Significant Things: A Novel

Please note: In the spirit of discovery that the book promotes, this product has two different Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance.
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My guess is that she had black friends read this to make sure she was doing it right. If I liked message books, this one would be at the top of my list. Okay, the Complaint Board calleth, with more things that bugged me: Nurse Ruth said something that seemed totally out of character. The hospital did something I doubt they would do. Still, they seemed so one-dimensional. I would watch the movie. When a book is more than pages, it better be super profound.

Here are the joys: The good guys Ruth and Kennedy are endearing. I squirmed when I had to hear from the racist, he is so disgusting and scary, and this means Picoult did a good job of developing his character. I just wish I had liked it more. I did enjoy My Sister's Keeper , though I read it too long ago to remember it. I do want to read one of her non-message books, Lone Wolf , which I hear is good. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy. View all 87 comments. Jodi Picoult has been a best selling author for over twenty years.

Twenty years ago she wanted to discuss a hot button issue but did not feel like she had the platform to do so. About a year ago, Picoult read where a black female nurse in Flint, Michigan had been dismissed by a white supremacist patient over skin color. Feeling that the time was right to discuss race, Picoult used this court case as a basis for Small Great Things, her current best selling novel.

Ruth Jefferson has been a labor a Jodi Picoult has been a best selling author for over twenty years. Ruth Jefferson has been a labor and delivery nurse for over twenty years. When the parents see Ruth, they go ballistic because they are members of the Aryan movement and do not want someone like her touching their baby. Reassigned, Ruth is enraged but does her job, yet by doing her job to the fullest, Davis Bauer dies in her care, or so it seems. The parents automatically point to Ruth, her license is revoked, and the drama begins.

Employing flashbacks and the present day narrative, Picoult creates rich, multi layered characters who all bring varying perspectives on the rap on race to the table. Ruth- who has been building up rage her entire life by having to fit into a white society that does not accept her. Turk- who believes the white superiority movement from a young age and has just as much rage inside him. Kennedy- a middle class, caucasian lawyer who has enjoyed white privilege for her entire life and has not realized it until taking on Ruth's case.

Adding to the tapestry of the novel are supporting characters who bring their own views on race to the table, creating a rich story. While an enriching story, I did find some parts cliched. Additionally, while the story is captivating, the prose is limited and straight forward. This makes for a fast reading novel, but one that most likely will not win awards for its literary prowess.

Yet, Picoult weaves an intricate cast of characters, making it easy for me to like Ruth and just as easy for me to detest Turk and Brittany and their followers. As a result, I quickly read through the pages to find the end result to Ruth's case. Easy reading women's literature is not a genre I generally subscribe to. Many of my goodreads friends had read Small Great Things and I was curious about the story. Even through Jodi Picoult has been writing best sellers for over twenty years, she did not have to write about race, just as Kennedy did not have to take on Ruth's case; this takes courage.

Basing her title on a famous quote by Dr Martin Luther King, Picoult does take on this issue that still dominates headlines. Despite the cliches and some obvious story lines, I found Small Great Things to be a thought provoking read that had me exploring many sides of the race debate in this country. View all 20 comments. A drop of water is a tiny thing. Only a twentieth of a gram. It takes almost six hundred drops to make an ounce, and a hundred twenty eight ounces to make a gallon. That gallon is eight pounds of weight.

You can feel the weight of water when you stand on the beach and try to hold your place as waves push you back. It takes only six inches of moving water to take control of your car. If you could stand underneath Ni …every baby is born beautiful. If you could stand underneath Niagara Falls you would be pummeled to death by over seventy five thousand gallons, over six hundred thousand pounds a second. Accumulate enough drops and it can carve the earth, move massive objects, or crush a life that gets in its way.

Just as the Niagara cascade can be seen as the result of many, many drops of water accumulating to a thunderous, powerful force, so too, many small and not so small race-based slights amass to create a deafening, crushing reality. Jodi Picoult - from Time, Inc.

Ruth Jefferson has been a Labor and Delivery nurse in a Connecticut hospital for twenty years.

But when a white supremacist couple, Turk and Brittany Bauer, demand that no African American personnel touch their newborn, the hospital goes along. Staffing levels being what they are, Ruth is placed in an untenable position, left alone with the infant when he goes into distress. Leave the baby alone and violate ethical norms, or attempt to save the baby and violate the order for her to keep her hands off. I see Taraji Henson as Ruth - image form Philly. Picoult wrote the book to try to encourage fellow white people to see how racism manifests in myriad ways.

This is particularly intended for people who might never see themselves as racist. We trail Ruth as she is victimized by a cruel system. Kennedy is her white lawyer, a liberal with no notion of her own personal biases. Picoult also shows us Turk and Brit, the skinhead couple who spark the conflict. We see some of how Turk and Brit became the way they are, and get an image of what the lives, worldviews, and tactical considerations are of people in this extreme end of society. Kennedy struggles with her own actions and perceptions.

She is our avatar here, feeling righteous, but learning how racism pervades in unsuspected ways, getting educated by Ruth to the reality of pervasive discrimination. Go listen to an old Klan speaker and compare it to a speech by a Tea Party Patriot. There is a steady drip, drip, drip of small racial insults that Ruth endures and recalls. Her son gets a taste as well. If you can think of a racial slight, Picoult has incorporated it here.

She uses not so much a broad brush as a steamroller to make sure we get the embedded significance. This is not a subtle book. She does not, for example, settle solely on white on black bias. Can Leslie Jones play Adisa? I hate when nannies do that. I was light-skinned, compared to Mama. She laughed it off, because she knew the truth—I was hers, through and through. It was the black kids. It is very easy to relate to her strength, determination and vulnerability. Most of all, Ruth is a good person, and anyone, of any color or background, can relate to that, and hope for her to come through it all ok.

This portrayal of Ruth is the strongest element in the book. It is pretty clear that Picoult is on firm ground here, as her depiction of the lawyerly digging, evaluation and perspective feels very well-informed. The legal strategies discussed make sense, the approaches are defensible, and the courtroom portions of the book race along with the speed of a thriller. Picoult does a pretty good job of pointing out where a lawyerly perspective can be at odds with the actual content of a case.

In fact, the easiest way to lose a case that has a racially motivated incident at its core it to actually call it what it is. Instead you find something else for the jury to hang their hat on. Some shred of evidence that can clear your client of blame, and allow those twelve men and women to go home still pretending that the world we live in is an equal one. OJ might disagree about the effectiveness of using race in a trial. How about Shannon Woodward for Brit Bauer? A significant portion of her skinhead character Turk was based on a real-world bigot.

It is pretty interesting. This is not a great literary novel. You will not be dazzled by poetic description, or impressed by literary artifice. It is a straight ahead tale told very effectively and is intended to deliver a specific point. It succeeds quite well in that aim, and gives us some very human characters to engage with while on that journey.

I do not know what it is like to exist inside a black skin in 21st century America. Never could, never will. But Jodi Picoult is trying to give people like me a bit more of a clue what it feels like to have that experience. I do not have a basis for saying how well that succeeds. Published — October 11, Review — November 11, PS - I have zero intel on a movie option for the book, but cannot believe this one has not already been snapped up.

While I had some pretty firm images in my head for actors in certain roles, I came up blank for others, Turk, for example. Gerald McRaney for Francis Mitchum, popped to mind, but he might be a hard sell playing someone as much younger as the character is. Then I met with two former skinheads, to develop a vocabulary of hate for my White Supremacist character.

My daughter Sammy was the one who found Tim Zaal — a former skinhead who had Skyped with her class in high school. Years ago, Tim beat up and left a gay man for dead. April 28, — A lovely bit of data gathering from the Washington Post - The most racist places in America, according to Google - by Christopher Ingraham - It might suggest some places where you would prefer not to live. Please check out, The Forgiveness Project. View all 31 comments. She gets along well with all of her colleagues and all of her patients love her - that is until she assists Turk Bauer and his wife Brit with their new baby Davis.

Turk and Brit are White Supremacists and they don't want Ruth touching their baby because she is black. Due to their feelings, Ruth is ordered by her supervis 4. Due to their feelings, Ruth is ordered by her supervisor not to care for baby Davis Bauer, though it goes against her medical training. Further, Ruth feels that she has been discriminated by the hospital due to her race but she is warned not to play that card.

The next day, Davis goes into distress, with Ruth watching over him in the nursery as no other nurses available but she isn't supposed to touch him - which goes against every fiber of her being. When others arrive, she is given instructions to conduct chest compressions. Nothing works and Davis Bauer doesn't survive.

Turk and Britt Bauer blame Ruth and they file a lawsuit. The hospital does whatever it can to protect itself and Ruth becomes the scapegoat. As she can't afford an attorney, she is assigned a white female public defender, Kennedy McQuarrie. While the two don't always see eye to eye, Kennedy does whatever she can to save Ruth from life in prison. I identified most with Kennedy.

Not just because she is white as am I. I work in the legal field and I understand her mind and get why she did the things she did and instructed Ruth the way she did. That said, I loved Ruth. I personally thought Jodi Picoult did a great job writing about an incredibly tough topic, though I would venture to guess that if I were black, I might have another view of this book. All we can do is sympathize and empathize. In the case of race, it is almost impossible. The only possible similarity in my mind is bullying, though I could be wrong. Here racism was brought to the forefront in a myriad of ways.

It is in your face. Except for in the news, I hadn't read about White Supremacists previously. To be frank, it's not a topic I want to know much about. People like Turk make me uncomfortable. Like I said in my first post, I grew up in an affluent town bordering New Haven that was mostly white, and predominantly Jewish I am not Jewish from the ages of years old. In my 30's I worked in Hartford for three years and I have lived in Connecticut for 36 of my 43 years.

I feel ignorant in saying that until reading this, I did not know that White Supremacy groups existed in towns near me. In admitting this I guess you could say that I have led a sheltered life. That said, maybe this goes on in all of our neighborhoods and I personally never opened my eyes and noticed it.

Like I said, rose colored glasses. I think this books point is to make us question our own behavior. And to make us more aware of how we treat others. And in some small way, perhaps effectuate change. Now, forgive me but a few things about this novel really bugged the heck out of me. I happen to work in the legal field and I have a working knowledge of that as well as the Connecticut Superior Court System and there were in fact several things that were inaccurate. I believe that she would have stated that the matter was under investigation and that she needed to confer with outside counsel.

In addition, there were several procedural errors about the New Haven Superior Court System and the trial procedures, scheduling of oral argument, the timing for the distribution of juror lists, etc. I will leave it at that. Forgive my nitpicking - but since I have intimate knowledge the above referenced things, I just can't help myself.

Because of these issues, I had to deduct. That said, the storyline itself was phenomenal. Jodi Picoult tackled a sensitive topic with extreme grace as she always does. The characters jump off the page. You are immediately immersed in their lives and nothing else matters. Small Great Things has left me with a heavy heart. I expect to carry it around with me for a long time to come.

Published on Goodreads and Amazon on 4. Trying to find the words. Finished this Friday and am still stunned. I grew up in an affluent town that borders New Haven, CT and worked in Hartford for 3 years in my early 30's. This book opened my eyes to issues that I have never seen. I realize that I have looked at the world through rose colored glasses and I have always considered myself a realist. View all 46 comments. I had a heavy heart starting this and it got that much heavier as I read. As much as it was not uplifting, there were moments of beauty here that made my heart swell.

This is a story about racism told from 3 perspectives: A black nurse not sure what choice to make; A skinhead who is sure of his choices; a defense attorney who is questioning her own choices. A tough theme that still exists, sadly, in our culture. It's about justice - or injustice - and how is this defined? It's about the loss of li I had a heavy heart starting this and it got that much heavier as I read. It's about the loss of life which is a no win for anyone. We are given 2 sides of the story: How each group is perceived and the emotions tied to them.

It's not just about hate. It's how it is taught and embedded in lives from an early age and the differences that even today exist about inequality. One GR friend mentions thought provoking. It spins you from one side to the other and the reader can clearly see why and what the other feels. Depends from which angle you view it. Picoult, you take daringly tough themes and write them from a place that has clarity or are you blurring the lines? A reminder these misperceptions still exist and society has not yet successfully bridged those gaps and narrowed those chasms.

You give us insights that are frighteningly real and remind us that history can still burn in our hearts and cause us to behave in ways that are more emotional than factual. View all 58 comments.

Once again, a great read from one of my favorite authors. The story felt very authentic to me and the topic, I'm so glad she covered. I listened to this on audible and enjoyed all the narrators. I've read every one of Jodi's books and this is definitely one of my favorites.

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Very important authors note at the end View all 19 comments. On this wheel are many many social issues. She glances at the wheel and smiles and then begins to spin it, waiting for her inspiration. She spins the wheel again. She frowns again and stamps her feet a b -This Review is Based on an Advanced Reading Copy-- A woman with frizzy hair stands in front of a giant wheel. She frowns again and stamps her feet a bit. She spins it a third time. She recalls that the last time she wrote a book, she researched elephants so when she spins the wheel, she hopes to get another topic.

She stumbles upon a patient named Turk whose wife is pregnant. But when a medical crisis arises, Ruth must decide whether to intervene or not. What follows is your typical Jodi Picoult plotline involving lawyers, courtroom drama and the twists and turns that we have come to depend on in a Jodi Picoult plot. Jodi spent her time researching the lingo involved in being a maternity nurse and she saturates the reader with technical terms that will confound anyone except for those in the medical field. The stuff that was included on what this character did in his life and the arc that the author took him on really felt a bit disconnected.

Overall, the characters in this novel are nothing remarkable or special. Jodi Picoult has gone back to her tried and true formula that she has used so many times: View all 26 comments. Jodi Picoult is by far my most favourite author! She has done it again! The subject matter at times was hard to read as the story being told was very heartbreaking and disturbing but it was executed perfectly. This author always makes me think and I have always learned something new from reading one of her novels.

All three were very strong characters which all brought life to this story. I love how Jodi Picoult finishes the sto Jodi Picoult is by far my most favourite author! Sometimes I need a neat ending and this was one of those times! Bought this one through Amazon so being a hardcover it had that wonderful new book smell which I find totally irresistible!

It was a steady paced, thought-provoking, and quick read with a very satisfying ending. View all 45 comments. Jodi Picoult is a daring, talented author who knows how to write new stuff about age old controversies. She can write a male or female character with equal ease. In this book, she writes about Ruth, her grown son, and Jodi Picoult writes from the point of view of the racist father I thought the 'clan' KKK would be prominent in this book , and her white lawyer who took up her case, Kennedy. Jodi Picoult obviously believes that God is in the details. She cares for each sentence so much, that, she Jodi Picoult is a daring, talented author who knows how to write new stuff about age old controversies.

She cares for each sentence so much, that, she must have weigh them carefully before dosing her language and putting pen to paper, and later ink to paperback. I enjoyed this story extremely so. But it didn't gain 5 stars, because some of the reactions are too politically correct. This is particularly true when Ruth is interacting with her son.

The ending is too pat. Also Turk is an overdeveloped character. Apart from that, I have no bone to pick with this quite superlative book. This was a 'beast' of a novel for me I, like Picoult, think of myself as not discriminating in how I treat people, however, the issues this novel raises had me questioning that. A very thought provoking novel that I think people need to read. As uncomfortable as it may be, these issues need to be raised and reflected on.

We can all do "small great things. View all 9 comments.


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I read this book last January and it still sticks with me today, really a truly powerful story! Jodi Picoult definitely writes books that make you think Not even sure where to start with this The story was told from three different POVs I think the author did a good job with this, a good job of showing where everybody was coming from The characters were extremely well developed and for obvious reasons not all of them were likable Ruth was always trying so hard to be perfect I really had so much compassion for Ruth, I just wanted to give the girl a hug!

I wanted to tell her how amazing she was and that she definitely was more than good enough! Kennedy was very idealistic I had a very hard time feeling any sympathy for him I found a lot of aspects of the court case very interesting I just would recommend it to everybody, it is eye-opening and real On a personal and emotional level this hit me I grew up in a multi racial family I was always aware of people's differences, because even though we grew up in the same house I will never know what it is like to be anything but white I strongly recommend this book to everybody!

View all 43 comments. A high 4 stars. I've had mixed experiences with Jodi Picoult. I've loved some of her books, and found others to be real duds. This one goes in the positive pile. Picoult typically picks a social issue, creates a crisis situation and tells the story from the perspective of a few characters caught up in the crisis.

Jodi Picoult

When her books work, it's because she is able to create powerful characters who give real dimension to the issues the books grapple with. Small Great Things is one that worked for me -- A high 4 stars. Small Great Things is one that worked for me -- but I have no doubt that it will stir up controversy.

Ruth is an African American nurse who is instructed by her supervisor not to touch the new born baby of a white supremacist couple at the parents' request. The baby dies and the blame falls on Ruth. The story is told from the perspectives of Ruth, her white lawyer Kennedy and the baby's father. A central theme in the book is Ruth's lawyer's ability to understand and speak on behalf of Ruth. Which is ironic because the same question looms over Picoult's book.

How can a white author speak of the experience of racism on behalf of her African American character.

The Important Book: Margaret Wise Brown, Leonard Weisgard: leondumoulin.nl: Books

Picoult doesn't answer this question perfectly, but at least she rolls up her sleeves and gets involved in a conversation about racism, and it's an important and timely conversation. While at times I could feel Picoult struggling a bit with how best to pitch the conversation, I loved Picoult's depiction of Ruth, and the evolving relationship between Ruth and her lawyer.

I wasn't as engaged with the depiction of the white supremacist father and the way in which his story is resolved. But the book still worked for me as good fiction that made me think and feel. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read an advance copy. Even children, infants, long before they can understand or form words develop preferences, for people, sounds, and colors. Race, discrimination, hate crimes against people of a certain faith, a certain lifestyle have been in the headlines, on the news on a regular basis. View all 39 comments.

There are so many factors that influence what makes a good book. I think that it comes down to personal preference. First thing, I have two books for sale on Amazon, I do not consider myself a writer, or author. I am a Storyteller. My first book was about Parenting. My second book is a fiction Adventure, Magic, young warriors, emotions book. The book should compel you to NOT lay it down. Keeping the tempo of the book UP to keep the reader interested is often impossible, but having sections of the book where the reader is dragged back into the plot, and the adventure is a MUST.

Also, the main character MUST change. They must be effected by the world around them, and yes character deaths are needed for most stories. It has to be compelling, new, original, and unpredictable. Lead the reader into believing something, then reveal a clue that it might be something else. I think that a good book is a book that can make you feel like you truly understand the main character. Your email address will not be published.

Currently you have JavaScript disabled. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. We asked our Readers Write subscribers what they think makes a book good. Join the conversation in the comments section below.

Small Great Things

March 1, at 9: February 18, at September 18, at 2: September 18, at 1: March 26, at June 30, at February 28, at 7: February 19, at 7: I would love to find a book that could effectively address procrastination as it pertains to me. February 2, at 1: January 11, at 5: January 8, at July 27, at 9: July 8, at March 10, at March 21, at 9: The fact that you can eat with it? What about an apple? This book helps curious preschoolers notice important details about their everyday surroundings, like daisies are white, rain is wet, and a spoon is used for eating.

What's most important about many familiar things—like rain and wind, apples and daisies—is suggested in rhythmic words and vivid pictures. The text establishes a word game which tiny children will accept with glee," said Kirkus. Sponsored Products are advertisements for products sold by merchants on Amazon. When you click on a Sponsored Product ad, you will be taken to an Amazon detail page where you can learn more about the product and purchase it.

To learn more about Amazon Sponsored Products, click here. The important thing about The Important Book -- is that you let your child tell you what is important about the sun and the moon and the wind and the rain and a bug and a bee and a chair and a table and a pencil and a bear and a rainbow and a cat if he wants to.

For the important thing about The Important Book is that the book goes on long after it is closed. What is most important about many familiar things -- like rain and wind, apples and daisies -- is suggested in rhythmic words and vivid pictures. Other perennial favorites by Ms. Would you like to tell us about a lower price? If you are a seller for this product, would you like to suggest updates through seller support? Learn more about Amazon Prime. Read more Read less. Add both to Cart Add both to List. Buy the selected items together This item: Ships from and sold by Amazon.

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