Title: Keeping Faith
Author: Jodi Picoult
First published April 22, 1999
422 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780060878061 (ISBN10: 0060878061)
Rating: 3.81
Overview
“An irresistible page-turner. This novel’s gripping tale will captivate the reader until the very last page and leave a lasting impression of Faith and her journey.” — Boston Globe “Exceptional.” — Chicago Tribune From the master storyteller Jodi Picoult ( Small Great Things, A Spark of Light, The Book of Two Ways ) comes Keeping Faith: a “compulsively readable” ( Publishers Weekly ) novel that “challenges your beliefs about religion and spirituality.
A thought-provoking gem in contemporary fiction” ( Kirkus Reviews ).
About the Author
Jodi Picoult has written twenty-eight novels, including popular titles like Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper. She has also co-authored two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page, with her daughter Samantha van Leer.
Picoult resides in New Hampshire and her latest novel, MAD HONEY, co-written with Jennifer Finney Boylan, will be released on October 4, 2022 in hardcover, ebook, and audio formats. Visit her website or follow her on social media on Facebook and Twitter.
Editoral Review
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult is a novel that explores the complexities of family, faith, and the legal system. Picoult is a prolific author known for her ability to tackle controversial and emotional topics in her writing.
The novel was first published on April 22, 1999, and has since become a bestseller, with its themes still relevant today.
The story revolves around a young girl named Faith White, who claims to have been visited by God. This revelation sets off a chain of events that leads to her parents’ divorce and a custody battle.
Mariah, Faith’s mother, is a former hippie and now a successful corporate executive. Meanwhile, Faith’s father, Ian, is an ex-priest who is struggling to find his place in the world.
As the custody battle unfolds, both parents must confront their own beliefs and values as they fight for their daughter.
The novel is set in a small town in New Hampshire, where the characters’ lives are tightly intertwined. Picoult weaves in themes of religion, spirituality, and the legal system, creating a complex and layered story.
The novel also touches on issues of mental illness and the stigmatization that often comes with it.
Picoult’s writing is engaging and compelling, drawing the reader into the story from the first page. The characters are well-developed, each with their own flaws and motivations.
The pacing of the novel is excellent, with each chapter building on the last.
One of the strengths of Keeping Faith is how Picoult portrays the legal system. She provides a nuanced look at the complexities of custody battles and how the courts often fail to take into account the emotional well-being of the child.
At the same time, she shows how the legal system can be a source of healing and justice.
However, one of the weaknesses of the novel is that it can be overly sentimental at times. The portrayal of Faith as a young girl who has a direct connection to God may be off-putting to some readers.
Additionally, the novel’s resolution may feel too neat and tidy for some.
Overall, Keeping Faith is a thought-provoking novel that explores important themes and issues. It is a must-read for fans of Jodi Picoult and those who enjoy emotionally charged family dramas.
The novel deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars for its excellent writing, well-developed characters, and engaging plot.
