Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult

Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult is an insight into a family rocked by Osteogenesis Imperfecta and the devastating effect it has on their lives

My Book Review Rating:

It’s unusual for me not to award Picoult with five stars – but I’m afraid the ending made me knock one off!

Fiction or non-fiction? What’s the genre?

Handle with Care is a work of fiction; though as with all of Picoult’s work the topics covered are extremely real – and well researched.

Why did you decide to read this book?

My Mother-in-law was kind enough to add this book to my Christmas Stocking; two days after Christmas I found myself curled up on the sofa with a stinking cold and the desire to read a book that I knew I would enjoy. So I reached straight for this one. Jodi Picoult is one of my dependable authors, I always enjoy her books from the very first word. In my book Jodi Picoult = Comfort Food

Summarise the plot – without revealing the ending!

Let’s see – Willow is born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (more commonly known as Brittle Bones disease) and after a disastrous vacation to Disney World her father Sean meets with an attorney. The lawsuit they are encouraged to file is one of wrongful birth – suggesting that Sean and Charlotte (the mother) should have been made aware earlier on in her pregnancy that Willow suffered from this life-threatening condition.

The fly in the ointment? Charlotte’s OB is also her best friend!

The story is based around the lawsuit and the devastating effect it has on Charlotte’s relationship with Piper (the OB), Sean, Amelia (her eldest daughter) and Willow.

What did you like about this book?

As with all Picoult novels I like the way the story is told from the viewpoint of each of the main characters. In this novel each of the characters writes as if they are talking to Willow.

What didn’t you like?

The ending. I can see why Picoult decided to close out the novel the way she did, but I think I would have preferred it to end in the penultimate chapter!

What did you think of the main character?

I guess the main character is Charlotte. She is a very believable character, caught between trying to do what is best for her daughter despite the detrimental effects it has on her relationships. She has to make some difficult decisions during the course of the novel and I alternated between liking and disliking her; I’m not quite sure what I would have done in her shoes.

Are there any other interesting characters in the book?

Charlotte’s elder daughter Amelia probably suffers most from the effects of the lawsuit. She begins to loathe herself and struggles with bulimia and self-harm as a way of relieving the pain she feels inside.

Share a quote from the book:

The following quote is from a conversation between Charlotte and Amelia, I think it sums up the novel perfectly:

“I know what it’s like to start something and have it suddenly grow out of control. And you want to get rid of it, because it’s hurting you and everyone else around you, but everytime you try to do that, it consumes you again.”

Which of your readers are likely to enjoy reading this book?

If you’re already a fan of Jodi Picoult then you should add Handle with Care to your wish list immediately. If you’ve yet to experience this great author and you like novels that drag you in from the first word, with real-life and often gritty issues and throw up a moral dilemma that makes you ask yourself ‘what would I do?’ then you should enjoy this one!

Over to you…

If you’ve reviewed Handle with Care then pop a link to your review in the box below. If you’ve got anything you’d like to say about the book then drop me a line in the comments box below