the job of humanity to help God by finding and releasing those shards of light – through good deeds and acts. Every time we do, God becomes more perfect – and we become a little more like God.”
And…As readers we will come to wonder more about what really happened to put this inmate in his current situation.
But…Mostly, we will be fascinated by his gift, and the people that surround him in their willingness to work on his behalf.
Will his attorney win the case that will enable the girl to get his heart?
Will the mother of the daughter who needs a heart, who has endured so much heartache of her own be willing to accept the heart from the man she believed murdered her daughter and husband?
Will readers learn the truth – whatever that truth is? (To say more is to giveaway spoilers.)
Heart-felt. Heart-wrenching. Provocative. Thought-provoking. Complex, interesting characters. A true book discussion group selection for conversations that are worth having.
*Pierre Teilhard de Chardin was a French philosopher, and Jesuit Priest who said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.”
4.5 stars rounded up
January 3, 2018
You know how when you start a book the evening before and then go to bed later thinking, "I cannot wait to wake up tomorrow and finish this book!"
That is how I felt about this book last night. I was so happy to get right back to it today. These characters! This story! Incredibly entertaining! There is the theme of the issues around capital punishment, along with themes of religion and spirituality, and overall the biggest in my opinion: redemption and acceptance. Just when you believe you can predict the story, Shay drops one heck of a bomb about what happened during shooting.
My short and simple overall: incredible and thought provoking!
That is how I felt about this book last night. I was so happy to get right back to it today. These characters! This story! Incredibly entertaining! There is the theme of the issues around capital punishment, along with themes of religion and spirituality, and overall the biggest in my opinion: redemption and acceptance. Just when you believe you can predict the story, Shay drops one heck of a bomb about what happened during shooting.
My short and simple overall: incredible and thought provoking!
March 31, 2008
This book was incredible. I knew before reading it that it dealt with religion (one of the many subject matters that Picoult handles with grace) but I had no idea how and to what surprising extent. It amazes me (as always) that Picoult can handle a myriad of topics and characters, that require such care and research, so deftly. You read it and believe it without it ever seeming forced. It made me question my beliefs about life itself. This book encompasses the following topics- the death penalty, guilt, forgiveness, religion, right and wrong, parent/child relationships, the legal world, the medical world and life in prison. I can't even explain how I feel about it all after just breathlessly speed reading the final 100 pages of the novel.
A quote "...there are all sorts of experiences that we can't really put a name to. The birth of a child, for one. Or the death of a parent. Falling in love. Words are like nets- we hope they'll cover what we mean, but we know they can't possibly hold that much joy, or grief, or wonder. Finding God is like that, too. If it's happened to you, you know what it feels like. But try to describe it to someone else- and language only takes you so far."
Picoult presents such a wide range of takes on religion, from Catholicism to Judaism to Christianity to Gnosticism. The characters range from the spiritual to the devout, the questioners to the flat-out atheists. Always, always we are never told as the reader what to believe and she keeps you guessing and second-guessing until the last moment. Then, if you are like me, you are still left thinking and thinking and feeling amazed by the whole experience.
This just might be my favorite of hers.
A quote "...there are all sorts of experiences that we can't really put a name to. The birth of a child, for one. Or the death of a parent. Falling in love. Words are like nets- we hope they'll cover what we mean, but we know they can't possibly hold that much joy, or grief, or wonder. Finding God is like that, too. If it's happened to you, you know what it feels like. But try to describe it to someone else- and language only takes you so far."
Picoult presents such a wide range of takes on religion, from Catholicism to Judaism to Christianity to Gnosticism. The characters range from the spiritual to the devout, the questioners to the flat-out atheists. Always, always we are never told as the reader what to believe and she keeps you guessing and second-guessing until the last moment. Then, if you are like me, you are still left thinking and thinking and feeling amazed by the whole experience.
This just might be my favorite of hers.
April 15, 2008
"...I knew what it was like to lose someone you loved. You didn't get past something like that, you got through it..."
"In the space between yes and no, there's a lifetime. It's the difference between the path you walk and one you leave behind; it's the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are;"
"When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the one person who doesn't."
"I imagine the touch of someone who loves you so much, he cannot bear to watch you sleep; and so you wake up with his hand on your heart."
"...the sum of a man's life was not where he wound up but in the details that brought him there."
"...faith, the only weapon in our arsenal to battle doubt."
"They say you get over your grief, but you don't really, not ever. It's been eleven years, and it hurts just as much as it did that first day."
"...How many of us tried to forget something traumatic... only to find it printed on the back of our eyelids, tattooed on our tongues?"
"When a child is killed, two people die, I think. The only difference is that his mother still had to suffer a heartbeat."
"I didn't know what it felt like to carry a child underneath my heart for nine months, to feel my body give way to make room for hers. I didn't know what it felt like to hold an infant and rock her to sleep, to find a lullaby in her breathing. But I knew what it was like to be the daughter."
"Someone once told me that when you give birth to a daughter, you've just met the person whose hand you'll be holding the day you die."
"Family's not a thing, it's a place... It's where all the memories get kept."
"In the space between yes and no, there's a lifetime. It's the difference between the path you walk and one you leave behind; it's the gap between who you thought you could be and who you really are;"
"When you're different, sometimes you don't see the millions of people who accept you for what you are. All you notice is the one person who doesn't."
"I imagine the touch of someone who loves you so much, he cannot bear to watch you sleep; and so you wake up with his hand on your heart."
"...the sum of a man's life was not where he wound up but in the details that brought him there."
"...faith, the only weapon in our arsenal to battle doubt."
"They say you get over your grief, but you don't really, not ever. It's been eleven years, and it hurts just as much as it did that first day."
"...How many of us tried to forget something traumatic... only to find it printed on the back of our eyelids, tattooed on our tongues?"
"When a child is killed, two people die, I think. The only difference is that his mother still had to suffer a heartbeat."
"I didn't know what it felt like to carry a child underneath my heart for nine months, to feel my body give way to make room for hers. I didn't know what it felt like to hold an infant and rock her to sleep, to find a lullaby in her breathing. But I knew what it was like to be the daughter."
"Someone once told me that when you give birth to a daughter, you've just met the person whose hand you'll be holding the day you die."
"Family's not a thing, it's a place... It's where all the memories get kept."
December 11, 2020
If you have read or watched The Green Mile you’re going to see some similarities here however I would argue that this is equally as good. Heavy religious theme throughout so beware of that if that’s an issue for you. I was gripped at the first chapter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2009
A total disappointment considering Picoult is a great writer and does not need to borrow ideas from other writers. This was too much like "The Green Mile".
May 14, 2008
It's sad for me to have to give a Picoult book 1 star, but I was heartily disappointed with this read. The plot was so thin to accommodate the anti-Christian and anti-religion propaganda. Picoult has definitely shot arrows at religion in the past, but this book went beyond that. In the past, I was always able to say that it was fiction, not necessarily the author's viewpoint or something she was trying to make us believe in, but I don't know how you couldn't believe some of the notions in this book and spout off about it for such a lengthy tome. I have read 13 of Picoult's 15 books, but I'm sincerely questioning whether I will read another.
March 30, 2008
Thought provoking to say the least. What if God is incarnate in each of us? What if there is no God? What if there is only a hope that there is a God? What if there is no heaven or hell? What if this life on Earth is both heaven and hell? Why does religion serve to divide us rather than unite us? Why does life have to be such a conundrum? Or is it really simple? Do we make it more difficult than it is because we are blessed with freedom of choice? Is it a blessing or a curse? After I finished reading the book, I went for a walk to try to think these things through. I have to come realize that it is a lifelong journey not one that can be solved in an afternoon. I also think that I may be agnostic. I will also make time to research and study the fifth gospel, the gospel of Thomas. Reading this book provided me with my first encounter of this writing. It intrigues me. I do believe that there is a Higher Power that is incarnate in each of us. Share the kindness that is within each of us.
The characters of this book will stay with me for a while for they have truly touched me ...
Isaiah "Shay" Thomas Bourne who said, "Everyone's got a little God in them and a little murder in them,too. It's how your life turns out that makes you lean to one side or the other."
Lucius who thought "Why would God choose to inhabit any of us? What if it was the other way around ... if we were the ones who inhabited God?"
Maggie who said "You know why I think we still execute people? Because, even if we don't want to say it out loud for the really heinous crimes, we want to know that there's a really heinous punishment."
June who thought "It's a strange thing, putting justice in the hands of twelve strangers".
Claire who thought "I have been someone different now for three weeks."
Michael who thought "Sometimes we see what we want to, instead of what's in front of us. And sometimes we don't see clearly at all".
The characters of this book will stay with me for a while for they have truly touched me ...
Isaiah "Shay" Thomas Bourne who said, "Everyone's got a little God in them and a little murder in them,too. It's how your life turns out that makes you lean to one side or the other."
Lucius who thought "Why would God choose to inhabit any of us? What if it was the other way around ... if we were the ones who inhabited God?"
Maggie who said "You know why I think we still execute people? Because, even if we don't want to say it out loud for the really heinous crimes, we want to know that there's a really heinous punishment."
June who thought "It's a strange thing, putting justice in the hands of twelve strangers".
Claire who thought "I have been someone different now for three weeks."
Michael who thought "Sometimes we see what we want to, instead of what's in front of us. And sometimes we don't see clearly at all".
May 29, 2008
A convicted Death Row murderer who is believed by his lawyer and priest to be the Messiah due to his uncanny ability to manifest daily miracles in front of his dumbfounded cell block mates fights for the right of death by hanging so he can donate his heart to the ailing daughter of one of his victims. C'mon, SERIOUSLY?? I just didn't believe a single manipulative word of this soapy, soft-focus combination of The Green Mile and The DaVinci Code (both of which were immensely better.) Chapters tended to end with "deep" pronouncements designed to make the reader "think." For me, a completely ridiculous and utterly unbelievable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2008
I couldn't even finish this book! I gave it 150 pages to get me hooked, and it just didn't... It had way too much political crap in it - one of the main characters is a lawyer who works for the ACLU and is against the death penalty, so the author goes on about that... In addition, there was a lot of religion that I didn't necessarily agree with. All in all, I really just didn't like the book. I wanted to finish it because I feel like once I start something I should finish it. But I just couldn't. 150 pages later, I didn't mind sending this one back to the library. I don't even care to know how it ended. I've heard Jodi Piccoult is like that though - totally hit or miss... This ones a "miss"!
April 4, 2009
Jodi Picoult is an interesting author. For some reason she writes books where I struggle with the characters, don't really like the book yet read the whole thing and then pick up another one of hers, hoping it will be better.
Right away I had problems with Change of Heart. Can a person who is currently serving time in prison even be an organ donor? Somehow, the environment they live in makes me think that they cannot due to being exposed to so many blood-borne diseases and questionable behaviors that would seem to defer you from being of good enough health. In the book Shay even talks about how they are exposed to hepatitis C during haircuts--that doesn't seem compatible with organ donation.
The priest was a very weak character, able to be talked into sentencing a man to death, dropping his beloved religious beliefs, lying when convenient, and manipulating others for Shay's gain. But, perhaps he was meant to be like that, and there is a lesson in there that just because someone appears to be an authority figure, they may not know more than anyone else.
The gnostic gospels seem to be showing up a lot in novels--very trendy.
Picoult likes to be controversial but I think she was all over the place in this book and tried to address too many issues at once--death penalty, child abuse, foster care system, many, many religious issues, the terrible choice June had to make, the ACLU, on and on. Then she turns the story on it's ear the last 20 pages, and it was too late to have sympathy for the real victim. And then she adds another nugget of surprise and you wonder who is the victim?
I wish the author would stop cranking out so many books, so fast, and take some time to do the necessary research so her books can have some semblance of being reality-based. I know it is fiction, but I believe she is not going for the "fantasy" genre. Just my opinion.
Right away I had problems with Change of Heart. Can a person who is currently serving time in prison even be an organ donor? Somehow, the environment they live in makes me think that they cannot due to being exposed to so many blood-borne diseases and questionable behaviors that would seem to defer you from being of good enough health. In the book Shay even talks about how they are exposed to hepatitis C during haircuts--that doesn't seem compatible with organ donation.
The priest was a very weak character, able to be talked into sentencing a man to death, dropping his beloved religious beliefs, lying when convenient, and manipulating others for Shay's gain. But, perhaps he was meant to be like that, and there is a lesson in there that just because someone appears to be an authority figure, they may not know more than anyone else.
The gnostic gospels seem to be showing up a lot in novels--very trendy.
Picoult likes to be controversial but I think she was all over the place in this book and tried to address too many issues at once--death penalty, child abuse, foster care system, many, many religious issues, the terrible choice June had to make, the ACLU, on and on. Then she turns the story on it's ear the last 20 pages, and it was too late to have sympathy for the real victim. And then she adds another nugget of surprise and you wonder who is the victim?
I wish the author would stop cranking out so many books, so fast, and take some time to do the necessary research so her books can have some semblance of being reality-based. I know it is fiction, but I believe she is not going for the "fantasy" genre. Just my opinion.
March 8, 2008
I read this book in less than 48 hours. It was so good I could only put it down when it was time to go to bed. It is told from the viewpoints of 4 people: A Catholic priest, a mother who has lost her daughter and husband, a convicted murderer, and an ACLU lawyer. I usually don't like that style but it was really nice and this story kind of needed it.
A mother's 7 year old daughter and husband are killed and the man who was convicted of their murders is now on death row. He wants to donate his heart to the mother's only living child who needs a transplant to save her life. The novel follows what happens when the man who took away almost everything you have wants to help you keep the only thing you have left.
There is a lot of religious elements in this book that kind of rubbed me the wrong way but it is just a fictional story and it was fun to read. Lots of twists and turns that will definitely keep you wanting to finish in one sitting.
A mother's 7 year old daughter and husband are killed and the man who was convicted of their murders is now on death row. He wants to donate his heart to the mother's only living child who needs a transplant to save her life. The novel follows what happens when the man who took away almost everything you have wants to help you keep the only thing you have left.
There is a lot of religious elements in this book that kind of rubbed me the wrong way but it is just a fictional story and it was fun to read. Lots of twists and turns that will definitely keep you wanting to finish in one sitting.
October 7, 2015
Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?
This book got me wanting to read the whole thing in a day. I didn't want to put it down. Plus, it had some twists that I didn't expect. I also had my heart strings pulled for the "bad guy". However, the ending was not satisfying and I still have questions regarding characters and events. It just needed one more chapter to give me those answers.
This book got me wanting to read the whole thing in a day. I didn't want to put it down. Plus, it had some twists that I didn't expect. I also had my heart strings pulled for the "bad guy". However, the ending was not satisfying and I still have questions regarding characters and events. It just needed one more chapter to give me those answers.
August 13, 2010
Well, I gave it a valiant try, but...no go. If you like to follow stories about things like images of Jesus Christ showing up on grilled cheese sandwiches or someone claiming to have seen a statue of Mary cry real tears, or those healer/dealer people that desperate suffering people flock to with their hearts full of hope and anticipation, then you'll probably like Change of Heart. I'll just say I couldn't take the idea of the protagonist in this book for one more page.
I'm a Christian and I believe in the supernatural; however, I do not believe in the kind of stuff that Picoult wrote about in Keeping Faith and in Change of Heart as well.
I've hit the point of no return with reading Picoult's books. DONE!! I refuse to torment myself one more time!
I'm a Christian and I believe in the supernatural; however, I do not believe in the kind of stuff that Picoult wrote about in Keeping Faith and in Change of Heart as well.
I've hit the point of no return with reading Picoult's books. DONE!! I refuse to torment myself one more time!
July 20, 2024
Wow. Did Jodi take us way down deep with religion. Loved it
June 11, 2008
This was, quite simply, one of the best books I have ever read and the first time I have seen someone take a Stephen King idea and make it so much better than the original. I honestly haven't cried so much over a book since reading Alice Hoffman's "Blue Diary" years and years ago. I was completely overcome.
The story is beautifully crafted, and Jodi Picault has an amazing way of weaving different lives together to describe the moments in which they intersect. It also got me thinking about forgiveness and justice, and what these two acts really mean. One of the main characters is on death row about to be executed and not only is he not at all who he seems to be or who people think he is, he embodied what it means to sacrifice oneself wholly and completely for a greater good.
The novel also reminded me of what is holy in all of us and how important it is to always remember that fact in our interactions with others. I feel like I knew and lived with that kind of conciousness years ago, but I've slipped back into the complacency of hatred that is so much easier than finding the good and God in fellow human beings. You just never know who someone really is and that's why it's so important to treat everyone with love and respect, even our so-called enemies. It's just so much harder to find that love in our hearts for people who have wronged us, but it is vital that we do.
This novel is a powerful testament against the death penalty as well as being a gospel to the wonder of God's and the human spirit. Each of her novels should be required reading for high schoolers, especially in the USA, because they find a way to get right to the heart of the matter of American issues in order to expose all of the love and darkness you find there. Absolutely magnificent and groundbreaking.
The story is beautifully crafted, and Jodi Picault has an amazing way of weaving different lives together to describe the moments in which they intersect. It also got me thinking about forgiveness and justice, and what these two acts really mean. One of the main characters is on death row about to be executed and not only is he not at all who he seems to be or who people think he is, he embodied what it means to sacrifice oneself wholly and completely for a greater good.
The novel also reminded me of what is holy in all of us and how important it is to always remember that fact in our interactions with others. I feel like I knew and lived with that kind of conciousness years ago, but I've slipped back into the complacency of hatred that is so much easier than finding the good and God in fellow human beings. You just never know who someone really is and that's why it's so important to treat everyone with love and respect, even our so-called enemies. It's just so much harder to find that love in our hearts for people who have wronged us, but it is vital that we do.
This novel is a powerful testament against the death penalty as well as being a gospel to the wonder of God's and the human spirit. Each of her novels should be required reading for high schoolers, especially in the USA, because they find a way to get right to the heart of the matter of American issues in order to expose all of the love and darkness you find there. Absolutely magnificent and groundbreaking.
May 1, 2008
This book was a little on the disappointing side for me. I eagerly awaited it's released but I was very let down. I had a really hard time getting into this book which is very unusual for me when I read any book written by Jodi Picoult. I had a hard time connecting with it because I thought that it was just a little too far fethced. There was a lot of talk of Shane Bourne being the messiah and all sorts of stuff and I thouhgt it was a little too closely related to Keeping Faith (which she did have charchters from in this book!). Keeping Faith was much easier for me to believe than this was as far as the biblical aspect of the book goes. I got very, very bored when there were several pages that talked about the Old Testiment and was tempted to skip ahead in hopes that it got better. I was also a little disappointed with the fact that there was very little court case in this book because there is usually a suffecient trial in every other book, which I look forward too. Any of the chapters that were Father Michael talking I found to be too biblical and usually pretty dull. This book is not at the top of my list and I would not reccomend it over some of her other books. I really hope this one doesn't foreshadow what's to come in her future writtings!
September 20, 2016
Boy, did this turn out to be a thought provoking page turner of a read! A medical dilemma/legal drama exploring the world of organ donation and capital punishment which really drew me in. It is told from multiple viewpoints, most notably those of the people around Shay Bourne, a prisoner on death row. We hear from Lucius his neighbour on the cell block, his Lawyer Maggie and his spiritual advisor Father Michael as a story of crime, faith and miracles unfolds. I have to say that it was not really the read I was expecting as I thought I would hear far more from June – Claire’s mother who is at the heart (no pun intended) of the story. Should she accept a heart for Claire that has come from the person on death row for the murder of her father and sister? I thought it would be more of a “womans” read, with lots of emotional to-ing and fro-ing and not the prison/legal/faith drama that it did tend to veer towards. Having said all that, I did thoroughly enjoy it.
It did challenge the way I thought about things in a story that does have its twists although I have to say that these were quite well signposted at times. All in all though, it was a thoroughly good read and I particularly enjoyed the allegorical aspect of it, the little part of me that loves to believe in miracles really warming to the story.
It did challenge the way I thought about things in a story that does have its twists although I have to say that these were quite well signposted at times. All in all though, it was a thoroughly good read and I particularly enjoyed the allegorical aspect of it, the little part of me that loves to believe in miracles really warming to the story.
March 14, 2008
Oh how I love this author. But not this book! It seems that Jodi is getting a little too political in recent novels and spending too much time focusing on her own religious and political questions instead of an actual story. Don't get me wrong... a little of that stuff is essential to make a book smart and worth reading but I found myself wishing to be to the end of a chapter and hoping for a better one in this book. The idea was great, but I could see where it was headed from the start and it seemed like she was copying from one of her previous books and "Green Mile." Worth reading but if you want something REALLY great from Jodi Picoult check out "My Sisters Keeper." And really any of her books are worth reading. She writes beautifully!!
July 30, 2020
É mais um 3,5, demasiada religião para o meu gosto! Contudo é uma história bonita e conseguiu emocionar-me!
April 21, 2011
Every Sunday we went to the church to attend a mass or sometimes we do contemplate ourselves to communicate with God through prayers. Even you are hiding in the dark or in deep spiritual unconsciousness; God will show you the way and give you strength to overcome darkness by his pure light. Nobody knows when or where we will be disappear in this world or how far can our faith help us to conquer evil, it is ourselves who can choose what path we will take it's either the path of evil or the goodness that God gave us in the first place.
Currently, how many religions do we have in the 21st century? Ten, Twenty or maybe more than one hundred. Nobody knows exactly the number of religion that took place in the Earth. Many chose Christianity, maybe some chose Jewish or you wanted to be alone as a spiritual man or someone who don't believe in the existence of God, an aethiest. How can we even manage when religion and thoughts of every individual got conflict in such way to achieve salvation? In Change of Heart, Picoult enthralls everyonewith her captivating story of redemption, justice and love.
Shay Bourne, convicted a very murderous crime that punished him of death. It was one of the worst case scenarios that happened in Hampshire. Some said he was innocent of his crime and some give him no justice to speak of the truth. He killed a man who serviced his life to the people and a daughter that gives hope to the family, or did he really killed them? A fact that he kept everything in secret for the people he loves so much that he wanted to push his limits to salvage himself by offering himself especially his heart to the girl that justice had been victimize.
Michael, a catholic priest and a lawyer in his early years that signed as one of the convector of Shay to sentence him to death and accusing him of 3 major crimes. But his faith to God and his vocation never let him down under the spell of injustice cowardy. But after meeting Shay he was forced to ask himself questions that cannot be answer but only his faith that can help him conquer. Questions about good and evil; himself and above all God.
Maggie, a smart lawyer who have parents who devoted their lives to God and they are Jewish. But besides all those experiences with her parents she admit herself as an atheist who believe only for herself and no other than her philosophies in life. And Lucius, a homosexual who suffered for the death of his boyfriend because of jealousy. He admitted himself that he sees Shay as the new Messiah, he do miracles far from what a normal people can. Multiplying gums, transforming liquid to wine and preaching the word of God.
June, a mother who seek for her happiness and once again losing her daughter Claire. How can she forgive the person who killed her husband and daughter and the only donor to help Claire to survive. A book with five voices that seeks spiritual guidance and justice. Picoult once again give miraculous applause for her literary and commercial type of novel. A powerful and extraordinary book for us to be strengthens. Miracles are inside us; if we believe in them all our wishes will be granted.
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In the end of the world the new Messiah will come and show himself in the public to give the message of God. Do you think the message in the last book of the Bible talks about the destruction of the Earth or just simply the new beginning for everyone to change?
Rating - Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult, 5 Sweets and the end of the new century's Messiah! (This is a good book if you want to know more about death penalty in America and to consider the fact the reason why it is being humane and destructive to mankind at the same time Picoult also discussed topics like religion between characters and how they manage to obtain salvation in the end. Not recommended for those people who have soft spot with religion or not open minded, this is not a good start for newbie Picoult readers.)
Challenges:
Book #66 for 2011
Book #40 for Off the Shelf!
Book #8 for Jodi Picoult Reading Challenge 2011
Currently, how many religions do we have in the 21st century? Ten, Twenty or maybe more than one hundred. Nobody knows exactly the number of religion that took place in the Earth. Many chose Christianity, maybe some chose Jewish or you wanted to be alone as a spiritual man or someone who don't believe in the existence of God, an aethiest. How can we even manage when religion and thoughts of every individual got conflict in such way to achieve salvation? In Change of Heart, Picoult enthralls everyonewith her captivating story of redemption, justice and love.
Shay Bourne, convicted a very murderous crime that punished him of death. It was one of the worst case scenarios that happened in Hampshire. Some said he was innocent of his crime and some give him no justice to speak of the truth. He killed a man who serviced his life to the people and a daughter that gives hope to the family, or did he really killed them? A fact that he kept everything in secret for the people he loves so much that he wanted to push his limits to salvage himself by offering himself especially his heart to the girl that justice had been victimize.
Michael, a catholic priest and a lawyer in his early years that signed as one of the convector of Shay to sentence him to death and accusing him of 3 major crimes. But his faith to God and his vocation never let him down under the spell of injustice cowardy. But after meeting Shay he was forced to ask himself questions that cannot be answer but only his faith that can help him conquer. Questions about good and evil; himself and above all God.
Maggie, a smart lawyer who have parents who devoted their lives to God and they are Jewish. But besides all those experiences with her parents she admit herself as an atheist who believe only for herself and no other than her philosophies in life. And Lucius, a homosexual who suffered for the death of his boyfriend because of jealousy. He admitted himself that he sees Shay as the new Messiah, he do miracles far from what a normal people can. Multiplying gums, transforming liquid to wine and preaching the word of God.
June, a mother who seek for her happiness and once again losing her daughter Claire. How can she forgive the person who killed her husband and daughter and the only donor to help Claire to survive. A book with five voices that seeks spiritual guidance and justice. Picoult once again give miraculous applause for her literary and commercial type of novel. A powerful and extraordinary book for us to be strengthens. Miracles are inside us; if we believe in them all our wishes will be granted.
There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein
[image error]
In the end of the world the new Messiah will come and show himself in the public to give the message of God. Do you think the message in the last book of the Bible talks about the destruction of the Earth or just simply the new beginning for everyone to change?
Rating - Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult, 5 Sweets and the end of the new century's Messiah! (This is a good book if you want to know more about death penalty in America and to consider the fact the reason why it is being humane and destructive to mankind at the same time Picoult also discussed topics like religion between characters and how they manage to obtain salvation in the end. Not recommended for those people who have soft spot with religion or not open minded, this is not a good start for newbie Picoult readers.)
Challenges:
Book #66 for 2011
Book #40 for Off the Shelf!
Book #8 for Jodi Picoult Reading Challenge 2011
July 15, 2009
Change of Heart is about Shay Bourne, a man who is on death row for murdering a young girl named Elizabeth Nealon and her stepfather Kurt Nealon. Kurt's husband and Elizabeth's mom June, has been left behind with eleven year old Claire now, who is in desperate need of a heart. Other characters in this novel are Michael, a priest who is becoming confused and questioning his own faith, and Maggie, a somewhat big-boned ACLU lawyer who is determined to take on her case, and her own family person life.
I loved this book, I'm so glad I read it despite the feminine cover. I enjoyed all of the characters' voices, with Lucius and Maggie's being my favorites. Jodi Picoult did a nice job of using the religion aspect in a way that wasn't tiresome and easy to understand. The twists and turns in the plot line were surprising and well-done. Picoult also has a nice way of forming a solid story with believable characters and keeping the whole novel flowing smoothly for the reader. Definitely recommend it.
I loved this book, I'm so glad I read it despite the feminine cover. I enjoyed all of the characters' voices, with Lucius and Maggie's being my favorites. Jodi Picoult did a nice job of using the religion aspect in a way that wasn't tiresome and easy to understand. The twists and turns in the plot line were surprising and well-done. Picoult also has a nice way of forming a solid story with believable characters and keeping the whole novel flowing smoothly for the reader. Definitely recommend it.
April 26, 2008
I actually *read* this book, despite the fact that for some reason the above title is listed as an MP3 type thing.
I'm up and down with Jodi Picoult and this latest novel certainly reminded me why I sometimes can't stand her writing. It's very stereotypical (almost offensively so). Let's be serious Jodi, you are just not meant to write about life on 'death row' in prison in a serious manner. The characters were very one sided and if she was trying to make a point about religion, the death penalty, organ donation, the messiah, murder, (anything really), it fell very flat. I thought this book was very disappointing. Picoult is best when she takes on adolescent issues. She'sgood at writing from the point of view of a 16 year old.
I'm up and down with Jodi Picoult and this latest novel certainly reminded me why I sometimes can't stand her writing. It's very stereotypical (almost offensively so). Let's be serious Jodi, you are just not meant to write about life on 'death row' in prison in a serious manner. The characters were very one sided and if she was trying to make a point about religion, the death penalty, organ donation, the messiah, murder, (anything really), it fell very flat. I thought this book was very disappointing. Picoult is best when she takes on adolescent issues. She'sgood at writing from the point of view of a 16 year old.
March 30, 2008
Welp,let me start by saying that I'm a huge Jodi Piccoult fan. She's an excellent writer and has captures the voice of her characters beautifully. Her device is to stir the pot, make you think, and examine difficult situations where you find yourself sympathizing with people you'd never believe was possible.
But it appears that Piccoult has gone the way of mega popular writers that bang out books once a year for the sake of, well, banging out books once a year. The formula she always uses (and that I've liked very much in her other novels) is still here, with a moral dilemma and child at the story's center. But the Green Mile rip-off and contrived subplots aren't convincing, and the whole time I found myself saying "Hey, that's a story that's already been written".
Still better than most books out there, but disappointing for sure.
But it appears that Piccoult has gone the way of mega popular writers that bang out books once a year for the sake of, well, banging out books once a year. The formula she always uses (and that I've liked very much in her other novels) is still here, with a moral dilemma and child at the story's center. But the Green Mile rip-off and contrived subplots aren't convincing, and the whole time I found myself saying "Hey, that's a story that's already been written".
Still better than most books out there, but disappointing for sure.
June 19, 2019
OK story about a death row inmate who wants to donate his heart. Really weird religious content.
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