Jodi Picoult Books Reading Group. discussion

I was researching for the sake of researching and I found something I never thought of! Ian means "Gift of God", how ironic! I was just interested to see if any one else found something that ties into her stories. Characters' names etc.

Oh, yes...I think the meaning of the name Ian has great significance to the story. There's the irony, of course, and the way Mariah views him as a gift and a blessing in her life, a real and true love after her failed marriage. I think that by the end, Ian sees himself as a gift to Mariah, which is very different than the way he has viewed himself before. Mariah has brought meaning into his otherwise cynical existence.

I LOVE the clever way the title opens up various interpretations of "Faith." Also, I looked up the name Mariah and discovered that it means "sea of bitterness" or "God is my teacher." Both of these meanings fit her character and her role in the story.

Thanks for sharing this insight! I think it would be fun to go back and find the significance of names in other JP books--I am sure that she puts a lot of thought into her choices.

I want to ask a question. I know it might look a little bit silly, but I REALLY wanna know!!!! I am reading Keeping Faith, and I'm just in the beginning. I understood that Maria's mom died then came backto life, and her death has something to do with Ian. What did he do to her that made her die?

Have you not gotten that far? Basically it is just stress and the stress of him being there "harassing" her daughter and granddaughter that caused her heart attack

dara

Well, pardon my french in advanced, but he was basically being an ass. He was sticking his nose where it didn't belong and he tried to get to Faith.

Hi, Dr.leena,

It seems like Ian is directly responsible for Millie's "death"...she collapses as he is making remarks about Faith. Here is a brief excerpt of this part:

"I suggest you leave," Millie says tightly. "My
granddaughter is of no interest to you."
Ian Fletcher flashes a smile. "Is that a fact? So, you
don't believe your own granddaughter? I guess you know that
a child who says she's talking to God is just that… a child
who says she's talking to God. No bells, no whistles, not
even any miracles. Just a group of fawning cult members who
are already three shades shy of reputability. But that's
certainly not enough to create a frenzy over, is it, now?"
His words are honeyed; they run over Millie and root
her to the porch. "Ma'am, you're a woman after my own
heart."
Millie narrows her eyes and opens her mouth; and then,
clutching her chest, falls to the ground at Ian's feet.

Then, at the hospital in the waiting room and Ian and Faith are alone for a few minutes, they discuss this very point:

Faith blinks at him. "Are you the reason that my
grandma fell down?"
Ian feels his stomach clench. "I think I am, Faith.
And I'm very sorry."
She turns away. "I don't like you."
"You're in good company."

Hope this helps.

Yeah, Bev. What you coppied is what I just read! =) I think that's waht I didn't understand. But I think Dara made it a little bit clear for me! =D Thanks to all three of you.

I wonder if it was just me, but I started this book and put it down very early on because I didn't like the main character (don't even remember her name, now). I almost never do this, and I love most of Jodi Picoult's books - just not this one. Did anyone else feel that way? Maybe I should give it another chance...

Holly, I think you should definitely give Keeping Faith another chance. It was a good book. I know sometimes it just depends on mymood and I have to put a book down and come back to it a different time.

Thanks, Dara - maybe I will. I'll let you know :-)

Dara wrote: "Holly, I think you should definitely give Keeping Faith another chance. It was a good book. I know sometimes it just depends on mymood and I have to put a book down and come back to it a differen..."

I have to echo what Dara says. Keeping Faith is my favorite of her books; I have rhapsodized about it repeatedly in these group discussions.

That certainly doesn't mean that you SHOULD like it, as we all have differing opinions of the books we read and none are right or wrong (this is whay I say to my students all of the time--I know that you already know it!). This book just struck a chord with me and it may not be the same for you.

That being said, I should mention that I did not like the character of Mariah at the beginning of the book, either. I grew to admire and respect her as she grew in strength and confidence throughout the story.

Either way, let us know what happens. It's so much fun to get differing perspectives on Jodi's books!

Thanks for your input, Bev. Since you didn't like the character early in the book either, but still enjoyed the book, that gives me the motivation to give it another look. Thanks!

I just really want to know why Ian was so hell bent on hiding his brother and why he thouht it wouldd ruin his life if people were to find out?

I just love his character except for him being an atheist. I really liked the way he supported Mariah.
Keeping Faith is truly one of my favourite books.