A Spark of Light
by Jodi Picoult
4 stars
You can always count on Jodi Picoult to take on a contentious issue in her novels. This go around the topic is abortion. Her story opens with a gunman holding several patients and staff hostage at a women’s clinic in Mississippi. The hostages are of a variety of ages and reasons for why they’re in the clinic which allows Picoult to explore ranging viewpoints on abortion. Outside the clinic is Hugh McElroy, the hostage negotiator and the father of one of the hostages. A parallel story to the hostage situation is 17-year-old Beth who’s been arrested for ending her pregnancy illegally. Beth is in jail, distraught and treated horribly by the justice system.
The story then unfolds in reverse chronological order which was disconcerting at first, but I came to appreciate Picoult’s approach in the end. She leaves a little surprise at the conclusion as well has a heartfelt letter to readers.
Read-alikes:
Keeper by Greg Rucka
A Maiden’s Grave by Jeffery Deaver
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion
