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Change of Heart | 
 enlarge | Author: Jodi Picoult
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Category: Book
List Price: £16.99
Buy New: £6.33
You Save: £10.66 (63%)
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Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 623
Media: Hardcover
Edition: HB
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.8
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6.2 x 1.7
ISBN: 0340935812
EAN: 9780340935811
ASIN: 0340935812
Publication Date: April 17, 2008
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 7 more reviews...
Wow! JP is not afraid of tackling heavyweight issues. June 9, 2008
Lizbet (Milton Keynes)
This book has a religious theme. The plot revolves around Shay, a prisoner on death row. As he nears his execution date, he decides that he would like to donate his heart. The problem is that death by lethal injection would render his heart unusable. The other major problem is that he wants to give it to the young daughter of the woman whose husband and child he murdered! This girl, Claire, is seriously ill. Does Shay succeed in his quest? Does Claire live? Is Shay even guilty? You'll have to read the book to find out. There is much debate upon religion (various are discussed) and the law, there is some romance, and parent-child relationships are explored. There is some suggestion that Shay is actually Jesus Christ . . . Make of that what you will. The characterisation is excellent. The story is gripping, though it no doubt sounds grim reading. I was a bit dubious about reading it myself initially, but I am a JP fan so I thought I'd give it a go. And I'm glad I did.
"Would you give up your vengeance against someone you hate if it meant saving someone you love?" May 18, 2008
Brida (Worcs)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is about the fourth book by Picoult that I have read, the first being MY SISTER'S KEEPER. Although I loved MY SISTER'S KEEPER, a couple of her others fell a little flat with me, so I was not sure whether I would enjoy CHANGE OF HEART or not. Now that I have finished it, whilst I cannot say that it is one of the best books that I have read, it is certainly one which makes you think.
The story follows Shay Bourne, a young man who is on death row. The crime that got him there is the double murder of a police man and his step-daughter. June Nealon, the wife and mother who has her life ripped apart by Shay's action is pregnant at the time of their deaths; she has a little girl called Claire.
While Shay is on death row, he sees on T.V that Claire needs a heart transplant. In this instance, Shay decides that he wants to donate his heart to Claire. He sees it as the only way he can 'make up' for what he has done and what he has taken from Claire and June.
But for Shay to do this it would mean that he would have to be executed not by lethal injection but by hanging, so that the heart could be used. This of course throws up moral / ehtical dilemmas; does Shay have the right to change the course of his execution? Should he be allowed to donate his heart? And, perhaps most importantly for June, should she accept the heart from the man who killed the other two members of her family?
As with most of Picoult's books, the story is narrated by various characters - although you never get to 'hear' Shay's voice. And, as with her other books that I have read, while she may not be the best writer of prose around, she does manage to put just enough in to make the book worth taking the time for. The above quote, used as the title for this review, is illustration of this.
Other reviewers have said that they felt CHANGE OF HEART had echoes of "The Green Mile" - well, this is true. A prisoner who seemingly can perform miracles, who just so happens to be on death row, is defintiely an echo of the aforesaid novel/film. But, in CHANGE OF HEART, Picoult has used this to underpin the religious overtones that the book has. While you may think that this either gives something else or takes away something from the book, will largely be down to your way of seeing the world. While it gave some more interest, for me, I am not sure what it really brought to the novel.
Recommended as a quick read.
 Rip Off of The Green Mile - don't bother if you've seen the film May 15, 2008
Mrs. S. Payne (UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I have read every Jodi Picoult book and I believe that this is the best one she has written so far. I have just finished reading this book and I have to say that it is only the second book that has ever made me cry (after P.S. I Love You by Cecelia Ahern). The storyline is fantastic and told through the different characters. I found the whole book very thought provoking. I found myself asking questions about subjects that I have never really given much time to before. The story follows Shay and his need to donate his heart to the sister of the little girl he has been accused of killing. The death penalty is a subject that promotes much discussion but when coupled with a topic as big as religion, the arguments are endless. I am surprised by the mixed reviews for this book on here as I was hooked all the way through. I am so glad I have read this book; I feel that I have learnt something and have given thought to situations that people very often shy away from. I can't wait for her next one.
****
Having written the above a few days ago, I now realise that this book is almost an exact copy of the film The Green Mile. Jodi Picoult has gone down in my estimations. This has been done before.
 A bit disappointing May 10, 2008
foodiewoman (Exeter. UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm a huge fan of Jodi Picoult. I have read every single one of her books. I suppose it's only natural there is bound to be one or two books that just aren't up to scratch. This book is one of them. Jodi's fantastic writing seems to have disappeared in this book. It's just not written as well as the others. The plots are far fetched and unbelievable. One thing I always loved about Jodi's books were her well defined characters, but in Change Of Heart, they are sketchy. Maggie is transparent. Twists and turns in the book seem convenient rather than applicable. It smacks of other novels she has written, as if she took parts of them all, rewrote them and put them together to produce this. 'The green mile' edge doesn't work, because there's only one 'green mile'. Most annoying though, is the one reference to Shay Bourne having 'bi-polar' disorder in the first few pages. This tag seems to be just thrown in the mix, perhaps to make Shay Bourne more threathening? Em. People with bi-polar are not murderers... To add insult to injury, Shay Bourne doesn't exhibit one single trait of bi-polar disorder throughout the rest of the book. Badly researched, presumptious and lazy. I would still go and buy any new books by Jodi, having enjoyed all her other novels. Check out 'Nineteen Minutes'. It's superb.
Excellent!!! May 9, 2008
L. Scott (England Leeds)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I could drone on about this magnificent book but i'll spare you!
If your a fan already you'll love it. If not its agood one to get you started. It made me laugh and cry and look at things from a whole new perspective. The best book i've read in years and i've read tons. Very touching.
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