I truly had a great fondness for this book.

It was crafted with remarkable skill, with the characters being developed in an extremely thoughtful manner. The plot, unfortunately, was distressingly believable.

There are only two minor aspects that led me to award it three stars instead of five. Firstly, generally speaking, I simply feel dreadful after perusing a sad book. It gives me the impression that life is rather dismal.

The second reason is that everyone lauds this book for its "shocking" conclusion. However, I, personally, found the twist at the end to be somewhat random and needless. It emerged out of nowhere and didn't really fulfill a purpose, aside from being ironic. It seemed to me that the author simply lacked the knowledge of how to bring the story to a proper close.

Nonetheless, I still derived enjoyment from this book, and I would recommend it to anyone desiring a good (albeit completely depressing) read.

My Sister's Keeper is a book that appears deceptively simple on the surface, but it actually contains deep thoughts. Here, Picoult poses a profound question: whose fault it is that Kate will die? There are some reviews below claiming that they thought this was just sentimentality masquerading as depth, but I firmly disagree. I believe this is a very deep book that pretends to be a sweet and sentimental read. Even in those moments when the book might seem cheesy, the believable character conflicts make it feel emotionally real throughout. This book is highly impactful as it examines every little point of view and never attempts to tell you who is wrong and who is right.

My Sister’s Keeper is about Kate, a teenage girl suffering from a rare form of leukemia, and Anna, who was conceived as a bone marrow match for her sister. Anna decides not to donate her kidney to Kate, and thus has to deal with the family fallout. Picoult writes from the perspectives of several key characters, enabling the reader to get an extremely well-rounded view of the story. The morality issues raised are incredibly poignant, and Anna's conflict is rich and well-developed. In terms of sheer emotion, this book无疑 succeeds.

The ending, unfortunately, isn't quite as stunning. Picoult abandons the main conflict and forces the book into a cheesy vacuum. It's disappointing. Although I appreciate the happiness and the intention behind the ending, I'm not entirely sure if it works. Maybe I'll make up my mind someday??

VERDICT: Despite the ending, this book was truly fantastic. With developed characters and a sense of sympathy for every character, I really can't recommend it enough.

It’s truly impossible to engage in a discussion about this book without delving into the ending. However, I solemnly promise to issue a warning before I do so, ensuring that those who haven't yet read the book won't have it spoiled.

I entered into reading this book with two primary concerns. The first was the fear that it would merely be a political diatribe on stem cell and embryo research. Although it does indeed touch upon these issues, the book refrains from taking a definitive stance or attempting to impose a political ideology upon the reader. While I'm certain the author has her own convictions, she does an outstanding job of not foisting them upon the reader through the narrative of this family. Ultimately, it becomes clear that there is no straightforward "winning" scenario.

The second concern that weighed on my mind was whether the story would be believable. I couldn't help but wonder how a mother could love one daughter to such an extent that she would sacrifice any semblance of a normal life to be by her side constantly, yet completely disregard the life of her other daughter, who was specifically born to save the first. This seemed almost beyond comprehension to me, and I worried that this disbelief would make it extremely difficult to form a connection with the characters. The initial few chapters were a bit of a struggle due to this initial impression of the situation. However, the author then employs a prior time line, commencing with the discovery of leukemia in her 2-year-old daughter and interweaving it with the current time line to enhance character and plot development. This alternate time line, in conjunction with the memories recounted by the characters in the present, leads to a highly compelling and believable sequence of events that culminates in the fateful decision.

The story is also presented from the perspectives of the six individuals who are closely intertwined with the court case: Anna, Kate, their mother, their father, their brother, the attorney, and the court-appointed guardian ad-litum. The diverse viewpoints not only assist the reader in understanding the intricacies of the situation as all the characters grapple internally with what the right decision should be but also help to shed light on the mother's motives, which on the surface may appear selfish and even cruel.

The only gripe I have regarding the characters is that there are certain traits that are common to all of them. At times, it hits you right in the face and serves as a reminder that this is just a fictional story, which is rather unfortunate. The most prominent example of this is the dry, cynical, and sarcastic sense of humor that is shared not only by every main character but even by the secondary characters. The sister relationships (of which there are three) also exhibit too many similarities.

**SLIGHT SPOILER**

The most significant complaint I have about this book pertains to the ending. After such a plausible beginning and such excellent plot development, the ending seems to come out of nowhere. It serves merely as a means for the author to evade having to make a definitive decision regarding the girl's life. I truly hope that the ending was not the original but was perhaps imposed upon the author by the publisher. There are numerous alternate endings that could have transformed this into a 5-star book; the one that was ultimately published was not among them.

I don't think this is a review. It's a rant. I can't believe I wasted five hours on this. This may be one of the worst books I've ever read. A friend recommended Jodi Picoult to me and I found this at a book sale. This book was a page turner. I read it really quickly. That said, it was absolutely dreadful.

First of all, what's with all the first person, different narrators? They all narrated in the exact same voice. I kept having to flip back to figure out who was narrating. It was so confusing and took away from the flow of the story.

Secondly, there were way too many extraneous plots and flashbacks. The Julia and Campbell romance added nothing to the plot. Campbell's epilepsy likewise added nothing. A good 200 pages could have been cut from this book. Picoult really needed a good editor to help her streamline the story.

Thirdly, the lack of research was glaring. The relationship between Julia and Campbell was a huge conflict of interest. It could have gotten both of them in serious trouble with the bar. Yet no one even brought up the issue. It was completely unrealistic.

Fourthly, the characters were all horrid people. I don't mind reading about unsympathetic characters, but when the author is trying to manipulate my emotions, I would like a character that I can actually care about. Sara was just a miserable excuse for a person, putting her family through so much pain. Kate was also a terrible sister, asking her sister to seek emancipation instead of having the courage to tell her mother what she really wanted.

Finally, the ending was a complete and total cop out. The entire book was about making hard decisions, but Picoult chose to have fate intervene instead. The characters didn't have to deal with the consequences of their actions. It was a lazy and unsatisfying ending. After wasting five hours reading this, I was extremely disappointed.

For readers who don't mind Message Books in which plot points and characters are jerked around for ultimate emotional manipulation.

These types of books can be quite polarizing. On one hand, they have the ability to tug at the heartstrings and evoke intense emotions. The unexpected twists and turns in the plot, along with the unpredictable behavior of the characters, can keep readers on the edge of their seats.

However, some may argue that this kind of manipulation can feel forced and artificial. It may seem as if the author is sacrificing the integrity of the story for the sake of creating a powerful emotional impact.

Despite the controversy, Message Books that rely on extreme plot and character manipulation continue to have a dedicated following. For those who enjoy a rollercoaster ride of emotions and don't mind a bit of artifice, these books can provide a unique and engaging reading experience.

Whether you love them or hate them, there's no denying the power of Message Books to make an impression and leave a lasting mark on the reader.

"A million hooks around a million ways to die" - PTV

I have been longing to pen a review for this book for an eternity, yet each time I approached it, I found myself at a loss for words. This book is a tragedy in every conceivable sense.

Let me commence with the characters, as we had the privilege of experiencing the story from every point of view. Anna, a highly intelligent girl, is young and adores her family. However, her perception changes when she feels neglected due to the circumstances surrounding her sister. It's true that her sister demanded a great deal of attention and care from their parents. But being only 13, Anna lacks the maturity to understand all the reasons. In my opinion, her mother has neglected her to an excessive degree and has used and abused her body without considering her feelings. She didn't even bother to ask. People, regardless of their age, should have a say in what is happening to them. The mother, too consumed by the misfortune that befell her older sister, acts as if it's the end of the world for her and her family. But that's not the way it should be. From the moment she discovered Kate's illness, she did everything in her power to fix it. I can sense her overwhelming guilt, but seriously, what's the point, woman? Humans have their limitations, and that's all there is. The rest is in God's hands. She was simply too obsessed, and I wanted to cry both out of pity for her and anger towards her.

It's not just Anna's story. We are also introduced to her brother, who, although not as neglected as Anna, didn't have his body used and abused. His act of seeking revenge on the family broke my heart. I just wanted to embrace him, console him, and assure him that his family hadn't forgotten about him. But some things require more attention than others (at least that's what the mother thinks, not me). The father feels as if the family has slipped through his fingers, and indeed, it has, all because of the mother. Additionally, the lawyer and the keeper, who played significant roles in the story, had their own tragic aspects. I'm glad they reunited after such a long time. And the boyfriend, poor Kate's boyfriend... His heart is broken!

It's incredibly challenging to take sides in this story. Whatever had to be done, had to be done. I empathize with every single character. They were all miserable, and I wanted to cry on every page. When bad luck strikes, it sets off a chain of "unfortunate events." All the choices and decisions that needed to be made were extremely difficult and harsh. I just pray that no one in real life ever has to endure such hardships.

The writing of this story is exquisite. The author's ability to use a different style, voice, and mood for each character is truly remarkable. The story is both imaginative and realistic, which, despite everything, makes it truly beautiful. The ending shattered my heart. I'm getting chills just by remembering it.

So, yes, read this book for a broken heart and a beautiful story. Honestly, it deserves to be a classic. It's one of the best books I've read this year. Now, goodbye. I'm going to shed a few tears.

How does it feel to know that you have a disease and could die at any moment? There is no certainty about life. Will you be ready when death approaches? Is it even possible to be fully prepared for death? Can one accept it in a way that says, "I knew this was going to happen"?

These are the questions that sometimes cross my mind. One of my seniors in university had a father who was diagnosed with cancer. And just a month later, he was gone. At the same time, I donated blood to a cancer patient. I had a long conversation with the patient while waiting. She has been fighting cancer for a long time. Since then, I have started asking myself these questions.

The hardest thing I faced while reading this book is that I have no one to blame. If only I could blame someone, everything would be so much easier. I could take a side and say that the other party is wrong. But when everyone is right, who can I blame?

Can you blame Anna for not wanting to give her sister an organ? I love my sister very much. When I was a child, if my mother scolded my sister, I would cry, and she would laugh when she saw me cry. I used to give her my share of chocolate, ice cream, basically everything she asked for. She was once admitted to the hospital for observation when I was in eighth grade. Fortunately, it turned out to be nothing serious. I remember the day my parents took her to the hospital. I cried a lot. I think if I were asked to trade places with her, I would do it. If I had to give one of my organs to her and it would benefit her, I would do it. But can I really do all this if the time ever comes (which I pray never does)?

"If you have a sister and she dies, do you stop saying you have one? Or are you always a sister, even when the other half of the equation is gone?"

Can you blame Sara or Brian for wanting one of their children to live? For making a designer baby to save their daughter? For wanting one of their daughters to donate an organ because otherwise their other daughter will die? My mother had to have a tumor operation a few years ago. I was terrified when my mother was taken to the operating theater. It was not an operation with a high risk of something going wrong. It was an extremely easy case, and everyone knew that. But still, I was so scared, and I never want to see any of my family members go to the operating theater again. If I can't stand a simple operation of my mother, how can a parent stand to see their daughter dying and not do anything?

Now there's Jesse. Who doesn't want a little extra attention? But Jesse wasn't asking for extra attention. He just wanted his fair share of attention. Every child seeks attention. As a child, Jesse didn't get any. And all the frustration was gradually building up inside him. Sara and Brian saw that. But they were so occupied with their daughter who might die if they looked away for a few moments. Who can I blame for Jesse's situation? No one. There were times when I was too busy with school, and my mother got busy with me, taking me to school and picking me up, giving me extra attention because I was aiming higher in life and probably had the potential to achieve my goal. My sister took care of me at that time. Sometimes she got angry and told my parents that they weren't giving her enough attention. Now, while reading this story, I wonder if she still holds some grudges against us for that time.

"**********Some May Find Mild Spoiler Ahead************"

Finally, can you blame Kate for not wanting to live anymore? For being tired of living in hospitals and going through operations? Sometimes I think that if I found out that I was going to die in six months because of some incurable disease, I would want to live my life to the fullest rather than spending the rest of my life in a hospital bed.

"******** End of Spoiler Warning **************"

Finally, this book took me on an emotional journey. It made me appreciate my life. It made me think a lot about those people and families who don't have what I have: a healthy and happy life and family.

"And the very act of living is a tide; at first it seems to make no difference at all, and then one day you look down and see how much pain has eroded."

P.S. I got too emotional while reading this book and got carried away while writing this review. That's why it's such a long review (which is not really a review but just my thoughts).

What is comforting me now is that I keep telling myself this story is not real. But my heart is still pounding and my tears won't stop.

****

This book is among those that I will think about for the rest of my life, and it made me understand why Jodi Picoult is so popular.

The story starts with Anna, a 13-year-old girl whose purpose in life is to save her sister Kate. When Kate, who is two years old, gets sick and the doctors diagnose her with leukemia after examining her case. The doctor tells Kate's parents that they don't match with Kate, and they have to leave her case to the public to find a donor, but they first suggest that they have another child and get help from that child for these donations. Because strangers can be a better genetic match with Kate's body.

Kate's parents, with the help of doctors and genetic manipulation, have another daughter, Anna, who is the best match for Kate. Anna has been obliged to be present with every attack of Kate since childhood. She has to donate blood, donate bone marrow, and so on. Now, however, Kate is failing, and Anna, at the age of 13, is obliged to give all of herself to Kate. This leads Anna to go to a lawyer's office and hire a lawyer for herself to protect her right to her own body and complain about her parents.

The story was extremely good (it also made me remember that we should never give up). It really made you think, put yourself in the place of each character one by one and give them all rights and get angry with them.

+ If you, as a parent, sacrifice one of your children to save another one of your children, are you a good parent?

+ How much can an ethical and moral act differ from each other?

+ If you are not legally obliged to do something, does not doing it make you a bad person?

+ And...

The end of the story was unexpected, but really, if I were the author, I would end the story this way too.

Postscript: I know a movie has been made from this book that I haven't seen yet.

Reading date: April 6, 2023

Rating: 5 out of 5

This book, and especially the character of Anna, always reminds me of this song:

"I used to float, now I just fall down
I used to know but I'm not sure now
What I was made for
What was I made for?"

There is a list of "the best books in history" on Goodreads. Currently, 127,000 books have been added to it, and I really don't know who makes the decisions about this list. But anyway, every now and then I come to it and find myself scrolling up and down the list. I enjoy the fact that I have read or know some of the books on it, and those that I have seen a thousand times but know nothing about also bother me, and I want to read them all.

This was one of the books on the list that I had come across several times and could no longer bear it. Finally, I started listening to the audiobook version.

The book has a very interesting and controversial topic: genetic engineering, changing and selecting the genes of a fetus to make it better or for a specific purpose! And the question that is raised at the beginning of the story is whether these things are right or wrong, whether they should be done or should be prohibited and made illegal?

The main character of the book, Anna, is a thirteen-year-old girl who was born through genetic engineering to save the life of her older sister, who has leukemia. After years of donating blood, bone marrow, and other things to her sister, she is now suing her mother for not respecting her body rights.

"Takin' a drive, I was an ideal
Looked so alive, turns out I'm not real
Just something you paid for
What was I made for?"

Up to about 70% of the book, which was about this topic, I thought it was really engaging and had a lot of room for discussion and thought. It made me think a lot and have a very good conversation about the soul and human cloning, etc. I really enjoyed it. The story was told from the perspectives of several people around Anna. From the perspective of her mother, so that we can see the story from an emotional and maternal point of view; from the perspective of her father, so that we can see the story from the perspective of the value of risking one's own life to save the life of others in danger; from the perspective of the lawyer for the legal perspective and from the perspective of the social worker for the moral and social perspective. Maybe if the audiobook had not been read by different narrators, it would have been a bit boring, but fortunately, the audiobook helped a lot in this regard.

Even now, after finishing the book and watching the movie, I still don't have a definite answer to the questions I wrote above. And really, from each person's point of view, their own life and the lives of their loved ones are important, and it is impossible for me to decide whether their actions are right or wrong. And I don't know if Jodi Picoult, who created these characters, had an answer or not, because in the last 30% of the book, with a very dramatic and additional plot twist, the topic was changed, and this really reduced the value of the book and the issues that were raised and went completely off track.

Although I thought the ending was really wrong and it would have been better to leave it open-ended rather than the overly emotional and cheesy ending, it was a book that really engaged my thoughts. During the day, I was always looking forward to going and listening to the rest of it, and after it was over, I kept thinking about it.

"Think I forgot how to be happy
Something I'm not, but something I can be
Something I wait for
Something I'm made for
Something I'm made for"

Regarding the movie adaptation as well; overall, I didn't really like the movie, especially the casting of Cameron Diaz as the mother. But at least the ending of the movie was different from the book, and I thought the ending of the movie was a bit more logical. Also, the movie was more about the older sister, Kate, and the story of how she gets leukemia and how the lives of those around her change and her relationship with her sister and the topics of the book were very watered down. It was as if the book was about Anna and the movie was about Kate.

In the end, there was a sentence from the father of the family that I thought was very interesting. He said this sentence about firefighters, but maybe we can apply it here:

The safety of the rescuer is of a higher priority than the safety of the victim. Always.

Jodi Picoult is an amazing writer.

The way she crafts her stories has the power to completely immerse the reader, making them deeply invested not only in the overarching narrative but also in each and every individual character.

Take, for example, “My Sister’s Keeper.” It is an incredibly heart-wrenching tale that will most definitely have you reaching for a tissue by the end.

In this story, Anna’s sister Kate suffers from a rare form of cancer. Throughout her life, Kate has depended on transfusions and transplants from Anna to survive.

The catch is that Anna never actually agreed to give so much of herself. It was her parents who made those decisions on her behalf.

Picoult skillfully weaves a narrative that had me constantly questioning throughout the entire book. Who truly has the right to make decisions that could be life-altering?

Is it always the person directly affected? Or is it those who love and care for them? What about the little decisions that may seem insignificant but could potentially have far-reaching consequences?

Is doing the right thing always going to be perceived as such? And what exactly is the right decision anyway? Is it the one that benefits the most people? Or perhaps the one that saves a life, even if it’s not in the traditional sense of saving it from death?

In my opinion, this book should be a must-read for anyone. It not only tells a captivating story but also forces you to grapple with some truly profound ethical and moral questions.

My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult

My Sister's Keeper is a captivating 2004 novel penned by Jodi Picoult. It revolves around the life of thirteen-year-old Anna Fitzgerald. Anna discovers that she was born as a savior sister with the specific purpose of donating a kidney to her elder sister Kate, who is battling acute leukemia and gradually losing the fight. The story is set in the fictional town of Upper Darby, Rhode Island in 2004.

Kate's struggle with acute leukemia, a blood and bone marrow cancer, has been a constant in the family's life. Anna, initially willing to do whatever it takes to save her sister, finds herself at a crossroads when she is told that she will have to donate one of her kidneys due to Kate's kidney failure. The surgery for both sisters is major and not without risks. There is no guarantee that it will work, and the stress of the operation could potentially be fatal for Kate. Moreover, the loss of a kidney could have a significant impact on Anna's life.

With the help of lawyer Campbell Alexander, Anna petitions for medical emancipation. She wants to be in control of her own medical treatment and the decision regarding the donation of her kidney. This sets off a chain of events that forces the family to confront their deepest emotions and beliefs. My Sister's Keeper explores themes of family, sacrifice, and the right to make one's own choices. It has been published in different versions in Iran with various titles and translations. The novel has also been adapted into a film in 2009, directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring a talented cast.

There are differences between "ethical", "legal" and "moral" rights and responsibilities.
Kate Fitzgerald is diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) when she is just a baby. The prognosis is very poor, and recovery is extremely rare. Her parents decide to create a genetically matched sibling, Anna, to provide a life-saving blood donation. However, APL is a persistent disease, and when it recurs, Anna is called upon to provide more and more invasive donations as she grows older.
At the age of 13, Anna sues her parents for "medical emancipation", the right to make her own medical decisions. Her mother, a former attorney, represents herself and her husband in the trial.
MY SISTER'S KEEPER is a novel that explores many complex issues, including genetic engineering, the demands of parenting a sick child, and the rights of minors. Picoult presents these issues from multiple perspectives, without taking sides or offering easy answers.
As the trial comes to a close, the reader is left wondering how Picoult will resolve the remaining issues. She manages to do so with a surprise ending that is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.
Overall, MY SISTER'S KEEPER is a well-written and engaging novel that will appeal to fans of Jodi Picoult and anyone interested in exploring complex ethical and moral issues. I highly recommend it.