... I chose ‘Mercy’ because it covers a particularly interesting topical issue…and because it was on sale for 20p at the library! Would this be the novel that convinced me to change my opinion?
The central idea is an engaging one: Jamie MacDonald suffocates his adored wife, Maggie, to release ... Read review
Advantages: Easy to read; topical issues Disadvantages: Slightly clunking style; topical issues not fully explored
...novel is not really the mercy killing itself, but how far beyond accepted social behaviour someone would go for a loved one. If you like well developed characters who act in psychologically convincing ways over a period of time, then I’d look elsewhere. If you’re more interested in reading about clearly sketched characters in a fast moving plot, then you may well enjoy this novel. For me, I think this will be my last foray into Picoult’s writings…until ... more
An increasingly familiar name to anyone who keeps even half an ear on literary matters, Jodi Picoult has published a number of novels that share a familiar format and focus on topical issues. In fact, Picoult is such a popular writer that I often feel I must be missing something when I reflect on my fairly negative feelings about her novels, so I decided to try one more to help me reach a fairer conclusion. I chose ‘Mercy’ because it covers a particularly interesting topical issue…and because it was on sale for 20p at the library! Would this be the novel that convinced me to change my opinion?
The central idea is an engaging one: Jamie MacDonald suffocates his adored wife, Maggie, to release her from a slow, painful death from terminal cancer. Euthanasia is an issue which should grip readers’ interest and ensure that the novel rarely rests between reading sessions. Unfortunately, Jamie (and his story) is overshadowed by the supposed subplot in which a respected man in the community cheats on his rather doormat-like wife. The moral arc of the story is fairly obvious from even this very brief overview. Picoult encourages us to sympathise with Jamie, a broken man who finds that his decision has not led to any relief, and contrast his behaviour with his cousins’. This is such an obvious plot device that it can only add a limited depth to the story. Picoult does not seem to credit her readers with much intelligence and therefore continually feels it necessary to drive home the thematic link through redundant sentences like this: ‘Jamie MacDonald had murdered his wife more gently than Cam had made love to his own’ [after the reader has witnessed both events in the preceding pages].
Cam MacDonald has a loving, devoted wife, but he feels stifled by his ties to the town he was born in, which was founded by his great grandfathers. This is exacerbated by wife Allie’s homely inclinations and fear of travelling. Restless and bored, Cam falls instantly ‘in love’ with newcomer Mia and conducts an increasingly reckless affair. For me, this simply didn’t ring true. I’m not a believer in love-at-first-sight anyway (surely love is based on understanding, respect and appreciation of someone’s personality?) but this was very clearly a case of lust-at-first-sight. Picoult tries to suggest that this is a deep and meaningful relationship through never-fully-substantiated references to a shared past, but the evidence of her narrative speaks for itself. The couple are intensely physically aware of each other from their first meeting, confess their love to each other on approximately their third meeting and can’t make it through a scene together without tearing off each others clothes. If this book had a different cover, I might have mistaken parts of it for a Mills and Boon offering (albeit one of the less graphic ones). If we are to believe that Cam is a good man torn apart by love, then surely his grand love affair needed to have, um, love, as its base?
Speaking of scenes, the book does feel intensely dramatic. Chapters are usually broken up into short ‘episodes’ in which characters reflect or act in bursts of energy and activity, while the reader moves on, soap like, to the next instalment of someone else’s story. Personally, I prefer a style that focuses more on one character and stays with then for the duration of a chapter. Presumably, this switching about is intended to help us feel a personal connection to each character, as we can learn about their family history and therefore deepen our understanding of their motives. Unfortunately, I felt that Picoult was once again showing her lack of trust in me as a reader by drawing me mini-maps of motives and connectivity. It’s a bit like the nursery rhyme, except instead of piggies going to market we have little girls and boys: this little girl was neglected, so she’s looking for love; this little boy feels the weight of the world on his shoulders, so he needs to escape…
Perhaps the most interesting facet of the relationship between Cam and his mistress is that they each reflect what the other has desperately desired, yet if they were to make a life together then neither would be what the other needed. For me, this was perhaps the most interesting idea in the book, suggesting that there are some dreams which can never be realised. Similarly, Jamie realises that his decision to kill his wife could never have had the ending they both imagined. Real life is something harsher, harder, in which compromises have to be made. Ultimately Picoult neither condones nor condemns their choices: she reveals that their choices have their basis in fantasy and tracks the consequences of ignoring reality.
Therefore, although the supposed main storyline is slightly overshadowed by the subplot, the overall topics are explored well: what would you do for someone you love? Are relationships ever equal? Picoult is a little clumsy in the way she draws attention to these issues, but they are certainly issues worth exploring. The pace of the action is quick, despite the sustained reflections of the characters, and the central trial, although left rather late in the novel, is interesting. Unlike in previous novels I had read by this author, Picoult does not dodge the central issue and the outcome is highly revealing of her own position. The conclusion of the relationship between Cam and his wife is slightly less satisfying since, like the development of his relationship with Mia, it seems rather hastily done. Picoult could, ultimately, tell us much less and show us much more to create a much more subtle and credible tale.
So, is it worth reading? If you’re a fan of Picoult, then this is her standard fare and you’re sure to enjoy it. If you’re more interested in the issues surrounding euthanasia, then I’d recommend you look elsewhere, for the focus of this novel is not really the mercy killing itself, but how far beyond accepted social behaviour someone would go for a loved one. If you like well developed characters who act in psychologically convincing ways over a period of time, then I’d look elsewhere. If you’re more interested in reading about clearly sketched characters in a fast moving plot, then you may well enjoy this novel. For me, I think this will be my last foray into Picoult’s writings…until I once again convince myself that there must be more substance than I’ve yet found in such a best-selling author.
Advantages: Reasonable storyline with compelling ideas about morality Disadvantages: Badly structured and unbelievable in parts
*** I've given away a fair amount of plot information in here, so please don't read on, if you'd prefer not to know. I just felt it relevant to my review on this occasion.***
I've heard some good things about Jodi Picoult's stuff. I know a lot of intelligent people who read her work and rave about it and the critics seem to like her too, which is a rare thing these days. So, whilst browsing around the bookstore, I decided it was high time that I ... ...a 2 for 3 offer at Waterstones, so that gave it the thumbs up in my opinion.
First things first: I really wanted to like this book. Although I haven't read any of her other works and can't really pass judgment until I do, I can only hope that my well-read friends were referring to her other works when praising this author. It's not that 'Mercy' is a particularly bad novel. It's just that it's not particularly well-handled and it occasionally feels ...
Tadders 19.03.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mercy - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: A thought provoking topic Disadvantages: Not her best
I love a good book, one that I can really get stuck into and can't put down forget the housework and just escape. I usually don't get the luxury of doing this unless we are on holiday but at the moment I am stuck indoors due to an operation on my foot and am confined to the sofa! So I sent the other half out shopping (culture shock for him!) and asked him to pick me up a book, I was initially a bit worried what he would bring back I had visions of ... ...bought back this one, so did I get stuck into it?
THE AUTHOR
Jodi Picoult was born and raised in Long island in America in what she calls a very happy and uneventful childhood, which to me is quite refreshing. You hear a lot about people who have such trauma in their life and they contribute this to their writing but it is interesting to see how someone who hasn't got that can still write so well and cover a large range of thought provoking topics. ...
lisa8871 09.10.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mercy - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Well developed characters and relationships Disadvantages: none really
I have read one of Jodi Picoult's books before and enjoyed it so while browsing in the library I saw this one and thought I'd give it a go.
The book is based in a small town, Wheelock, in America where many years before a clan had moved over from Scotland and built a replica village. Cameron Macdonald is "head of the clan" and the police chief for the town and he lives with his wife Allie. Jamie MacDonald is a cousin of Cameron's and his wife Maggie ... ...to kill her then they travel to Wheelock to do it and Jamie hands himself in to his cousin.
Cameron sees it as black and white and that Jamie is guilty of murder and he arrests him and sends him for trial. Cameron's wife Allie however can see the grey area, as she loves her husband more than life itself and puts herself in his shoes. For the first time in their marriage she disagrees with Cameron which makes her think does he love her as much as ...
starjen 27.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mercy - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: gripping story Disadvantages: a bit slow to get going
...her storylines and her novel Mercy is no exception. I was a bit worried when I first started reading the book though as I found it quite difficult to get into. I wondered whether I had been spoilt after reading such fantastic novels as Plain Truth or Nineteen Minutes. However, in true Picoult style she slowly reeled me in to the story and after about one hundred pages I was hooked!
Jodi Picoult is not afraid to tackle difficult topics and in Mercy ... ...mercy killing. Jamie McDonald has killed his wife Maggie - but only because she asked him too. She had been suffering from cancer which has been slowly spreading and taking over her body and she had had enough. Because Jamie loved her so much he agreed to do what she asked - reluctantly!
Jamie's cousin is the chief of police in the small town of Wheelock and he has to arrest Jamie. This leads to a rift between him and his wife Allie because she ...
kingfisher111 04.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mercy - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Some good characters Disadvantages: Some bad characters
...is a case of a mercy killing. His wife was riddled with cancer and she was going to die an even more painful death than the life she was trying to live and she had asked Jamie to kill her. Trouble is - where is the proof?
I have read and enjoyed lots of other Picoult books before this one and I was excited to start this, expecting to be lost in the story immediately, however it took me a few days to really get into it and I contemplated giving up ... ...immediate connection with the story.
There is a lot of talk about Scottish clans and Scots vs. English history, and I found this really boring to read about. Some of it was associated with the story, like Cam's family history and how he ended being chief of police in Wheelock and other family background stories were needed as well to help us realise the way the family had been brought up over the generations, however a lot of it left me glazed over ...
wendybull 21.06.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Mercy - Jodi Picoult
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Advantages: Thought provoking, well written. Disadvantages: Not a very happy story.
will have you putting yourself in every characters place, trying to come up with an answer. You will see there is no easy solution.
More info:
Pages: 422
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
The book is available in paperback, hardback and as an e-book.
The paperback version of the book has a RRP of £6.99, which it will probably be in most bookshops, but it can currently be found on Amazon for £3.99, Play.com - £5.49 and cheapest of all Tesco.com at £3.89.
Other titles by JodiPicoult: Plain Truth, Vanishing Acts, The Pact, Mercy, Salem Falls, Second Glance, Keeping Faith, Picture Perfect, Harvesting the Heart, Songs of the Humpback Whale.
For more information about the author and her work check out her website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/ ...
Advantages: Good read, thought provoking Disadvantages: Difficult to get into at the beginning
' as God and starts exhibiting stigmata and healing powers, her mother and several others start to believe that Faith's powers might really exist.
Word gets out of Faith's healing powers, and soon there front lawn is flocked by news crews, in particular Ian Fletcher an influential tv presenter.
When Colin seen the tv coverage of his daughter, he feels that his daughters episodes are caused by her Mother and initiates legal proceddings to have full custody of Faith which tests Mariah strength.
Opinion -
I am a big fan of JodiPicoult having read My Sisters Keeper, Perfect Match, Mercy, amongst others. I love her style of writing and the way the book draws your attention so much that you cant put it down. Her characters are well thought out and you actually feel like you know them.
However on first picking up 'Keeping Faith ...
Cameron MacDonald has spent his life guided by duty. As the police chief of a small Massachusetts town that has been home to generations of his Scottish clan, he is bound to the town's residents by blood and honor. Yet when his cousin Jamie arrives at the police station with the body of his wife and the bald confession that he's killed her, Cam immediately places him under arrest. The situation isn't as clear to Cam's wife, Allie. While she is devoted to her husband, she finds herself siding against Cam, seduced by the picture James paints of a man so in love with a woman that he'd grant all her wishes! even the one that meant taking her life. Into this charged atmosphere drifts Mia, a new assistant at Allie's floral shop, for whom Cam feels an instant and inexplicable attraction. While he aids the prosecution in preparing the case against Jamie, who killed his terminally ill wife out of mercy, Cam finds himself betraying his own wife.
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