Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult | Teen Ink

Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult MAG

By Continuum GOLD, Little Rock, Arkansas
Continuum GOLD, Little Rock, Arkansas
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Jodi Picoult's newest novel, Change of Heart, has topped both the New York Times hardcover and paperback best-seller lists for weeks, and received rave reviews. Change of Heart is being dubbed one of Picoult's best books yet, but I disagree.

While I am a die-hard fan, I feel that Change of Heart is ­extremely dragged out. Like most of her novels, it is narrated by a number of characters, each personally connecting with the reader in a way that forces you to empathize.

Eleven years earlier, Shay Bourne murdered June Nealon's husband and daughter and is sentenced to death. Fast-forward to the present, and June's other daughter is growing up with severe heart problems. The story focuses on Shay's decision to donate his heart to June's daughter ­after he's put to death. The only problem: lethal injection stops the heart.

Change of Heart follows a series of events surrounding June and Shay that ­focus on ­religion and the law. While the plot is exciting and intense, 464 pages are far too many to tell this story. Picoult includes an enormous amount of detail, but unfortunately I feel this leaves the reader uninterested.

In conclusion, this book might be better for a first-time Picoult reader. The story is ­decent but follows the same route as all her other books: you think you have it all figured out but then there's a twist at the end. I give it two and a half out of five stars.


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This article has 43 comments.


AlzPal said...
on Jan. 9 2009 at 2:38 pm
I have just finished Change Of Heart, and I totally disagree with your review! I have read almost 8 of her books (I'm in the middle of The Pact) and I honestly rhink that C.O.H is one of her best. I thought it provided a really unique insight to religion, which fascinated me. And I cried when shay died. The only problem I have ever had with her books is the fact that there is alot of death in them. But overall, Change Of Heart was a really GREAT book...

LLei said...
on Dec. 10 2008 at 11:59 pm
i love Jodi Picoult, she's one of my best favorite authors, though i haven't gotten to read this book yet. So far i've read 10 of her books! :] the one im reading now is a called "Mercy" the first book i read from her was, "My Sister's Keeper" which made me cry! :] So i can't wait until i get to read this book by her too!!

OMJiluvJB said...
on Dec. 3 2008 at 9:06 pm
didnt actually read your review but your from wyckoff!!!!! ahh your so lucky you get to drive by the jonas brothers's old house whenever you want... do you happen to know them by any chance??