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October 12, 2009
Shelmi Liang
by Shelmi Liang
A compelling tale of a mother’s tragic loss and a man’s chance to gain redemption, Jodi Picoult’s novel, Change of Heart, captures the readers’ heartstrings with every chapter. As in Picoult’s other novels, My Sister’s Keeper and Nineteen Minutes, Picoult presses her readers to consider interesting and sometimes controversial topics with well-researched arguments. The novel explores religion, the death penalty and biology. Although the book incorporates various heavy topics, Picoult tells the story in an enriching way that touches readers.
The main focus is on Shay Bourne, a convicted murderer on death row. He wishes to donate his heart to the step-sister of one of his victims, Claire Nealon, who was born with heart disease and is looking for a transplant. Bourne believes that this is the only way to redeem himself. But with lethal injection as his form of execution, this is medically impossible. The issues that follow are virtually as abundant as the books Picoult has written: Bourne performs so-called “miracles” and is believed by some to be a messiah; Bourne’s lawyer, Maggie, has to find a way for Bourne to donate his heart; Father Michael, a priest and Bourne’s spiritual advisor, begins to discover old gospels and doubt the establishment of his religion; and June Nealon and Claire Nealon refuse the heart of the man who destroyed their family.
Although many of the topics in this novel can be considered controversial, Picoult doesn’t regard them in such a manner. More willingly, she leaves the final judgment to the readers and merely gives them a good basis to produce an opinion. Change of Heart looks at the essential elements of religions, not just Catholicism, but every belief. Her arguments are based on facts, but she presents them in a way that is both education and entertaining.
Change of Heartalso examines the death penalty in America and shows the reader a first-hand account of a prisoner waiting patiently to die. The plot is intricate, sometimes too mind-boggling and coincidental, but the characters are realistic, particularly since each chapter is told by a different narrator and opens a door into a specific character’s life. The story mostly follows Maggie and Michael, especially at the end. I wanted to hear Shay’s voice rather than have the story be retold through these characters, but I guess that was the point: to build anticipation and mystery around his character.
If you are a fan of Picoult’s previous works or are in need of a riveting novel for READ period, Change of Heart won’t be a disappointment. Verdict: B+
