My Sister's Keeper

A Novel

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Richard Poe, Julia Gibson, Barbara McCulloh, Tom Stechschulte, Carol Monda, Jennifer Ikeda, Andy Paris

Length: 13 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's Summary

New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult is widely acclaimed for her keen insights into the hearts and minds of real people. Now she tells the emotionally riveting story of a family torn apart by conflicting needs and a passionate love that triumphs over human weakness.

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age 13 she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never challenged...until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable, a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves.

My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister's Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity.

©2004 Jodi Picoult (P)2004 Simon & Schuster

So many emotions

This book throws so many obstacles, points of view, feelings are all over the place. You will laugh, cry, relate. You can feel this book on a personal level. It makes you open your eyes to the fact that some people actually go through this everyday. Be thankful for what you have and the opportunity to read/listen to this book.

Incredible!!

My Sisters Keeper starts off slow but gradually becomes extremely riveting towards the climax. The plot twist at the end of the story will have you on the edge of your seat. This story made me cry multiple times!! 👍🏼

Lifetime movie material

If you are interested in reading a lifetime movie instead of watching one, you are in luck. The vocal performances were passable, but brought too much schlocky subtext for my palate. That said, if you need a chill beach read and a good cry, have at it.

Language offensive

I loved the book but the language was so crude I almost don’t finish. A good writer can express intense feelings without relying on the simple f-bomb approach.

Awesome book

i loved that it wasnt just one voice reading the book. the voices REALLY added a lot to the book and brought it to life

A warm and touching story, if a bit contrived

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend the book to a friend. It's a nice story about family and people who are caught between a rock and a hard place. We can all identify with one character or another as they struggle with some tough times and decisions.

Any additional comments?

Have you ever seen a grown man cry? Well, that was me at several points in this book. It's real and very touching, even if the overall story is a bit contrived. I liked the book and would recommend it.

I couldn't stop listening to it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartbreaking book. The cast members were magnificent and Jodi's grasp of theme and story weaving is palpable.

Amazing premise, poorly executed

When I heard about the premise of this novel, I immediately purchased it and began to listen. A sibling being conceived and raised to be a donor for an older sibling, medical emancipation of a minor-- this is daring stuff, hard moral questions that are rarely seen in popular fiction. I was so excited to see how the author would play it out. From the very beginning, the question on my mind was: "What will she choose, and why?" The first several chapters were gripping.

As I got a few hours in, I began to tune out of the longer metaphorical musings. It felt like observations on the human condition were being restated ad nauseam, especially in the father's chapters. Where was the debate and conflict about why Anna was making her decision? Was it out of the blue? The author very clearly did extensive research into the medical side of the subject, but did not use that information to enrich the debate between characters or to enlighten the reader about Anna's dilemma.

Finally, eight hours into the thirteen-hour book, I had had it. I was tired of being dragged through the navel-gazing of characters that were beginning to seem flatter and shallower than the paper they had come from. So I turned to the internet to tell me if it was worth it to finish the book. Let me tell you, the twist ending is the most manipulative, cowardly thing I've ever seen an author do to a story. The entire idea of the book is "How do people answer hard questions when there is no black and white answer?" And the author completely backed down from following through. Nobody had to live with the consequences of Anna's decision, least of all Anna, because deus ex machina made sure that the hard questions were taken out of the hands of the characters. An outrageous moral non sequitur. I'm very disappointed.

To play God is to tempt fate.

I really appreciate Picoult's stories and her writing. Her characters are 3 diminsional and wonderfully flawed. It was the perfect ending to exemplify what you ask for will be what you end up getting, whether you want it or not.

This book made me affirm my standing beyond a shadow if a doubt:

Choosing to bring a genetically engineered child into this world to serve as a donor to be medically tortured for the sake of a critically ill sibling is child abuse.

A Very Important Book

What made the experience of listening to My Sister's Keeper the most enjoyable?

It is a true reflection of humanity in all its shame and glory. The story pulled me in so many different directions. It reminded me that our feelings are our true guides in life.

What did you like best about this story?

It ended the way it was supposed to end.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It evoked just about every emotion I am capable of feeling. Sadness, anger, fear, pity, indignation, surprise, anticipation, and love.

Any additional comments?

This book provoked the energy that feeds important dialogue and debate.It heightened my admiration for the work of talented authors and actors. It did what great art is supposed to do. It provoked thought and emotion. I walked away from this one feeling the way I always feel when I have experienced a fine work of art. Great books such as this one are what makes reading a worthwhile act of life.

A five star story destroyed by the last 15 minutes

Up till the last 15 minutes, this was on the fast track to being one of the best books I'd ever listened to - I hadn't expected to be so moved by it, and the subject matter was handled in a way I hadn't anticipated at all. But the 'twist' at the end was so ham-fisted, poorly handled and flat out unnecessary for the overall message of the book, to the point of ruining the experience for me.

The audio quality and performance was mostly excellent, only issue I encountered was during a Brian chapter when he was talking to Mr Alexander, it became difficult to distinguish if someone was speaking or if it was Brians thoughts, and if someone was speaking, then who.

Depressing

Depressing, dull and lightweight prose. This book was highly rated elsewhere and was my first Jodi Picoult novel. I would not seek out another one from this author.

too long

was far too long, I had to increase the reading speed to get through it

enjoyed but forty minutes too long

there was nothing wrong with this book that a little judicious editing wouldn't have improved. ld guessed what was going to happen and all in all, it was a little like trying to get away from someone who just won't stop talking

Excellent but heart wrenching

Great Picoult read on controversial topic. So desperately sad and yet I didn't cry, I felt bit stunned. if you want light hearted read this is not for you. if you want to emotionally engage with story characters then go for it. Great narration.

enjoyable

I watched the movie some time ago and it was the first one to make me cry so this book has been on my wish list since then.
I found it very difficult to get into and it seemed to take a long time to get going, it was only in the last 2-3 hours I became really engrossed in it.
the performance was alright, some of the narrator's voices were hard to get along with, very flat and unexpressive, but not unpleasant.
it was an enjoyable listen

A Incredible Moral Dilema!

I could not stop listening to this story, usually I just listen while I'm driving during work but I kept my headphones on and listened whenever I could before and after work and I finished it in 4 days! There were some great analogies, but an over use of "they might as well have been speaking Greek" but maybe I just noticed it more as where I live Greek is the first language. The twist at the end caught me unaware, which was a real shock as I usually guess what's happening and there's some diverse and interesting information in the story.
Definitely recommend.

Love it but it made me cry so hard at the end.

I loved it. It made me cry and laugh and think. Listen to it.

Compelling story

Very thought provoking moral dilemma for a family. Credible characters all round. Good narration.

Great story

Been meaning to listen/ read this for a long time and it was worth it!
Great story and not what I expected just from watching the film… I really enjoyed it but it’s totally heartbreaking