Saturday, February 16, 2013

Review of Change of Heart by Jodi Picoult

“America’s the only first world country that still uses capital punishment,” Ms. Picoult exclaims on her website and repeats in this powerful book. Exploring the death penalty, religion, and spirituality, she tells a story constantly questioning and always pushing at the boundaries of our beliefs. 

Shay (Isaiah M.) Bourne, New Hampshire’s first death row prisoner in 69 years, is the impetus for these questions. In his trial, he is represented by a charlatan and is sentenced to death. While in prison, he heals the sick, turns water into wine, and speaks with a prophetic grace.

Father Michael Wright answers the call for spiritual help. But Father Michael has a secret that affects his ministry to Shay--a secret tormenting the Father and begging to be told. In the end, he wonders who is ministering to whom.

Maggie Bloom is a lawyer for the ACLU. Her causes are those of the hopeless. When she learns of Shay’s request to donate his heart to the victim’s family, she takes on the challenge of changing the death venue to make that possible. After all, everyone deserves to practice their own religion, don’t they?

June Nealon is torn apart by the events that have shaped her life. Her first husband was killed in a vehicle accident, though her daughter, Elizabeth, was spared. Then, after she married again, her new husband, Kurt, and Elizabeth were killed. Tormenting her is the fact that she hired the accused killer, Shay, to change their spare bedroom into a nursery for the baby inside her.

Claire Nealon is ten years old now. She has lived with heart disease most of her life, but her heart is giving out. There is the possibility of a heart donor. . .


Ms. Picoult delves deep into the bowels of the prison system and what we consider justice. She takes the basic concepts of our beliefs and lays them on the table to be dissected and explored. Forever a master of words, Ms. Picoult weaves the title in and out of the story so seamlessly, you find yourself reviewing the book to discover all the ways you can have . . . a change of heart.

Review of The Lion by Nelson DeMille

Nelson DeMille is a funny guy. Not overtly, but rolling-your-eyes funny. The kind of guy you would have liked to hang out with in high school. Always a chuckle, but with a sparkle of intelligence gleaming in his eyes.

    In The Lion, DeMille shows us in Micky-Spillane fashion.  John Corey and his wife, Kate Mayfield, are members of a joint task force of FBI agents and retired New York cops.  Kate is FBI; John, a retired cop. Together, they lead us into a world of daring-do.

    Taking a break from the stresses of work, they go skydiving. Kahlil Asad, the Lion, shows up to exact revenge for past grievances - midair. During a tandem jump, Kahlil attaches himself to Kate and, in a grand show of retribution, slices her throat in full view of a helpless John. Kahlil promises he will soon be back for John and leaves him to deal with his dying wife.

    In this lion and tiger dance, each has surprises for the other on their way to the endgame.

    DeMille’s writing is sharp, witty, and clever. Each of his characters have personalities that explode in color, framing a picture for the reader. His plot moves at a consistent pace, drawing the reader deeper into the story.

    DeMille further adds interest to his characters by donating the names of philanthropic friends to the cast in exchange for a hefty donation to the charity of their choice.

    DeMille is succinct in his words. I was surprised that I had read the last line, indeed, the last page, for when I flipped it over, I found the acknowledgements.

    Guess I’ll just have to read his next book!