Harvesting the Heart

Book Report

“You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not.” - Jodi Picoult

Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult is a captivating domestic fiction. The story follows Paige O’Toole, a woman with a troubled past. Her mother abandoned her and her father at a young age, leaving her with many unanswered questions. Paige dreams of finding her mother and defending her actions. At 18, she gets pregnant by her love, Jake, but they decide to have an abortion. Ashamed, Paige runs away to Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In Cambridge, Paige finds a job at a local coffee shop and meets Nicholas, an ambitious cardiac surgeon. They get married and have a child, Max. However, Paige is still haunted by her past and the fear of becoming like her mother. The demands of her family and child weigh heavily on her.

The characters in this book are extremely believable. Their complex lives and relationships keep the reader engaged, constantly wondering what will happen next. The main characters, Nicholas and Paige, are well-developed. Nicholas is strong-willed and loving, but also has his flaws. Paige is strong in her own way, but is constantly fighting her inner demons.

The author’s message is clear: life is not a fairy tale, and we are all responsible for our own choices. We must be true to ourselves and make the most of the life we have. The minor characters also add depth to the story. Paige’s dad, mom, Nicholas’s parents, Jacob, and Max all have their own stories to tell.

In conclusion, Harvesting the Heart is a great book that I highly recommend. It is a thought-provoking and emotional read that will stay with you long after you finish it. So, go ahead and pick up a copy at your local library or bookstore and enjoy!

Postpartum depression is unfortunately surrounded by a great deal of stigma.

It is extremely rare to find someone who has the courage to speak up about it, let alone write a fictional story with a positive and upbeat ending.

In fact, I have searched high and low and have not come across any book quite like this one.

I wholeheartedly recommend "Harvesting the Heart" to new moms and those who have survived postpartum depression.

This book offers hope.

While you may get frustrated with the main character at times, you can't help but cheer for her and root for her to overcome her difficulties.

It provides a unique perspective on a topic that is often overlooked or misunderstood.

Reading this book can be a cathartic experience for those who have dealt with PPD and can offer support and understanding to new moms who may be going through a similar struggle.

Overall, it is a must-read for anyone interested in postpartum depression or looking for an inspiring and uplifting story.

First off, before commencing the book, I observed that it was on a list of books not advisable to read during pregnancy, and I thought, that's an interesting fact. I began reading the book, and a few weeks later, I received the surprise news that I was pregnant. At one stage, the book struck a little too close to home, which made me irritable, and my husband prohibited me from continuing. Fortunately, I didn't share the main character's past; I just found myself sympathizing with the fear of being a new mother. After approximately a month's break, I picked it up again. Halfway through the book, I managed to separate the book from real life (not always an easy task!), and I was able to enjoy it more.

I have a passion for Picoult's books, and recently, I decided to start from the very beginning. The elements of her later writing style are clearly beginning to take shape with this book, yet it also presents a pleasant departure from the pattern she adopts later on, with a strong emphasis on the courtroom. I discovered the storyline to be profound and thought-provoking while still maintaining an easy-to-read plot.

Unlike many of Picoult's subsequent books, I didn't have any character that I truly disliked. That was a refreshing change of pace. Of course, I sometimes disagreed with their thinking, but if I didn't, what would be the point of reading the book?

One point to note: I will state that when I started this book, I was aware that it was one of her earliest works. I have also read two of her other books that were pre-law-focused novels or centered around "hot topics." I knew going into it that this would likely be more story-like and have fewer dramatic plot twists. Perhaps I was more lenient with it compared to some of the others when leaving reviews because of that.

Overall, I derived enjoyment from this book. I would probably rate it closer to 3.5 stars, but today, I'm feeling generous.

I can tell that I have a profound appreciation for her writing style, and perhaps the moral dilemmas she presents for us to consider. This book has truly made me reevaluate my stance on divorce. It shows that growing up and growing apart can be a very real and significant problem for some individuals, especially those who marry at a young age and have not yet fully formed their sense of self or whose sense of self is hindered by the ambition of the other. Can something as fundamental as growing up and apart be sufficient to justify divorce? This book also highlights the importance of balance in the life of the primary caretaker. Paige, for instance, should have had more balance and continued to pursue her passion for art to prevent herself from going insane. It showcases how women need to take breaks from child-rearing to avoid becoming resentful of their responsibilities. Additionally, the book demonstrates that even the most highly trained surgeon cannot always control their destiny, as seen with Fogerty's heart attack and Nicholas' son's intussusception. Finally, it shows how tragedy can break through superficial barriers and bring two people together, as in the case of Max's surgery, which reunites Nicholas and Paige.

PART I

Paige left her husband and son because the memory of her mother leaving her haunts her. Paige knew from a very young age that she had a talent for art. Lionel offered her a job after she drew a picture of him, and her first customer was Nicholas.

PAIGE

She was accepted into RISD but ran away before her father could help her. Her father was an inventor but always found that his inventions were one step behind those already patented. Paige's father was a devout Catholic and was ashamed of being an Irish immigrant living in the Italian quarter of Chicago. He did not see the contradictions in his Catholic faith that Paige saw, such as confession, which Paige believed allowed people to do anything bad during the week and then go to confession on the weekend to be "cleansed" of their sins. Paige left her father and went to Cambridge, MA, just as her mother had left them when she was young. She declared that she would never come back. A stable home life provides children with the confidence to explore outside their comfort zone, knowing that their family will always be there to provide a safe haven if they need to return.

Paige said she stared at Nicholas because he did not fit in with the other regulars. Nicholas was a third-year medical student with erratic hours, at the top of his class, and studying to be a cardiac surgeon. She felt that Nicholas embodied her definition of grandeur, being comfortable in one's own skin and in the world, something she lacked. In turn, she told him that she was a runaway who had been accepted to RISD and slept in the T, but she did not tell him about the abortion she had.

NICHOLAS

Nicholas was privileged and had always been given the world on a silver platter. In return, he strived to be the paragon of perfection for his parents. His father, Dr. Robert Prescott, was a well-known doctor, and his mother, Astrid Prescott, was a legendary photographer of endangered animals. He attended Exeter and Harvard, was ranked first in his class, dated gorgeous blue-blooded women, and was charming and influential. After graduating from Harvard, he deferred admission to medical school and took a gap year to travel to Europe, followed by training and success in crew for the Olympics, where he won a silver medal. He was afraid of failure, which drove him to achieve further success.

Nicholas was amazed at how the portrait Paige drew captured his essence. Although Paige was not his type, he was inexplicably drawn to her. In that portrait, he wondered what it would be like to be anonymous and loved for who he was as Nicholas, not as a Prescott, which he carried around like a heavy burden. He hated the lack of control when things did not go according to plan, so naturally, he thought about Paige all the time.

He was not surprised that Paige wanted to spend time with him as a would-be cardiac surgeon. The surprise was that he also wanted to spend time with her. He loved watching her exuberance of youth. Paige pointed out Nicholas' problem of seeing the glass as half-empty instead of half-full. Instead of watching the fireworks, Paige described what she saw in her mind of what was happening outside. Nicholas liked the fact that all Paige needed was the security of him, not any of the trappings that came with being a Prescott, which he appreciated.

Because his mother had told him never to talk to strangers, he would stand on the side to size up the situation before diving in. While some people who did not know him might consider this shyness, his position in society and classic features made his aloofness seem like proof of conceit. So, his rush to propose to Paige was out of character for him. He knew the big things about Paige but longed to know the little things that only a lover would know.

Nicholas thought he had scared Paige away by proposing to her before they really knew each other. The next day, Paige moved into his apartment and rearranged it so that it looked lived in. After a hectic day in the Emergency Room, Nicholas decided that coming home to this simple yet richly complex woman would be a blessing. When he thought that he would take a bullet for Paige, he knew that he was in love with her.

When Paige said that she was nothing special, Nicholas told her that it was impressive how she was able to move across the country and set up shop. Although unlike Paige, who needed to leave, Nicholas wanted to leave and not be the perfect boy his parents expected him to be, but he loved the perks of his station in life. Paige, on the other hand, had to have a clean break in her life.

PAIGE

She did not want to tell Nicholas that she was not a virgin. She adored his self-assurance and the fact that he wanted to protect her from the outside world. His parents rejected her and forbade their marriage, and his father withdrew financial support. However, they were so in love that they married without considering the consequences for their future. Both Paige and her father were cautious about marriage since her mother had left her father. When she was with Nicholas, she felt protected.

Paige's best memories of her mother were when she betrayed her father. Paige was shy growing up, and being the only Irish family in a sea of Italians contributed to her isolation. She longed for a playful mother who would play with her as a friend.

NICHOLAS

Nicholas has become an arrogant third-year general surgery resident who does not respond to incompetent underlings, even though he has been in their position before. CT surgeons are brilliant, opinionated, and impulsive, with cool and efficient demeanors. In a word, they are perfect for Nicholas.

Nicholas told Fogerty that he was the best resident in the whole surgical unit, which earned him the respect of Fogerty and the fact that he liked Nicholas. Nicholas acted as a CT surgery fellow, and in turn, Fogerty groomed him to take his place as the best CT surgeon. Nicholas projects superiority, but he has some latent humanity, as seen in his interaction with Serena, an AIDS patient he had during his final year of medical school.

For saving Fogerty's patient, McLean, from dying, Fogerty allowed Nicholas to perform a bypass surgery as the chief surgeon. For Nicholas, doing the bypass was as natural as breathing. He was a born surgeon. He wanted Paige all to himself, even though she was working two jobs to support them both. He wanted Paige to be waiting for him at his beck and call after his victory in performing his first bypass. Despite a perfect procedure, the man he operated on died, which brought a little humility to Nicholas' god complex. He came home drunk and melted into Paige's arms, realizing that he could not save everyone.

PAIGE

Paige liked Nicholas in a tuxedo because of the status and nobility it gave him, which made him have a commanding presence. Nicholas wanted to live beyond his means because when one wants to be on top, one has to act like it, from the way one behaves to where one lives, even if it means going further into debt. Paige, on the other hand, resisted going into debt because she wanted to live within her means.

When Nicholas and Paige first married, they thought that all they needed was each other. However, as Nicholas rose in status, Paige was forced to move in circles she did not want to be in and did not have the skills to navigate. She was uncomfortable being a famous surgeon's wife. One time, she went to Harvard Extension School, but she got an F on the only paper she wrote and quit school. While Nicholas grew as a person in the seven years since he started his residency, including in his eyes, as he stated that watching a patient die in front of him had that effect on him.

Nicholas was being groomed by Fogerty to take his place, and thus he was the youngest man there. The wives were all super moms who managed their households and careers without missing a beat, while Paige still worked as a waitress. Since cultivating an image is important for Nicholas, he decided that Paige would not tell people what she did, thus beginning the start of living a double life.

Paige did not want to be pregnant because it did not fit into the plan they had agreed on. Nicholas was supposed to finish his residency and fellowship, then it was Paige's turn to go to art school, and when they were both established, they would start a family. Her unexpected pregnancy brought fears of her being an unfit mother, combined with sadness that she could not become the artist she wanted to be.

Paige had a flashback to her first love, Priscilla Divine, who got them both into constant trouble. Priscilla discovered the joys of sex with Paige, first by reading Playboy, then by kissing each other, and then by peeping on how Priscilla's brother had sex with a woman. Priscilla liked Calvin, a black baller who wanted to double date with Paige. Jake was the guy that Calvin set her up with. He seemed nice enough and warned her about hanging out with Priscilla. She wanted more than the kiss that Jake gave her.

Much to her disappointment, Jake became the brother she never had. Even though she was in love with him, Jake treated her like a best friend. They had a telekinetic connection, immediately knowing each other's thoughts. She would have given up everything to be his lover. But Jake tortured her by going out on dates with other girls. Paige was "adopted" by Jake's mother.

Finally, at age 17, Jake noticed Paige, and their passion for each other was all-consuming. Jake wanted to marry Paige because he wanted to know everything about her. But Paige did not want to get married because she did not know what a normal family life would look like. Paige had sex with Jake, and her father said it was just the beginning of her love life. Apparently, her father was fated to marry a woman he did not love, and when he saw May, he immediately fell in love with her. Paige was waiting for God's punishment for enjoying the experience of pre-marital sex.

Paige was surprised that she was chosen by the school as May Queen. Perhaps she is one of those women who do not know how good-looking they are because of their shyness.

NICHOLAS

He was the star surgeon for Fogerty and was allowed to perform routine bypass operations without supervision. However, he did not have friends his own age; instead, he had colleagues among the senior faculty at Mass General. In transplanting the heart, Fogerty admits that they are playing God.

Nicholas has a flashback to his younger self when he realized that his father had cheated on his mother, which turned his father from a hero who saved lives into a disgusting figure. Nicholas was having nightmares that focused on his fear of failure running away from him. He would wake up in Paige's arms, comforted by being completely vulnerable towards her. Instead of wishing for his father's heroism, he started wishing for his mother's strength in making the marriage workable.

Nicholas' dinner party was a make-or-break event in the political hierarchy at Mass General. When the wives made fun of Paige's art piece, she freaked out and dropped the roast beef. Nicholas was thinking about his reputation in the Mass Gen hierarchy instead of his wife's feelings.

Nicholas realized that the reason he married Paige was because of her simplicity, honesty, and the fact that she was blissfully ignorant of the silly customs, obligations, and kiss-ass rituals. But because Nicholas was a rising star, he needed his wife to be a hostess. When the people left, he saw his wife destroying her creation and saw an animal trapped.

PAIGE

Paige feels that she would be an inadequate mother and that her life would not be balanced. She considered abortion as the killing of her baby. She yearned to travel and do things that she could not do because of her pregnancy. When Paige asked her father why her mother left, he responded that "she wanted to." Paige thought there had to be a reason why her mother left. It seems that her mother, like Paige, felt neglected by her husband and did not want the life that he was leading her towards. She confessed to her father that she was not ready for a child.

NICHOLAS

Nicholas was scared of being a father and not being there for their baby boy.

Nicholas watched his wife turn into a wraith as Max cried all the time and Paige would feed him every two hours. Paige did not know what to do with Max, who was taking up so much of her time. Nicholas watched as his wife was falling apart. Unlike Paige, Nicholas could escape from his son into the residents' quarters.

Nicholas is trying to be the CT surgeon he trained to be, but Paige complains about her job as a "stay-at-home" mom, which is straining their relationship to the breaking point. Nicholas rightly states that his life is challenged by the demands of his job, while Paige just stays at home with their son. But what he does not understand is that Paige gave up her life for his.

Paige suggested that Nicholas make peace with Astrid. So he went home and gave her a picture of his grandson but did not fully forgive her out of pride.

PAIGE

During her labor in a hurricane, she claimed not to know her husband. Her labor only lasted four hours. She did not have a maternal instinct; instead, she began to resent her child for taking away her precious sleep and dreams of her own long-lost mother.

In a flashback to her first love, Paige believed that God punished her by granting her prayers to spend a year in Jake's arms. After Paige decided to abort the fetus, she rejected Jake's proposal of marriage and used college as an excuse, as well as the fact that she was too young to be pregnant. The real reason in the back of her mind was that she did not know if she could ever be a mother. Jake was sad that Paige decided to abort her baby. The abortion destroyed Paige and Jake's relationship because all they could see when they looked at each other was the dead baby that they had destroyed together. It was then that Paige lost faith in God, believing that what she had done would forever damn her.

Paige decided that she would be the primary caretaker for one year. But she only focused on the negatives of child care, the fact that she was constantly tired. Paige wanted her husband to desire her, but Nicholas was tired from his job, and Paige's maternal body unfortunately did not arouse his desire like it used to.

Astrid tried to buy Nicholas and Max's love by buying Max gifts. Paige accidentally left Max, and during that time, he fell and broke his nose. Because of the accident and Nicholas' response to it, Paige felt incompetent, so she just ran away to feel better about herself and her role as a wife and mother.

PART II: GROWTH

PAIGE

After she ran away, Paige started to miss her family. She needed to put her life back together before she could be a complete wife and mother. Although I understand why Paige needs time away, I also understand the demands of a doctor in training who cannot be inconvenienced by marital discord. Nicholas, the privileged one, tells Paige not to bother coming back home. Paige starts to draw again, but even though she tries to conjure up the image of Nicholas and their son, she cannot. Paige tries to find her mother to find out the reason why she always runs away like her. Obviously, the lack of a maternal figure has had an outsized influence on Paige's life.

When Paige revisits her parents' wedding photos, she notices that while her father looks at her mother adoringly, she has a "deer in headlights" look. Her father tells her that he never looked for her mother because some people are meant to be free, unencumbered by the pressures of daily life, and if they do stay, they die a slow death.

May had a history of running away before she met Patrick. She told him that she was destined to be a scriptwriter. Patrick was determined not to let May in if she should happen to appear one day.

At Paige's request, Patrick tells her her favorite bedtime story. She realizes that she loves the story because it holds the hope of her mother coming back to her.

Even though she has left Catholicism, God refuses to leave her. As a child, she always prayed to Mary because she was the ideal mother she never had. After her visit to the church, she goes to find Jake and is disappointed that, like her, he has moved forward with his life. Paige is surprised that the attraction between them has disappeared, but when her credit card is cut, he becomes the understanding big brother he once was. Paige explains that the reason Nicholas cut the credit card is because she ran away again.

NICHOLAS

Nicholas hates losing control, which he has with his wife. He likes things to be precise and ordered; his OCD makes him perfect

Since everyone here has already provided a summary of the book, I won't delve into the story.

I have a deep affection for Jodi Picoult. In fact, I possess most of her books. They serve as my reliable sources of comfort, regardless of how many times I read them.

This particular book also had certain elements that I could identify with. However, I truly did not enjoy it as much as I have her other works. The ending was rather ambiguous. The emotions and actions of the main protagonist and the other characters were perplexing. What exactly occurred in the end? Where were the Prescotts during the climax? What became of the Tooles?

What kind of mother would welcome a daughter back in the way that Lily (or May?) did? None of it made any sense at all. It must have been one of her off days when she was writing or finalizing this book.

Perhaps there were some aspects that I missed or didn't fully understand, but overall, this book left me feeling disappointed. I still have high hopes for her future works, as I know she is capable of creating truly remarkable stories.

As I delved into reading this, a thought crossed my mind. I wondered why she had chosen to set the story in the early 90s instead of the present. There didn't seem to be any particular advantage to the narrative by doing so. Then, I looked at the publication date and discovered that it came out in 1993. It turns out this was her second book, which explained a great deal.

I have now read several of her books, and I have always appreciated the writing and found the dilemmas presented to be interesting. However, she appears to have found a formula that works and has adhered to it. The typical plot seems to involve a middle-class woman finding herself in a horrible family situation related to her child, followed by a court case and a big twist. This book preceded that formula.

It is very long and rather dull, with mostly unpleasant characters. The main point of the book, I suppose, is that people's behavior is influenced by what happened to them in childhood. For example, Paige runs away repeatedly throughout her life because her mother abandoned her when she was 5. Nicholas is an arrogant tosser because his parents raised him that way. The problem is that human beings do have a choice about their actions. So when they make selfish choices, it makes them difficult to like as characters in a book, and thus it's hard to care too much about what happens to them.

This book was a very good illustration of why no one should get married at 18 and, to be harsh, why some people shouldn't be parents. In fact, every one of her books seems to be about how awful parenthood can be. It does make you wonder what her kids think when they read them, although they're probably too busy enjoying the profits of her success.

I gave it an extra star for the writing, but I would only recommend it to die-hard Picoult fans.

As a long-time Jodi Picoult fan, I had the idea that it would be interesting to explore some of her earlier works (prior to her rise to popularity). Just like numerous other reviews of this particular book, I have to concur that this one was truly a disappointment.

The characters in this book are extremely unlikable, making it difficult for the reader to form any sort of connection with them. Moreover, the plot seems almost nonexistent, lacking the engaging and complex storylines that are characteristic of Jodi Picoult's better-known works.

What's more, this book is also missing the in-depth research and the captivating courtroom scenes that are typically found in her novels. These elements are what usually draw readers in and keep them hooked until the very end.

To be honest, I didn't even have the motivation to finish this book. However, once I start reading something, I always feel a sense of obligation to complete it. It took me a couple of months to finally come back to this book because it felt so dull and uninteresting.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to other Jodi Picoult fans or to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written novel.

The only good thing I can say about this book is that it's finished.

I had high hopes when I first picked it up, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The story seemed to drag on and on, and I found myself losing interest quickly.

The characters were not well-developed, and I didn't feel any connection to them. The writing style was also quite平淡, lacking the excitement and vividness that I look for in a good book.

Overall, I'm disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others. I'm just glad that I finally managed to finish it and can move on to something more interesting.

I just couldn't seem to get into this book.

The characters didn't appeal to me at all. After reading 100 pages, I realized that I didn't want to waste any more of my precious time on something that I simply didn't like.

There are just so many other wonderful books out there waiting for me to explore.

I'd rather spend my time on those than continue with this one.

It's a shame really, but sometimes you just have to know when to move on.

Maybe someone else will love this book, but for me, it's a no-go. :)

This is a book that I won't forget for a long time.

I have to admit that I've recently developed a fascination with mothers and pregnancy.

After all, what is it really like to have a baby? It seems like a true miracle to me.

"Harvesting the Heart" (admittedly, the cheesiest title I can think of) was both frank and colorful.

Paige is one of the strangest characters I've ever come across in a book.

One moment, she's as wise as a ninety-year-old woman, and the next, she's childlike and naive.

At times, I even wondered if the author was hinting that she might be bipolar.

Her husband, Nicholas, I could understand to some extent. But Paige? Hmm.

Her love for her son, Max, seems almost like an afterthought rather than an immediate response to his birth.

I found that a little surprising, but then again, I'm no expert in these matters.

All in all, this was an intriguing read.

The storyline was creative, and I found certain parts of it to be very suspenseful, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

It made me think about the complex emotions and experiences that come with motherhood and family life.

Despite its flaws, "Harvesting the Heart" had its moments and left an impression on me.

Sweet Jesus,

this was truly the worst Picoult book I have ever had the misfortune to read. The plot was not only boring but also full of gaping holes through which one could easily drive a truck. The characters, with the sole exception of Paige's father, were self-absorbed and completely unlikable. Paige's father, in fact, deserved far better than the raw deal he was handed. In fact, he deserved better than to be in this book at all.

I have always been as big a Picoult fan as anyone, but I was extremely disappointed in this particular offering. It seems that the library will be receiving an extra donation from me this weekend. Here's hoping that the next person who picks up this book enjoys it more than I did. However, if not, please don't shoot the messenger.

I've marked this as "read" even though I'm not quite done, because I know I'll finish it.

Not because it's a really great book (it's not), but just because Jodi Picoult is a good writer. Definitely not a "great" writer, but a good writer in the sense that she has a knack for drawing you in and telling a story.

Unfortunately, this story is terribly predictable, and equally frustrating. Frustrating, I might add, on two levels. First, it's just an exasperating story. It meanders on and on (much like this review) just expressing the same basic thing over and over and over. You get the idea.

But also, it's frustrating to me because I'm a big fan of Jodi Picoult, and I usually defend her work. No, she doesn't write masterpieces, but she is a quality author who generally has a solid grasp of plot and characterization and creates a really readable story. Sometimes I even come away with a few deep thoughts.

Unfortunately, if your first experience with Picoult is THIS book, I can't defend her at all. My best advice is to skip it and read Plain Truth. This book just didn't live up to the expectations I have of Picoult's writing. It lacked the depth and complexity that I usually find in her other works. I hope her future books will be more in line with what I've come to expect from her.