What rights do parents or doctors have to terminate a life? How disabled is too disabled? As a parent, how far would you go to save someone you love?Willow O'Keefe is born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which means she will suffer hundreds of broken bones as she grows, and a lifetime of pain. As the family struggles to cover medical expenses, her mother Charlotte decides to file a wrongful birth lawsuit against her obstetrician for the compensation which might ensure a lifetime of care for Willow.But ...
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What rights do parents or doctors have to terminate a life? How disabled is too disabled? As a parent, how far would you go to save someone you love?Willow O'Keefe is born with osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bone disease, which means she will suffer hundreds of broken bones as she grows, and a lifetime of pain. As the family struggles to cover medical expenses, her mother Charlotte decides to file a wrongful birth lawsuit against her obstetrician for the compensation which might ensure a lifetime of care for Willow.But it means that Charlotte has to say in a court of law that she would have terminated the pregnancy if she'd known about the disability in advance. And the obstetrician she's suing isn't just her physician - she's her best friend.Handle with Care is an absorbing narrative which also questions the basis of medical ethics and of personal morality. Picoult has become a master - almost a clairvoyant - at targeting hot issues and writing highly readable page-turners about them ...It is impossible not to be held spellbound by the way she forces us to think, hard, about right and wrong.' Washington Post
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Had me in tears numerous times. Yes, money does matter in cases such as these. I also believe that all have a right to make their own choices as long as all is understood, Kate was ready to let go, tho it all worked out via an accidental tragedy.
BlackLiterati
Oct 26, 2009
Lifetime Movie waiting to happen
This book was poorly written. As this is the first Picoult book I've read, I have nothing to compare it to- though other bookclub members said it rings of "My Sister's Keeper".
I will admit I might be slightly biased as I have a science background and thus the explanations of the disease topic and reactions of the characters was far-fetched for me, but a well written book would have balanced that impression.
sandershog
Sep 10, 2009
Impossible Situations
Parents have to make tough choices every day. Parents who have children with disabilities are often faced with impossible choices. This dilemma is at the heart of Jodi Picoult's Handle With Care.
Picoult is at her best when addressing impossible situations. She tugs at your heart, and makes you ask the question, "What would I do?" While I can completely understand Charlotte's decision, at the same time I got angry with her at times for the stress and hurt she put her family through. I also enjoyed being able to see how the characters were affected by her decisions.
My one issue with this novel is the ending. Having read most of Picoult's books, I was able to predict the ending after reading the first chapter. A little less foreshadowing might have made this novel better. Picoult almost always includes a twist at the end of her stories. Sometimes they catch me off guard, but I could see this one coming. Even the cover gives it away!
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. I could empathize with each character, and loved seeing the story from different points of view. Despite the predictable ending, I would recommend this novel to anyone.
bookworm15
Aug 18, 2009
Interesting Point of View
This was a book that hit close to home. I work with children who have disabilities and I get to see how hard life can be for them for them and their families. Over the years that I have worked in this field, I can say that money does make a world of difference for the lives of these children. Yes, love does do a world of justice, but money can give those with unimaginable hardships a chance in life.
I can see exactly where Charlotte is coming from. Jodi Picoult presents an issue that truly is a dilemma. To file this lawsuit meant saying she did not want Willow because of her disabilities. However to me, by filing this lawsuit, Charlotte is showing unconditional love for her child. She is willing to do anything, even say cruel things, because she knows that in the end, in order for her daughter to be her own person, she will need things she just can not afford.
Some of the parts in this book were not necessary and left hanging, such as with her other daughter. This book was never about her and in the end it felt like she was getting the scraps then hr problem was just dealt with quickly. The ending was a surprise that makes Picoult?s books worth reading. I love that she showed different elements on how taking care of anyone with disabilities can affect your life, a marriage, a friendship and so on. Overall an interesting book that I would recommend and advise others to think about how it is to take care of someone, not just with love but with money, before they pass judgment on Charlotte.
donna
Mar 20, 2009
Delicate balancing act
Jodi Picoult has done it again. Another riveting story with an ethical dilemma and a horrendous heath problem. Throw in a malpractice suit and you get the quintessential Picoult story.
Should disabled babies be terminated in the womb? And if we allow this who gets to determine quality of life or the value of that same life. If this becomes the norm will designer children be far behind ? Or the abortion of the wrong sex like in China? Once again, this author gives us something to really think about. I just hope in her next novel we skip the medical issue.
