I'm a huge fan of Jodi Picoult. One of my favorite books is "My Sister's Keeper." I once covered an event she was reading at and stood a foot away from her - don't ask me why I didn't go and introduce myself...I suppose I was a little shy.
I have, however, been disappointed by some of her most recent books including "Nineteen Minutes" and "Change of Heart." Sometimes, specifically in "Change of Heart," Picoult delves into a particular issue or moral dilemma a little too deeply - leaving her characters and the readers on the sidelines.
"Handle with Care" reminded me of "My Sister's Keeper" in many ways - only infinitely more sad. Like "My Sister's Keeper" the story was very character driven, while including a medical problem and a moral quest.
The moral question in this book was centered around a "wrongful birth" law suit. The plantiff, Charlotte O'Keefe, sued her OBGYN, who also happened to be her best friend, for not diagnosing her daughter Willow's "brittle bone" disease at her 18 week sonogram. The crux of the lawsuit being if she had known about the genetic defect early on, she may have chosen to abort the fetus.
What I liked about this book was that it was character driven - and not only about the moral issue. I didn't want to put the book down, even when I found myself getting into a funk because it is really the saddest story.
And with all that sadness, you'd think there may be a happy ending coming. And you'd be wrong. I won't tell you what happens - I'll just tell you to be prepared with a box of tissues or something to throw at the wall when you're done.
I don't know where this book rates on my scale...I'm still mulling it over. I know many people were unhappy with the ending of "My Sister's Keeper." I, however, wasn't one of them. I thought that the way "My Sister's Keeper" ended was the only way it could end. I don't know if I feel the same way about "Handle with Care." I guess I'll get back to you.
On to the next book...
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