Change of Heart: A Novel (Wsp Readers Club)

This book tells the story about a simpleton and a vagabond so-to-speak who is on death row for the murder of a little girl and her step-father (a policemen). It tells the story through several points-of-view... the murderer, his lawyer, his priest, and the mother. For the murderer, Shay Bourne, his desired penance or redemption, he would like to donate his heart to the other sister of his victim. The story evolves around the legal implications of organ donation, death row prisoner's rights, victim's rights, but underneath and further along... it is so much more. It comments on the ethical and consistency of justice within the justice system as well as faith in people and God. The book discusses religion, the death penalty, forgiveness, truth, and faith. As always it is well researched, articulate, suspenseful, and satisfying. I found myself looking up information about the Gnostic Gospels, Messiahs, and discussing the death penalty with family and friends. My summary is very basic and does not do justice to Picoult's ability as a writer that builds complicated character that often represent the view points and arguments within society at large. Some may say that this is not her best work, but I have only read My Sister's Keeper, and The Pact, but I can say that I have recommended this book to several people who have enjoyed it immensely... albeit they are not avid readers. So if you are a literary snob, I am sure that you can pick this and any book apart, but if you are someone who is a fan of books that are emotion-ridden, well researched, and have an ability to bring social and religious issues to the dinner table... then by all means read this book. Just remember it is a novel and the characters of fictional. Some say it is a rip-off of the green mile... I will say here are similarities, but entirely different styles of writing, character development, and implications. It is worth the read. In my opinion books should be entertaining as well as educational and invoke emotion.

June lost her husband in an auto accident that left her with a broken leg. The police officer, Kurt Nealon, who tells her of her husband's death, later becomes husband number two and stepfather to June's daughter. Life should be good for June now as she's expecting another daughter. But she's hired a handyman carpenter, thirty-three-year old Isaiah M. Bourne, who instead of being grateful for the work, kills Kurt, then molests and kills June's daughter. Eleven years later, Bourne is on death row and wants to make amends by donating his heart to June's new daughter Elizabeth, who is suffering with pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy. He believes if he gives his heart to the dying sister of the girl he murdered that he'll find salvation, which is the last thing June wants, but she doesn't want Elizabeth to die either. And even though Bourne wants to die, he needs an attorney, because he wants death by hanging, not the needle, as that would damage the heart. His attorney, a woman with her own problems, has more than a client who wants salvation on her hands as weird and strange things have been going on on death row. One day the prison taps started flowing with wine. Borne brings a dead bird back to life. He cures a fellow prisoner of aids. Is there a message in his name which when pronounced comes out as I Am Born? And he is a thirty-three-year old carpenter about to be put to death, what is the significance of that? There are man who come to believe Bourne might just be the Messiah, including Father Michael, his spiritual advisor, who, before he became a priest, just happened to be one of the jurors who voted to condemn Bourne. As you can see there is a lot going on in this book and I've just scratched the surface. Suffice it to say, as improbable and impossible as some of this sounds, when Jodi Picoult delivers it, you believe. I know I did. I couldn't put this one down and even now, I'm asking myself, what would I do were I June, let the killer have his salvation or let him save my daughter? Reviewed by Vesta Irene

Shay Bourne was convicted of killing a seven-year-old girl, Elizabeth, and a police officer,Kurt; and he was sentenced to death. Eleven years later, with his execution date coming up, he wants his heart to be given to Elizabeth's sister, who has a deadly illness that requires her to need a new heart, otherwise she would die. This book, in true Jodi Picoult fashion, was absolutely amazing. Not only did it have perfect characters who grew and changed throughout the story, but from the very beginning there left a question begging to be asked: Why did Shay kill Elizabeth and Kurt in the first place? The whole book focuses around Shay and his fight for his execution to allow him to donate his heart, and the growing evidence that Shay could be some sort of religious figure from the past. Jodi Picoult has the perfect blend of serious issues and lighter topics, and once again she delivers a novel that makes fiction sound believeable. I have yet to read a Picoult novel that I have not cried at least once, and this was no exception. Fans of her other novels will flock to this book, and new readers will definitely be wanting more.

I'm not sure how good or bad this book is compared to Picoult's other books, but I for one enjoyed it thoroughly. I've always liked any book that has made me think about social issues, and this book did just that. Picoult doesn't pull any punches here. She delves into the topics of religion, the death penalty, and even organ donation in a thoughtful, thought-provoking way. There are no easy answers when it comes to these subjects and she doesn't pretend there are. Another reviewer indicated that they had figured out the "twist" of the story early on. I don't think this was a twist at all. I think if you are paying close attention to the early "June" chapters, it is quite clear and should not be any real surprise. One thing Picoult does very well in all her books his create well defined, intriguing characters. All the characters here a wonderfully written, and in the same way she brought back Ian Fletcher from KEEPING FAITH, I hope we will hear more from Maggie and Father Michael in the future.