My Sister's Keeper

This is my first time contributing here and I thank Tushar for the invite. I read a lot of books when I have the time and I've reviewed a few on my own blog. I decided as my very first post, to review a book that I already have on my blog. So here goes.

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult has got to be one of the most powerful books I've ever read.

No other book has made me sob like this one.

No other book has made me smile like this one.

No other book has felt so real (in spite of it being fiction)

No other book has made me experience the wide gamut of emotions that I did whilst reading the book.

So what is it about the book that makes it so special?

Well, for me personally, the style of the book was awesome to start of with. Almost every character is presented in first person. How does Picoult do that? She lets each character have a say and have their voice heard in each chapter. Then of course, the story itself is a heart-wrenching one.

The book is about a family...a family with 3 children and one of whom (the middle child) has cancer. The third child was conceived to be a donor for the girl with cancer. She doesn't have a say in the matter until 12 years on, she is frustrated. She has had to forego more things than just donate a bone marrow or blood. She has had to put her life on hold for her sister. And she has had enough. She goes to see a lawyer to get the rights to her own body. And all hell breaks loose when the family finds out. Is there a right answer? I don't know. The mother is livid; the father torn. The daughter that has cancer does not have an opinion in the book i.e. she is the only character whose point of view is not presented to us. The older brother could not care less. The book takes us through all of their thoughts, their feelings, their emotions. The reader manages to empathise with each and every character (which is saying something...) I don't want to give away the ending in case you haven't read the book...but it is possibly one of the most unexpected endings.

The book makes you ask the biggest question: Would I do this for someone I loved?

The answer: I don't know.
I would donate if I had a choice.
But would I like to if I wasn't given one? If I was forced to without being asked? If I were made to feel guilty for not wanting to?

Like I said, if I were in Annie's place, I don't know what I'd do.

What would you do?

An epidemic of loneliness: Why are we lonely in a world so full?

In the town of Havenwood, an unusual epidemic takes over—not one of physical illness, but an outbreak of loneliness. When Lina, a fiery yet secretly tender-hearted skeptic of romance, meets Quinn, a free-spirited artist questioning the same ideas, they are forced to confront whether real connection lies beyond romantic love or if they are truly doomed to solitude. It was a crisp day in Havenwood, and the sky was brooding—dark clouds laced with impatient energy before a thunderstorm, as if even the heavens felt the town’s growing melancholy. It was not the kind of town you would expect to be cloaked in loneliness. Stone cottages lined the narrow, winding roads, and the trees had that sage-like stillness that you only see in stories and dreams. I hadn’t been here long when the problem struck me like a slap in the face: everyone was obsessed with finding The One, as if every single person was but half a person, wandering through life like a lost sock in search of its pair. How did a town ...

Epitome of Equality

First of all This is not to demean any religion.. I am a Hindu by birth, but yes I respect all religions .I offer my daily prayers , fast on holy days , but there was something that was disturbing me . God as per me was a Friend, someone who was by my side always , someone who was a dear friend , but this is not what everyone else thought , for others he was the Judge who gives his verdict always and punishes anyone and everyone . Walk into any temple and you would see , if you have money , you will be treated in a way as if you are the ONLY disciple of the God . I have had too many experiences where I was treated as a second class citizen in the temple . Why? Well I could not afford giving thousands as donation. This is not how it should be , God looks at each one of us with the same divinity .As I mentioned God for me is a friend, so tell me, do we chose friends based on their bank balances? Do we give our verdict on them ? then how can God do it? I know many of us would ...

Standard contents in a Guest Room

IN A 5 – STAR HOTEL GUEST ROOM:- 1. BED:- 1. Mattress (1) 2. Maters protector (1) 3. Bed sheet (2) 4. Night spread (1) 5. Blanket (1) 6. Pillows (2) 7. Bed cover (1) (Boisters) 2. ENTRANCE DOORS:- 1. Lire exit plan 2. DND card on the door know 3. Collect my laundry card 4. Please clean my room card 3. WARDROBE:- 1. Coat hangers 2. Skirt trouser hangers 3. Laundry bags 4. Pot 5. Extra blanket and pillows 6. Bed slippers 4. LOUNGE :- 1. Sofa,...

d gypsy! said…

gets me interested

January 4, 2009 at 2:02 PM

Akansha Agrawal said…

Hmm... this really sounds interesting, a different take it seems!

January 4, 2009 at 8:45 PM

Dewdrop said…

Interesting... will pick up a copy!

January 6, 2009 at 1:58 AM

ANDROID!!! said…

haven't read it...but surely the next book on my racks!

January 16, 2009 at 2:08 AM