Thanks so much to NetGalley, Ballantine Books and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I was so excited to have the opportunity to read this ARC because I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan and have read all of her books. This one won't disappoint. Like all of her books, it takes a hot-button topic and gives all sides, along with a twist, to help you really feel the topic in ways you couldn't have imagined.
This story is all about race and racism - both overt and passive. It's told in 3 different voices - Ruth is a Black labor and delivery nurse in a Connecticut hospital and has been there for over 20 years. Turk is a White Supremacist and the father of a newborn baby. Kennedy is a White public defender who takes Ruth's case.
When Turk and his wife are in the hospital after the birth of their son, Ruth comes into their room to do a check on both baby and mom. Turk refuses to let Ruth touch his wife or child and loudly complains to the nurse in charge, who puts a note in the hospital record that no African American should touch the baby. Then an emergency happens to the baby and Ruth steps in. The father sees her giving chest compressions to the baby.
What follows is a trial where race isn't brought up although it's at the crux of the case. And where everyone involved has to question their values and thoughts on this subject.
It's a powerful book made more powerful by the author note at the end. Truly makes you think about race in a different way.
Highly recommended!
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