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Summery
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.
Issues regarding the death penalty, blended families, weight, mothers and daughters, sexual abuse, organ donation and religion.
My Review:
I’m probably one of the very few who would say this, but
I hated My Sister’s Keeper!
The reason why I say this is because it made me very
hesitant to read other books by Jodi Picoult. Finally after 2 years, I decided
to try Change of Heart by her and all I can say is: Wow. I
was hooked from the very first chapter!
I loved everything about this book.
I’m not really a fan of having multiple narrators, but I
became genuinely interested in these characters. It was really interesting to
see how they play out in a story that wasn’t really about them. Sure you get to
see June (the mother)’s perspective sometimes in the story, but the real
storytellers are Sean’s spiritual advisor Michael, his lawyer Maggie and his
friend and cellmate Lucius . I remember getting really excited whenever the
narrators interact. That’s how I was into these characters.
Jodi Picoult does a great job in giving each character a
distinctive voice. Each of them responds to things differently and they have
their own perspectives on life and faith. These characters felt really real.
You can feel their emotions. I specially felt very sad whenever I read June’s
perspective because it really shows how the people you loved and lost never go
away.
Remember when I said the story isn’t really about the
narrators? Well, it’s because it’s not. The story is really about Sean who
killed a father and a daughter. And it’s also about the mother who deals with
the pain of losing them while also trying to save her other daughter. However,
as I said, I’ve become so invested with the narrators that it didn’t bother me
who was telling the story.
Some people may get annoyed of the sudden shift between
the narrators, but I didn’t find a problem with it.
The story is amazing. It’s about loss, faith,
forgiveness, and injustice. Sometimes the world is unfair, but it’s okay as
long as you have something to fight for.
I highly recommend this book especially if you are a Jodi
Picoult fan.
Final Grade: 5/5
