Books : Change of Heart: A Novel

Rating: - Excellent and creative
Jody has done it again, another unique set of characters and a plot that makes you think about many things. I feel like I am a better, deeper person from reading it.

---

Rating: - Far Fetched
This book moved much slower than the others I read by her. I was a bit disappointed in this one. It was very philosophical about Shay, a convicted murderer, sentenced to death. The priest who was his spiritual adviser while he was on death row was a member of the jury that found him guilty. His only concern while on death row was that he be able to donate his heart to the victim's sister once he heard she needed a heart transplant. It was a strange book with religious undercurrents and far out "miracles." I had to really work my way through this one, but it did get better near the end and had a "happy ending," well, sort of. It was a great finish! No peeking!!!

---

Rating: - Interesting, educational, and compelling
I read 'Keeping Faith' just prior to 'Change of Heart,' so the connection between the characters in the two books was fresh. I enjoyed the continuity and learning how things worked out for Ian and Mariah of 'Keeping Faith.' What's important, though, is that you did not have to read 'Keeping Faith' to "get" Ian Fletcher.

As for 'Change of Heart,' I found the themes to be riveting. I knew nothing of the Gospel of Thomas and plan on reading more about the Ghostic faith. I appreciate Picoult's inclusion of bits and pieces from Catholicism and Judaism as well, and that she does not appear to infuse her own beliefs into her work.

As for "the twist," I can't say I'm surprised, but felt it worked in the context of the novel. I'm not sure that it's all that believable, but who can say for sure? I have to say I was disappointed by the final revelations about Shay. Don't want to say more on that so as not to spoil the ending.

I respect Jodi Picoult as a writer and enjoy her work. I look forward to whatever comes next.

---

Rating: - Another Home Run for Picoult
I am a big fan of Jodi Picoult's. I have been reading her work almost from the beginning. In my opinion, a few of her more recent works weren't as good as earlier ones, but this one, Change of Heart, is simply amazing. I loved the heretical, religious storyline, very well played! The way she develops the characters, something she is so very good at, is wonderful. She's one of a few authors that I have read that can really draw you into a perspective that you never considered, to either align with it, or at least, to see it a bit more clearly, to suspend your judgments that it's 'bad' or 'wrong.' I love that about her books.

I almost didn't read this one, with the death penalty as a big issue in it, but I'm so glad I gave it a chance, 50 pages in and I could hardly put it down. I read it as a library book, but I will buy it, I'm sure, when it comes time to reread it. Many of her books are well worth rereading, especially this one and Second Glance. Thank you, Ms. Picoult, for your wonderful books!!!

---

Rating: - GREAT!
I loved this book. I have just recently discovered this author and find her books to be the definition of page-turners! Sometimes her story lines seem a little contrived, but that doesn't mean that they aren't really fascinating at the same time. Many things that happen in real life would seem contrived if you wrote it down, after all.

A great story.