Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult
March 1st 2011 by Atria
Hardcover, 480 Pages
Review Copy
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. Meanwhile, Max has found peace at the bottom of a bottle – until he is redeemed by an evangelical church, whose charismatic pastor – Clive Lincoln – has vowed to fight the “homosexual agenda” that has threatened traditional family values in America. But this mission becomes personal for Max, when Zoe and her same-sex partner say they want permission to raise his unborn child.
Review
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 and tired but Zoe wants to move forward and try again for the 11th time- Max does not. The pain is to much, the scheduled sex is to much and the wife he needs for companionship and friendship no longer exists, thus causing a separation and ultimately a divorce. Zoe of course is heartbroken, more so over the babies she will not be having and not the divorce and slumps into a bit of a depression which her job certainly helps let her face.
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 and tired but Zoe wants to move forward and try again for the 11th time- Max does not. The pain is to much, the scheduled sex is to much and the wife he needs for companionship and friendship no longer exists, thus causing a separation and ultimately a divorce. Zoe of course is heartbroken, more so over the babies she will not be having and not the divorce and slumps into a bit of a depression which her job certainly helps let her face.
Zoe is a music therapist, mostly she works at the hospital cheering patients up or working with specific individuals towards developmental breakthroughs. Its during this time while getting over Max that 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 winds up opening the door to love and a deep relationship. AND BAAAM!! Zoe's now gay and soon the two move in together facing the challenges that gay-couples endure and finally when Zoe accepts the fact that she's a lesbian and has always been one...(?) she gets the courage to come out to her family and friends. Her mother is thrilled that Zoe is a just a lesbian and not a crazy Republican which gives her all the confidence in the world and with that acceptance from loved ones the two decide to get married.
Before the wedding bells have even stopped ringing Zoe and Vanessa start talking about children, Zoe no longer being able to get pregnant due to her recent hysterectomy is on the edge of sinking into depression again but Vanessa offers a gift to Zoe that could change their life and decides to carry a baby for her. The plan is simple they will have to use Zoe's fertilized eggs with her x-husband Max's (who’s become a religious nut) sperm, which will biologically make the child hers, while leaving the option for Vanessa to adopt. Sounds perfect, only problem.... getting crazy Jesus-freak Max to agree.
Before the wedding bells have even stopped ringing Zoe and Vanessa start talking about children, Zoe no longer being able to get pregnant due to her recent hysterectomy is on the edge of sinking into depression again but Vanessa offers a gift to Zoe that could change their life and decides to carry a baby for her. The plan is simple they will have to use Zoe's fertilized eggs with her x-husband Max's (who’s become a religious nut) sperm, which will biologically make the child hers, while leaving the option for Vanessa to adopt. Sounds perfect, only problem.... getting crazy Jesus-freak 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 your stand on things and while I can say her writing is marvelous I don't really need to, she has Stephen King to stroke her ego for that, I can say I've never had a book make my blood boil the way this one did. Beyond the fact that I really liked Zoe’s character (especially her therapy techniques with a bitter teen) it was hard to get past all the stereotyping in the novel because I took it on a personal level. I was disappointed that Jodi in order to get her message of gay acceptance across put me and thousands of other Christians in the “gay-hater” box.
The "BOX” represented of my faith stated that I’m closed-minded, picket abortion clinics and gay/lesbian films, do not accept gay marriage and pretty much want all of them to die. I think she was trying to show this tolerance/acceptance through Max’s character who actually started off a normal guy but became a drunkard idiot within a few chapters. He was made to come off as weak minded and wishy-washy and after his character accepts Christ he becomes hypnotized, sees bright lights and finally lets the breezy feeling just sweep him away to la-la land where days are right as rain. What a load of BS- if that’s really what being a Christian was like, a lot more people would be giving up drugs and joining us over here on the floaty side of some make-believe life were all living. I've never felt hypnotized, seen any lights or never have had anymore problems. Im wondering just what type of Christians Picoult is writing about? Scripture in the novel was used over and over and out of context mostly by a ridiculous evangelical lawyer who would make even your average fundamentalist cringe. Over the top, ridiculous and not even relevant to modern day Christians.
After reading this it didn’t give me a new outlook or thoughts on tolerance or acceptance of gay marriage, it just offended me that I got stereotyped. It didn’t build a case for homosexual rights, it just took Christians- (the same people Picoult is trying to convince to change) and showcased them as either religious zealots or fools. How incredibly immature and one sided, a perfect way not to win your case. I would never recommend this book for entertainment value with the very personal message inside of it, nor would I recommend it period. Nor will I be reading or spending a dime of my money on her drivel ever again.
After reading this it didn’t give me a new outlook or thoughts on tolerance or acceptance of gay marriage, it just offended me that I got stereotyped. It didn’t build a case for homosexual rights, it just took Christians- (the same people Picoult is trying to convince to change) and showcased them as either religious zealots or fools. How incredibly immature and one sided, a perfect way not to win your case. I would never recommend this book for entertainment value with the very personal message inside of it, nor would I recommend it period. Nor will I be reading or spending a dime of my money on her drivel ever again.
Rating
Sing You Home is recommended to adult readers and contains: Language, sexuality, homosexual equality issues, infertility issues, death, abortion, suicidal teen, religious fanatics, divorce and mild violence.
1/5- Contemporary Fiction
Review Copy- Crazy Book Tours
T, I have to say that this book sounds more than disappointing. When a book makes readers feel that way, it takes on something more than a story by coming off as superior and yes, even preachy with the whole, you should not just tolerate but accept. It sounds like it stereotypes and judges and that is no better than what it tries to argue.
ReplyDeletePlus, it seems like the story is taking on too many ideas at once. Probably not the book for me, but I thought your review was fair even if it struck an cord. Thanks.
I've only read a few Picoult books - she tends to deal with heavier topics than I want to read about. It sounds like, with this one, her approach to a controversial issue is too one-sided. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteNot something I would read and especially not after I read your final paragraph/thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for calling it like it is :)
Hm. I think I'll pass on this one, I get irritated when there's blatant stereotyping going on, and while I can appreciate her message of acceptance, I just don't think this one is for me! Thanks for such an honest review Tina!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about this one!! (My review wil be up 2/25, I think). I did not like this one and came away offended. Not in the same way you did (although I thought of that too) but because I felt like she was trying to FORCE an opinion down my throat. I already have my liberal beliefs about equal rights and I still felt like the way the message was getting across was too forceful and those who have strong opinions in the other direction would not be swayed by this!
ReplyDeleteHmm, doesn't sound like something I'd like either.
ReplyDeleteI'm LOLing at your video, "Even old Pat Robertson..." ha! :)
Not for me but I ALWAYS love your reviews - so much thoughtful insight. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSing You Home is slower than some of Picoult's novels, but it could be a good thing. The characters seemed more sympathetic and realistic.
ReplyDelete