Change of Heart

The Rocky

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

* Fiction. By Jodi Picoult. Atria, $26.95. Grade: C

Plot in a nutshell: Religious beliefs, miracles, forgiveness and salvation are the prevailing themes in Picoult's latest novel centered around four main characters.

Pregnant wife and mother June Nealon has lost her second husband and 7-year- old daughter in a way no woman should ever experience. At the center of her loss is Shay Bourne, the nondescript carpenter she hired for some home improvements.

Skip ahead 11 years and June is caring for her second daughter Claire, who is in need of a heart transplant. Shay, who was sentenced to death for the murders of June's husband and daughter, discovers Claire's desperate situation and decides she must have his heart.

But complications arise. Shay can't donate his heart if he dies by lethal injection. In addition, June struggles with his offer: Can she give up her anger and need for vengeance to save her daughter's life? To help Shay fulfill his wish are Father Michael, his spiritual adviser, and Maggie Bloom, a passionate ACLU attorney.

As the clock ticks toward Shay's death, miracles will take place (water within the prison walls turns to red wine), religious beliefs tested, forgiveness sought, and each character will experience a jarring realization that nothing is as it seems.

Sample of prose: A former atheist and Shay Bourne ally speaks to Larry King in a TV interview: "Eventually, when I found one (religion) that I couldn't discredit, I started wondering if it was really God I objected to . . . or just the sense of entitlement that seems to be part of affiliating with a religious group. Like the way you'll hear that a person is a good Christian - well, who says Christians corner the market on virtue?"

Pros: Picoult's dialogue- driven novel forces introspection on the controversial topic of individual religious beliefs and when they should be accommodated in the legal and prison system.

Cons: Readers may feel like they're in a Religion 101 class at times. In addition, the "miracles" Shay performs have a very Green Mile feel to them.

Final word: June and Shay's connection is the most intriguing aspect of the story. Otherwise, these are well-worn topics, presented in a tedious, fairly unoriginal way.

Bianca D'Angelo