Change of Heart

In Jodi Picoult's most recently published book, Change of Heart, Shay Bourne has been convicted of murdering Elizabeth Nealon, a seven year old girl, and her step-father who is also a police officer. Because of the heinous nature of the crimes for which he is convicted, he is sentenced to death and will be the first man in New Hampshire to face the death penalty in about 60 years. June Nealon wants nothing to do with him, but now her daughter (who was born a few months after the deaths of Elizabeth and Kurt Nealon) is in need of a heart and Shay Bourne is offering his. This book, which had some very Green Mile type elements, revolves around the relationship between Shay and the Nealon's and religious beliefs.

I have to say that I regularly felt completely fed up with Father Michael's character. Father Micheal seemed to be a man who had chosen to take Holy Orders for no other reason than a feeling of guilt related to his service on the jury that sentenced Shay Bourne to death. A man who is supposed to be leading the faith ends up with his faith completely shaken within such a short amount of time and having no strength in his faith. Quite frankly, I found myself despising the silly little man and wanting to set down the book every time the chapter was narrated by him.

June Nealon's character found a little more sympathy in my heart: at least she had the excuse of having lost a husband (not so long after losing her first one) and a daughter all in one terrible day. Now, faced with the possible death of her only remaining family, it would be easy to be as bitter and cynical as June Nealon is. Still, I didn't enjoy reading her narrative until the latter parts of the story.

To be honest, the only narrative I actually enjoyed was that of the ACLU lawyer helping Shay, and that was because I understand the body and family issues and found her budding relationship to be sweet and humorous. I wasn't expecting to like her but she was quickly my favorite character and, quite possibly, the only reason I continued to read this book.

There were several instances of false information regarding the Catholic Church which tended to annoy me. None of them were huge, except one regarding the Seal of the Confessional, but it showed a lack of research which concerns me when I am reading a novel that revolved so strongly around religious beliefs.

As I am coming to find out about Picoult's writing, there were a few twists, but nothing I didn't expect from the beginning. While some of the story may have been very good, my disgust with the priest's lack of strength in his faith (which was due to why he chose the priesthood) made it very difficult for me to enjoy this novel and that was compounded by my frustration at the instances of poor research done regarding some elements of the Catholic Church, which played into the story. I suppose I can see a final point to all of it but not enough to make me really enjoy this book.

Rating: 2.5