Young Writers Society

I loved this book. Not as good as 'The Pact' but full of great conflict and an unexpected ending.

Book Review

‘My Sister’s Keeper’ by Jodi Picoult – Have you ever wondered what it’s like to have a terminal illness? To live every day, not knowing if it will be your last? Well, that’s life for one little girl but, in an original twist, we follow the story of her younger sister Anna; a child created for the sole purpose of donating the organs and blood cells her sibling requires. Kate and Anna are the closest of sisters but, after years of high risk to her own health and dangerous, painful operations without her consent, Anna seeks out the help of a lawyer with his own tragic past.
In a case where success ends in the death of a loved one and the penalty of failure could cost both sisters their lives, can anyone really win? A book like this can only end in tragedy and with a rebellious, arsonist brother and a fire fighter dad, the conflict goes on and on. Is it right to abuse one daughter to save another? Especially, when the chances of survival are beyond impossible and more than one life could be forfeit.
In the end, the decision lies in the hands of fate and we find ourselves praying for Anna to succeed, guiltily forsaking Kate’s life. With a moralistic world and her own mother against her, can Anna win back what should never have been taken? Can Anna re-gain the rights to her own body, can she bare to go through with such a gruesome trial? A book that will make you cry again and again. I have one question remaining – if you was the judge, what would you decide?

Wow, that sounds really good. I've never heard of it, but I'll have to look into it now.

I read this a couple of years ago and it was fascinating. I was glued to the pages pretty much the entire way through, and the ending was ... well, not what I would ahve hoped, but satisfying nonetheless. I think it's an interesting insight into the problems we're going to be facing in a few decades. It's really one to make you think!

I believe one of my sisters has read this book. I'll have to read it this summer. It sounds interesting.

I know it's illegal.

but.

I HATE Jodi Picoult, mostly because her characters are flat as tile. She's sort of the anti-Stephenie Meyer.

Sure, the concept is interesting and all, but so what? It doesn't really make you think. It resolves itself. At least it's not a blatant message book; I'll give it that.

I was 13, when I read this, I think, and I was mightily offended by the character of Anna. I mean, she's supposed to be this child who's kind of a moron (well, she's not supposed to be kind of a moron... she just is) but is ultra-perceptive about the nature of people. Come now. 'Cause, gee, I've never heard that one before. And does Ms. Picoult really think 13-year-olds are like that? Sheesh. The only character I did like was Jesse.

And the ending? I found it to be a pathetic way to avoid the inevitable.

I actually do really like Jodi Picoult as a person. I just passionately hate her books.

What? How can you say that? I love her books. What about the pact? Salem falls? Vanishing Acts? They're all among my favourites! You're right, it's illegal to hate her books.

I've only read this one book, but I certainly didn't find her characters flat, and her writing, while not beautiful, was better than most bestsellers. *coughDanBrowncough*

I don't think the ending was contrived to avoid resolving it, rather to add a sense of poignancy to the whole thing.

And the concept made me think. As a genetics student it really makes you wonder. But I guess, as a 13 year old, you wouldn't realy have the kind of knowledge neceassry, so I'll let that one slide.

I was CHAINED to My Sister's Keeper. If I remember correctly, I stayed up until veins were popping out of my eyes to finish it.

Vanishing Acts... at least the plot of My Sister's Keeper was good. Vanishing Acts was propelled by random revelations by Andrew.

Imelda: Yes, Certain bestselling authors are not the most, uh, skilled of the bunch. And ...ouch.

I really like 'My sister's keeper'. I thought it was absolutly amazing but that is the only book of hers that i like. All the others seem flat and really boring. The characters are to simple and the plots are weak. The only good book she has written is 'My sister's Keeper'.

I'm reading it at the moment and I love it. I don't see how a story-line like hers could be considered flat. I have not read any of her other books but I might after this one.

You should. I've read four of them now and have a fifth waiting...

Coincidence. I read the first chapter of this book yesterday as my mate is reading it and already I'm absorbed. I'm off to buy it soon...

Characters flat??? No way...

Alainna
xxxxxxx

OK, so I actually read all of it and kinda saw the ending happen, but it was still sad. I must of cried at least six times through this book and it made me think so much about life in general.

I'd absolutely recommend it!

Alainna
xxxxxxxxxx

Alainna, if you thought that one was sad try 'The Pact' by the same author.