My Sister's Keeper

In recent history, never have I read a book so fast. This amazing novel by Jodi Picoult, which put her on the literary map (for most people), follows the story of a thirteen year old girl named Anna whose reason for being born was to provide her older sister Kate with the cells, marrow and organs to keep her sister alive and hopefully cured of a rare form of leukemia. Instead of continuing to be a constant donor for her sister, Anna decides to take a stand and sue her parents for medical emancipation so she can make decisions for her own body, even if they are the same decisions her parents would have chosen. I loved the characterization of the sisters' relationship, even when it means for one to live, the other has to suffer and perhaps even die.

I hate to be so banal and say the writing was wonderful, but there just aren't any better words for it. It was wonderful, incredible, unbelievable. It was certainly the best book I have read all year. The ending was tremendous, and left me a river of tears even after I finished reading. Picoult's writing left me wanting more, and I'm sad I finished it so quickly. I have read reviews of Picoult's other works, and as is her habit, she illuminates tough ethical questions. While reading this book, I couldn't figure out what I would do in this situation. As a parent, you would do anything to save your children, but I guess there are even limits on that. I can't blame Anna and Kate's parents for simply trying to keep their family together the only way they knew how.

A thought-challenging, stimulating read that kept me turning the pages.

K