Why are we born? Why is anyone born? I know the technicalities, I mean I am thirteen, and listen when my older brother pontificates like a professor on the subject; but, the birds and the bees really isn’t my question.
I want to know why people are born. What circumstances led to their creation? This fascinates me since I am a special case, and unlike any other human in the entire world. So, my question remains. Why are we born?
From most of my adult queries, I can conclude mistakes happen. A little love (but not always) and plenty of passion (again, not always) produce alarming results nine months later. Yes, I realize there are planned pregnancies; but for me, I wish I was a mistake.
See, I was genetically designed—eliminated from a possible six eggs—to match my sick sister Kate’s molecular structure. My name is Anna, Anna Fitzgerald, and I am my sister’s keeper; a test tube baby born with the power to save a specific life.
At first I really was not involved. It was my mother’s unbiblical cord with its rich nutrients that sustained Kate’s treatment and put her into remission from acute promyelocytic leukemia. This nightmare began for her at age two; fortunately, she is 16-years-old thanks to me.
Over time my parents have allowed the doctors and nurses to take my platelets, leukocytes, stem cells, and bone marrow without asking. These “uncomfortable” procedures place me in the hospital for days recovering. I could almost say as much as Kate, but with none of the attention.
Now, they want my kidney, and again they assume I’ll give it without question. This is why I stopped by Campbell Alexander’s law office and now have a petition for medical emancipation.
Written in 2004 by Jodi Picoult, My Sister’s Keeper became a crossover sensation. Such as a country song that plays on pop stations, this book written for adults became a huge hit in the teen realistic genre. Among the many awards, My Sister’s Keeper was presented an Alex in 2005 by the American Libraries Association which honors crossovers.
The book is currently in production at New Line Cinema with Cameron Diaz playing the part of Sara, Kate and Anna’s mother. Ew, I cannot wait.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
My Sister's Keeper (copy)
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12 comments:
It's sad that one child is born only to maintain the life of the other.
And, it has happened in real life.
Hi WW100! Picoult said in an interview that she got the idea from a real life story. Her family dynamics was spot on! :)
I thought this book was soo incredible. It made me add everything by Jodi Picoult to my TBR list! And they're making a movie?! Yay.
Tiffany, we did this in book club yesterday, and amazingly there were 2 ladies who both had children diagnosed with cancer at the age of two in the group! What are the odds?!? And, not only that but one hated the mother, Sara, and the other loved the mother. I happened to be sitting in between them and was highly uncomfortable when I noticed faces turning red!
The leader of the discussion and I both would like to read all her others and was thinking 19 Minutes might be another great bookclub book. :)
My favorite Jodi Picoult book is still THE PACT, maybe because I read it first. I did like this one so much though. I am having a bit of trouble imagining Cameron Diaz as the mother for the movie. She seems too young or something.
Kay, I just picture Sara with dark hair, but maybe Diaz is hoping to beef up her resume. ;)
This sounds like such a fascinating read! I've had it on my bookshelf for a while now and I just need to take the time to read it. I always get so excited about a book and then end up having it pile up with others that I am excited to read, lol. I think Jody is such a great writer and has such a great way of hitting on contraversal but important topics.
Have you read Nineteen Minutes yet? I highly highly recommend it - it would make a great book club read - I hope that you guys do do that one.
April, we are giving 19 Minutes serious thought. I need to check if it is in paperback. Read this one though, it is too good to let another day go by! :)
The amazing part about this book to me, was that like The House of Sand and Fog, you could completely understand each character's point of view. I was frustrated with the ending, though, such a shocker and no resolution (at least to my satisfaction).
Bellezza, I like it when the chapters are told by different characters. What did you think about the son going into law enforcment? Pretty unbelievable! ;)
I think I'm the last person on the planet who hasn't yet read Picoult. I do have a couple of her books, including this one, but haven't got to them yet. Sounds like this one should come first...sounds incredible, and heartbreaking.
You know Debi, I resisted her. I knew lots of peeps consider her kinda soap opry, and well, I put off reading her. After reading MSK, I want to read them all! :)
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