Puthagam Club discussion
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult is now open for discussion. Please let me know how you liked the read. Let's keep it freewheeling and open. I'll add my review as we go along. It's okay if you haven't read it yet. Just jump in anyway. Thank you.
posted by ammani at
8:01 AM
8 Comments:
Hi guys,
The family emotions, especially that of Anna made me stick on to the book; although I did not want to finish the book.
Anna was a nice character created by Jodi, but I wondered why her (Anna's) parents created her - to help her sister? - I found that harsh. I know how close sisters are, but I think what was done to Anna was quite invasive and needs proper ethics in bringing up such children.
Sara was a nice loving mother, but unfortunately she has to devote most of her time to Kate, the suffering kid.
A lot of things must go into producing an exact genetical match of another person; starting from financial help, insurance claims, looking after the other kids in the family and most importantly taking care of the psychology of the kids involved. Jodi Picoult has rightly come up with this book to open up a stage for discussion which would help handle these kind of situations better.
One of the things that I felt was necessary was to open up a medical file for Anna too - I think this must be made for donors too, especially for minors because it is a fact that they are medically treated.
Secondly, in any country the medical ethics committee must be strenthened from time to time to be able to address the cases - as medicine progresses, new things do crop up and there is a need of more analysis and work with each case.
Jesse was quite a kid who lacked parental attention, which would be worthwhile to address.
Lastly, if I were Sara, I would pray God to make me strong and be able to find all possible things for my suffering kid and find a right solution; make my husband be with me and put in the time and energy to run the family.
The ending was sad, but as I said I did not really want to finish the book - 'cos the issues were already put forth nicely by the author in front of us and what happened in the end did not make any difference to me.
It was a terrific book. Thanks Ammani for putting this up in the club and inviting me to discuss about it.
By
Lavanya, at 3:06 PM
Just got the book. I will comment once i am done with it
By
totti, at 3:05 PM
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By
Speech is Golden, at 12:08 AM
Firstly I am eternally indebted to Ammani for starting this Book Club and suggesting 'My Sisters Keeper'.
It is beyond my powers of imagination to visualise how I would react if I were Sara. Would I hold-on to Kate? Would I demand a Kidney of Anna? Would I even be able to decide with my heads firm on my shoulders? Even if I did, is there a 'correct' decision at all? Would I neglect Jesse? Give up on him.
I encountered a not very different situation when one of my friends' younger sister had congenital heart problem and had to be rushed to the hospital often. My friend felt unloved and he coped with the situation by falling sick (he had Asthma) just as frequently as his sister. He was later diagnosed of psychogenic illness (to attract attention) by a psychiatrist and after some counselling he is now fine, but yes! neglect causes much disturbance in the impressionable mind of children.
As Lavanya pointed, there was perhaps no need for the particular climax after having put forward all that needs to be said on the issues of organ donation but I should say that the twist rent my heart. I have lost my sister in a freak motor accident. I would know; I could relate. I have sat for days wondering, wishing that there was something I could do, something; anything I could give, to just get one more day with my sister. So, personally I treasure the denouement. I am surprised though that Campbell (he was driving the BMW) did not feel guilty (perhaps he did... we didn't exactly go to his life after the accident) and nobody in Anna's family seemed to blame him.
As Ammani rightly and succintly wrote in QT 55, for me, as a contender of the most-read crown, it was more important to read, an obsession, a compulsion. What was learnt mattered less. Not anymore. I can't even articulate what I learnt from 'My Sisters Keeper', from Anna and her fight to decide for herself, from Sara and her infinite love and determination, from Brian and his decisions, his support, from Jesse, from Kate, from Julia, from Campbell. Perhaps it is love. Sara's love for her children though more pronounced to Kate, the love and easy companionship of the sisters,Kate and Anna, Campbell's love for Julia and hers for him, Jesse's yearning for love and a love for life that is present throughout. I am sure. The lesson to learn is 'Love'.
By
Speech is Golden, at 12:09 AM
Hi Karthik (Speech is Golden),
I am sorry about your loss of your sister.
I also felt wierd when Jodi talked about Campbell's interaction after the accident. She could have left it alone :)
By
Lavanya, at 3:36 PM
I guess Jodi had no choice but to bring him into the picture in the hospital. Later though Campbell needn't have been mentioned but for informing readers that he married Julia.
Ammani, Lavanya, Thanks for the sympathies. I appreciate it.
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Speech is Golden, at 5:56 PM
Dear All!
It may be of interest to read Jodi Picoult's own comments/views on the book.
http://www.jodipicoult.com/sister_talk.html
Personally, I like the way she has dealt with the book and her characters. I admire her work so much that I intend to start on some other book of Picoult. Any suggestions?
Meanwhile, Ammani I am waiting for the next recommend of the club.
By
Speech is Golden, at 7:31 PM
Finally, i finished My Sister's keeper this sunday. A nicely written tragic book. I liked the narrative style and the way she has treated the subject in a delicate, just fashion. Some questions in life, there is just no right answer.You still make decisions based on what you think is right.So true. Your only hope is that your action don't hurt others and especially the ones you love and care.
Each chapter begins with a nicely laid out little story. I like the way, how she slowly meanders this story stream and then you find yourself suddenly in the main stream.Though, the story had a good non-linear narrative style, i did'nt find it hard to put down the various parts together. It was truly a great reading experience.
I will leave my comments on the next book, once i am done with it.Will be great to hear some views
By
totti, at 2:05 PM
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