Change of Heart: A Novel (Wsp Readers Club)

My first book by author Jodi Picoult was Small Great Things which I loved and started reading more of novels. But I’m increasingly starting to fall out of love with Picoult.“A Change Of Heart” was a little on the disappointing side for me. Per usual with Picoult, there is no shortage of hot-button social issues in this book. Picoult utilizes a familiar technique of moral quandaries abound served up on a silver platter - the dilemma drama. This time is was the controversial subjects of capital punishment, organ donation and the validity of organized religion through a cast of diverse characters with wildly different points of view. I felt Picoult was a little too overzealous about the religious aspect. Then add the Picoult 11th hour "twist", only in this case you'll see it coming a hundred pages in advance, and only made me hate the Mom character.The story line was cumbersome and too far fetched. The dialogue was stilted, the actions of all the characters were unbelievable at times. My other issues was the first quarter seem like a shameless ripoff of Stephen King’s “The Green Mile” and the a little of John Grisham's “The Chamber”, in that they are both incredibly heavy-handed indictments of the death penalty. One of the character’s even references “The Green Mile,” in his nickname of the protagonist.

I loved, loved, loved this book. One of the things I like about her writing is her books aren’t all written to the same template. I don’t know how I missed this one when it came out, but I’m really glad I found it now.

I liked this book. At first, I thought it was a knockoff of The Green Mile, but it becomes a much more rich story. It begins with the mother describing how it felt when her first husband died in a auto accident and how she later fell in love with the police officer who delivered the devastating news. She talks about the sweet relationship between her young daughter and her new husband, then describes the events which led up to the crime. Then the reader is introduced to the college student who is serving on the jury who convicted the accused murderer of the husband and young child. The jury must now decide whether to impose the death penalty which has not been used in New Hampshire in many, many years.The story has four characters who tell the story from their personal point of view, each contributing to the whole story. The subject matter goes into the morality of the death penalty and the views of religions. The author raises so many thought provoking ideas about the true validity of any one particular religious faith and poses so many questions causing the reader to think about religion in a new way. It doesn't preach, she simply puts the questions out there and allows the reader to arrive at a conc!usion...or not. The narrative moves along and has some startling twists. Some readers might accuse the author of a contrived tale, but I enjoyed the questions and the lack of ant definitive answers. I enjoyed the book.

So so

I am a fan of Jodi Picoult. She surpassed herself with this book.She brought the death penalty and religious beliefs/rights together in a truly remarkable way.

I loved this book! I wasn't sure about it in the beginning. I wasn't sure how I felt about the storyline or characters. There was so many twists that you kept changing your opinions. It was an exceptional read with great character development and growth. Surprises you didn't expect throughout the book.

I’ve read many of her books but this one was just okay

Jodi Picoult does it again. She grabs you will intriguing and well developed characters. She keeps you turning the pages with each twist and turn and has you questioning your own stance on a topic (in this case the death penalty) as she develops a well written story.This may not be my personal favorite Jodi Picoult read, but it is not disappointing at all!

My favourite book. Puts green mile to shame! Bought this for my partner to read, and so I could read it a 5th time. I take different things from it each time, and still hold out hope the ending will change every time I pick it up. Love this author! If you like this, you will love her other works! Always keeps you guessing.

Once again I thoroughly enjoyed reading one of Picoults books I particularly love how she is able to write so eloquently about such raw topics such as I'm this one the death penalty. I have not read anything like hers she's truly the master at this particular genre.

This is about a moral dilemma none of us will ever face but the real issues are of faith, forgiveness, the misjudging of people for all the wrong reasons and our prejudices for and against ‘stereotypes’. I’m sure the author could put it far better than I but it all makes for a heart wrenching story where I cried for the ‘villain’ and had felt saddened by the person who truly turned a blind eye.

Another gripping story by Jodi Picoult. I read it with a hunger, I laughed, I cried, I held my breath and I learnt so much. Again I have to say out loud "How does she do it?" I recommend her books all the time in the hope that as many people as possible can share all the emotions that she not brings about in me. I was sitting or standing with every person in this book, wanting to cuddle them, cry with them, smile with them or just listen to them teach me. Yet another incredible book. Never stop please Jodi

This is basically a copy of The Green Mile. Different characters and slightly different story line for each of them, but the further in I read, the more I'm reminded of the other book/film, and I'm tempted to just read The Green Mile instead of this one.It's a good book, and I don't have trouble reading it, however I'm really not impressed that Picoult copied another author