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Sing You Home
After Zoe Baxter loses her baby, the only way she can find of coping is to try again. But her husband Max disagrees - more than that, he wants a divorce. When they separate, there is no mention of the unborn children they created together, still waiting at the clinic.
The Zoe falls in love again, out of the blue, and finds herself with an unexpected second chance to have a family.
But Max has found a new life too - one with no place in it for people like Zoe. And he will stand up in court to say that her new choice of partner makes her an unfit mother.
Jodi Picoult's most powerful novel yet asks who has the right to decide what makes the ideal family?
The Zoe falls in love again, out of the blue, and finds herself with an unexpected second chance to have a family.
But Max has found a new life too - one with no place in it for people like Zoe. And he will stand up in court to say that her new choice of partner makes her an unfit mother.
Jodi Picoult's most powerful novel yet asks who has the right to decide what makes the ideal family?
466 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2011
About the author
Jodi Picoult
104 books84.2k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 7,645 reviews
September 27, 2012
Searching for an apologetic for a homosexual lifestyle? This is the book for you!
This review is from: Sing You Home: A Novel (Paperback)
I've read all of Jodi's books previously and was so excited to see this one on the shelf at WalMart. Unfortunately,(no spoilers in my review), this novel paints all evangelical Christians as homophobic scumbags and all lesbians as kind-hearted, loving saints. I kept hoping it would change, that Jodi would not keep lumping me in with Westboro Baptist Church idiots, but, sadly, no change.
I saw one woman's obsession over having a biological child of her own destroy her marriage, but the dissolution of the marriage was her husband's fault?!? I saw a woman wallowing in the emotional upheaval of divorce diving into a new relationship. Vanessa took advantage of Zoe's anger and sorrow and, magically, though she'd never had any homosexual tendencies prior, she was a lesbian and claiming she was born that way. Wow. That's a bit of a stretch.
I don't mind the exploration of such controversial topics. I don't even mind when the author comes to a different conclusion from my own. However, I do mind seeing such ridiculous stereotypes cast onto anyone bearing the name Christian. According to this book, I'm a simpering, uneducated doormat who'll only do those things my husband allows and who has no opinion of my own, outside the one he gives me. smh. Yeah, that kind of pisses me off.
I guess I thought the book was going to be about the controversy surrounding IVF primarily and homosexual adoption secondarily. In reality, the book is about bashing Christians and telling the world that the only "fit" parents are homosexual or extremely liberal heterosexuals. I'm extremely disappointed in this book.
This review is from: Sing You Home: A Novel (Paperback)
I've read all of Jodi's books previously and was so excited to see this one on the shelf at WalMart. Unfortunately,(no spoilers in my review), this novel paints all evangelical Christians as homophobic scumbags and all lesbians as kind-hearted, loving saints. I kept hoping it would change, that Jodi would not keep lumping me in with Westboro Baptist Church idiots, but, sadly, no change.
I saw one woman's obsession over having a biological child of her own destroy her marriage, but the dissolution of the marriage was her husband's fault?!? I saw a woman wallowing in the emotional upheaval of divorce diving into a new relationship. Vanessa took advantage of Zoe's anger and sorrow and, magically, though she'd never had any homosexual tendencies prior, she was a lesbian and claiming she was born that way. Wow. That's a bit of a stretch.
I don't mind the exploration of such controversial topics. I don't even mind when the author comes to a different conclusion from my own. However, I do mind seeing such ridiculous stereotypes cast onto anyone bearing the name Christian. According to this book, I'm a simpering, uneducated doormat who'll only do those things my husband allows and who has no opinion of my own, outside the one he gives me. smh. Yeah, that kind of pisses me off.
I guess I thought the book was going to be about the controversy surrounding IVF primarily and homosexual adoption secondarily. In reality, the book is about bashing Christians and telling the world that the only "fit" parents are homosexual or extremely liberal heterosexuals. I'm extremely disappointed in this book.
December 12, 2015
Sing You Home is my new favorite novel by Jodi Picoult, and as of now (mid-March, 2011) my favorite book of this year.
There are so many things I wish I could say coherently about this book. I was at a loss of words when I finished it three hours ago, and I still am speechless. But I want to write this review while the emotions it evoked are still at their strongest.
The writing was superb as always. Picoult doesn't use a lot of "SAT" vocabulary, or extremely complex sentence structure, but the way she engages readers with detail and finesse is extraordinary. I am always tempted to read just a single page more, then just one chapter more, until I've gone through the entire 400+ page book. I even forgot to put this on my to-read shelf on Goodreads.
Picoult's characters are splendid - by the middle of the book I was immersed in Zoe's yearning for children and Max's difficulty with alcohol abuse, and I felt like they were real, breathing people. Vanessa's no-nonsense attitude I admired, and side characters like Dara and Lucy I came to love as well.
The element that really made me appreciate this novel was Picoult's take on gay marriage, and homosexual inequality in contemporary society. I cannot adequately state how inspiring this book was to me in that regard. Here is one of the many powerful quotes that I had to stop and re-read (I even put this in my favorite quotes section on Facebook)...
"I remember my mother telling me that, when she was a little girl in Catholic school, the nuns used to hit her left hand every time she wrote with it. Nowadays, if a teacher did that, she'd probably be arrested for child abuse. The optimist in me wants to believe sexuality will eventually become like handwriting: there's no right way or wrong way to do it. We're all just wired differently.
It's also worth nothing that, when you meet someone, you never bother to ask if he's right- or left- handed.
After all: Does it really matter to anyone other than the person holding the pen?"
Beautiful.
*cross-posted from my blog the quiet voice.
There are so many things I wish I could say coherently about this book. I was at a loss of words when I finished it three hours ago, and I still am speechless. But I want to write this review while the emotions it evoked are still at their strongest.
The writing was superb as always. Picoult doesn't use a lot of "SAT" vocabulary, or extremely complex sentence structure, but the way she engages readers with detail and finesse is extraordinary. I am always tempted to read just a single page more, then just one chapter more, until I've gone through the entire 400+ page book. I even forgot to put this on my to-read shelf on Goodreads.
Picoult's characters are splendid - by the middle of the book I was immersed in Zoe's yearning for children and Max's difficulty with alcohol abuse, and I felt like they were real, breathing people. Vanessa's no-nonsense attitude I admired, and side characters like Dara and Lucy I came to love as well.
The element that really made me appreciate this novel was Picoult's take on gay marriage, and homosexual inequality in contemporary society. I cannot adequately state how inspiring this book was to me in that regard. Here is one of the many powerful quotes that I had to stop and re-read (I even put this in my favorite quotes section on Facebook)...
"I remember my mother telling me that, when she was a little girl in Catholic school, the nuns used to hit her left hand every time she wrote with it. Nowadays, if a teacher did that, she'd probably be arrested for child abuse. The optimist in me wants to believe sexuality will eventually become like handwriting: there's no right way or wrong way to do it. We're all just wired differently.
It's also worth nothing that, when you meet someone, you never bother to ask if he's right- or left- handed.
After all: Does it really matter to anyone other than the person holding the pen?"
Beautiful.
*cross-posted from my blog the quiet voice.
March 7, 2016
Posted at Shelf Inflicted
This is the first novel I’ve read by Jodi Picoult. I admire her courage and honesty for tackling such issues as infertility, gay rights, parenthood, and religious beliefs. I read somewhere that Jodi’s own teenage son came out to her while she was writing this book. He’s very fortunate to have such supportive parents.
Zoe Baxter is a music therapist desperate to have a child. Max, her husband of nine years, has his own landscaping business, enjoys surfing, and struggles with alcoholism. Unable to cope with their infertility or mend their broken relationship, he leaves Zoe. Zoe then meets and falls in love with Vanessa, a high school guidance counselor. Zoe still wants a baby, and Max is still not ready for fatherhood, but both parents want what’s best for their embryos left at the fertility clinic after their divorce.
I loved Zoe’s profession as a music therapist. While not very high-paying, she gets to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from dementia, autism, and mental illness. I imagine this is a very satisfying, yet very emotionally draining career. Vanessa also does well for her young charges, especially depressed and suicidal Lucy, who benefits from Zoe’s music therapy.
The problem here is that Zoe and Vanessa are so perfect in every way. With no flaws, they lacked depth and complexity. Zoe’s agony over her inability to have a baby was heartbreaking, but I also felt deeply for her ex-husband, Max, who felt he was merely being used as a sperm donor.
After the divorce, Max moves in with his Christian brother, Reid, and his wife, Liddy, and finds comfort and peace in their church.
The Christian characters in the story also suffered the same lack of depth, particularly the church officials and lawyers. While it is evident that the author has done extensive research on in vitro fertilization and music therapy, I wish she had been more thorough and fair in her portrayal of Christianity.
A balanced perspective would have made this story much more compelling and thought-provoking.
Zoe and Vanessa marry in Massachusetts and honeymoon at the Highlands Inn in Bethlehem, NH and I couldn't resist checking out their rainbow chairs.
This is the first novel I’ve read by Jodi Picoult. I admire her courage and honesty for tackling such issues as infertility, gay rights, parenthood, and religious beliefs. I read somewhere that Jodi’s own teenage son came out to her while she was writing this book. He’s very fortunate to have such supportive parents.
Zoe Baxter is a music therapist desperate to have a child. Max, her husband of nine years, has his own landscaping business, enjoys surfing, and struggles with alcoholism. Unable to cope with their infertility or mend their broken relationship, he leaves Zoe. Zoe then meets and falls in love with Vanessa, a high school guidance counselor. Zoe still wants a baby, and Max is still not ready for fatherhood, but both parents want what’s best for their embryos left at the fertility clinic after their divorce.
I loved Zoe’s profession as a music therapist. While not very high-paying, she gets to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from dementia, autism, and mental illness. I imagine this is a very satisfying, yet very emotionally draining career. Vanessa also does well for her young charges, especially depressed and suicidal Lucy, who benefits from Zoe’s music therapy.
The problem here is that Zoe and Vanessa are so perfect in every way. With no flaws, they lacked depth and complexity. Zoe’s agony over her inability to have a baby was heartbreaking, but I also felt deeply for her ex-husband, Max, who felt he was merely being used as a sperm donor.
After the divorce, Max moves in with his Christian brother, Reid, and his wife, Liddy, and finds comfort and peace in their church.
The Christian characters in the story also suffered the same lack of depth, particularly the church officials and lawyers. While it is evident that the author has done extensive research on in vitro fertilization and music therapy, I wish she had been more thorough and fair in her portrayal of Christianity.
A balanced perspective would have made this story much more compelling and thought-provoking.
Zoe and Vanessa marry in Massachusetts and honeymoon at the Highlands Inn in Bethlehem, NH and I couldn't resist checking out their rainbow chairs.
January 31, 2012
I have come to the conclusion, that, IMO, Ms. Picoult is more than likely the most overhyped female author in the United States today. Now, that I have absolutely suffered through this triffling piece of trash of a book, I can honestly say that. Ms. Picoult's books are one reason why I try to stay away from the big house publishers anymore. Here is another author who is crammed down our throats with mediocre writing. I agree with other reviewers who call Ms. Picoult's books formulaic, but I will go one step further. They are superficial and poorly developed. It was very clear in this book that Ms. Picoult came in with an agenda and wrapped it in a very shoddily written novel with characters who are not approachable. She, then, expected her fan base to drink it like Jim Jones' "koolaid" which is evident by the high ratings for this book.
I have one more book to read by this author, but it will def. be my last. I don't care what Book of the Month I have to read it for. I refuse to lose anymore brain cells with crappily written books.
I have one more book to read by this author, but it will def. be my last. I don't care what Book of the Month I have to read it for. I refuse to lose anymore brain cells with crappily written books.
September 17, 2011
I decided that I would not finish this book. For now I am taking a vacation from Jodi. I loved Nineteen Minutes and My Sisters Keeper. However, lately the books seem to be cookie cutter. I feel a sense of deja vu when I read one and it is not a good thing. I was interested in the infertility issues as I suffered through many of the things she decribed, and I could relate to her description. I'm not particularly interested in lesbian relationship stories but was willing to take the trip with her because usually she gives you something to think about, and that is why I read, to explore life and other points of view. What finally has turned me away from Ms. Picoult is her stereotyping of conservatives and Christians. I am not a particularly religious person, but certainly have many devout Christians among my family and friends. I am a conservative. I have developed an aversion to reading books, watching movies or tv programs which portray conservatives as caricatures. This is not the first Picoult book which contained these stereotypes, but it will be the last because I just won't read them any more. The tone of the book, which mimics the liberal view, is that conservative is synonymous with fundamentalist Christian, and that "those people" are stupid, ignorant, bigoted, well you get the drift. That portrayal is ignorant and bigoted. I believe Ms Picoult is a very good writer, who may have already written her best books and now is replicating them. But I also believe she has serious issues with Conservatives and Christians, and unfortunately she has a loyal audience who will read and believe some of these wildly inaccurate descriptions. So sadly, I bid you adieu Jodi.
March 10, 2011
If you ever read a Jodi Picoult novel, you know the drill. Multiple perspectives, courtroom tension, controversial topic, a little twist, insightful little quotes here and there. Lately, though, I haven't really liked her novels, the more of them I read, the less I like them. However, this one wasn't too bad. It wasn't my favorite by any means, but it wasn't her worse either. It divulged into corniness sometimes, but there were some humorous moments that, in retrospect, I really wish I had written them down.
My main complaint of this book is Picoult's one-sidedness about the topic at hand. Usually she is very good at maintaining a sympathetic POV on either side of the case, but in this book it is clear she favored one side. On one hand, we have the religious zealots who will do anything to prevent gay marriage, and on the other hand, we have a lesbian couple just trying to get a baby. Just from that description, you can probably tell what side I favor, and it was just as obvious in Picoult's novel. Her treatment of the Christians in this novel was just so harsh. She portrayed all of them as obnoxious, oppressive fanatics, who hide their fear and hate behind the Bible. There was no one in the book that was mildly religious, just obsessively so. Even though I have been confirmed as a Catholic, I don't really practice any faith, but I still felt kind of offended bythe stance Picoult took. I know she was being sympathetic to the defense of gay marriage, a cause I am all for, but she risked being offensive towards religious people, which I did not like.
A minor complaint, but I also felt the timeline of the story was bit rushed. So all in a period of around six months, the principle character, Zoe, has a miscarriage, gets a divorce, has a new best friend, falls in love with the best friend, embraces lesbianism, gets married, decides to have baby, and gets taken to court............gah. Know what I have accomplished in six months? Poo. All that has changed is that my Senioritis is reaching its boiling point.
Overall, I liked it. Even though my review is mostly criticism, I really liked the book. Enough to give it four stars immediately after reading. In retrospect, perhaps it deserves less, but I will leave it as is. A solid Jodi Picoult. A good transitory novel for readers looking to get into Picoult, as well as a solid read for fans.
Thanks, SImon & Schuster for letting me read an advanced copy.
My main complaint of this book is Picoult's one-sidedness about the topic at hand. Usually she is very good at maintaining a sympathetic POV on either side of the case, but in this book it is clear she favored one side. On one hand, we have the religious zealots who will do anything to prevent gay marriage, and on the other hand, we have a lesbian couple just trying to get a baby. Just from that description, you can probably tell what side I favor, and it was just as obvious in Picoult's novel. Her treatment of the Christians in this novel was just so harsh. She portrayed all of them as obnoxious, oppressive fanatics, who hide their fear and hate behind the Bible. There was no one in the book that was mildly religious, just obsessively so. Even though I have been confirmed as a Catholic, I don't really practice any faith, but I still felt kind of offended bythe stance Picoult took. I know she was being sympathetic to the defense of gay marriage, a cause I am all for, but she risked being offensive towards religious people, which I did not like.
A minor complaint, but I also felt the timeline of the story was bit rushed. So all in a period of around six months, the principle character, Zoe, has a miscarriage, gets a divorce, has a new best friend, falls in love with the best friend, embraces lesbianism, gets married, decides to have baby, and gets taken to court............gah. Know what I have accomplished in six months? Poo. All that has changed is that my Senioritis is reaching its boiling point.
Overall, I liked it. Even though my review is mostly criticism, I really liked the book. Enough to give it four stars immediately after reading. In retrospect, perhaps it deserves less, but I will leave it as is. A solid Jodi Picoult. A good transitory novel for readers looking to get into Picoult, as well as a solid read for fans.
Thanks, SImon & Schuster for letting me read an advanced copy.
March 9, 2011
This story is slightly corny at times, but Jodi Picoult gets bonus points for guts. She's bound to get complaints from both sides of the arguments presented in the book. There will be gay people who say she got things all wrong or trivialized them, and the hate-mongering, gay-bashing religious zealots will probably send her death threats.
All the common remarks and complaints about Picoult's novels are valid. They're formulaic, reductive, predictable, oversimplified, and they rely a little too heavily on the emotional hook. BUT, she appeals to an audience that might not otherwise examine the topics she covers. I give her credit for using her writing gifts to explore sensitive and timely concerns. She could easily choose instead to write fluffy, vapid chick lit and avoid the risk of being taken to task for her presentation of touchy subjects.
If you prefer not to attempt the more subtle and challenging literature addressing homosexuality, Sing You Home is a worthy choice. Picoult treats the issues with compassion and a welcome helping of hearty humor. The book is loaded with snappy quips and a lot of good jokes I can't wait to use.
All the common remarks and complaints about Picoult's novels are valid. They're formulaic, reductive, predictable, oversimplified, and they rely a little too heavily on the emotional hook. BUT, she appeals to an audience that might not otherwise examine the topics she covers. I give her credit for using her writing gifts to explore sensitive and timely concerns. She could easily choose instead to write fluffy, vapid chick lit and avoid the risk of being taken to task for her presentation of touchy subjects.
If you prefer not to attempt the more subtle and challenging literature addressing homosexuality, Sing You Home is a worthy choice. Picoult treats the issues with compassion and a welcome helping of hearty humor. The book is loaded with snappy quips and a lot of good jokes I can't wait to use.
April 12, 2011
I hated this book, and I usually really enjoy Jodi Picoult. Few books have made me as angry as this one has. I am very socially liberal, but I felt like I was being force-fed social propaganda. I mean, seriously. "Because our [gay] marriage isn't federally recognized, we have to jump through all these extra legal hoops to get the same rights - 1,138 of them - that come naturally to heterosexual couples who get married." I get it - gay marriage should become legal - I know. But I wanted to read an engrossing novel, not feel like I'm about to sign a petition.
Plus, the ending was a saccharine, overly-simplified joke, and there is no closure to the one client of Zoe's who we actually get to know. All in all this was poorly written, and felt more like a vehicle for a social cause than a story. Oh, and anyone who gets married 5 months after they've lost a child to stillbirth, been left by their husband of 9 years, and had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer is just an idiot, IMHO.
Plus, the ending was a saccharine, overly-simplified joke, and there is no closure to the one client of Zoe's who we actually get to know. All in all this was poorly written, and felt more like a vehicle for a social cause than a story. Oh, and anyone who gets married 5 months after they've lost a child to stillbirth, been left by their husband of 9 years, and had a hysterectomy for endometrial cancer is just an idiot, IMHO.
November 26, 2011
Ms Picoult is simply brilliant. I used to have her on my auto-buy list and have to admit that her last few books, while good, have seemed somewhat formulaic. I was hovering on whether or not to buy this book when my friend suggested it for this month's book-club read. I'm so glad she gave me that push.
I wont give another synopsis of the story, you can read enough of those on the reviews below. What I will do is give my opinion.
Someone once said (Hemingway? Orwell?) - and I'm paraphrasing: that a great book is truer than if they had really happened. And afterwards you feel like you own that memory, that you were involved. I think this book personifies that statement. I read this story more slowly than I usually go through books these days, and I think it's because there was so much emotion, so much depth, that I wanted to savour it.
I particularly like the way she uses a change in POV by chapter so you get the "complete" story from all the main characters' perspectives. Picoult has used this syntax in previous books with less success, but has worked it well here.
I'll admit I find it hard to review this story. It's very difficult to analyse the writing style, the prose, even to a certain extent, to dissect the characters. They were so rich, so very real in all their imperfections and good intentions, that to analyse them would be to reduce them to back to 2 dimensions. They came to life for me and immersed me in their problems, in their fears and in their struggles over the last few days. As so rarely happens these days, I feel richer for the reading of this book. Thank you Ms Picoult, for sharing your wondrous talent.
I wont give another synopsis of the story, you can read enough of those on the reviews below. What I will do is give my opinion.
Someone once said (Hemingway? Orwell?) - and I'm paraphrasing: that a great book is truer than if they had really happened. And afterwards you feel like you own that memory, that you were involved. I think this book personifies that statement. I read this story more slowly than I usually go through books these days, and I think it's because there was so much emotion, so much depth, that I wanted to savour it.
I particularly like the way she uses a change in POV by chapter so you get the "complete" story from all the main characters' perspectives. Picoult has used this syntax in previous books with less success, but has worked it well here.
I'll admit I find it hard to review this story. It's very difficult to analyse the writing style, the prose, even to a certain extent, to dissect the characters. They were so rich, so very real in all their imperfections and good intentions, that to analyse them would be to reduce them to back to 2 dimensions. They came to life for me and immersed me in their problems, in their fears and in their struggles over the last few days. As so rarely happens these days, I feel richer for the reading of this book. Thank you Ms Picoult, for sharing your wondrous talent.
February 4, 2011
I think I'm over the whole "important current social issue leads to big dramatic court case" format of Picoult's books.
March 21, 2023
3.75 rounded up to 4 stars.
I wasn’t planning on reading this book, but I found a paper copy sitting in the main library of my condo, so I could not resist, since it’s been only recently that I started reading this author (I started with Mad Honey).
I love this author’s writing style and I praise her courage for writing stories that cover polemic, controversial topics, hence my 4 stars.
In this book we have religion and homosexuality and the discussion of what constitutes a family.
There are heartbreaking moments.
There are infuriating dialogues.
And humour is used at the right time.
I loved the idea of music therapy.
Although full of stereotypes, I did enjoy the storyline and its development.
There were plenty of triggers for me, and sometimes I did not feel like continuing, as too many memories hit me. This book was written in 2011 and set during that time, but some of the dialogues and situations took me back to the 70’s and 80’s, to my own personal experience growing up in Brazil. I wished that this book had been published then, but times were too different.
There are really some great arguments from all sides and, believe or not, I kind of liked Max, one of the main characters, because he did feel real (I have met people like him).
I did enjoy the court room scenes, with brilliant arguments and twists.
Anyways… I really wanted to love this book, but somehow this book felt forced to me, specifically towards the end. By the way, the conclusion was too fast.
PS. I did listen to the audiobook as I read. I thought that the audiobook was excellent, which included the songs opening the chapters (the quality of the recording of the songs was very poor, at least in my edition).
Paperback (Washington Square Press): 481 pages (including author’s notes and questions for book club)
Ebook (Kobo): 540 pages (default), 146k words
Reading time: 11 to 12 hours
Audiobook narrated by Narrated by Thérèse Plummer, Brian Hutchison, Mia Barrow & Michele O'Medlin: 17.4 hours (normal speed)
I wasn’t planning on reading this book, but I found a paper copy sitting in the main library of my condo, so I could not resist, since it’s been only recently that I started reading this author (I started with Mad Honey).
I love this author’s writing style and I praise her courage for writing stories that cover polemic, controversial topics, hence my 4 stars.
In this book we have religion and homosexuality and the discussion of what constitutes a family.
There are heartbreaking moments.
There are infuriating dialogues.
And humour is used at the right time.
I loved the idea of music therapy.
Although full of stereotypes, I did enjoy the storyline and its development.
There were plenty of triggers for me, and sometimes I did not feel like continuing, as too many memories hit me. This book was written in 2011 and set during that time, but some of the dialogues and situations took me back to the 70’s and 80’s, to my own personal experience growing up in Brazil. I wished that this book had been published then, but times were too different.
There are really some great arguments from all sides and, believe or not, I kind of liked Max, one of the main characters, because he did feel real (I have met people like him).
I did enjoy the court room scenes, with brilliant arguments and twists.
Anyways… I really wanted to love this book, but somehow this book felt forced to me, specifically towards the end. By the way, the conclusion was too fast.
PS. I did listen to the audiobook as I read. I thought that the audiobook was excellent, which included the songs opening the chapters (the quality of the recording of the songs was very poor, at least in my edition).
Paperback (Washington Square Press): 481 pages (including author’s notes and questions for book club)
Ebook (Kobo): 540 pages (default), 146k words
Reading time: 11 to 12 hours
Audiobook narrated by Narrated by Thérèse Plummer, Brian Hutchison, Mia Barrow & Michele O'Medlin: 17.4 hours (normal speed)
January 23, 2021
I love a controversy and this one touches on some controversial subjects.
This is the story of Zoe and Max and the future of their frozen embryos upon separation. Max has found the church and Zoe has found love with another woman, a woman she would like to have children with.
This book is intense, gripping and I could not put this one down.
Five stars.
This is the story of Zoe and Max and the future of their frozen embryos upon separation. Max has found the church and Zoe has found love with another woman, a woman she would like to have children with.
This book is intense, gripping and I could not put this one down.
Five stars.
September 12, 2014
I was about two thirds of the way through Sing You Home, and I was becoming agitated, thinking it was spoiling my reading experience. I was really annoyed! This was a good thing on reflection though, it meant Ms Piccoult drew me in and created strong strong feelings. I wanted the characters to do certain things, I needed them to! The zealous evangelistic theme was driving me nuts, but now I realise I was rushing and being impatient. I'm like that sometimes.
Partners for life, Zoe and Vanessa have a huge struggle ahead of them, part of which is facing the intimidating Church of Eternal Glory in a legal battle, fighting for something that they should never have to be fighting for, in my little opinion!!
This book covers sensitive issues that encompasses the church, bigotry and all matters in between. The kind of things, if you're anything like me, that make you jump up and down and get drawn in. Just don't be like me and be impatient.
Probably just a tad disappointed that I didn't 'feel' the passion between Zoe and Vanessa, but that might have just been me. I wonder what others think of that?
The music point of view was amazing, coming from the most 'unmusical' person in existence. The work from this point of view was amazing and the team that the author collaborated with are to be commended, leaving me to think the musical theme combined with story was fantastic. Musically minded people would appreciate and get it more than me.
Fans of Jodie Piccoult won't be disappointed, I haven't read a novel of hers for some time and it was nice to come back. I fully recommend this book.
Partners for life, Zoe and Vanessa have a huge struggle ahead of them, part of which is facing the intimidating Church of Eternal Glory in a legal battle, fighting for something that they should never have to be fighting for, in my little opinion!!
This book covers sensitive issues that encompasses the church, bigotry and all matters in between. The kind of things, if you're anything like me, that make you jump up and down and get drawn in. Just don't be like me and be impatient.
Probably just a tad disappointed that I didn't 'feel' the passion between Zoe and Vanessa, but that might have just been me. I wonder what others think of that?
The music point of view was amazing, coming from the most 'unmusical' person in existence. The work from this point of view was amazing and the team that the author collaborated with are to be commended, leaving me to think the musical theme combined with story was fantastic. Musically minded people would appreciate and get it more than me.
Fans of Jodie Piccoult won't be disappointed, I haven't read a novel of hers for some time and it was nice to come back. I fully recommend this book.
January 23, 2011
Finished, and I have to say I was incredibly impressed by this one. I've found her last couple of books a tad slow to engage, but this one grabbed me by the throat from page one and never let go. It has a lot of themes, but I thought she juggled them very well. I won't say more for fear of spoiling others' enjoyment, other than the unsurprising news that yes, there's a court scene (but an extremely well done one...). This book introduced me to themes and ideas I've never really looked at before this closely, and it does it very bravely - some of the issues will really stay with me.
Zoe's music therapy is a thread running through the book, and I found it quite fascinating: unfortunately the only thing that didn't really work for me was the accompanying music CD, with the singing voice of "Zoe" through Ellen Wilber - it wasn't to my taste, and it's a bit cumbersome to listen to a track with each section of the book (I'd given up by track 3...but can't complain about her trying something different...).
Not too long to go until you can all read it!
Zoe's music therapy is a thread running through the book, and I found it quite fascinating: unfortunately the only thing that didn't really work for me was the accompanying music CD, with the singing voice of "Zoe" through Ellen Wilber - it wasn't to my taste, and it's a bit cumbersome to listen to a track with each section of the book (I'd given up by track 3...but can't complain about her trying something different...).
Not too long to go until you can all read it!
March 18, 2015
I don't know if enjoy is the right word to describe any of Picoults books, but I do like how she writes of hot-button topics in today's society and makes me think about those topics.
After multiple attempts to have a child, Max and Zoe go their separate ways.
After multiple attempts to have a child, Max and Zoe go their separate ways.
March 27, 2011
Poorly written, cheesy, melodramatic, and ultimately rushed and contrived. I found the characters to be caricatures rather than fully developed and interesting. Their motives seemed to be more in keeping with the ultimate agenda of the novel.
I found the ending to be rushed and forced. I'm confused about the character of Lucy. Why would this troubled girl, who seemingly had a difficult relationship with her step-father (was it just me who thought that it was implied that there was some type of abusive relationship with Clive?), turn on her therapist and disclose information to her step dad? What happened with that whole story line? It was apparently an important character & then it was just dropped after she served her purpose in moving the story along.
Also, what's the deal with Liddie and Max? We're to assume they ended up together? That doesn't seem in keeping with the characters that were sketched out throughout the novel. I also found the alcoholism story line to be contrived and rushed.
And speaking of rushed, the whole divorce between Max and Zoe was odd. Really? He didn't want a baby (odd in and of itself considering their whole journey up to that point), so he goes straight to divorce?
I had looked forward to a touching story and instead found that Picoult is still using her same cookie cutter mold approach to novel writing. I don't know why I keep reading her books, besides the fact that I keep hoping she'll go back to writing like she did with her first novels---instead of churning out books that are obviously just written for commercial success. Disappointing because she has so much potential to be a truly good writer. Instead she goes with her same tired old formula.
I found the ending to be rushed and forced. I'm confused about the character of Lucy. Why would this troubled girl, who seemingly had a difficult relationship with her step-father (was it just me who thought that it was implied that there was some type of abusive relationship with Clive?), turn on her therapist and disclose information to her step dad? What happened with that whole story line? It was apparently an important character & then it was just dropped after she served her purpose in moving the story along.
Also, what's the deal with Liddie and Max? We're to assume they ended up together? That doesn't seem in keeping with the characters that were sketched out throughout the novel. I also found the alcoholism story line to be contrived and rushed.
And speaking of rushed, the whole divorce between Max and Zoe was odd. Really? He didn't want a baby (odd in and of itself considering their whole journey up to that point), so he goes straight to divorce?
I had looked forward to a touching story and instead found that Picoult is still using her same cookie cutter mold approach to novel writing. I don't know why I keep reading her books, besides the fact that I keep hoping she'll go back to writing like she did with her first novels---instead of churning out books that are obviously just written for commercial success. Disappointing because she has so much potential to be a truly good writer. Instead she goes with her same tired old formula.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2017
Really intriguing story on the various definitions of what makes a family and the legal aspects and prejudices against same-sex couples. I really enjoyed this Picoult book. So far my Jodi Picoult phase is leaving me with the belief that this woman cannot write a bad book.
Overall, just a huge I love this author and her stories!
Overall, just a huge I love this author and her stories!
May 7, 2023
Why is tolerance in such short supply right now? This novel by Jodi Pucoult brings issues currently raising hackles in our society into clear and striking view. Two women, married to each other, seek to obtain control of one's previously fertilized embryos which were harvested in her previous marriage. Ms. Picoult intertwines issues of religious belief, separation of church and state, proper and appropriate views of raising children and other hot button issues into this story. All sides benefit from reading this novel. Highly recommended.
March 15, 2011
Zoe Baxter has spent ten years trying to get pregnant, and after multiple miscarriages and infertility issues, it looks like her dream is about to come true – she is seven months pregnant. But a terrible turn of events leads to a nightmare – one that takes away the baby she has already fallen for; and breaks apart her marriage to Max. In the aftermath, she throws herself into her career as a music therapist – using music clinically to soothe burn victims in a hospital; to help Alzheimer’s patients connect with the present; to provide solace for hospice patients. When Vanessa – a guidance counselor -- asks her to work with a suicidal teen, their relationship moves from business to friendship and then, to Zoe’s surprise, blossoms into love. When Zoe allows herself to start thinking of having a family, again, she remembers that there are still frozen embryos that were never used by herself and Max.
SING YOU HOME explores what it means to be gay in today’s world, and how reproductive science has outstripped the legal system. Are embryos people or property? What challenges do same-sex couples face when it comes to marriage and adoption? What happens when religion and sexual orientation – two issues that are supposed to be justice-blind – enter the courtroom? And most importantly, what constitutes a “traditional family” in today’s day and age?
I have read almost all of Jodi Picoult's books. I admire that she takes on a controversial social issue, but I have felt in her other novels she left the story open for each reader to form their own opinion and you weren't quite sure where she stood on the issue. This novel does not do that. It is very clear how she stands, she clearly favored one side over the other and painted a very harsh opinion of Christians and the values they base their life on. I also felt that she finished the story in the Epilogue taking one character completely out of their beliefs and made it unbelievable. It made me sad that one of my favorite authors would write such an opinioned novel realizing she would offend at least some of her readers.
SING YOU HOME explores what it means to be gay in today’s world, and how reproductive science has outstripped the legal system. Are embryos people or property? What challenges do same-sex couples face when it comes to marriage and adoption? What happens when religion and sexual orientation – two issues that are supposed to be justice-blind – enter the courtroom? And most importantly, what constitutes a “traditional family” in today’s day and age?
I have read almost all of Jodi Picoult's books. I admire that she takes on a controversial social issue, but I have felt in her other novels she left the story open for each reader to form their own opinion and you weren't quite sure where she stood on the issue. This novel does not do that. It is very clear how she stands, she clearly favored one side over the other and painted a very harsh opinion of Christians and the values they base their life on. I also felt that she finished the story in the Epilogue taking one character completely out of their beliefs and made it unbelievable. It made me sad that one of my favorite authors would write such an opinioned novel realizing she would offend at least some of her readers.
April 17, 2011
I have high expectations for her books because I loved House Rules, Change of Heart and Handle With Care and the can't-turn-the-pages-fast-enough-feeling from reading those books.
I was disappointed because I found the storyline to be very predictable and hoped for a shocking ending with unexpected twists and turns throughout. I don't want to post spoilers, so I will just say that: Max acted as I anticipated throughout the story, Lucy's part of the story was obvious from the beginning, Vanessa/Zoe/Max's secrets were not hard to figure out, the court case and ending were very predictable. I also didn't find it very realistic for someone recently divorced to get married again after only 5 months of being in a new relationship.
I did enjoy Zoe's mother being very unique and reading the music therapy sessions Zoe had with her clients. The struggles of infertility and strain on couples relationships was well-written. I really enjoy Picoult's writing style and the story being told from different characters point of view. I will continue to read her novels and look forward to her next release Lone Wolf!
I was disappointed because I found the storyline to be very predictable and hoped for a shocking ending with unexpected twists and turns throughout. I don't want to post spoilers, so I will just say that: Max acted as I anticipated throughout the story, Lucy's part of the story was obvious from the beginning, Vanessa/Zoe/Max's secrets were not hard to figure out, the court case and ending were very predictable. I also didn't find it very realistic for someone recently divorced to get married again after only 5 months of being in a new relationship.
I did enjoy Zoe's mother being very unique and reading the music therapy sessions Zoe had with her clients. The struggles of infertility and strain on couples relationships was well-written. I really enjoy Picoult's writing style and the story being told from different characters point of view. I will continue to read her novels and look forward to her next release Lone Wolf!
February 22, 2011
To describe Jodi Picoult’s writing as anything less than powerful and poignant is a grave understatement. With her upcoming release Sing You Home, Picoult plays on her strengths as a writer and provides her readers, once again, with a book that presents some hard hitting controversial topics, a compelling argument for both sides, and a courtroom brawl that has her audience wavering back and forth between both sides of the issue.
For fans of Picoult, you’re going to get a story that’s formulaic to her style, one that is fast paced, with multiple perspectives, a controversial element and a courtroom standoff. No surprises on the delivery, but in this well researched, perfectly executed story, you’ll come across the events as they unfold, coupled with actual facts that will have you applauding Picoult for her ability to present a story without judgment or opinion; strictly fact and it’s up to the reader to decide whether the outcome was fair and just.
In Sing You Home Max and Zoe Baxter have been married for close to ten years; and for the past nine years they have experienced multiple miscarriages and failed IVF attempts. But when Zoe finally finds herself seven months pregnant, they suffer a heartbreaking event, and she and Max are faced with the emotional devastation of picking up the pieces and trying to figure out how to move on. They go their separate ways, and Zoe soon finds herself in a same-sex relationship where she and her partner are hoping to start a family with the embryos that remained frozen after her marriage with Max.
The story is told from the alternating perspective of the following characters:
Zoe Baxter: a music therapist who uses music in a clinical setting to help patients alleviate pain or change their moods or simply engage in the world. She works at senior centers with patients with dementia; in burn units with children who are having dressings changed; or schools with autistic kids.
Max Baxter: who divorces Zoe after the loss of their unborn baby. He succumbs to his past addiction of alcohol abuse and one night during a drinking and driving incident, he has an experience that brings him to the doorstep of his brother’s evangelical church.
Vanessa Shaw: a school counselor who helps Zoe recover from her downward spiral after the death of her unborn child and her divorce to Max.
These three people fight for the right to decide what should happen to the pre-born children that Zoe and Max created while married, and how that decision is influenced by a same sex relationship Max does not agree with.
The issues in this book raise the following questions:
Does religion hold a place in the American judicial system? After a witness swears on the Bible during a court case, where do biblical references fit in a courtroom argument? Do they fit at all?
Does an embryo produced for IVF purposes between two people fall under the category of person or property? If those two people divorce or go their separate ways, who has the rights over the frozen embryos?
Is homosexuality predisposed or environmentally influenced? Is a child raised in a same-sex parental family likely to follow in their parent’s footsteps?
Should the government have a say on gay rights including marriage and adoption?
As a society, how much have we progressed in terms of gay tolerance?
Should religious factions be allowed to use the church to mask their agenda of hate against the gay community?
All very heavy topics that I myself had my initial stance on, which I’ll politely keep out of this review, but when presented with facts, research, argument, and position, I found myself considering ideas I thought I initially had all figured out. Very well done indeed. Worth the ride for Picoult fans!
For fans of Picoult, you’re going to get a story that’s formulaic to her style, one that is fast paced, with multiple perspectives, a controversial element and a courtroom standoff. No surprises on the delivery, but in this well researched, perfectly executed story, you’ll come across the events as they unfold, coupled with actual facts that will have you applauding Picoult for her ability to present a story without judgment or opinion; strictly fact and it’s up to the reader to decide whether the outcome was fair and just.
In Sing You Home Max and Zoe Baxter have been married for close to ten years; and for the past nine years they have experienced multiple miscarriages and failed IVF attempts. But when Zoe finally finds herself seven months pregnant, they suffer a heartbreaking event, and she and Max are faced with the emotional devastation of picking up the pieces and trying to figure out how to move on. They go their separate ways, and Zoe soon finds herself in a same-sex relationship where she and her partner are hoping to start a family with the embryos that remained frozen after her marriage with Max.
The story is told from the alternating perspective of the following characters:
Zoe Baxter: a music therapist who uses music in a clinical setting to help patients alleviate pain or change their moods or simply engage in the world. She works at senior centers with patients with dementia; in burn units with children who are having dressings changed; or schools with autistic kids.
Max Baxter: who divorces Zoe after the loss of their unborn baby. He succumbs to his past addiction of alcohol abuse and one night during a drinking and driving incident, he has an experience that brings him to the doorstep of his brother’s evangelical church.
Vanessa Shaw: a school counselor who helps Zoe recover from her downward spiral after the death of her unborn child and her divorce to Max.
These three people fight for the right to decide what should happen to the pre-born children that Zoe and Max created while married, and how that decision is influenced by a same sex relationship Max does not agree with.
The issues in this book raise the following questions:
Does religion hold a place in the American judicial system? After a witness swears on the Bible during a court case, where do biblical references fit in a courtroom argument? Do they fit at all?
Does an embryo produced for IVF purposes between two people fall under the category of person or property? If those two people divorce or go their separate ways, who has the rights over the frozen embryos?
Is homosexuality predisposed or environmentally influenced? Is a child raised in a same-sex parental family likely to follow in their parent’s footsteps?
Should the government have a say on gay rights including marriage and adoption?
As a society, how much have we progressed in terms of gay tolerance?
Should religious factions be allowed to use the church to mask their agenda of hate against the gay community?
All very heavy topics that I myself had my initial stance on, which I’ll politely keep out of this review, but when presented with facts, research, argument, and position, I found myself considering ideas I thought I initially had all figured out. Very well done indeed. Worth the ride for Picoult fans!
April 6, 2021
Zoe and Max love being in love….years ago that is.
The pain of miscarriages, in-vitro procedures, ovulation schedules and thousands of dollars spent has placed the marriage in a trying situation. After the loss of another baby, one that was far into the pregnancy, Max and Zoe are both heartbroken but Zoe wants to move forward and try again for the 11th time….Max does not.
Zoe is a music therapist, mostly she works at the hospital cheering patients up or working with specific individuals to have emotional or developmental breakthroughs. Its during this time when a guidance counselor and so-so friend Vanessa asks her to council a suicidal teen at the high school. The women become very close and forge a bond that opens the door to love and a deep relationship. Soon the two move in together facing the challenges that gay-couples endure and before the wedding bells have even stopped ringing Zoe and Vanessa start talking about children, Vanessa offers a gift to Zoe that could change their life and decides to carry a baby for her. Using Zoë’s fertilized eggs with her x-husband Max (who’s become a religious Christian freak) will biologically make the child hers, only problem getting Max to agree.
I have always admired Jodi’s writing and her ability to take on controversial topics that make you stop, think and reevaluate. Beyond the fact that I really liked Zoe’s character it was hard to get past all the deep hating stereotype of Christians in the novel because she made the religious attacks way too personal.
The pain of miscarriages, in-vitro procedures, ovulation schedules and thousands of dollars spent has placed the marriage in a trying situation. After the loss of another baby, one that was far into the pregnancy, Max and Zoe are both heartbroken but Zoe wants to move forward and try again for the 11th time….Max does not.
Zoe is a music therapist, mostly she works at the hospital cheering patients up or working with specific individuals to have emotional or developmental breakthroughs. Its during this time when a guidance counselor and so-so friend Vanessa asks her to council a suicidal teen at the high school. The women become very close and forge a bond that opens the door to love and a deep relationship. Soon the two move in together facing the challenges that gay-couples endure and before the wedding bells have even stopped ringing Zoe and Vanessa start talking about children, Vanessa offers a gift to Zoe that could change their life and decides to carry a baby for her. Using Zoë’s fertilized eggs with her x-husband Max (who’s become a religious Christian freak) will biologically make the child hers, only problem getting Max to agree.
I have always admired Jodi’s writing and her ability to take on controversial topics that make you stop, think and reevaluate. Beyond the fact that I really liked Zoe’s character it was hard to get past all the deep hating stereotype of Christians in the novel because she made the religious attacks way too personal.
November 21, 2016
More a 3.5 for me. All the hallmarks of a Jodi Picoult novel-flawed, sympathetic characters revealed through multiple points of view, a significant and timely social issue, and heartbreaking conflict.
Zoe and Max's marriage fails after years of infertility, miscarriages and a shattering still birth. Zoe, a music therapist, finds solace in a new friend, Vanessa. Ultimately Vanessa becomes much more than a friend. Max relapses and starts drinking until his brother and wife help him find salvation in religion.
The major conflict in the novel is over what to do with embryo's left over from Max and Zoe's infertility attempts. Instead of Max and Zoe deciding on their own, Max's church gets involves and elevates the situation to an anti-gay, pro-traditional marriage media event before Max finally realizes what is right and decides it's up to him to do the right thing.
Zoe and Max's marriage fails after years of infertility, miscarriages and a shattering still birth. Zoe, a music therapist, finds solace in a new friend, Vanessa. Ultimately Vanessa becomes much more than a friend. Max relapses and starts drinking until his brother and wife help him find salvation in religion.
The major conflict in the novel is over what to do with embryo's left over from Max and Zoe's infertility attempts. Instead of Max and Zoe deciding on their own, Max's church gets involves and elevates the situation to an anti-gay, pro-traditional marriage media event before Max finally realizes what is right and decides it's up to him to do the right thing.
December 19, 2010
I can see, I think, what makes Picoult such a popular author. She chooses controversial situations and works her way through some logic, helping readers come to grips with questions that may nag them. Her writing is clear and accessible, and the story manages to hang together, but I felt nothing for the characters by the end. They felt like two-dimensional megaphones for their respective positions, in this case the religious right fights an openly gay couple for cryogenically frozen embryos. The one character that I worried about, a young girl undergoing therapy for depression, is never mentioned at the end, so we never learn her fate. She was a casualty of the story, which is resolved adequately without her.
Sing Me Home
is not literature, but storytelling, and Picoult does an adequate job.
March 11, 2011
When I read what Jodi Picoult's new book was about I laughed, not because the topic is funny but because instead of the usual formula of one controversial social issue, this book contains about 10 and it also includes a companion CD, lyrics written by Miss Picoult herself. I laughed, I mocked, and then I went out and bought it. I am clearly the biggest fool on the planet.
Picoult's books draw me back like an old boyfriend. Initially things seem good, I get caught up in the story (crying already by page 30) and I forget what ever made us break up in the first place. As the book continues I inevitably get annoyed by the formulaic style and start to place bets on what issue she's going to tackle next. I finish the book vowing to skip her next book all together (although deep down I know lack the moral fortitude to really see it through) but then the following winter I find myself checking the date of her next release and the cycle begins anew.
Update:
I finished and I have to say I found this less annoying than her last one. Yes, it contained a ridiculous number of controversial social issues and an accompanying CD which is just plain silly but it was a fast, entertaining read. Jodi Picoult will never win the Pulitzer but her books suck me in every time, even when I swear it's gonna happen this time. What more can I say?
Picoult's books draw me back like an old boyfriend. Initially things seem good, I get caught up in the story (crying already by page 30) and I forget what ever made us break up in the first place. As the book continues I inevitably get annoyed by the formulaic style and start to place bets on what issue she's going to tackle next. I finish the book vowing to skip her next book all together (although deep down I know lack the moral fortitude to really see it through) but then the following winter I find myself checking the date of her next release and the cycle begins anew.
Update:
I finished and I have to say I found this less annoying than her last one. Yes, it contained a ridiculous number of controversial social issues and an accompanying CD which is just plain silly but it was a fast, entertaining read. Jodi Picoult will never win the Pulitzer but her books suck me in every time, even when I swear it's gonna happen this time. What more can I say?
March 1, 2011
After reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult, I was pretty apprehensive about reading this one. But after KT’s suggestion to give her another try and Heather’s recommendation of Sing You Home I thought I might as well give it a try. Plus, I only had seven days to read it until it expired on GalleyGrab. And I’m kind of glad for that, because if it weren’t, I probably wouldn’t have even read it.
So, the story: Max and Zoe have been married for nine years, five of which they’ve spent in earnest trying to have a baby, which, thanks to both of their fertility issues, proves to be quite challenging. They eventually have to use vitro fertilization, which involves embryos being injected with the father’s, erm, yeah, sperm and then planted into Zoe. (I’m not sure this is EXACTLY what happens, but I’m not exactly very term-reverent. Yeah.) After two miscarriages, things finally seem to be working out for them when Zoe’s third embryo-injection has been going strong for twenty-eight weeks, but then ultimately it ends in a stillbirth.
This proves to be the last straw for Max, who divorces Zoe and moves in with his super-religious older brother and sis-in-law. Soon enough, Max himself finds inspiration and converts into a strict Christian. As for Zoe, her life seems to lose track of time, and it’s only after she finds a close friend in a sort-of client, Vanessa, that she manages to get over the failure of her marriage and the failed attempts at motherhood. But slowly, their friendship becomes something else altogether and she finds that she’s in love with her lesbian best friend who’s also in love with her.
When it turns out that three embryo eggs Zoe and Max created are still left, Zoe and Vanessa want to plant them into Vanessa so Zoe can finally become a mum. However, Max, now being a conservative Christian and therefore anti-gay, refuses, which leads to a court-trial for the embryos’ custody.
All right, that was long. But the story’s pretty complicated, and that’s as concise as I could make it. And now for the review:
I finally get now why Jodi Picoult novels are called compulsively readable. Because this one totally was. The story’s told in the present-tense perspectives of Zoe, Max, and Vanessa, and it’s done really well. The characters themselves were very realistic to me, even if some of them did some rather awful stuff (like, yeah, MAX). Zoe worked as music therapist, which basically involves playing music for patients to rejuvinate their mental healths. I really liked learning about this profession, which I didn't have any clue of before.
But what I liked about this book so much was that, without being preachy, it gives an unprejudiced view of today’s society’s reaction to gay people. Yeah, the Christian side seemed to be the villain here, even though I know for a fact that open-minded Christians exist. The whole foray into a gay person’s mind was really quite enlightening, and since I have a gay character in one of my novels, I think reading this book will help a lot in shaping his character.
It was, however, a bit long, and did got a teensy bit repetitive at times. The ending was fairly satisfactory, but left some questions unanswered (what exactly was the deal with Lucy, for example) and maybe even a tad unrealistic in the sense that all the problems seem to be solved in the end and everybody’s gotten what they want. (Well, besides for Reid. Poor him.)
All in all, I really liked this one and totally recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read into the minds of gay people, and also how harrowing infertility can be for women.
A 3.5/5.
So, the story: Max and Zoe have been married for nine years, five of which they’ve spent in earnest trying to have a baby, which, thanks to both of their fertility issues, proves to be quite challenging. They eventually have to use vitro fertilization, which involves embryos being injected with the father’s, erm, yeah, sperm and then planted into Zoe. (I’m not sure this is EXACTLY what happens, but I’m not exactly very term-reverent. Yeah.) After two miscarriages, things finally seem to be working out for them when Zoe’s third embryo-injection has been going strong for twenty-eight weeks, but then ultimately it ends in a stillbirth.
This proves to be the last straw for Max, who divorces Zoe and moves in with his super-religious older brother and sis-in-law. Soon enough, Max himself finds inspiration and converts into a strict Christian. As for Zoe, her life seems to lose track of time, and it’s only after she finds a close friend in a sort-of client, Vanessa, that she manages to get over the failure of her marriage and the failed attempts at motherhood. But slowly, their friendship becomes something else altogether and she finds that she’s in love with her lesbian best friend who’s also in love with her.
When it turns out that three embryo eggs Zoe and Max created are still left, Zoe and Vanessa want to plant them into Vanessa so Zoe can finally become a mum. However, Max, now being a conservative Christian and therefore anti-gay, refuses, which leads to a court-trial for the embryos’ custody.
All right, that was long. But the story’s pretty complicated, and that’s as concise as I could make it. And now for the review:
I finally get now why Jodi Picoult novels are called compulsively readable. Because this one totally was. The story’s told in the present-tense perspectives of Zoe, Max, and Vanessa, and it’s done really well. The characters themselves were very realistic to me, even if some of them did some rather awful stuff (like, yeah, MAX). Zoe worked as music therapist, which basically involves playing music for patients to rejuvinate their mental healths. I really liked learning about this profession, which I didn't have any clue of before.
But what I liked about this book so much was that, without being preachy, it gives an unprejudiced view of today’s society’s reaction to gay people. Yeah, the Christian side seemed to be the villain here, even though I know for a fact that open-minded Christians exist. The whole foray into a gay person’s mind was really quite enlightening, and since I have a gay character in one of my novels, I think reading this book will help a lot in shaping his character.
It was, however, a bit long, and did got a teensy bit repetitive at times. The ending was fairly satisfactory, but left some questions unanswered (what exactly was the deal with Lucy, for example) and maybe even a tad unrealistic in the sense that all the problems seem to be solved in the end and everybody’s gotten what they want. (Well, besides for Reid. Poor him.)
All in all, I really liked this one and totally recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read into the minds of gay people, and also how harrowing infertility can be for women.
A 3.5/5.
November 17, 2017
4,5*
Mais um excelente livro da Jodi. Uma história que aborda temas muito interessantes e atuais de uma forma bastante tocante. Muito bom!
Mais um excelente livro da Jodi. Uma história que aborda temas muito interessantes e atuais de uma forma bastante tocante. Muito bom!
June 2, 2011
This book is unexpectedly brilliant. It took me through a roller coaster ride of emotions, one that keeps you lightheaded and dizzy, in an exhilarating way, long after you put down the book.
The story kicked off on a gut-wrenching start when Zoe Baxter lost her baby boy, conceived by in vitro, at 28 weeks. From then on, everything just started to fall apart, including her marriage of nine years, until she met Vanessa. The couple got married (not in Rhode Island, where they lived, as same sex marriage is not recognized there), while Zoe's alcoholic ex husband Max reforms and embraces a new faith, and everything seemed to be going well for both, until both decided to battle out in court to obtain custody rights over three frozen embryos that are still in a safekeeping the fertility clinic. Zoe wants her last chance at a biological child, that is to be carried by Vanessa, whereas Max does not want his child to be raised by a lesbian couple and instead chooses to give the embryos to his brother Reid and his wife Liddy, who are longtime members of his new church. This when things started to take an ugly turn and all skeletons came out of the closet.
This book just overwhelms you with all sorts of emotions. The writing is unpretentious and flows with ease. The story can be a little corny in some parts, but as a whole the twists and turn the plot took shows that Picoult is a gutsy writer that tackles controversial subjects head on. I liked that the story was told from multiple point of views, that gave great insight into the characters and helped me as a reader to understand the different shades of grey in the story. I also loved the fact that, in the end, as a reader, I wasn't led to choose my side in the debate, instead I was given the space to understand and felt empathy for either side. Highly recommended.
The story kicked off on a gut-wrenching start when Zoe Baxter lost her baby boy, conceived by in vitro, at 28 weeks. From then on, everything just started to fall apart, including her marriage of nine years, until she met Vanessa. The couple got married (not in Rhode Island, where they lived, as same sex marriage is not recognized there), while Zoe's alcoholic ex husband Max reforms and embraces a new faith, and everything seemed to be going well for both, until both decided to battle out in court to obtain custody rights over three frozen embryos that are still in a safekeeping the fertility clinic. Zoe wants her last chance at a biological child, that is to be carried by Vanessa, whereas Max does not want his child to be raised by a lesbian couple and instead chooses to give the embryos to his brother Reid and his wife Liddy, who are longtime members of his new church. This when things started to take an ugly turn and all skeletons came out of the closet.
This book just overwhelms you with all sorts of emotions. The writing is unpretentious and flows with ease. The story can be a little corny in some parts, but as a whole the twists and turn the plot took shows that Picoult is a gutsy writer that tackles controversial subjects head on. I liked that the story was told from multiple point of views, that gave great insight into the characters and helped me as a reader to understand the different shades of grey in the story. I also loved the fact that, in the end, as a reader, I wasn't led to choose my side in the debate, instead I was given the space to understand and felt empathy for either side. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2017
I started this book already having experience with Jodi Picoult’s writing, so I knew I was in for an intense experience. She is so methodical and expressive but I always find her stories disconcerting. I appreciate that the author told the story from Zoe, her new wife Vanessa and Zoe’s ex-husband’s point of view. It gave me an opportunity to empathize. I’ll admit it that I found the story a bit preachy and definitely advocated a viewpoint, but the story felt real especially in today’s political and religious climate. Zoe and Vanessa’s court case against Max made me examine my own views about this controversial issue. But the author’s writing was remarkable in that I could empathize to all three main characters even if I didn’t quite like them.
The story began with Zoe and Max struggling to conceive. What the reader never got to experience was any real tenderness, happiness or the power of their love. Their relationship was that of a woman determined to have a baby and the man she needed to make that dream a reality. It should have come as no surprise to the readers that Zoe and Max broke up. Unfortunately, Zoe’s new relationship didn’t resonate with me either. What did resonate with me was Zoe’s desire to have a family and the stress the struggle caused her, Max and Vanessa.
I would have loved this story more if the author had delivered multifaceted characters instead of Max, an alcoholic turned bible thumper fighting a music therapist and an atheist school counselor. The characters were over-simplified in such a way to make you either love them or hate them. The stereotypes were written in such a way that I felt led by the nose to the conclusion, which was a typical Picoult ending.
The story began with Zoe and Max struggling to conceive. What the reader never got to experience was any real tenderness, happiness or the power of their love. Their relationship was that of a woman determined to have a baby and the man she needed to make that dream a reality. It should have come as no surprise to the readers that Zoe and Max broke up. Unfortunately, Zoe’s new relationship didn’t resonate with me either. What did resonate with me was Zoe’s desire to have a family and the stress the struggle caused her, Max and Vanessa.
I would have loved this story more if the author had delivered multifaceted characters instead of Max, an alcoholic turned bible thumper fighting a music therapist and an atheist school counselor. The characters were over-simplified in such a way to make you either love them or hate them. The stereotypes were written in such a way that I felt led by the nose to the conclusion, which was a typical Picoult ending.
December 22, 2021
2.5 stars rounded down.
this book is basically about a court case baxter vs baxter that is really the gays vs the church. and yes, it is unpleasant.
sing you home was the first sapphic book i had ever read (i was 16) and this is my third read. i haven’t read anything so... unsatisfying in a long time because the homophobes in this book are really icky, but i’ve always enjoyed picoult’s writing as a teen and i still do. it’s smartly written and a very good attempt of writing sapphic main characters from picoult, who is cis-het, but always tries to write very different stories. i also think all the details are carefully designed and fit into the story really well. while i often say that multiple 1st-person povs are my least favorite, i’ve always liked picoult’s (this book: zoe, vanessa, max).
technically, the rating should be higher but it’s not super enjoyable because of the topic and some things felt rushed. i also had a bit of issue with some of the queer-related parts, but nothing was bad. also, note that this was first published back in 2011, so it might be a bit dated now.
i love that zoe (40) is a music therapist and i love the final super short chapter. i hate the dirtiness of how the other baxter’s side played their game.
note to potential readers of the book: this is not the book you read to feel good about being queer. it’s stressful and angering, but hey, it’s sadly the reality sometimes.
content warnings: homophobia, suicidal attempt, abortion, stillbirth, miscarriage, infidelity, sexism, vehicular accidents, alcohol abuse, cancer, infertility, death of parent, panic attack, dementia in minor character, blood, gun, mention of self-harm, depression
this book is basically about a court case baxter vs baxter that is really the gays vs the church. and yes, it is unpleasant.
sing you home was the first sapphic book i had ever read (i was 16) and this is my third read. i haven’t read anything so... unsatisfying in a long time because the homophobes in this book are really icky, but i’ve always enjoyed picoult’s writing as a teen and i still do. it’s smartly written and a very good attempt of writing sapphic main characters from picoult, who is cis-het, but always tries to write very different stories. i also think all the details are carefully designed and fit into the story really well. while i often say that multiple 1st-person povs are my least favorite, i’ve always liked picoult’s (this book: zoe, vanessa, max).
technically, the rating should be higher but it’s not super enjoyable because of the topic and some things felt rushed. i also had a bit of issue with some of the queer-related parts, but nothing was bad. also, note that this was first published back in 2011, so it might be a bit dated now.
i love that zoe (40) is a music therapist and i love the final super short chapter. i hate the dirtiness of how the other baxter’s side played their game.
note to potential readers of the book: this is not the book you read to feel good about being queer. it’s stressful and angering, but hey, it’s sadly the reality sometimes.
content warnings: homophobia, suicidal attempt, abortion, stillbirth, miscarriage, infidelity, sexism, vehicular accidents, alcohol abuse, cancer, infertility, death of parent, panic attack, dementia in minor character, blood, gun, mention of self-harm, depression
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