Change Of Heart by Jody Picoult

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group
Pub. Date: December 2008
Pages: 480
Format: hardcover
Source: gift from friend

Can we save ourselves, or do we rely on others to do it? Is what we believe always the truth?

One moment June Nealon was happily looking forward to years full of laughter and adventure with her family, and the next, she was staring into a future that was as empty as her heart. Now her life is a waiting game. Waiting for time to heal her wounds, waiting for justice. In short, waiting for a miracle to happen.

For Shay Bourne, life holds no more surprises. The world has given him nothing, and he has nothing to offer the world. In a heartbeat, though, something happens that changes everything for him. Now, he has one last chance for salvation, and it lies with June's eleven-year-old daughter, Claire. But between Shay and Claire stretches an ocean of bitter regrets, past crimes, and the rage of a mother who has lost her child.

Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love? Would you want your dreams to come true if it meant granting your enemy's dying wish?

Once again, Jodi Picoult mesmerizes and enthralls readers with this story of redemption, justice, and love.

Okay I'm going to be honest. I thought this book was way toooo boring. I spent two weeks reading it alone and there was so many times that I wanted to put it aside and start something more interesting because it totally ruined the fun of reading. But that was before it reached the end. Turned out it was a good one and I had to spare some deep thoughts for it as well.

If you're a fan of religion, I'm sure you're addicted to this one. Words like God, Bible, belief and the likes seemed to appear on every single page of the book. For those who aren't too interested, like me, the subject could be a little bit heavy (or at some points, too heavy to handle). Basically it was about a man named Shay who was sentenced to death because of two homicides and child molesting. After 11 years waiting for his execution to be carried on, Shay suddenly had a death wish - to give his heart to the sister of the child he killed. The problem was that Shay was to be killed by lethal injection, and in that way, he could not donate his organ. So lawyer Maggie and father Michael - two of rare people that really wanted to understand Shay - decided to help him to be hanged instead. It wasn't easy, because other than dealing with the court, they had a seemingly impossible mission to persuade the family to take the heart.

The book was written in many points of view. Usually I find it very interesting but with this one it was a little bit confusing. I messed up once or twice thinking I was reading this person's narration when actually it was another one. But I really liked how Jody build each and every of character. It gave the readers so many different looks into the case of Shay. Some of them loved the guy, some was disgusted by him. And it made Shay more mysterious than ever because Jody never let him speak for himself. I was really curious about this guy. Shay was unpredictable. At first you'll hate him, then you'll tell yourself he isn't that bad, but soon you'll consider him some freaky murderer again. Others characters were also nicely portrayed. I especially loved Claire. She was smart, strong and deep - though a bit maturer than her real age.

The reason for Shay's crime was kept until the very last pages so it forced you to read on. But in some case, you'd give up the book before you reached the last part. I was really thankful for my habit of finishing every book I start, for it would be a loss if I missed the end. It was a twist which brought so much emotions. The shocking truth put Maggie and Michael in such a dilemma but Shay made things right his own way - painfully but logically. I could not say that I was satisfied with the ending. Then again, I believed it was the best delivered.

Rating: 3/5