The story revolves around a thirteen-year-old saviour sibling. She takes the drastic step of suing her parents for medical emancipation. The reason behind this is that she doesn't want to be compelled to donate a kidney to her sister. She has already endured numerous medical procedures, and to make matters worse, she was conceived specifically to assist her sister.

The narrative is presented through different chapters, each told by a different character. While this isn't the most original approach, it functions reasonably well. However, there is one new character who narrates for 1½ pages before the reader discovers how she fits into the story. This aspect is more annoying than intriguing.

Furthermore, there are odd sentences that are so poorly structured that they are unintelligible upon first reading.

Despite these flaws, the book is a page turner, albeit a relatively quick one. I did feel a bit manipulated, especially when I realized that every Picoult novel is heavily issue-based. It's a matter of personal preference, I suppose. Some may enjoy the in-depth exploration of various issues, while others may find it overwhelming.

Overall, it's a story that has its strengths and weaknesses, but it manages to keep the reader engaged until the end.

Amazing!

It's truly astonishing how much this has affected me.

My heart feels like it's been through a storm, and it'll definitely take some time for the pain to subside.

I can't help but wonder when this aching will finally stop.

Every time I think about it, a wave of sadness washes over me.

It's as if a part of me is broken, and I'm not sure how to fix it.

The hurt is so deep that it's hard to imagine a time when I won't feel this way.

But I know that time heals all wounds, and eventually, my heart will find its way back to a state of peace.

Until then, I'll just have to endure the pain and hope for better days ahead. :(

I first read "My Sister's Keeper" in 2007 and completed it during Christmas. That was by far the worst year of my life, and perhaps that's why the ending hit me so extremely hard back then.

Now, while it still has an emotional conclusion, I was much better prepared for it this time around, and I wasn't as deeply emotionally attached to the characters. However, it was still a very good read. I truly enjoyed exploring the family dynamics and the intense fight to have the right to decide over one's own body, even if one is a minor.

Sadly, I think my four-star rating is more due to nostalgic reasons rather than a profound love for this book. It's interesting how our perspectives can change over time, yet certain aspects of a story can still hold a special place in our hearts.

Overall, "My Sister's Keeper" remains a memorable and thought-provoking novel that continues to touch the hearts of many readers.

Rating: fifteen one-thousandths of a single star (out of five; p44)

2018 UPDATE Anyone who believes that the concept of growing a new child specifically for replacement parts is a good one should definitely read Altered Carbon or watch the glossy yet gritty Netflix show.

There are numerous yodels of praise for this truly horrifying book. The details regarding the main character's use as a sort of farm animal for a more favored older sibling are so grisly that it's almost impossible to recount them without the risk of vomiting on my keyboard.

People pass away. Even when we don't wish for it to happen, even when it causes us pain for them to go, and even when we've given them life. It has occurred to me. I am aware that it hurts, but the ghastly, vile, disgusting, nauseating practice of having a child *specifically* to save another child is simply unacceptable.

Anyone who engages in such an act should be incarcerated. It is a moral abomination that cannot be tolerated in a civilized society.

If you haven't read the book, it's about a girl named Kate who has leukemia. Her parents had a second genetically matched child, Anna, to provide blood and bone marrow to save their first daughter. As the girls grow up, more and more is demanded of Anna until she reaches her limit of being only an organ donor.

The book presents many interesting points. For example, what should one do when faced with choosing one child over another? How can parents balance their time and love between children, especially when one requires more attention? And at what age is a child responsible enough to make decisions about their own body instead of blindly following their parents' wishes? Even at a young age, a child's sense of self and decision-making ability should be respected.

When reading a second book by an author, it becomes easier to focus on the writing style rather than being completely engrossed in the story. In this case, the author's techniques sometimes distracted from the narrative. Picoult is proficient in research and presenting statistics, but her characters often felt one-dimensional. They seemed like mere stereotypes rather than fully developed individuals with real personalities.

Among the characters, Jesse, the older brother, was the one I enjoyed the most. He had resorted to extreme measures to gain his parents' attention but still remained unnoticed. I liked the quiet ways he tried to help his sisters. Although not very well-developed, I also liked the father, Brian. I believe he truly loved both his daughters and wanted to do what was best for them.

However, I had a hard time sympathizing with Sara, the mother. Despite her claims of loving both daughters, her actions, especially towards Anna, were often bullying and manipulative. When she told Anna she couldn't go to hockey camp because she had to be available in case Kate relapsed, I was disgusted. A sick child does require more time and emotion, but not to the extent of completely neglecting other children.

I wasn't satisfied with the family dynamics either. The emotional neglect seemed inconsistent with the scenes of a loving family that Picoult tried to portray. The constant declarations of love between Sara and Anna didn't match the way Sara treated her. I couldn't envision Anna, on the verge of growing up, being held in her mother's arms when she was being scolded and manipulated.

Spoiler: The twist at the end felt unnecessary to me. While I understand the point it was trying to make, I would have preferred a resolution that involved a decision or choice. I liked what Kate said about Anna taking her place, but it also felt like a cop-out. I wanted to know how Anna would have responded if she had said no and how her parents would have reacted. Overall, I think the idea of the story was good, but it needed more development.

The end truly ruined everything. It's hard to believe that Jodi Picoult would do such a thing.

One expects a certain level of fairness and resolution in a story, but this time it seems completely absent.

The build-up was so engaging, the characters so well-developed, and then suddenly, it all just falls apart.

There's a sense of disappointment and frustration that lingers. How could the author let it end this way?

It makes one question the very nature of storytelling and whether there is really any justice in the fictional worlds we create and inhabit.

Perhaps this is a deliberate choice by Jodi Picoult to make us think and feel, but it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.

Overall, it's a reminder that sometimes, even the most talented authors can disappoint with their endings.

STRAIGHT UP SOBBING!

I am in such a state right now that I can't even begin to express how I feel. The emotions are just overwhelming. It's like a floodgate has opened and the tears won't stop flowing. I don't know what to do or where to turn. My heart feels so heavy and full of pain. I can't seem to catch my breath. Every time I try to think, my mind just goes blank. I'm just sitting here, sobbing my heart out, and I don't know when it will end. It's a truly miserable and helpless feeling. I hope this passes soon and I can find some sort of peace and comfort.

My very first encounter with a Picoult novel was truly a remarkable experience. From the very first word that I read, I was completely captivated and fell in love with the story. The way the author weaved the narrative was simply masterful, pulling me in and making me eager to turn the page with each passing moment.

However, as much as I adored the majority of the book, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed by the ending. It felt a bit rushed and didn't quite live up to the expectations that had been set throughout the rest of the story.

But that's not all. When I later watched the movie adaptation, I was completely shocked by the significant plot change. It was a departure from the book that I had grown to love, and it left me feeling rather dissatisfied.

Overall, despite the flaws in the ending and the unexpected plot change in the movie, I still believe that this is an excellent book. The author truly knows how to tell a great story, and I would highly recommend it to others.

As I said before:

I'm still reading this book but I'm not sure why. My mom lent me the book and she loved it. Everyone tells me they loved it and yet, as I read, I'm sort of hating it. I just want to finish it and move on. Maybe I'll change my tune when it's over.

Well... I hate it less, but I'm still not in love with it. I think I know the problem, though. It's Jodi Picoult. My mom loves her, my sister loves her, and everyone I know loves her. But I can't stand her. She just writes in this odd way that gets on my nerves. What drove me nuts reading this one was the way that every chapter, almost every paragraph either ended with some sort of cliché or some profound statement that was supposed to be so meaningful.

She made not so subtle comparisons to the stars and the lonely people on earth, to a fire and a disease, a firefighter and a mother who wants to save her dying daughter. Gag. I couldn't take it. But I know it's just me and that other people are going to love this story.

I thought I knew how it was going to end but when it ended differently than I expected, my thought was "Oh yeah, I should have figured that one out. Much sappier than my prediction."

It's terrible, my Picoult-aversion. I have the same feelings toward Alice Hoffman and Anita Shreve. I once found an Anita Shreve book in the basement of the house I moved into, crammed under the oil tank. Never one to pass up a book, I gave it a read, got two chapters in and wanted to throw it back under the oil tank myself. I think these authors try too hard and that's what irritates me.

But don't let me stop you. Go ahead, swallow your sentimental nausea, put on your cliché repellant and I'm sure you'll enjoy the story of a family in turmoil, told in the fashion I usually enjoy where each chapter is from a different character's perspective. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

This book was truly incredible!

It was, without a doubt, devastating as well. There are really no words that can adequately describe how moving and engrossing this story is.

One can see both sides of the debate presented within the book. However, when comparing it to the ethical side and perhaps even the realistic side, it is extremely difficult to choose which is the better side.

I was completely engrossed in this book and had numerous internal mental debates while reading it. I still find myself unsure of how I truly feel about Sara.

My quick and simple overall assessment of this book can be summed up in just one word: AMAZING!

This book has left a lasting impression on me and has made me think deeply about many important issues. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking and engaging literature.

I found "My Sister's Keeper" to be an incredibly intriguing read. It delved deep into thought-provoking questions regarding ethics, law, and the complex web of family dynamics. This book truly packs a powerful emotional punch, and its ending was completely unexpected, leaving me in a state of shock and awe.

However, I do feel that it could have been even better if there was one less character point of view or subplot. The storyline of Jesse wasn't my personal favorite, and I often found myself impatiently waiting for his chapters to progress more quickly so that I could return to the main story.

The target audience for this book is clearly young adults, and I wholeheartedly agree that they are the ones most likely to empathize with Anna. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that this book still holds great value for adult readers as well.

Overall, it was an emotional and surprising read, and I didn't have any major complaints about it. I would rate it a solid 3 out of 5.

For a video review, check out my Instagram at @bookbowlchallenge.

Labai sudėtinga knyga.

Jis kelia dviprasmiškus jausmus. Graudu, tačiau nepakeliama. Mano nuomone, autorė labai persistengė su avarija. Čia ir taip buvo pakankamai dramatizmo.

Ši knyga yra apie tą pačią situaciją iš visų šeimos narių perspektyvos ir ne tik. Rekomenduoju ne tik perskaityti knygą, bet ir pažiūrėti filmą, kuris nors šiek tiek skiriasi nuo knygos, tačiau yra labai geras.

Pastaruoju metu mane kankina košmarai. Mano įsivaizdžiojo, kad esu sukapojama į daugybę gabaliukų, tačiau jų neužtenka, kad būčiau surinkta atgal.

Vaiko šypsena yra kaip tatuiruotė mano širdyje - nepakeičiamas meno kūrinys. Man kyla įtarimas, kad ši tyla slepia riksmą.

Nieko nėra blogiau nei iki skausmo įtempta tyla. Nors turėjau marias laiko pasvajoti, nė sykio nepagalvojau nieko konkretaus apie šį vaiką. Iki šiol galvodavau tik tai, ką ji duos dukrai, kurią jau turiu.

Kai sutinki vienišių, nesvarbu, ką jis tau sakytų. Netiesa, jog jis vienišas dėl to, kad mėgsta vienatvę. Jis vienišas todėl, kad ne kartą mėgino pritapti prie pasaulio, tačiau žmonės jį atstumdavo.

Nė vienas šioje šeimoje nesistengia slėpti savo klaidų. Giliai įkvėpiau ir šokau nuo uolos, kuria šią akimirką man tapo mano santuoka.

Tai viena iš tų vasaros dienų, kurios užkemša gerklę vaikystės prisiminimais. Vaikai galvoja plačiai atvertomis smegenimis. Mano manymu, tapimas suaugusiuoju yra lėtas smegenų užsivėrimas.

Tikroji mūsų esmė yra ne tai, ką mes darome kiekvieną dieną, o tai, ką galime padaryti, kai patys to mažiausiai tikimės.

"Jei nori išvysti besijuokiantį Dievą, sukurk planą." Jis sakydavo, kad žvaigždės yra žmonės, kurie gyvenime buvo taip mylimi, jog po mirties tapo žvaigždėmis žvaigždynuose, kad amžinai būtų matomi Žemėje pasilikusiems artimiesiems.

Kad ir kiek norėtum laikytis įsikabinusi į aitriai skausmingus prisiminimus apie žmogų, kuris paliko šį pasaulį, tu vis dėlto dar tebegyveni šiame pasaulyje. O gyvenimas labai primena potvynius ir atoslūgius: potvynio bangos gali atrodyti menkos ir nepastebimos, bet po kurio laiko apsidairai ir pamatai, kiek daug skausmo jos jau nuplovė į jūrą.