#1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult is a born storyteller who “writes with a fine touch, a sharp eye for detail, and a firm grasp of the delicacy and complexity of human relationships” (The Boston Globe). Small Great Things is Picoult at her finest–complete with unflinching insights, richly layered characters, and a page-turning plot with a gripping moral dilemma at its heart.
… dilemma at its heart.
Ruth Jefferson, a labor and delivery nurse, begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is African American, to touch their child. The hospital complies, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone on the ward. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?
Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case, but Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible–especially for her teenaged son. And as the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others–and themselves–might be wrong.
From the Hardcover edition.
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A very important perspective on being black in America.
This book does for the civil rights movement what my novel, The Berkeley Girl, In Paris 1968, tries to do for the anti-Vietnam War movement. But by setting it today, Jodi Picoult reveals that Americans are as embroiled in racism as surely as 50 or 100 years ago. The three main characters – Ruth, a Black nurse who has done everything “right” in her life; Turk, the White Supremacist who accuses her of murdering his newborn son, and Kennedy, the white liberal attorney defending Ruth, all are deeply drawn, and to various extents, sympathetic. You will never look at the situation in the same way, no matter who you are, after reading this book. Also, exciting and a page-turner. Highly recommended for women, only because of the emphasis on and details about Ruth’s life as a labor and delivery nurse.
Very thought provoking. It’s easy to thing racial issues in the news are exaggerated and the exception. Never really considered the impact on small things we take for granted.
This was a really hard boom to read but good.
I think this book gave a pretty good depiction of racism – but then I’m not really one to judge that, as a privileged white person. It opened my eyes to a lot of things I take for granted, that black people aren’t entitled to.
Jodi Picoult isn’t afraid to face difficult topics and bring them to light in stories that help me understand different points of view.
This could happen to anyone! It is a great read, great discussion book for a book club group. Well worth the time and energy .
The author did her research and was able to accurately portray her three very different main characters. Everyone should read this book.
Do you believe that you aren’t prejudiced? This book will make you really reconsider whether, while having good intentions, you just might have more prejudices than you ever realized. Jodi Piccoult continues to take events in the news, in this case white supremacists, and weave an enthralling story. Her characters are completely believable and her story is paced to keep you reading.
Challenging and excellent.
Loved everything about this book!
She did it again. Jodi always makes me think. At times she pushes my comfort level. There are times I have to reread parts because too much is going on and I just need to read fast to make sure everyone is okay. Great book but it will make you think and maybe change how you think and what you do.
Very thought provoking
this book touched on real life issues. couldn’t put it down. the ending had a great twist! haven’t read a book by Jodi Picoult that wasn’t an eye opener and/or inspiring!!
This is on the short list of becoming a new favorite book. Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors and she’s no stranger to tough topics, but the rawness of this book helped make it so great. A conversation about racism was approached in an uncomfortable, but careful way. The multiple character structure for this book was helpful in understanding the nuances of the character’s life experiences and the plot.
TRIGGER WARNING: Due to the inclusion of a neo-nazi character, there are several racial slurs that are used and scenes where violent acts towards minorities are described. One of the POVs is this character and these chapters were not easy to get through, though they added so much to the strength of the story but highlighting the stark contrast between the three characters. Also prompts to Picoult for making you hate and sympathize with this character (not a spoiler, he loses his baby pretty earlier on and his POV chapters included his grief, hence the sympathy part).
Love ALL her books but I really liked this one. The story was exceptionally interesting and you never know where this author is going to take you. Highly recommend it!
Jodi does an amazingly wonderful job if brining the characters to life and allowing you to really imagine living their life.
This book was fabulous, haunting and so serious – a serious subject written beautifully. I would recommend everyone to read this stunning read.
Really brings to light the racial biases in this country from a different perspective.
Outstanding book, great read
Enlightening! Great!