Product Description

"A major decision about me is being made, and no one's bothered to ask the one person who most deserves it to speak her opinion." The only reason Anna was born was to donate her cord blood cells to her older sister. And though Anna is not sick, she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since she was a child. Anna was born for this purpose, her parents tell her, which is why they love her even more. But now that she has reached an age of physical awareness, she can't help but long for control over her own body and respite from the constant flow of her own blood seeping into her sister's veins. And so she makes a decision that for most would be too difficult to bear, at any time and at any age. She decides to sue her parents for the rights to her own body.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2543 in Books
• Published on: 2005-01-10
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

Review
'Picoult ably explores a complex subject with bravado and clarity, and comes up with a heart-wrenching, unexpected plot twist at the book's conclusion. ' -- Publishers Weekly 'This beautifully crafted novel will grab readers with its stunning topic ... the tightly woven tale seamlessly bounces from past to present ... Picoult's style borders on the poetic' -- People Magazine 'The difficult choices a family must make when a child is diagnosed with a serious disease are explored with pathos and understanding in this 11th novel by Picoult (Second Glance, etc.). The author, who has taken on such controversial subjects as euthanasia (Mercy), teen suicide (The Pact) and sterilization laws (Second Glance), turns her gaze on genetic planning, the prospect of creating babies for health purposes and the ethical and moral fallout that results ...Picoult ably explores a complex subject with bravado and clarity, and comes up with a heart-wrenching, unexpected plot twist at the book's conclusion.' -- Publishers Weekly '*Starred Review* Expect to be kept up all night by Picoult's latest novel, but it's much more than a page-turner; it's a fascinating character study framed by a complex, gripping story. Thirteen-year-old Anna Fitzgerald walks into the office of lawyer Campbell Alexander and announces she wants to sue her parents for the rights to her own body. Anna was conceived after her older sister, Kate, developed a rare form of leukemia at the age of two, and has donated bone marrow and blood to her sister. Now she has been asked to donate a kidney, and she intends to refuse. Campbell is a jaded young man who nevertheless decides to take her case pro bono. Anna's parents are shocked when they learn of her lawsuit, and her mother, a former civil defense attorney, decides to represent them. Anna refuses to budge on her position despite the fact that she clearly loves her sister and longs for her family's happiness. As the gripping court case builds, the story takes a shocking turn. Told in alternating perspectives by the engaging, fascinating cast of characters, Picoult's novel grabs the reader from the first page and never lets go. This is a beautiful, heartbreaking, controversial, and honest book.' -- Booklist 'It will make you smile and will definitely make you cry. There are secondary love stories and flawed heroes along the way in this page turning unusual book.' -- Biggleswade Chronicle 'This astonishing novel is beautifully and thoughtfully written and focuses on difficult moral choices' -- Good Housekeeping 'She is quite a find, in Anita Shreve territory, an author tackling gritty problems ... So watch out, she's well worth supporting' -- Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller 'This beautifully crafted novel will grab readers with its stunning topic ' -- People Magazine 'Expect to be kept up all night by Picoult's latest novel, but it's much more than a page-turner; it's a fascinating character study framed by a complex, gripping story... ' -- Booklist

People Magazine
'This beautifully crafted novel will grab readers with its stunning topic '

Publishers Weekly
'Picoult ably explores a complex subject with bravado and clarity'

Customer Reviews

Great Read
This book was quite unlike anything else I have read, it is completely gripping and had me close to tears on more than one occasion. The style of writing is brill each chapter is the perspective of a different character. Definitely recommend to anyone.

An emotional tale well told....
My first Jodi Picoult - having just finished this book and am hungry for more reading experiences like it! A tear-jerker with a surprising finale. Its well written and is hard to put down as each page makes you want to find out more - you feel that you really get to know all the characters as the story unfolds. A serious emotional journey with the odd splash of humour to bring it all to life. Highly recommended!

great concept, boring writing
A great idea and thought provoking story. However, I found the style quite laboured and I wasn't engaged in the story as so much of what was there was repetetive and obvious.