Book Reviews of Change of Heart

I'm a little let down by Picoult's latest, to tell the truth. I typically only pick up her books when I know I'm going to have time to read them straight through in a day or two, because I usually find her stories and their complexities riveting. Normally, I just cannot put them down. This one has taken me almost a month to get through. I was really disappointed. I've read 11 of her 15 novels to date, and this is my least favorite.

The story was very, very slow moving until the last 50-75 pages, I'd say. And for awhile, I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't re-reading "Keeping Faith," for the subject matter is very similar, and characters from that novel make return appearances in this one. I just sort of feel like Picoult is running out of stories to tell. How many more stories do we need about abuse, murder, religious beliefs, and organ transplants? (LOL)

I found, in this novel, that Picoult's characters didn't have the depth that characters in her other novels have had. I didn't feel any particular sympathy for ANY of the characters until the very end, and even then, it was only for one character. I'm hesitant to say more because I don't want to be a spoiler, but overall, I wasn't nearly as thrilled with this endeavor by Picoult as I usually am with her books. A definite letdown for me.

I didn't like this book enough to finish it.

Jodi Picoult has been one of my favorite's for some time. I love how she pushes the envelope and writes books about things we as a society often don't want to talk about. This one was little on the edge for me in terms of the reality of the subject matter. While I totally get that there can be redemption, all of the things that it took for the plot of this book to come together were a little unrealistic for my taste. Still, a good read and I recommend just about anything Picoult has written.

Not Picoult's best effort. Too "far-reaching", yet predictable. 3 stars, at the most.

This is THE BEST one of her books EVER!
Easily..shocking ending and wonderfuly written!
A MUST-READ!!!!!!!

I think this book is FANTASTIC!!!

A compelling Picoult - it jumps right in! Picoult has the tendency to include too many foci in her books (i.e. The Tenth Circle - cartooning, sled dog races, constellations - but wait, the book is actually about murder and rape) and she kept it relatively simple in Change of Heart. I figured out what the "big reveal at the end" was pretty early on and I wish we hadn't gone there. I found some of the jumps between POVs jarring, and Maggie was especially whiny and potty-mouthed. And I wish Maggie's father had played more of a role.

What was really interesting about this book was the various ways of looking at the messiah. I found the background on the non-canonical gospels fascinating - I'd like to read more on them on my own. I'm still tossing around the story in my head.

This book was a good book, but not one of Jodi Picoult's best books. It didn't hold my interest as much as her other ones did. It is about the death penality, which I thought would be interesting, but it was too winded in the middle of the book. The beginning and end of the book is what held my interest the most. Fans of her books will probably like it, but agree it isn't her best.

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, waiting for a miracle.
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, he gets 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.
Father Michael is a man whose past decisions led him to devote the rest of his life to God. But when he comes face-to-face with Shay, he must question everything he's been taught to believe about religion, about good and evil, about forgiveness. About himself.

I love Jodi.....I have read every thing she has written to this point...This was an okay book....I did enjoy it, but she has much better ones out there!

Lisa

I can not imagine having to make the decision that the mother has to in this book. This is definately one of my favorite books of all time and one of the best of Jodi Picoult's. There is a twist, so be ready.

Totally did not like this Picoult book. Far fetched & too much religion. All her books are the same; murder, death, child abuse, etc etc. This is going up for posting before I even finish it. Won't waste my time.

One of my favorites by Jodi Picoult. Enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down. It's one of those books that you can read more than once.

This is my favorite Picoult read so far. The ending has a twist I did not see coming and normally I take a few weeks to get through a Picoult book, however this one I finished within a few days because I could not put it down. As always, Picoult leaves you questioning the ending and sympathizing with her characters.

Easy read, typical Picoult book that is quick and entertaining. It has a nice twist or two and a chill-bump/food for thought ending. I'd recommend it.

What a wonderful book! I think Jodi Picoult outdid herself!

As usual Jodi Picoult gives another great book. Great story about faith, forgiveness, and comfort. The characters developed well and are enjoyable. Interesting story about the death penalty.

Another great Picoult story! Never tire of reading her!

I loved this book; it was a bit heavy on the religious aspect, but it was easy to skip some of those paragraphs without deterring from the rest of the story.

This book was interesting. It was recommended to me by a friend. I seemed to have a love/hate relationship with the story line. The twist and turns it took on faith and religion were awkward at times. I thought the death penalty theme was very intriguing and the ending was incredible. This was the first book I've read by Jodi Picoult.

I usually love Jodi Picoult's books, and I wanted to love this one too. It was hard for me to even finish this one though. I thought it was predictable and very slow moving. If you've read or seen The Green Mile, you already know this story.

I think that the phrase, people are never who you think they are is the key point of this book. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. As with most of Picoult's other books, it is well researched and put the reader right in the story.

A story that gets you thinking. At every corner, there's something new happening. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, it all changed.

This was my first Picoult book. I tend to shy away from incredibly emotional books, but we picked this for a book club and so I was committed to it. I did really enjoy the character development, and the view from the different perspectives on religion was interesting to me. It reminded me alot of "The Green Mile", but with a few different twists. All in all a good book,and I would recommend it.

Its a Jodi Picoult book...nuff said. She has a tendency to lapse into the same 'type' of writing....by time you've read a few you know there's a twist you look for it and you tend to find it.... I wanted to read this but I think I"m done with Picoult and please..don't think she is an expert on religion, or the Gnostic gospels this is once again someone's opinion of religion and she embraces the latest trend of all roads leading to Rome and everyone finds their own path yada yada yada This just amuses me because in everything else in life we find the 'experts' and follow their advice,learn from them and even do our own extensive research...lets see personal trainers for exercise, the geek squad for our computers, H&R block for our taxes, the landscaping for our lawns, consumer reports for our appliance and cars, yet when it comes to religion we just are gonna follow and feel what we think is best....and make our own path...think about it!!!

very good book. not one of her best but good.

While not her best book, I love everything she writes.

Whenever I can get through a 400+ page book without looking at the page numbers, I know it's a great book. I love this author.

I am surprised by all of the negative reviews of this book. I thought it was fantastic, and while it was sometimes slow in the middle, the purpose was character development that drove the plotline. This one had a tearjerker ending for me, too. This is the first I've read of hers, and if it's the "worst", I can't wait to read the best!

Another fantastic read from Jodi Picoult!

This is my favorite Piccoult book! It is amazing how she truly makes the reader side with every character. I couldn't put this one down.

CHANGE OF HEART is a really good book, and I'm happy to say I enjoyed it so much more than THE TENTH CIRCLE.

Books dealing with religion are tricky, because it's easy for the author to come off as either anti-religion or too preachy. Ms. Picoult balances this well, using religion as a springboard for other topics.

There are definitely some supernatural aspects of this story, but overall its based firmly in the very real emotions of anger, love, and forgiveness, and the fact that nothing is ever exactly as it seems.

This is definitely a book I would recommend to others.

Excellent Read

riveting book, could not put it down!

this is one of her best keeps you guessing until the end