What I like about the way this book is written is that it comes from several different characters point of view. I sometimes wish that life was like that. That I could switch into someone's else head for awhile to see where they are coming from and what life looks like to them. Seems like it would make things so much simpler. This adds a depth to this story that makes it much more compelling than if it was based from one character's point of view. The other thing that stood out to me was that a big piece of the main characters was not revealed until the very end. You go through the book realizing you don't quite know everything but thinking you have a firm grasp on who these people are. It turns out that these missing pieces are key to fully understanding what is going on. This parallels real life to me. So many times you think you know people but until you find out that key piece of information, you may be completely off base.
One of the lines in the book that really spoke to me was this: "I realize then that we never have children, we receive them. And sometimes it's not for quite as long as we would have expected or hoped. But it is still far batter than never having had those children at all." As a mother I like to think that these children belong to me and are completely under my control. But the truth is they were given to me as a gift and are just under my care for the time being. I don't know how long I will have them which is why I need to make each day count. Give them the tools they need to grow into their own people and love them unconditionally. I can only hope that I never have to know what it is like to give them back.
I have to say that I went into reading this thinking I knew what it was about. Not only did I see the movie previews but I have been told about a dozen times how sad it was. But I found myself 10 pages away from finishing the book and thinking, sure it's sad but in a way that is totally predictable from the beginning. Then BAM, Jodi Picoult hits you with a major twist that changes everything. I was originally able to look past the sadness because the outcome seemed inevitable. It was in the surprise that I truly felt hit emotionally for the first time in the book. Overall I think this was a great read. Not only extremely thought provoking but it also touches on a topic that forces you to look at your own life and realize just how good you have it.
I wish I would have read the book, I watched the movie and have been told the ending of the book was totally different. I was a good one though...a tough one as a sister and a mother.
ReplyDeleteI have also heard the ending of the book was totally different than that of the movie. My sister-in-law and I are going to watch it together just to pick it apart since we both read the book...I never like a movie if I read the book first, especially when they make major changes.
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