Small Great Things
By Jodi Picoult
- Release Date: 2016-10-11
- Genre: Fiction & Literature
Description
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In “the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written” (The Washington Post), the acclaimed author tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers.
“A gripping courtroom drama . . . Given the current political climate it is quite prescient and worthwhile. . . . This is a writer who understands her characters inside and out.”—Roxane Gay, The New York Times Book Review
Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is Black, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?
Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong.
Reviews
Possibly the best book I’ve ever read
5By ReeniesgramaPowerful!Riveting
5By splatt14This book made me look at my own biases and ways I’m racist to some degree. It’s introspective. Great plot with a twist at the end you don’t see coming. Highly recommended.Fabulous!
5By layartistSo well written. I enjoyed this book so much and especially loved the in-depth knowledge of each of the diverse characters.Small Great Things
5By kathywamsleyExcellent book I’m glad I have read this book. Thanks kWonderful
5By Lisa2meThere is so much to love about this book! It has stirred in me a need to examine my own life and share with everyone I know. As a middle age white woman, I so relate to Kennedy and I’m humbled by the shame that stirs. Having reached the last page I want to return to the first. Please read this!Small great things is the title of the book but by far it’s a barrier of greatness by Jodi Picoult
5By Strawberry616This book was a great read that I gave 5 stars for many reasons. This master piece was written very carefully with great attention to detail from a historical standpoint related to racism. It took courage, understanding, and passion for the author to write this book. Not to mention, how she had to step outside of her comfort zone to be able to see different perspectives from the lens of African Americans. To be able to truly understand discrimination, segregation, micro aggression, oppression and racism from an African American point of view was a big great thing. Here are my book review take aways the literary techniques that was outstanding are the analogy, the imagery, the tone, the mood but most importantly the symbolism. Additionally, if you want to make a positive change in society this is how you used your audience or platform to do it one small step at a time which leads to small great things.Great ending!
5By Damaryz - R.Amazing story of race; ultimately the human race. Must read.Pageturner
5By Little s d gThis book was a page turner. It delves into several Social issues current today. It also causes one to question themselves.Makes you think!
5By LGownerInteresting and controversial book. Not light reading but worth the read. Haven’t read a bad “Jodi” book yet.Excellent!
5By EC461OCBVI recommend this book constantly it’s so well researched and written One of the best books I’ve ever read ….. ever!Riveting
5By missrcadeWhat great writing. I was engulfed in these characters. I felt like I really knew them. Thank you for telling such a difficult story.So good
5By fminnickI really loved this book. I read it for one of my classes during nursing school and it turned out to be so good. It was heartbreaking but also kept me on my toes. I recommend.Not an audiobook
1By ~TimekaThis is not an audiobookWonderful
5By allnightup!This book was hard to read, but I’m so glad I did. Wonderful!Loved it!
5By MacBeersThank you! I absolutely loved this story.Gifted writer but….
3By Colorado KathySuch a talented story teller and captivating story but I don’t choose a novel to be made to feel guilty and sinful for being white. If this is your need for penance and contrition and self flagellation then this book is for you. The author got me when she had to call out certain politicians and News medias by name. She could have refrained from that and softened her liberal, CRT stance.Highly recommend
5By GladeolaAn uncomfortable read that you can’t put downThank you
5By D MoorekemaThank you Jodi for showing me just how privileged I have been all my life and just taking it for granted…. ( I’m a 75 year old white woman) I actually felt embarrassed looking back on all the things I had given to me just for that reason…. and didn’t even realize it until Black Lives Matter and now again … even more after reading your book. At first I was gonna stop reading it because of Turks language … I’m glad I read it til the end. Thank you for bringing so much awareness to me and I’m sure so many other people.Big important things in life
5By nursearceWell written, although difficult to read about how people can hate. It’s the reality we live in and as a brown person of color, I can relate to Ruth. Glad I finally read this!
