At age 13, Anna Fitzgerald has already saved her sister Kate’s life multiple times. Ever since she was born, her stem cells have been donated to her older sister who had been diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. As a matter of fact, Anna was conceived and selected for a clear purpose: to be the perfect genetic match for Kate. Throughout her life, Anna has always accepted undergoing countless medical procedures to help her sister. However, when Kate’s kidney function deteriorates, Anna refuses to put her own health at risk any longer. While her desire to be in charge of her own body grows stronger, her attempts to persuade her parents remain unsuccessful. Therefore, she decides to consult a renowned lawyer, asking for medical emancipation.  

Jodi Picoult makes it hard to read through the pages of her book without being moved by the storyline, vividly illustrating the impact Kate’s disease has on her relatives. Although the main characters are clearly Anna and Kate, many chapters of the book also focus on their parents, their brother, and other characters. As a result, the reader is provided with a deep insight into each character’s emotions and personal issues. 

Furthermore, the novel invites the reader to waver over a variety of ethical questions: To what extent are we entitled to select our future children based on their DNA? Can we expect somebody to put their own health at risk to save somebody else’s life? When is the right time to let go of somebody you love? As the reader is acquainted with each character’s thoughts, he or she is free to form their own opinion. However, it is anything but easy to distinguish what is right or wrong, and to come up with a suitable solution that satisfies the entire family. Indeed, the end of the story is not dictated by the court’s final solution, but by an unexpected and tragic turning point. 

In conclusion, this heart-gripping novel is not only a good choice for bookworms who work in the field of medicine; anyone interested in ethical issues will surely enjoy it! 

The picture shows the author Jodi Picoult.