Sing You Home

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult, Atria, 2011, 480 pp, ISBN: 1439102724

Jodi Picoult, how can you do this to me EVERY SINGLE TIME?

Recap (Caution - This is a pretty detailed recap! I don't tell you end, but there's a lot of info here!):
Zoe and Max have been married for almost 10 years, and want nothing more than a baby to complete their family. Yet after another failed round of in vitro fertilization, Zoe learns that she and Max aren't exactly on the same page anymore. In fact, when Zoe expresses her desire to try for another baby, Max leaves her and files for divorce.

In the months that follow, Max moves back in with his big brother Reid and his wife Liddie, while Zoe spends more and more time with her friend Vanessa - a school counselor who had hired Zoe in the past for her skills as a music therapist.

As time passes, Zoe realizes that her feelings for Vanessa have progressed beyond friendship. In fact, she has fallen in love, a sentiment that is whole-heartedly reciprocated by Vanessa.

When the two women decide together that it's not too late to have a child together, Zoe approaches Max to ask permission to use their three remaining embryos. After all, he made it very clear that he had no desire to start a family when he left her.

What Zoe doesn't yet understand is that, in their time apart, Max has given his life to Jesus and the pastor of his church isn't about to let Max give his "pre-born children" away to his "deviant ex-wife."

The court case and evolution of relationships that follow are something that no one involved will ever forget.

Review:
Can I just take a moment to tell you how much I love Jodi Picoult? Seriously, this woman is brilliant. She does meticulous research for each of her books, and somehow always manages to present all sides of an issue without ever revealing where she stands. She doesn't shy away from controversial issues, or an anti-happy ending. Plus, her story telling methods are incredibly creative. From the graphic novel elements of The 10th Circle to the audio CD included with Sing You Home, she isn't afraid to partner with expert artists who can make her stories even more captivating.

Sing You Home, which will hit bookstores on March 1, is yet another stunning example of this master story-teller at work. Right away, the reader is knotted to the heartstrings of Zoe Baxter, a music therapist who is absolutely desperate for a child. When Max leaves her, only days after scattering the ashes of their stillborn child, one would think that the reader would hate him for such a heartless move, but I actually empathized with him instead. Max knew that he was no longer enough for Zoe, that no matter how much he loved and supported her, she would never be happy without a baby.

When Zoe fell in love with Vanessa, I was actually pretty shocked! Even though their relationship is the basis for much of the book, I hadn't known that before starting. Regardless, Zoe and Vanessa's relationship felt authentic and real. It was easy to see how well they complimented each other, and obvious that they would be a solid parenting team. If only everyone could see that...

Although it happened in a pretty dramatic way, Max's decision to accept Christ as his savior felt authentic to me as well. I know a number of people with similar stories, and felt relieved that Max seemed to be on a path toward peace. Of course, that peace turned out to only be the calm before the storm.

Sing You Home brought up every question I've ever heard about homosexuality and adoption by same-sex parents. Is homosexuality genetic or a choice? How will two parents of the same sex affect a child? Is an embryo a human being or a piece of property? When it comes to adoption by homosexual parents, where do you draw the line between church and state? How much of the Bible is literal and how much is up for interpretation?

I wrote to Ms. Picoult and asked what inspired her to focus her story on a lesbian couple, and she responded, "I feel like gay rights is the last civil right we haven't granted in America." I couldn't agree more. I hope that Sing You Home will inspire conversation, provoke questions, and make all of us question why we believe what we believe.

If you are looking for a book that will make you feel the full spectrum of emotions in bright, vivid color, pick up a copy of Sing You Home on March 1st.

Quotable Quotes:

"The music we listen to may not define who we are. But it's a damn good start." - Zoe

"For a moment the whole world stands still, and I can feel my heart hammering like a moth trapped under glass. 'God forgives you,' I tell her.

Zoe's eyes are clear, wide, the color of a thunderstorm. 'God should know there's nothing to forgive,' she says." - Liddie

Thank you to Crazy Book Tours for allowing me to join in on the Sing You Home tour!