A Spark of Light

By Jodi Picoult

When Vonita opened the doors of the Center that morning, she had no idea that it would be for the last time.

Wren has missed school to come to the Center, the sole surviving women's reproductive health clinic in the state, chaperoned by her aunt, Bex. Olive told Peg she was just coming for a check-up. Janine is undercover, a pro-life protester disguised as a patient. Joy needs to terminate her pregnancy. Louie is there to perform a service for these women, not in spite of his faith, but because of it.

When a desperate and distraught gunman bursts into the Center, opening fire and taking everyone hostage, Hugh McElroy is the police negotiator called to the scene. He has no idea that his fifteen-year-old daughter is inside.

Told in a daring and enthralling narrative structure that counts backward through the hours of the standoff, this is a story that traces its way back to what brought each of these very different individuals to the same place on this fateful day.

Jodi Picoult - one of the most fearless writers of our time - tackles a complicated issue in this gripping and nuanced novel. How do we balance the rights of pregnant women with the rights of the unborn they carry? What does it mean to be a good parent? A Spark of Light will inspire debate, conversation ... and, hopefully, understanding.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin
• Release date: Oct 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781760636517

Jodi Picoult

JODI PICOULT is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-six novels. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the New England Bookseller Award for Fiction, the ALA’s Alex Award, the New Hampshire Literary Award for Outstanding Literary Merit, and the prestigious Sarah Josepha Hale Award in recognition of her distinguished body of written work. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband. They have three children. You can visit her website at wwww.jodipicoult.com  

Reviews for A Spark of Light

[sharn_3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ms Picoult always does her homework and tells the story in an unbiased tone but this story fell flat for me.

[loried_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was happy to be given the opportunity to read an advance copy of Jodi Picoult's latest novel, A Spark of Light. I have found Picoult to be a talented writer who typically picks difficult subjects for her books. I think this one, with abortion as the main issue, was well-researched and could lead to interesting book discussions. Unfortunately, this was not my favorite book of hers. I did not like the book being written in reverse time; I think it did nothing to enhance the book, rather, I found it disorienting. The author tried to be even-handed with the people who are pro-life and pro-choice, but there seemed to be some bias for the pro-choice characters. I was disappointed that the book didn't wrap up the storyline for some of the major characters, particularly the one accused of murder.

[katielibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hard read, but definite food for thought

ARC provided by NetGalley

[vickimarie2002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult and this book is a reason why! I think she did a great job of writing about both sides but I do feel like she leaned Pro-choice a little more. What I almost enjoyed the most, was her authors note that gave her thoughts and research. As always, she had two huge twists at the end, that of course, I didn’t see coming. Great book!

[citizenjoyce · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I read A Spark of Light by Jodi Picoult for my RL book club. I'm afraid Picoult just can't write. She strings a bunch of facts together along with stereotypical characters and every social concern of the moment: abortion, racism, LGBT issues, disabilities, rape, coming of age, fathers and daughters, adoption, and domestic terrorism. She does try to present all sides of the abortion issue, and that's about all I can say for the book.

[dknight0918 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. I love Picoult’s books so much. She does her research so well and it shows on every page of all of her books including this one. I love how she shows both sides of a debate and inspires so much conversation. I really like that she is willing to tackle the tough subjects. She makes you think hard about the issues she writes about. I think women and men both should read this one. I am so grateful to have read an advanced copy of this one. I will still purchase a copy for my collection.

[susan.macura · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Hugh McElroy, a hostage negotiator, is called to an active shooter situation at an abortion clinic where a number of people have been taken hostage. Complicating McElroy's task is the fact that his daughter is one of those hostages. This book takes a look at this highly emotional and controversial issue from a variety of points of view where there are many unexpected twists. Making the book even more interesting is how it is laid out - going back in time to how it all began for so many people involved in this crisis. I absolutely loved it and am still thinking about the issues Picoult raised.

[seasidereader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Picoult opens her newest work with an active hostage situation at the only clinic in Mississippi that performs abortions. We learn why each participant in the crisis came to be there through a series of non-linear flashbacks, and this format may be frustrating to some readers. I did not have trouble with the audiobook version. As always, the author is skilled at presenting nuanced perspectives of complex situations, and discusses her preparation for this book in an afterward.

[bonnie.franks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have never read Jodi Picoult before. I have always heard good things and just never read one of her books.I'm glad it was this one I read. I loved/hated this story. I felt connected to nearly everyone involved, including the shooter. I love the way the story is told, going backwards. And yes, I love that some of my suppositions were incorrect when all was said and done. This book made me feel and that is what a book is meant to do. I felt pain and rage and fear and love. Sometimes all at once. I will not be able to leave these people behind simply because I finished the book. It kept me reading from page one. It kept me thinking. It kept me feeling. I intend to go back and more carefully read some parts because they are so lovely and written so well.Read this book if you are human. You will enjoy it based on that alone.This book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.

[jonimfisher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jodi Picoult is a go-to author for my book club. We love her family conflicts told from multiple points of view. She covers topics that generate lively discussion. A Spark of Light generated much discussion because of the topic, but also because of the way Picoult ordered the events of the story. At first, it was disconcerting and confusing to read this book because it began in the present and flowed backwards. It dove deeper and deeper into the past to reveal what brought the characters to the abortion clinic. The situation more than any single character seemed to be the focus of the story.
One of the ladies in the club read the book twice. Once from front to back and once from back to front. She said the story made more sense reading it backwards.
While I enjoyed the story once I read it all, I felt like the structure of the story was gimmicky and distracting. I will continue to read Picoult's books, but this is my least favorite because of the backwards telling of the story.

[suline_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The book literally starts with a bang. The subject matter seemed interesting. But, for me, it all fell apart. I think I lost interest because the writing was just not good enough to keep me in thrall in a backwards storytelling situation. Pass on this.

[terran_9 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is another Jodi Picoult book on a timely, controversial subject that presents a myriad of characters, this time in mortal danger because of their participation in following their own consciences. I didn't particularly like the reverse order of events, but was able to follow each character's story (in reverse) fairly well.

[candyh_64 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I’ve always liked this author but did not care for this book. It was a challenge to read the story backwards to my way of thinking.

[joannemonck · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jodi Picoult does it again. She picks a touch subject and adds the human touch. In this book, a man comes to an abortion clinic to seek vengeance for his daughter having an abortion. People are shot and some have died. Others have survived. Ms. Picoult takes you back and forth from the clinic a the present time and the past of all those involved. One of the hostages is daughter of the hostage negotiator who has come to the clinic with her aunt to get the pill. Well done and the end is great.

[dairyqueen84 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

What I like about Jodi Picoult is you can always expect some kind of twist that you probably don't see coming. This one had not one but two twists. At first, the backward timeline disoriented me, especially since I was listening instead of reading, but I see why she did it and it was done to great effect.

[janarose1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

When Hugh, a hostage negotiator, arrives at an abortion clinic, he is shocked to find that his daughter and sister are trapped inside with an active gunman. Moving backwards through time, the book slowly unravels the story of those inside and out of the clinic.I don't understand why the author chose to move backwards in time. It really took away from the book and the story. The entire book felt like a runaway train, with the characters and story all mixed up and muddled. What could have been a great book, was just a mess. Overall, a bust.

[sallyelizabethmurphy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptional, provocative, and well researched. Once again, Jodi Picoult delivers a novel destined to “spark” controversy, conversation, and hopefully the dissemination of scientific information.

[deslivres5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I received this e-book ARC of A Spark of Light through Net Galley from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine in exchange for a truthful review.The novel focuses on a hostage situation in a reproductive health clinic in Mississippi and the abortion debate is viewed for multiple angles.This novel is unique in that it tells most of the plot going backwards in time, except for the epilogue which closes out the story. At first, I thought this device would give away the story, but in fact so much is revealed as the day progresses backwards and it works and surprises do occur.I wished the epilogue would have discussed more about what happened to some of the characters, Beth in particular.

[susangeiss · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow! A whirlwind of circumstances and a volatile subject takes readers through an emotional journey that will stay with them far past their reading time.
In an era of "Me Too" the discussion of abortion needs to be revisited. Picoult, as always, draws the reader into this discussion through her masterful storytelling. This is a book everyone should read!

[evaw-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent as always, thoughtful.

[brangwinn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not my favorite of Picoult’s books. I agree wholeheartedly with her premise of the need for abortion, but I was hoping she would give a little more emphasis to the pro-life to help me understand them more. I was also confused by her writing style. I had trouble deciding when she was providing background information to the story. I couldn’t move back and forth in time smoothly. I would have to stop and think “when did this part happen?”

[michellenebbia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Well written and fast paced, this is another excellent book by Jodi Picoult with an interesting topic. The only part of the book that I didn't particularly care for was the sequence of events which went backward in time.

[angelajmaher · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Besides a gripping story, what sets this book apart is how it respectfully, authentically depicts both sides of a highly divisive topic. There is no preaching about which side is right, no push to make either side the baddie in this book. It adds a depth and interest that otherwise wouldn't be there. The characters all have their own experiences and beliefs, and feel entirely believable.This wasn't the easiest of books to read, so it's not something to exactly chill out with. The subject matter is heavy and serious. The structure also makes for a book you need a bit more brain power for. Each chapter depicts an hour, each subsequent chapter being for the hour earlier, meaning you go backwards in time chronologically until being thrown back to the present at the end. It's been handled well, but I do feel it added a degree of repetition that would have been eliminated in a simpler structure.Overall this is an interesting, suspenseful and intriguing read.

[nwieme-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow. Couldn't put it down. Weird reading it "backward" - tough subject, but very well done - as I have come to expect from Jodi Picoult.

[bookczuk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One thing I like a lot about this authors works are her attentions to detail. This was no exception, and introduced and interesting twist at the very end.

[heatherlinc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I find Jodi Picoult books hit and miss and, for me, this book was a miss. It was extremely dry and preachy at times, and it lacked emotion. I didn't connect with any of the characters and thought a number of them were unnecessary, especially Olive. The fact that the book was in reverse chronological order didn't help as I didn't know the characters before the gunman started shooting. I felt that I should have read the last chapter first then worked my way backwards, then finished with the epilogue."A Spark of Light" started well - it was explosive and grabbed my attention, but then it went downhill quickly. There was too much focus on the issue of abortion and not enough on the hostage situation, which would have been far more exciting. The twist/reveal many reviewers are mentioning was easy to guess and left me unimpressed. Overall, a disappointing read and not one of the author's better books.

[shazjhb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

She writes excellent books about difficult topics. Did not love the timeline or style of the book. The people were interesting

[lorikboyd · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Ms. Picoult is never one to shy away from a tough subject. This time it is the abortion debate. The
Book starts at the end of the day and moves backward thru the day. Very unusual, and took me a while to get with the flow of it. The characters and their reasons were developed well, some more than others though. In some cases I wanted to know more. The ending was as I expected, but really left me wanting more.

As always, Ms. Picoult’s research is impeccable. Her writing style makes sure we are always informed and entertained. This book, although not my favorite, will definitely stay with you. She definitely gets her point across in with this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC. Opinions are mine alone.