Charlotte and Sean have two daughters, Amelia (Charlotte's daughter from a previous marriage that Sean adopted) and Willow. Willow suffers from type III OI, which is commonly known as brittle bone syndrome. Willow has broken hundreds of bones in her life and her parents are struggling to give her the best life possible. Charlotte learns that she can sue her OB/GYN in a wrongful birth lawsuit. Charlotte has to testify if she knew Willow would have OI before she (Willow was born), she would've terminated the pregnancy. The problem is is that Piper, Charlotte's best friend and Willow's godmother, was Charlotte's OB/GYN. As Charlotte faces outrage from the community, her family falls apart.
MY THOUGHTS
I've always been a fan of Jodi Picoult's work. Out of all of the novels I've read written by her, this is one of my favorites.
What I love about Jodi Picoult's novels is that they always leave us questioning what we would do in the characters situation. Through her writing, Picoult tackles social and political issues like savior siblings, wrongful birth, bullying, school shootings, organ donation, suicide, child abuse, gay parenting, LGBT rights and amongst others. She is one of these authors that can get people talking. I believe that Picoult tackles subjects that some of us are afraid to talk or write about because they're considered taboo. Their subjects that might make people uncomfortable and they'd prefer to leave it alone. I think a part of that theory is because everyone's opinion is different. She brings all of these different opinions and views through her characters. So it leaves us wondering what character we agree or disagree with and makes us wonder if we have the right view on whatever subject.
All the characters in Handle With Care are all so strong and distinct. Charlotte is for the lawsuit, Sean is against it, Willow is worried she isn't wanted by her parents, Amelia suffers through personal struggles as her family slowly and unintentionally ignores her, Piper wonders what she could've done differently. All of these characters are different, realistic points of view that some readers may or may not agree with. Some might agree with Charlotte, or with Sean or with Piper. We sympathize with Amelia and Willow. The characters allow us to see the different sides of this issue and Picoult writes so brilliantly we are able to sympathize with all of the characters at some point.
The wrongful birth lawsuit is the core subject of this novel, but I thoroughly enjoyed the subplots of the other characters like Amelia (Charlotte's teenage daughter), Marin (Charlotte's lawyer) and even with Charlotte and Sean themselves.
Amelia's personal struggles in this novel I thought were appropriate and also realistic in a sense. She's trying to find a way to cope with everything that's happened in her family. She's trying to find her place in a family that she's usually considered last because of Willow. And the trial is causing alienation with her friends. All of that causes her to crack and delve into dangerous behavior.
We also have the subplot with Charlotte's lawyer, Marin, who was adopted and is trying to find her biological mother. Marin's story resonates with Charlotte's very well. Almost eerily so. There are differences, but the similarities are very incredible. And I did like the turnout of her finding her biological mother because (1) it resonates with the wrongful birth lawsuit and the right to be born and (2) it avoids the cliche of a happy reunion. I think that this surprising turn gives Marin a clearer sense of what really matters. I honestly enjoyed Marin's story just as much as the main story of the lawsuit.
Sean and Charlotte's marriage is troubled and I like that we see the side of both them. We see through narrative the early stages of their relationship, their attempts to have a child and how their marriage turns sour. Like I said, we see both sides of the story and while they're different, they're similar in many ways because in the end they both want the same thing- what is best for their family.
We also have Piper and how her life is affected by this trial. We have her relationship with her husband and how her friendship with Charlotte has been affected. We also see their early friendship, how they were when Charlotte was pregnant with Willow and how their friendship is forever changed because of Charlotte's lawsuit. I will say that this subplot is very compelling and interesting to read. And it's because Piper isn't a bad person. She doesn't think she made a mistake and all she wants is her old life back.
The ending surprised me. I won't spoil it, but the very last pages really took me back because I wasn't expecting that kind of twist. I thought it worked, but that doesn't make it less shocking. It gives a sense of closure to the family and the other characters and everyone is at peace. It's a sad ending, but it some twisted way, it's a happy ending as well.
There are so many different stories in this that I believe that even you don't like a certain one, there are enough to satisfy any reader. You'll either be enjoying reading about the lawsuit unfolding and the consequences of it, Marin's search for her biological mother, Amelia's struggles, the history of the family told by different characters, the friendship between Piper and Charlotte and many more. It looks like there's a lot going on in Handle With Care based on what I'm writing. And there is. But it all blends together perfectly.
Handle With Care is an exciting and thrilling read that brings forth a subject of wrongful birth lawsuits, a subject that many people might not be entirely aware of. I rate it a 4.5 out of 5.
No comments:
Post a Comment