I can always trust Jodi Picoult to provide me with a reading experience that is going to push the boundaries of what I think I know about a certain topic. In this case, I found myself grappling with the complexities of the death penalty and what I thought I knew. Change of Heart follows four characters: June, whose daughter and husband were brutally murdered by Shay. Michael is on the jury that sentences Shay to the death penalty but comes back to the story 10 years later as the religious figure guiding Shay through his last few days. Lucius is another person on death row, experiencing the magical things Shay does in his final days. Maggie, raised Jewish, takes on Shay’s case, trying to work through the legal system in the final months leading up to his sentencing. Making everything infinitely more complicated is the fact that June’s youngest daughter needs a heart transplant and Shay is convinced his is the only heart that can truly save Claire.

Things I Liked:
-As with all of Picoult’s books, the various perspectives allow for the topic to be covered from virtually every angle. There are layers upon layers of complications to uncover and work through. I always appreciate that all angles are covered in Picoult’s books, not just the side I deem to be the “correct” one. That’s the cool thing about books: we can see things from another’s perspective without having the very real feelings that are associated with talking with people in real life.
-I liked seeing Michael’s character arc from the young juror to the religious figure who is helping guide Shay in his last bit of time before he was sentenced. There is so much that contributed to Michael’s choice to join formal religion and I am so glad this transition was explored throughout the book.
-While I didn’t like all of the aspects of this book, I did really appreciate the conversation (and consequently, thought process) about the legality of a death row patient donating their organs to help other people. Should that be allowed? Does it matter who their organs go to? What fascinating questions to explore beyond the obvious debate about the death penalty.

Things I Didn’t Like:
-I’m not the first one to say this, but there are some MAJOR The Green Mile vibes coming from this book. Did Picoult steal King’s ideas? I don’t know but it didn’t feel original. I felt icky reading this book and knowing I had read something quite similar when it came to Lucius’ story.
-I saw the “twist” coming from a mile away, especially taking into consideration what I knew about The Green Mile.
-I HATED the epilogue. The epilogue ruined any good feelings I had towards this book. Absolute garbage and not needed in a book like this.
-I probably would have only rated this book one star, but my respect for Jodi Picoult and her work toward fighting book bans prevented me from giving this book only one star.

https://banerjeesuchismita17.medium.com/book-review-4-change-of-heart-by-jodi-picoult-5d6c4064d9a3

 Jodi Picoult is known for her enthralling novels. The kind captivates readers with characters trudging through the dilemma. Her works have always enlightened her readers about various overlooking topics. 

 

‘Change of Heart’ is a captivating story about loss, guilt, justice & redemption. It is particularly a story that gives us an insight into death row inmates, & the poor justice system. 

 This book will take you around on an emotional roller coaster & will keep you thought-provoked till the end. 

...

 

SYNOPSIS - 

 

‘The beginning of the end’, that’s what it was for June when she hired Shay Bourne. 

 

June found her happiness after her life went down the cracks when her husband passed away in an accident. She has a daughter, Elizabeth to raise on her own. Like a miracle, Kurt came into their life. Kurt Nealon, the police officer who gave June another chance at love & her daughter got a father again. Their family was complete with the arrival of the baby, & they couldn’t be happier. 

 

The family decided to hire a carpenter to build a baby nursery, and that’s when Shay entered their life. 

 

"They say God won’t give you any more than you can handle, but that begs a more important question: why would God let you suffer in the first place?” 

 

June was left devasted when she came back to see her home turned into a crime scene. As she found her husband & daughter lying lifeless. She was shattered by the fact that her baby will never be able to meet her father & sister ever. She wanted nothing more than to see Shay dying. To see the man – dead who crumpled her loving family. 

 

The whole of New Hampshire was jolted by its first death sentence in decades. Shay was found guilty of the murder of Kurt & Elizabeth Nealon. June was relieved but it couldn’t lessen her pain of the loss even for a bit. 

 

… 

 

But it wasn’t over for June when her younger daughter was hospitalized. Claire has a weak heart & needs a transplant. She realized Claire doesn’t have much time on her hands. She can’t lose Claire; she’s all June has. 

 

“Life has a way of pointing out, with great sweeping signs, that you are looking at the wrong things, doesn’t it?” 

 

After eleven years of being on death row, Shay wants to let go. He never had a smooth life. He was in & out of the foster system, & went to juvenile jail once for lighting his foster home into a fire. 

 

Shay was ready for his end, as it was near. But when he saw the news about a little girl needing a heart transplant, something moved in him. The girl whose father & sister he had killed cold-bloodedly. Shay found profound meaning in his life. He knew he had to save Claire. It was his last chance at redemption! 

But will he be allowed to do so? Will June help him in his salvation? Will Claire accept the heart of a killer? 

 

“I remembered something else that makes us human: faith, the only weapon in our arsenal to battle about.” 

… 

 

My Thoughts? 

 

I have to say that this book is definitely an underrated one. It was kind of a challenge for me as I don’t usually go for realistic crime fiction as my usual reads. But I am amazed at how much I loved it. Picoult writes like butter. Once you get the hang of the story, you could just go on. 

 

But it was a slow-paced read for me. Usually because of how descriptive every aspect of the plot was. Some areas I felt were a little dragged & I was overwhelmed with details. That’s the only reason why I am not giving it 5 stars. 

 

I feel the characters in this book are so versatile, each having a fascinating background. Each chapter was written in a different character’s context. There are six characters – June, Shay, Claire, Michael, Lucius & Maggie. Every character has insecurity to deal with. 

 

This book also delivers a great message on spirituality, of how one sees & practices it. It breaks the stereotype of people blindingly worshipping religion. 

 

I consistently appreciate a story written through diverse aspects. This way the reader becomes transparent with the character’s thoughts & feelings. The reader feels what the characters have been through. 

 

Another thing that I liked about Picoult’s writing is that the story takes a turn when you least expect it. When I was halfway through, I thought that the originating storyline was what we will see to advance into. Later, I was met with scenarios I didn’t see coming. 

 

… 

 

To whom would I recommend this book? 

 

I am overjoyed to stumble upon this book. It took me out of my comfort zone, & I surprised myself to have loved the book this much. 

 

It was an emotional read for me throughout. The story might deeply impact you if you are sentimental like me. But it is upon you to perceive the goodness of the characters over their damaged part. 

 

I had a sense of realization while reading this book. As a reader, I dive into the fictional world to escape reality. To comprehend that fiction comes from a part of reality is a lot to take in. To know that all the good & bad part is happening somewhere in this world to unknown people. 

 

“There’s always going to be bad stuff out there. But here’s the amazing thing – light trumps darkness, every time. You stick a candle into the dark, but you can’t stick the dark into the light.” 

 

Readers who want fiction that will let you stimulate against the story -should go for this book. A story that will allow you to think & let you question your beliefs. 

 

That’s when an author succeeds to entrap the reader inside the story.