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Summary: Jodi Picoult is fast becoming my favorite author
Review: Although I'm usually a natural history and science fiction buff, I stumbled upon one of Jodi Picoult's other books, The Pact, and as soon as I finished that one, I knew I needed more from this author. I'm impressed with her ability to build characterizations, to use English in an entertaining, engrossing manner, and her story-telling gift matches that of the masters. This is NOT a light romance novel as suggested by other reviewers (I'd never have finished it if that were the case), but has a depth, a flow and a magic that grabs you. I was not able to put this book down until I finished! AND, I am NOT easily impressed by new authors! Try it!
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Summary: Speaks to young mothers everywhere!
Review: As a young mother married to a man in his fourth year of medical school I could have sworn this book was based party on my life. This book describes perfectly the emotions and thoughts that young mothers experience with their newborns. Ms. Picoult also perfectly captures how it feels to be married to a doctor at the start of their career. I read this book in one delicious gulp.
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Summary: The heart is multifaceted.
Review: As we find out in this superb story by Picoult. Just when I think I have read my favorite book by this author, I read another and am forced to re-evaluate. Paige is looking for something that will help her realize that she is not going to relive the mistakes of her mother's past. Nicholas is wrapped up in his career as a cardiothoracic surgeon, and on the track to success when Paige simply checks out of their lives leaving him with their newborn son. Picoult writes with grace and tenderness pulling you into the story, making it impossible to put down. Her characters are positively luminous. Your heart will break for them and this will be one book that you will never forget. Kelsana 12/02/01
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Summary: Another enjoyable book by Jodi Picoult
Review: HARVESTING THE HEART by Jodi Picoult
November 13, 2004
Jodi Picoult loves to write about people who have problems that do not fit the average person. Often times she writes about people that would be found on the front page of a newspaper, such as THE PACT, or MY SISTER'S KEEPER. In HARVESTING THE HEART, one of her earlier novels, the main character is a woman who feels she is not worthy of the life she leads, and is afraid that she is just like her mother, who abandoned daughter and husband to start a new life. Paige feels she is following in her mother's footsteps.
The book's opening chapter places Paige outside the home that she shares with her husband and baby, and she is obviously not allowed inside. In the narrative, she describes her baby infant, Max, and her husband Nicholas. She also describes a drawing that she's just created. The drawing is of herself with her son Max, but the discerning eye will see that in the center of the drawing she depicts her mother running away, taking with her the child that Paige did not have. The reader is left in the dark as to why she's outside, who this other child is, and what her mother has to do with all this. For me, it was a great way to pull me into the story. It had me wanting to learn about Paige and the life she's had so far, from her early childhood and memories of her mother, to her meeting of her husband Nicholas up to her present life. The big mystery at the beginning of the novel is "why is Paige living outside?"
Paige and Nicholas come together as a pair of potentially star-crossed lovers, since both are from totally different worlds. Paige's life and family would never have crossed paths with the upper class world that Nicholas belonged to, yet somehow the two fall in love and marry.
I felt HARVESTING THE HEART was two stories in one. One is the story of Paige and her search for her mother and how her mother's disappearance affected her life. The other is the story of a woman and her relationship with her husband, trying to fit into his world as if she belonged. The two themes come together as one novel, explaining how Paige evolved into the person she becomes by the end of the book, and by then the reader will understand what makes Paige tick and why she did some of the questionable things that she did. Paige may come across as a very mentally unstable woman, but Picoult manages to create a character that one can somehow empathize with, or at least understand. As always, Picoult writes a book that has an ending that will make the reader think and ponder, and as always, this book by Jodi Picoult did not fail to keep me interested until the very end. This is yet another book by this author that I recommend.
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Summary: Another gem from Jodi Picoult
Review: Harvesting the Heart is a beautiful novel on so many levels. The title itself refers not only to the main character Paige, who must discover her past to begin to live her future but also to her husband Nicholas who is a heart surgeon and who must also learn to love. This book really touched my heart so much so that I could not put it down. The story begins in the present and travels back to the past for both Paige and Nicholas. Paige's mother left her and her father when Paige was very young and it has continually plagued her and eventually catches up to her as she runs away from her father right after high school. Paige's leaves Boston and ends up as a waitress in Cambridge where she meets Nicholas, her opposite in every way, on her first day. Nicholas is well bred, wealthy, handsome and so sure of himself in everything he does that Paige can not help but fall in love with him and he with her because she can see wonder in everything around her. Paige draws portraits of people, hidden within the folds of their hair, skin or clothing are their deepest secrets or desires - this is another thing that draws Nicholas in. But can their marriage survive? Can Paige survive? Nicholas's parents are against their marriage, Paige must give up everything to help Nicholas through medical school and then she gets pregnant. This pregnancy, like the title of the book, is the mirror image of an abortion she had in high school. It also brings up her fears about motherhood and reminds Paige of her mother. Paige must learn about and accept her past if she hopes to live her future but can Nicholas learn to accept Paige? This book flowed from page to page, with beautiful and moving descriptions of Paige's drawings, May's ranch, Nicholas's life at the hospital and their lives together. All in all - the only thing I didn't like about the book is that there is no sequel! Hurrah for Jodi Picoult - an imaginative and wonderful storyteller that will touch your life.
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Summary: Harvesting the Heart speaks to my heart!
Review: Harvesting the Heart is the third book I have read by Jodi Piquolt. Each time, I am amazed by her sense of reality. She often addreses the simple truths which so many people are afraid to speak. Harvesting the Heart is no exception. The main character, Paige, has a little peice of all of us in her. With amazing clarity, we watch and relate as Paige faces the difficulties and triumphs in her life. This book is not to be missed! I am so sad I finished it....When is the next book due out by Jodi Piqoult??
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Summary: Absolutely perfect
Review: Harvesting the Heat is a fantastic book by a fantastic writer. The story is a simple one; 18 year old page flees her hometown after an abortion leaving behind the Irish Catholic father who raised her alone and her beloved boyfriend. She quickly finds a job and makes friends in another city and even manages to fall in love with and marry Nicholas Prescott, a well bred high society medical student. When Paige becomes pregnant with Nicholas' child she begins to panic. When the baby is born and she does not innately know how to care for him she panics further. One day she leaves her husband and child to go to the grocery and just keeps driving. Her journey takes her back to her hometown, her father and Jake her first love. Eventually she tracks down the mother who abandoned her 20 years before. The two get reaquainted and Paige learns enough about herself to know she does not want to abandon her husband and child the way her mother does. The rest of the book is about her fight to get back her husband and child with help from some very unexpected sources. It was a touching and beautiful story. Several times while reading this book I had to brush away tears. I have given great praise to the other books Ms. Picoult has written, but now this is by far my favorite and would make a wonderful introduction to those who have not read any of her other works. I do think I need to include a special note to the squeamish like me. The character of Nicholas is a heart surgeon. There are three or four heart operations GREATLY detailed in this book. The descriptions are GRAPHIC. I was absolutley shocked when I came across the first one, and then learned to skip those parts in the subsequent operations. Other than that, it was a perfect read.
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Summary: Another triumph for Picoult...
Review: I had initially read "The Pact", given to me by a friend, and absolutely loved the work of Jodi Picoult. I ordered "Harvesting the Heart", and read in less than two days. Another "could-not- put-it-down-until-I-knew-the- ending" type of book. The characters are real and believable, and you could picture them living next door to you. I, personally, am not a mother (yet!), but reading this book gave me insight into motherhood, marriage and love...and what they truly entail. The story of Paige and Nicholas is truth in fiction. And as with "The Pact", I did not want this book to end, but to continue on to see exactly what happens in the lives of these people who are dealing with emotions that many readers can connect with. A moving story of, simply, life...and definitely worth reading.
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Summary: Another triumph for Picoult...
Review: I had initially read "The Pact", given to me by a friend, and absolutely loved the work of Jodi Picoult. I ordered "Harvesting the Heart", and read in less than two days. Another "could-not- put-it-down-until-I-knew-the- ending" type of book. The characters are real and believable, and you could picture them living next door to you. I, personally, am not a mother (yet!), but reading this book gave me insight into motherhood, marriage and love...and what they truly entail. The story of Paige and Nicholas is truth in fiction. And as with "The Pact", I did not want this book to end, but to continue on to see exactly what happens in the lives of these people who are dealing with emotions that many readers can connect with. A moving story of, simply, life...and definitely worth reading.
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Summary: I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan.
Review: I have now read three novels by Jodi Picoult and have loved every one. This is a good book about relationships, motherhood and the choices we make. The book centers around Paige and Nicholas Prescott. Paige is a co-dependent mother who has recently given birth to a son, but who seriously doubts her abilities as a parent. So, she leaves her son with his father for a time and goes off in search of answers about herself, her mother and her life. As we as the reader travel with Paige throughout this journey of self discovery, we find out that Paige is indeed a strong woman in her own right. Nicholas Prescott is a Cardiologist at the top of his game, he is very stoic however and has a bit of a God complex. He goes through a transformation of his own and soon we are able to get a glimpse at what at his good qualities as well and also see what agood father he is. This is a good book to curl up with on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Ms. Picoult is a masterful writer who gets the reader involved in the lives of her characters and really makes you care about them. More than once since finishing this book, I have wondered how Nicholas and Paige are doing.
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