Jodi Picoult Books Reading Group. discussion

I'm speechless after reading this book. It was so emotional. In many ways it was really touching and in another way, I feel sick to my stomach. I have a question and wanted to get opinions on the ending. This is my interpretation, but I'm not sure... When Michael received the box of Shay's belongings, he decided that Shay was a fraud because he'd memorized the Gospel of Thomas. However, he was limited in his perspective because he didn't know that Shay truly caused these "miracles" to happen as evidenced by Claire bringing her dog back to life. Was that your interpretation?

Shay also turned the water to wine. Or was that explained away? And he brought the bird back to life. Shay never used these miracles to his advantage or even to gain attention.

I love and hate the fact that Picoult never has easy answers. Even when I think I've formed a clear opinion, she throws in something else to create a gray area. I guess that's life, which is part of what makes her books so well written. It's also frustrating, though, because part of what often makes reading fun is the escape and the clear answers I find from books that I can never find from life!

Opinions, please, on the Shay as a fraud thing. What would be his motivation? I really wanted to believe he was causing these miracles!

Doesn't anyone have an opinion on this? I've been aching to hear what others think!

I pondered the same thing and never did come up with a conclusive answer. Quite the gripping book though!! Didnt the heart receiptant perform some unexplained miracle in the end? ..... it's been awhile since i read the book.

Yes, Lori. That's right! The little girl did something miraculous with the dog. I love Picoult's twist ending, but want to have a clearer answer! Thanks for responding with your thoughts. I've really wanted to talk about this book!

I read this a few months ago and loved it. I took the box of items that was given to the priest to mean that he was a fraud, which left me somewhat disappointed. When the girl brought the dog back at the end I thought maybe he was a fraud, but maybe he just had a little fun with the preist and the prisoneers by memorizing the Gospel and doing the gum trick. I thought maybe he truely was one of God's miracles, but because his miracles mostly went unnoticed he decided to fake a couple in his last days of life. I think the ending was classic Jodi Picoult leaving you guessing and wanting more.

Makes sense, Jessica. I just felt very frustrated because I was so pulled in by this novel and I really, truly wanted to believe in the miracles and the goodness in some people (especially after reading about the stepdad). I was just so disappointed when we didn't really know because life is just too much like that. It was very confusing. There were some miracles that were clearly not real, but there were others that were never explained away. So...which was it? Did Shay turn water into wine? I know Shay brought the bird back to life and that was never explained away. And consider Claire who, after receiving Shay's heart, brought her dog back to life...

I just finished this book and came here to get answers about the box of items for Michael. I'm sad nobody has a clear cut interpretation !! ;) I was particularly curious about the photo of Michael and his grandfather.

Hi Laurel, I also believe Shay's miracles to be true. I like to think that he had a gift. Maybe he was even closer to God, that it was not understandable to Michael, who has some doubts in his own faith.
Hope this helps.