A story that delves into the power structure in our society, Small Great Things shines a light on both active and subtle racism, and forces us to look at how not really seeing the inequities in life situations can lead to disastrous consequences.
Ruth Jefferson was a labor and delivery nurse in New Haven, Connecticut, and had been for twenty years. Known for her skill and efficiency, as well as her professionalism, all who knew her would be stunned by the series of events set in motion by a father’s act of outright racism just after his wife had given birth.
An act by white supremacist Turk Bauer, demanding that Ruth not be allowed to touch his son, would lead to disaster and the death of that same infant. And subsequently, Ruth would be suspended…and later, arrested for murder.
How could so many things unravel so quickly? Picoult, who is best at zeroing in on social issues and injustice, brings us an assortment of characters and leads us through their lives, revealing their thoughts and feelings and experiences. Through alternating narratives, we see what brought them to this place in time.
How can Kennedy McQuarrie, the white public defender assigned to Ruth’s case, truly understand how best to defend her, when her training tells her that bringing up the race issue could work against them? How can Ruth, raised by a hard-working maid in a wealthy household, feel anything but resentful of Kennedy’s urge to stifle Ruth’s need to speak out on the issues?
The pages flew by, with each moment during the trial an intense series of happenings that could turn out any number of ways, and then…startling events brought everything to an unexpected resolution.
At the end, an epilogue carries us forward six years, where we see some very surprising outcomes.
***My copy of an e-ARC came from the publisher via NetGalley.
SERENDIPITY 
Picoult has always been a favourite author. Now, I’m really looking forward to getting my hands on this book. Thanks for the review 🙂
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I hope you enjoy this one, “Greedy Reader,” and thanks for stopping by!
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Sounds like another powerful and thought provoking novel by Jodi Picoult! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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You’re welcome, Jade, and thanks for stopping by. The pages in this one flew by, with so much intensity. I hope you enjoy it, too.
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Sounds like a compelling read, Laurel. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Thanks for stopping by, Mary, and it was definitely a very satisfying (and intense) read.
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Wonderful review as always.
I haven’t read one of her books for a long time. Looks like I need to.
Thanks for sharing, Laurel.
Have a good day.
Elizabeth
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This one was my first in a while, too, Elizabeth. It felt good to be immersed in the issues and the characters that we can love and hate. Thanks for visiting.
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This is coming up on my TBR list. Sounds like a fulfilling but tough read.
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Oh, it was, Heather….hope you enjoy it!
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This was the first of hers I’d read in a while. And I enjoyed most of it but found it a tad preachy in the end… though still gave it 4 stars!
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Yes, I really enjoyed it. I didn’t notice the preachy tone, but with social issues, that’s always a possibility. Thanks for stopping by, Deborah.
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You read this one fast! The author was just on NPR Saturday edition talking about the book. It sounds like it deals with some timely and interesting issues!
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Thanks, Susan, it was the kind of book that kept me from doing anything else, once I picked it up. And the issues are definitely timely.
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