Jodi Picoult's "Handle w/Care" - ending a real let-down

[meliss8599]

Was anyone else disappointed? I usually love her books but I felt that this ending was a real let-down. I was like, "That's it?" Blah. Booooring.

The book was absolutely fabulous until the very last page. I feel she could have had the same end result but with a much better lead-up or more drama. I usually gasp at the end (or near-end) of her books. This one was just missing the usual "Picoult-ness".

Let's discuss.

 

[DVCLiz]

Was anyone else disappointed? I usually love her books but I felt that this ending was a real let-down. I was like, "That's it?" Blah. Booooring.

The book was absolutely fabulous until the very last page. I feel she could have had the same end result but with a much better lead-up or more drama. I usually gasp at the end (or near-end) of her books. This one was just missing the usual "Picoult-ness".

Let's discuss.

I can't remember if I've read it, but after "The Pact" and possibly one or two others I have been disappointed in all of her books. She seems to have the same formula - take a current event, mix it up a little and add more drama, then write the most off-base surprise twist ending possible - even if it has NOTHING to do with the plot and has not so much as been hinted at during the story.

I just find it weak and tired so I have stopped reading her. I downloaded the newest one (is it Handle With Care? about the girl who has fragile bones and the mom'd friend was the OB?) and read the last chapter just to see - yep, same old same old. I was so disappointed I didn't even read the whole book.

 

[meliss8599]

I downloaded the newest one (is it Handle With Care? about the girl who has fragile bones and the mom'd friend was the OB?) and read the last chapter just to see - yep, same old same old. I was so disappointed I didn't even read the whole book.

Yes, that's it.

 

[DVCLiz]

I thought so - I'm going to write my question and then change the font to white, so if you will highlight it I can ask without ruining the story for anyone else -

Did she go all the way through the plot and then just randomly kill off the little girl by having her drown in the pond? Why? Just for shock value? Was there anything in the plot that led to it? As I said, I read the first few chapters and then skipped to the end because the story just wasn't that compelling.

 

[happygirl]

I haven't read it yet. I have heard others says it her best and then others say it her worst I can't image it can be any better then Sisters Keeper

 

[meliss8599]

Your quote is still in white so as not to spoil it for anyone who may read this thread:

Did she go all the way through the plot and then just randomly kill off the little girl by having her drown in the pond? You nailed it right on the headWhy? Just for shock value? It was not very shocking; it seems this is what she has done in many of her more recent booksWas there anything in the plot that led to it? Not that I could tellAs I said, I read the first few chapters and then skipped to the end because the story just wasn't that compelling.

I haven't read it yet. I have heard others says it her best and then others say it her worst I can't image it can be any better then Sisters Keeper

I don't think any of her prior or following books have ever rivaled My Sister's Keeper. I love Jodi Picoult but, as a previous poster stated, her themes seem to be VERY recycled to the point where you can predict her endings.

One of her books that I have to say was as good as or almost as good as MSK is "Keeping Faith" about a little girl who sees and talks to God. It's fabulous and doesn't have the typical Picoult ending.

 

[mom of 3G's]

I don't think any of her prior or following books have ever rivaled My Sister's Keeper. I love Jodi Picoult but, as a previous poster stated, her themes seem to be VERY recycled to the point where you can predict her endings.

One of her books that I have to say was as good as or almost as good as MSK is "Keeping Faith" about a little girl who sees and talks to God. It's fabulous and doesn't have the typical Picoult ending.

WARNING: PLOT EXPOSED FOR "HANDLE WITH CARE" Proceed as you wish

I found "Handle with Care" to be a mirror image of "My Sister's Keeper." Same story line ...sick kid, lawyers involved, a kid dies. At one point while reading the book I happened to glance at the front cover and realized that it was not just a child skating on the pond, but also included somebody falling through the ice so I was expecting this ending. Way too predictable.

I just finished "The Pact" and found that also to be a copy of "Nineteen Minutes."

I need to take a break from her as I am able to figure out her plots and endings without having to finish the book. Too bad, as I really enjoyed her for the first 3 or 4 books...

 

[DVCLiz]

I read "The Pact" a long time ago - my book club chose it. I thought it was great - provocative and a real "thinking about it from both sides" book. When my daughter read "Nineteen Minutes" and told me about it, I thought, "Oh, where have I read that before?"

I think I'm done with Jodi Picoult. I am having a great time, though, browsing the Kindle "Literary Fiction" list - I have downloaded about 20 new books for the summer/fall reading!! Next up is "Shanghai Girls" by Lisa See - loved her other books!! Also "Olive Kitteridge" and The Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet."

Attention English majors - I know I'm supposed to underline the title of a book instead of putting it in quotes. I just felt like doing it this way - sue me.

 

[meliss8599]

Was anyone satisfied w/the ending?

 

[AmandaSparks730]

The ending of My Sister's Keeper, I did not see coming at all. Keep in mind that this was the first of her books that I have read. Still, it would have been expected and dull if it ended all, "oh and then Kate took her last breath two days/hours/seconds after the trial ended and Anna isn't forgiving herself the end". I'm considering reading Nineteen Minutes--thoughts on that one?

 

[meliss8599]

The ending of My Sister's Keeper, I did not see coming at all. Keep in mind that this was the first of her books that I have read. Still, it would have been expected and dull if it ended all, "oh and then Kate took her last breath two days/hours/seconds after the trial ended and Anna isn't forgiving herself the end". I'm considering reading Nineteen Minutes--thoughts on that one?

My Sister's Keeper is probably Picoult's best book and what got most of her fast started and/or hooked. The problem for many of her followers now (including me) is that it seems many of her books have almost the exact same ending. It's no longer a "twist" or a "surprise" if you can anticipate one of the main characters is going to pass in the end.

 

[mom of 3G's]

I'm considering reading Nineteen Minutes--thoughts on that one?

This is probably my second favorite book of hers, the first being "My Sister's Keeper." If you haven't read "The Pact" then I suggest you read "Nineteen Minutes"; however, if you have read "The Pact" the stories are too similar.

 

[2cats1kid]

Sounds like I've got it right by accident then! I read "Nineteen Minutes" a couple of months ago and enjoyed it, and am currently reading "Keeping Faith". So I seem to have picked two of her better ones. Any others I should read, or should I just stop while I'm ahead?