I always find that writing a novel from end to beginning is a phenomenal feat that is either a hit or miss for me. I commend writers who sign on for the task but books of this nature are not always easy to read or follow. Jodi Piccoult manages to write in reverse as well as confront the hot topic of abortion rights in a way only someone as skilled as she can. As I sit here and consider where to start for my review of A Spark of Light I'm not sure where to begin without upsetting someone. I can only imagine that's how she felt when writing this novel.
So, let's start at the beginning, which is really the end, where we meet a group of people who had the unfortunate luck of going into a women's health clinic for various reasons. After surviving the group of protesters outside of the Center, a more sinister, crazed, and tragic future awaits them. A gunman open fires on all those inside this clinic and those he doesn't kill, he takes as hostage.
Wren, frantically reaches out to her father, Hugh, a hostage negotiator, who then enlists the help of Mississippi's finest under the guise of being just another officer with a job to do. He omits that his daughter is inside. As he grapples with why she's in the Center, we are introduced to the Doctor who performs the abortions, the nursing staff, protesters in disguise, and women who are simply seeking professional help. All their stories different and relevant to what brought them in the path of a crazy man. Ultimately, life and death is what binds them.
I won't pretend that Piccoult was kind to those who oppose abortion, so consider yourself warned if you're expecting validation here. Even as Piccoult attempts to consider the opposition, a lot of the arguments are thin. Funny how fiction can be so... real.
Although the woman in the Center who's undercover is quite humanized, most of those that were anti-abortion seemed like crazed zealots. They were the exact caricature that many of us imagine them to be. Men and women (mostly men... ironically) that protest to the point of almost barricading the doors of the women's clinic as if the fact that it's one of the few clinics of it's kind still standing due to being legislated to death. People with placards that are more religious leaning that fact based.
Having been acquainted with Piccoult's work, I do admit that she could have done better by these people but on the other hand... let's be real. The woman who is against her son taking health class where safe sex is taught, is also against the Center. Yes, we all know her. She doesn't make rational sense and if you begin a conversation as to why teaching safe sex and reproductive practices shouldn't be taught, chances are she'll argue you to death with Bible passages or instill the fear of the eternal damnation of your soul.
Even though Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade has had a change of heart in regards to a woman's reproductive rights in no way does this change the fact that no one should control my reproductive rights except myself. Those who scream that life begins at inception are some of the most contradicting people (IMHO). I don't want to offend but Piccoult writes books that are meant to be discussed. I find it ironic that someone can tell someone else to have a baby (even in cases of rape or incest) yet are not foster parents to the many children who have been turned over to the system due to their parents not having the resources to raise them.
Ok? So you argue it's a religious thing? The same religious thing that was in favor of enslaving other humans? Or the religious thing (conglomerate) that ignores priests that are pedophiles and simply moves them to a different parish?
Are those same people opposing abortion rights the same people who hate that their tax money is used to help these unplanned families?
Jodi Piccoult hammers away at all the arguments and leaves behind what it really comes down to.
What it really comes down to (for me at least) is the decision between life or death. What that life or death can mean so many different things for different people and that decision is personal.
Clearly I'm a liberal degenerate that understands that even considering abortion is not easy for any woman.
As I mentioned, I wasn't sure where to go with this review. I enjoyed reading A Spark of Light. And to put it in context, women's reproductive rights are constantly at risk (along with other issues very close and dear to me). Isn't it ironic that there are still people who argue in favor of laws and restrictions that either oppress others or even themselves? The hegemonic rule is alive and well in the states. ****
Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley
So, let's start at the beginning, which is really the end, where we meet a group of people who had the unfortunate luck of going into a women's health clinic for various reasons. After surviving the group of protesters outside of the Center, a more sinister, crazed, and tragic future awaits them. A gunman open fires on all those inside this clinic and those he doesn't kill, he takes as hostage.
Wren, frantically reaches out to her father, Hugh, a hostage negotiator, who then enlists the help of Mississippi's finest under the guise of being just another officer with a job to do. He omits that his daughter is inside. As he grapples with why she's in the Center, we are introduced to the Doctor who performs the abortions, the nursing staff, protesters in disguise, and women who are simply seeking professional help. All their stories different and relevant to what brought them in the path of a crazy man. Ultimately, life and death is what binds them.
I won't pretend that Piccoult was kind to those who oppose abortion, so consider yourself warned if you're expecting validation here. Even as Piccoult attempts to consider the opposition, a lot of the arguments are thin. Funny how fiction can be so... real.
Although the woman in the Center who's undercover is quite humanized, most of those that were anti-abortion seemed like crazed zealots. They were the exact caricature that many of us imagine them to be. Men and women (mostly men... ironically) that protest to the point of almost barricading the doors of the women's clinic as if the fact that it's one of the few clinics of it's kind still standing due to being legislated to death. People with placards that are more religious leaning that fact based.
Having been acquainted with Piccoult's work, I do admit that she could have done better by these people but on the other hand... let's be real. The woman who is against her son taking health class where safe sex is taught, is also against the Center. Yes, we all know her. She doesn't make rational sense and if you begin a conversation as to why teaching safe sex and reproductive practices shouldn't be taught, chances are she'll argue you to death with Bible passages or instill the fear of the eternal damnation of your soul.
Even though Jane Roe of Roe vs. Wade has had a change of heart in regards to a woman's reproductive rights in no way does this change the fact that no one should control my reproductive rights except myself. Those who scream that life begins at inception are some of the most contradicting people (IMHO). I don't want to offend but Piccoult writes books that are meant to be discussed. I find it ironic that someone can tell someone else to have a baby (even in cases of rape or incest) yet are not foster parents to the many children who have been turned over to the system due to their parents not having the resources to raise them.
Ok? So you argue it's a religious thing? The same religious thing that was in favor of enslaving other humans? Or the religious thing (conglomerate) that ignores priests that are pedophiles and simply moves them to a different parish?
Are those same people opposing abortion rights the same people who hate that their tax money is used to help these unplanned families?
Jodi Piccoult hammers away at all the arguments and leaves behind what it really comes down to.
What it really comes down to (for me at least) is the decision between life or death. What that life or death can mean so many different things for different people and that decision is personal.
Clearly I'm a liberal degenerate that understands that even considering abortion is not easy for any woman.
As I mentioned, I wasn't sure where to go with this review. I enjoyed reading A Spark of Light. And to put it in context, women's reproductive rights are constantly at risk (along with other issues very close and dear to me). Isn't it ironic that there are still people who argue in favor of laws and restrictions that either oppress others or even themselves? The hegemonic rule is alive and well in the states. ****
Copy provided by Random House Publishing Group via Netgalley
No comments:
Post a Comment