Small Great Things: A Novel

I simply could not finish this book. The amount of errors in research within the first 125 pages was appalling. The amount of clichés used in this book was appalling. And the author's lack of actual experience in what she is writing about was appalling.

For me, this book may have turned me away from any further Jodi Picoult novel. I will continue to read with an open mind and hope for better, but this book certainly put a very large dent in my respect for her as an author.

Wow, my favorite Picoult story by far. Powerful story of a black woman in an impossible situation, told with great sensitivity to the wide range of complex issues she faces as a result. The change of heart of certain initially unlikeable characters was pretty powerful, esp. since it's apparently rooted in real stories of people who've undergone similar transformations. A ray of hope for the future!

As a fan of Jodi Picoult I was looking forward to reading this book. Racism is a big topic to take on in a novel. I really enjoyed the first two thirds or so of the book. I can identify with Kennedy- a white woman who wants to help but is a bit naive to how deep the problem of racism runs in out country. I particularly appreciated the scene in TJ Max that illustrates how differently people are treated based on race alone. The last third of the novel started to seem like a platform for a lecture. I’m sure it’s hard to refrain from that with the topic of racism. And the ending was unrealistic. Overall I would give it 3.5 stars.

I'm still digesting this book, but found it extremely compelling. I couldn't put it down once I started it as I needed to know just what would happen. Though I felt the end was expected, there was definitely sustained tension throughout the novel as you step into the shoes of the accused black woman, the white public defender and the white supremacist. With extreme skill, Picoult weaves her tale and you can begin to understand what life is for each of the people and you become aware - as some of the characters themselves also become aware - of what biases you may hold yourself and what things you've also let go of and accepted because it was so 'normal' to you. It's one of those books that can get you to start thinking, start questioning and maybe even start changing. Highly recommended read.

December 2016 selection