Book Review: Jodi Picoult's "Change of Heart" by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto

Wednesday, August 09, 2017
About Change of Heart:

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.




About the Author:
Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers "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.



Paperback: 480 pages
Publisher: Washington Square Press; Reprint edition (December 2, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0743496752
ISBN-13: 978-0743496759



Review by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto:

I absolutely love the writing of Jodi Picoult. She draws me in each and every time. Her writing is poetic and the descriptions help you see each character so you can really experience the emotions and plot. In Change of Heart I had it figured out from the beginning, but still read each and every word - and enjoyed them immensely. I had a deep desire to know the "why" of the story and how all the pieces of the puzzle were going to fit together. This is a rather long book and I read it in a single day. I could not tear myself away.

The flow of Picoult's writing is definitely a work of art and though some might say the ending is a let down or it's predictable, there was nothing about this book that left me feeling let down. In fact, I would love to know more about each character and the stories of their lives before Change of Heart as well as in the aftermath of this tear-jerking tale.

A book I will definitely read again, and a style so many authors can learn from. A tale so beautifully woven together it reminds me of a hand-made quilt. Filled with love and emotion. Each page to be savored.




About today's reviewer:

Crystal is a council secretary and musician at her church, birth mother, babywearing cloth diapering
mama (aka crunchy mama), business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Publicist with Dream of Things Publishing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, Unicorn Mom Ambassador, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, four young children (Carmen 10, Andre 9, Breccan 3, Delphine 2, and baby Eudora due this fall), two dogs, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, and over 230 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal riding unicorns, taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books, baby carriers, cloth diapers, and all sorts of other stuff here, and at her personal blog - Crystal is dedicated to turning life's lemons into lemonade!

5 comments:

Sioux Roslawski said...

Crystal--I enjoy Picoult's novels as well. "Handle With Care" is one of my favorites.

I didn't know she had written a new book. I will have to check this one out.

Cathy Biggerstaff said...

I read one of her books years ago that was about an Amish family. I loved her writing but it was full of bad language. How about this one you reviewed? Has she cleaned up the language?

Crystal Otto said...

Hmmmm.....language doesn't offend me, so I wouldn't have noticed. As I think about it, I don't think there's much profanity, but don't hold me to that. I remember thinking that my daughter would enjoy it except there's a few intimate moments I wouldn't want her exposed to at her age yet, so again I venture to say it's pretty clean language wise.

Crystal Otto said...

Sioux -

This book is actually from 2007 and I happened upon it at a great little book shop here in town - it was $3 in hard-cover and I couldn't stop myself. Although - she did have a newer book I read last year and loved...I'll see if I can find the name. It was about a nurse and a baby - very moving.

Sioux Roslawski said...

Crystal--I read that one. It was quite powerful... dealt with racism head-on.

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