Themes: love, hate, fear, justice, institutional racism, prejudice, belonging.
Synopsis & Review: A fictional novel based in the US state of Connecticut. The story alternates between three different narratives. Ruth Jefferson is a labour and delivery nurse who has been working at the Mary-West Haven hospital for twenty years. On a regular night shift she performs a routine check on new-born baby Davis. Ruth is later told by the nurse in charge that she has been reassigned to another patient without any explanation. She comes to find that the parents, Brit and Turk, have specifically demanded that Ruth does not touch their baby because of her race and colour.
During an emergency call out, Ruth is left alone to watch over Davis when he suffers sudden cardiac distress. Ruth is forced to make a decision in the moment and as a result of her actions she is trialled for a terrible crime. In a case that becomes a media sensation, Ruth must protect herself and her family whilst working with public defender Kennedy McQuarrie, to prove her innocence.
This book was an absolute page turner. Although it was a heavy read and I found it difficult and uncomfortable at times, it was still a great experience. The book involves difficult and controversial issues which are often overlooked in everyday life. Issues that some of us are blind to because we are privileged not to experience them. The language is straight-forward making it easy to get through which balances the heaviness of the story. The alternative narrative between Ruth, Turk and Kennedy allows for each character to be understood and connected with on a personal level. I became completely immersed in each characters life.
Jodi Picoult did a fantastic job of tackling a sensitive topic with grace. She managed to tie things together in a neat but unexpected end. Reading this book was an eye-opening, thought-provoking experience which made me question my own views on certain things. The story stayed with me for weeks after reading. I would highly recommend this book has a place on your bookshelf.
Rating: 4.5/5
Favourite Quotes:
'Equality is treating everyone the same. But equity is taking differences into account, so everyone has a chance to succeed.'
'There are just some feelings, I've learned, for which we never invented the right words.'
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