Jodi Picoult Books Reading Group. discussion

I didn't see this book listed and wanted to get other people's opinions about it. I personally couldn't finish it, I read about 1/3 and gave up. I found it to be very boring, slow moving storyline and confusing with so many characters being added. Can somebody tell me what happens in the end? I read it has to do with some custody battle? Thanks.

I actually started reading this book a couple of weeks ago. I'm about 2/3 through the book. I really like it. I agree that there are a lot of characters to keep track of, plus I think it can be slow in some spots. I'm in the midst of the custody battle now...when I find out what happens, I will be sure to fill you in!

Thanks Christine :-)

Mellybeans0919 wrote: "I didn't see this book listed and wanted to get other people's opinions about it. I personally couldn't finish it, I read about 1/3 and gave up. I found it to be very boring, slow moving storyline ..."

I'm with you, Mellybeans0919. I really did not enjoy the book at all. I have read almost all her other books and liked them, so I was shocked at how unenjoyable this one turned out to be.

Good to see I am not the only one, I have enjoyed most her books so far too, except this one and Tenth Circle (which I still managed to finish).

This is the first Jodi Picoult book I have read, and the only one thus far, and I actually LOVED this book. I don't know whether it was thes subject matter that interested me most, or just the characters themselves, but I found myself really engrossed in the book and I was disappointed to see it end.

I've just got this book, disappointed by the reviews...not sure if I'll enjoy it now! Oh well, I'll give it a go!

Mellybeans0919 wrote: "I didn't see this book listed and wanted to get other people's opinions about it. I personally couldn't finish it, I read about 1/3 and gave up. I found it to be very boring, slow moving storyline ..."

I did not like that book at all. It didn't make sense. I don't mind supernatural and even like the theme, but this was a bit too much.

I am with Susana and some of the others - I only got through a few pages and just put it down. I thought the main character (don't remember what it was) was unlikable and self-pitying. I don't need to bring that kind of person into my life!

I did talk to some other readers on this site that convinced me that I should give the book a second chance since I didn't get very far into it. Has anyone finished the whole book and still not liked it? I am not sure whether to try it again or not...

Mellybeans0919 wrote: "I didn't see this book listed and wanted to get other people's opinions about it. I personally couldn't finish it, I read about 1/3 and gave up. I found it to be very boring, slow moving storyline ..."

********SPOILER ALERT********************************
The ending of the book was pretty low-key. It was your typical 'happy' ending. Custody was awarded to Faith's mother. A lot went unexplained, and while I realize that was Jodi Picoult's intent - to take from it what you will - I wish a little more was answered. I still really liked the book overall, but it was not one of my favorites by the author.

Thanks Christine for the ending. So they never explain if Faith really was speaking to God or doing miracles?

Mellybeans0919 wrote: "Thanks Christine for the ending. So they never explain if Faith really was speaking to God or doing miracles?"

No...I think the intention was to draw your own conclusions and to ask if it really mattered if she was or wasn't. I wish she would have addressed this a little more - seeing as this is a huge plot in the book! :)

I think that answering that question directly would have taken a lot of meaning away from the book. One of the aspects of reading is not to have every single answer blatantly handed to you, but instead maybe not to be given the answer to every question so that one may draw one's own conclusions. What is unique about this book is that both sides were presented to the issue, and it was never stated which side was 'correct', if there even is such a thing, so that every person who reads it can take away a different meaning.

Emily wrote: "I think that answering that question directly would have taken a lot of meaning away from the book. One of the aspects of reading is not to have every single answer blatantly handed to you, but in..."


I totally agree with you, Emily. I just didn't like the book. I thought the plot plodded along at too slow a pace. It didn't explore any thing that I haven't already thought about and I think I may have had an expectation that it would before starting to read it.

I am very interested in the topic of spirituality and religion. I've read a lot of non-fiction and other literature about the topics. Before I read Keeping Faith, I really thought it would be on the top of my list, based on the topic. So I think it was an even bigger let-down for me.

That said, I think it's great people have such different reactions to her books. It keeps it interesting.

Emily wrote: "I think that answering that question directly would have taken a lot of meaning away from the book. One of the aspects of reading is not to have every single answer blatantly handed to you, but in..."
Bravo Emily ! I have read everyone of Jodi's books and I think the reason I like them so much is because I get to "try out" other opinions, even on subjects I have not thought much about before. excellent insight Emily!

I read this book and enjoyed it alot. I think anyone who hasn't read it should, and those who havn't finish it should finish it. The story basically trys to get you to understand that some things in life cant be explained and you cant always blame the parents because it may not be them. It also keeps you reading becasue you want to know if Faith is really getting all these things or if it was faked and who gets custody.

Holly wrote: "I am with Susana and some of the others - I only got through a few pages and just put it down. I thought the main character (don't remember what it was) was unlikable and self-pitying. I don't need..."

Try it. i liked it. all books are not very interesting in the beginning. you have to read a decent amount of it before deciding not to finish it. Just give it a chance and you wont be dissapointed

Spoiler Alert: I really liked Keeping Faith. But I was a little confused at the end. Was anyone else dissappointed at the vague ending - she wrote about Faith "talking to no one, or herself" until her mother went to sleep or something like that, - did that mean that her visits from God ended after the trial?... and the whole "she smells like oranges" thing - did that mean that God was really Faith's mother? I'm sure I'm missing something - since everything else seemed to wrap up so nicely.

spoilers

Faith at the end after the trial went to talk to God and when he/she didnt come she was sad so basically God stopped coming.

Haven't actually read this one, but it sounds so good! A girl with visions of good in the middle of the countryside. Can anyone tell me WITHOUT SPOILERS if this book is good or not?

I don't know what your criteria for being good is, but I certainly enjoyed it! It started a little slow, but then there were some surprises that made me want to keep reading.

Edwardluvsmemore wrote: "Haven't actually read this one, but it sounds so good! A girl with visions of good in the middle of the countryside. Can anyone tell me WITHOUT SPOILERS if this book is good or not?"

Sorry, I do the same thing when I want to scope out a book...and hate when I can't find feedback without spoilers! I liked this book a lot. I agree with Kori that there were some slow spots, but this book really kept me on my toes. There is a custody battle raging amongst this little girl seeing visions. It really makes you think and examine how much and/or how little people put in 'faith'. Hope this helps :)

I enjoyed it a lot too. I dont know what you consider good but i think it was good.

My first Jodi book and I couldn't put it down. She combines romance, thriller, social commentary, ethics, and a bunch of other emotions into one story. I love how she writes different characters and that they all get to speak in the books.
This book also made me think a lot about religion and what I "believe" in. Great read.

Carolina wrote: "My first Jodi book and I couldn't put it down. She combines romance, thriller, social commentary, ethics, and a bunch of other emotions into one story. I love how she writes different characters an..."

Yeah I agree that she mixes many kinds of emotions.

It's good that it made you think about what you beleive in. I wonder how, and I also wonder what you beleive in now.

For all of you that put it down after the first few pages, pick it back up! It does have a slow start and I had thought about putting it down, but I kept trucking and I ended up liking it. It isn't one of my favorites, by far, but it was pretty enjoyable.

Keeping Faith is a book that causes you to explore your own religious beliefs. Some people find that fascinating,others painful,and still others boring because for them there is nothing to discuss.To see this dilemna through the eyes of Faith's protective but questioning mother as she fights for custody,a cynical newspaper reporter and a doting grandmother is a reading experience I wouldn't miss.

I'm sad so many people disliked this book. Its one of my favorites! I loved the religious questions she posed and I'm glad she never really gave an answer as to what religion was right. It allows me (a Pentecostal) to read it, my mother (a Baptist) to read it, and my best friend (an atheist-did I spell that right) to read it and all of us have an opportnity to connect with it.

I just finished this book today. Pretty good book, but I don't feel like it was the best book Picoult's written. I feel like the story line was too predictable - Faith becoming seriously ill, then she gets better, Mariah getting mad at Ian, them making up again, etc. And in the end, **SPOILERS** Mariah obviously gets the rights in keeping Faith with her.

I thought the book overall was okay. Picoult did keep me on the edge of my seat, because I was curious at where this was headed and how it'd end. But once I got to the end and reflected on the book, I didn't think it was AMAZING. Good, yes, but not amazing.

I didn't feel like there was much for growth in the main characters... this situation just.....happened. All Mariah got was a husband out of it. I'm not saying that they all HAD to be converted to Christianity in her book, but I felt like she played it too safe with how she ended the book.

I am about a third into it and am struggling! I am a mega Jodi fan & am so surprised I'm not enjoying it.. Came here to see if it was just me or if anyone else had a hard time with it. I will give it another couple chapters and see what happens..

I could not put this book down, such a fascinating read with both fiction & non-fiction aspects. Not as many surprises as other Picoult books & I found the ending slighty predictable but it's another one of my favourites, alongside MSK & Plain Truth.

I just finished reading the book and I enjoyed it. It's true that it isn't very action packed but there were moments where it tugged at my heart to the point where I couldn't put the book down. And of course, it being a JP book, there were multiple hints on where the ending could go which makes you want to finish that much more.

I really enjoyed the book! It was marvellous! Jodi is in the top 3 favourite authors of mine. But the only thing was that it was a bit racist against islam in my opinion that is. It was just 2 words but it was a huge impact! It was what Metz said...f***ing....Allah! Idk if I should countinue reading her books. Its vry tempting to read her books! Thats y I dont wanna stop but maybe I have to. Does anyone else feel this way? And has she been racist against other religions?

This was my least favourite of Jodi's books (although there are one or two of her earliest ones that I have not read yet), although I knew going into it that I probably wouldn't like it as much as the others. I am not a huge fan of religiously-themed books, but Jodi is my favourite author and the story seemed interesting.

I was actually hoping for a more conclusive explanation about what was going on.