I deeply feared for Mariah and Faith. The worry, the pain, and the uncertainty of what would come next brought tears to my eyes. I was completely unprepared for that ending, and with each turn of the page, I envisioned the worst-case scenario.

I am neither a person with a religious education nor a non-believer in God, Jesus, or The Virgin Mary. Jodi Picoult truly did something remarkable with this book. She meticulously researched every aspect, making the reader feel as if they would gain something profound from keeping Faith.

Her attention to detail and the way she crafted the story made it impossible not to be emotionally invested. The characters came to life on the pages, and their struggles and triumphs felt real.

This book made me question my own beliefs and values, and it left me with a sense of awe and admiration for the author's talent.

I have no effing idea why this book was even written. What was its intended purpose? What did it hope to achieve? Or was there even any point in it at all? There are way too many goody-two-shoes characters in this book, and they really annoyed the crap out of me. The constant preaching about a mother fulfilling her maternal duties and a father being a dick is simply too cliched. It's been done to death.

So, what kind of book is this supposed to be? Is it a courtroom drama? A religious or paranormal page-turner? A mystery or suspense novel? None of the above really. I got next to nothing from this book. It failed to engage me on any level.

I'm giving it one star only for some entertainment value. But that's really stretching it. Overall, this book was a huge disappointment.

A young Jewish girl embarks on a strange journey as she begins to see God, quote the bible with astonishing accuracy, perform miracles that leave those around her in awe, and even starts to display the sigmata. The question looms large: is this entire phenomenon a clever hoax concocted by the girl, or is there something far more supernatural at play?

This book delves into a complex web of topics, including the profound realm of religion and the often misunderstood stigma surrounding mental health. It takes great courage to pen a book that tackles these sensitive and divisive subjects head-on. Given the strong emotions that some people have regarding religion and mental health, the author has shown remarkable bravery in exploring these themes.

Overall, this book is a captivating read that offers a unique perspective on some of the most challenging and thought-provoking issues of our time. It is definitely worth picking up and delving into, as it has the potential to open your mind and expand your understanding of the human experience.

After reading House Rules and being truly amazed by the powers of Jodi Picoult’s unique style of writing, I simply had to explore another one of her works.

So, I picked up "Keeping Faith". This book is distinctively different. It delves into a more spiritual realm as it tells the story of a little girl who has an imaginary friend she affectionately calls her "Guard".

As the story unfolds, it becomes evident that this “Guard” is not just a figment of the girl's imagination. In fact, the girl starts to develop the extraordinary powers of healing, which quickly makes her the center of attention in her neighborhood.

The mother's love and dedication towards her child are palpable. She is determined to protect her daughter at all costs and goes against all odds to ensure her safety. Additionally, she faces numerous struggles with the men around her and endures several near-death experiences.

"Keeping Faith" is a profound and touching story that beautifully weaves together the themes of sacrifices, love, and miracles.

I am truly in awe of the way Picoult crafts her words, making the reader feel every emotion and transporting them to a world of holy magic, even if they may not initially believe in such things. Her writing has the power to captivate and inspire, leaving a lasting impression on the reader's heart and mind.

I’ve plowed through many Picoult books, yet this particular one truly takes the cake for being the most captivating and controversial.

From the moment I started reading, I was completely engrossed and couldn't put it down.

The storylines in her books are always thought-provoking, but this one seemed to have an extra layer of complexity and depth.

It made me question my own beliefs and values, and that's something I truly appreciate in a book.

Usually, once I'm done with a book, I donate it. However, this one is so special that it will be staying on my shelf.

It's a book that I know I'll want to revisit and reread in the future, just to fully understand and appreciate all of its nuances.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good, thought-provoking read.

Loved it!!

She never disappoints and always researches the topic she’s writing. Her work is truly remarkable.

It leaves the reader to see things morally and ethically. It has the power to draw you in and make you question your own beliefs.

As she so beautifully put it, “We don’t have to accept each others beliefs …but we do have to accept each others right to believe in them.” This simple yet profound statement holds a great deal of wisdom.

It reminds us that in a diverse world, we may not always agree with one another's beliefs, but we must respect the right of each person to hold their own views.

Her writing not only entertains but also challenges us to think deeply and consider different perspectives.

It is a valuable contribution to the literary world and one that I will continue to enjoy and appreciate.

I truly liked this story.

It managed to evoke a plethora of thoughts regarding faith and parenting, among other aspects.

I have a great admiration for how Jodi Picoult delves deeply into ethical matters within her books, exploring those gray areas that exist in life.

However, I must admit that the ending left me a bit unsatisfied.

Although it was a nice conclusion, I was longing for a more definitive resolution.

Overall, I still liked the story, but I couldn't help but think that it could have ended in a better way.

Perhaps with a bit more clarity and a stronger sense of finality, it would have left a more lasting impact on the reader.

Nevertheless, it was still a good read that made me reflect on various important themes.

A very thought-provoking read!

This book really makes you stop and think. It has some deep and engaging themes that draw you in from the start.

Edit: I need to stop rating books right after I've read them. It's been a few days and I'm bumping this down to 3 stars (originally 4). The more time passes, the more I realize that there are quite a few similarities between this book and Picoult's books Plain Truth and Sing You Home.

Maybe it's the way the stories are structured, or the complex characters and their relationships. But as I reflect on it, these similarities are becoming more and more apparent.

Still, this book has its own unique charm and I did enjoy reading it. It just didn't quite live up to the initial impression it gave me.

Overall, it's a decent read that I would recommend to others who are interested in thought-provoking fiction.

I initially had the impression that this book would delve deep into the realm of God and its profound mysteries.

However, to my great disappointment, it turned out to be a rather boring, simplistic, and highly unsatisfactory novel.

I persisted in reading it, constantly imagining that perhaps the ending would redeem the rest of the story. But alas, that was not the case.

Despite this letdown, I still maintain the intention of reading other books by this author.

I hold onto the hope that those future works will prove to be more fulfilling and engaging, offering a more enriching literary experience.

Maybe this particular book was just an anomaly, and the author has the potential to create something truly remarkable in the future. Only time will tell.

So many aspects of this story simply don't add up.

The plot developments are extremely abrupt. They seem to be haphazardly mashed together just to create coincidences that feel forced and serve no real purpose other than to move the story forward. Take, for instance, some of the characters. Ian's brother has a background that is introduced but then has no consequence whatsoever in the overall narrative.

The ex-husband is portrayed as a super flighty individual, yet he is also described as a rather stable chronic adulterer, which is a contradiction in itself.

The GALs changing their reports at the last minute based solely on one call by the prosecutor (or whoever the opposite of the defense attorney is) without bothering to verify the claim is another glaring flaw.

Moreover, there is no proper explanation or closure regarding the child's case. It's supposed to be this heartwarming reveal at the end when all of her symptoms conveniently disappear, just in time for the end of the case.

The story attempts to weave together a compelling tale about a mother's love across three generations by throwing in all these off-the-wall difficulties such as a divorce, depression (which a supposedly qualified lawyer continuously refers to as either a'mental disorder' or 'craziness' and to which no one objects), and the most absurd one - religion and stigmata. However, in the end, it turns out to be a poor rendition of the author's hopes of creating an emotional masterpiece and sparking discussions about motherhood around the world. The only thing the author might describe well is motherhood (but I wouldn't know for sure, of course, except from secondhand experience).

This book is probably Picoult's attempt at self-validation for mothers, disguised as something - what exactly is this book described as anyway?

I would not recommend this book to intelligent readers. Thank you for listening to my rant.

The original text seems to be a bit unclear. However, I'll try to expand and rewrite it based on what I can understand.

**"A Matter of Faith" by Jodi Picoult**

Jodi Picoult is a renowned author who has captivated readers with her thought-provoking novels. One of her works, "A Matter of Faith," delves into the complex and often controversial topic of faith. The story likely explores the different perspectives and experiences of characters when it comes to their beliefs. It may touch on how faith can shape a person's life, decisions, and relationships. Through her vivid storytelling, Picoult invites readers to question their own beliefs and understand the diverse ways in which faith impacts individuals. This novel is sure to be a captivating read for those interested in exploring the depths of human faith and its implications.

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This is perhaps the least believable book of this author, but still its plot again shows painful real-life issues: how children experience their parents' separation, how a woman who has been abandoned experiences separation, still being shadowed by her former husband after the lawsuit, threatening to take away the child. The feelings of the main heroes can almost be physically felt. However, this time there is too much mysticism, not entirely appropriate religious means, and too much of a happy ending (two former spouses just dirtied each other in court, exposed all the underhanded things, were mortal enemies, and after coming out of the court, they become friends, as if everything is okay????).

It seems that the author tried to create a complex and emotional story, but in the process, some elements are not well-balanced. The excessive use of mysticism and the sudden change in the relationship between the two former spouses make the story seem a bit artificial.

Nevertheless, the exploration of the real-life issues such as family breakdown and the struggle of women in such situations is still quite touching and thought-provoking. It makes readers reflect on the importance of family and the need to handle family issues with more care and understanding.