Bookseller Reviews
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Brilliant
I always love Jodi Picoult's books, and this was no exception. Filled with drama and tension, but still thought-provoking and emotional, this was an immers... READ MORE
Powerful
Once again Jodi Picoult has done an enormous amount of research for this novel but I have to say it's not my favourite. She tackles very touchy subj... READ MORE
Synopsis
The masterful new novel from the number one bestselling author of Small Great Things.
The Center for Women's Reproductive Health offers a last chance at hope - but nobody ends up there by choice.
Its very existence is controversial, and to the demonstrators who barricade the building every day, the service it offers is no different from legalised murder.
Now life and death decisions are being made horrifyingly real: a lone protester with a gun has taken the staff, patients and visitors hostage.
Starting at the tensest moment in the negotiations for their release, A Spark of Light unravels backwards, revealing hour by urgent hour what brought each of these people - the gunman, the negotiator, the doctors, nurses and women who have come to them for treatment - to this point.
And certainties unwind as truths and secrets are peeled away, revealing the complexity of balancing the right to life with the right to choose.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- ISBN: 9781444788167
- Number of pages: 368
- Dimensions: 196 x 128 x 28 mm
- Weight: 259g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allThought provoking
This is a really thought provoking novel told in a dispassionate/rational way which is rare when the topic is abortion and its relative rights and wrongs. ... READ MORE
A Spark of Light
An ordinary day at the so called Center in Jackson, Mississippi. Women come there to get information about how to prevent a pregnancy, others to end an unw... READ MORE
Thoughtful
This is a really thought provoking novel told in a dispassionate/rational way which is rare when the topic is abortion and its relative rights and wrongs. ... READ MORE
A Spark Of Light
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I read on my commute to work. The only downside was that I didn't want to stop reading once I arrived! I had strong o... READ MORE
Thought-provoking
Jodi Picoult is no stranger to tackling complicated issues and I am surprised that she has delved into an issue, deemed as controversial, as abortion. Howe... READ MORE
Author takes a controversial subjects and splays it in an engaging vantage point.
At the women's reproductive health services clinic - known respectively from both sides as The Centre - the day starts off normally enough, protestors barr... READ MORE
Not for Me
I have read several Jodi Picoult books which I enjoyed but this was not one of my favourites.
The story starts in a hostage situation in a womans clinic wh... READ MORE
Emotive Controveresial
I listened to two interviews with Jodi Picoult before I read this book - she was not repetitive and both were interesting. I knew the subject but I was sti... READ MORE
For premise alone...
In his line of work as police officer and hostage negotiator, Hugh is trained in attending calls that require his skills in listening, understanding, and o... READ MORE
Bleak
I think this is an important topic for discussion given the current restrictions placed on women's reproductive rights in America and this book really high... READ MORE
Opens A Dialogue
This is a rather surprising topic for a novel and one that is particularly charged in certain Countries. Whether to be Pro-Choice or Pro-Life there is a m... READ MORE
Not my favourite - too short.
I’m a big Jodi fan and have read all her books. I felt that this story was too short, it lacked the in depth detail which makes you fall in love with the c... READ MORE
Sampler review
I was given an ARC of the first section/chapter of this book by NetGalley and the publisher Hoddart & Stoughton.
All in all a promising and exciting star... READ MORE
Putting A Much Needed Spotlight On What Shouldn't Be A Taboo Topic
I love Jodi Picoult. She has an unbelievable talent of tackling extremely difficult, and sometimes controversial subjects, and manages to bring them to lif... READ MORE
Fab
A great read as always. Excellent story that again makes you think. Written slightly differently than her norm but that just adds to its greatness.
Highly ... READ MORE
A Spark of Light
3.5 stars!
Thank you to the publishers and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
The mark of a good Jodi Picou... READ MORE
Serious themes explored with vivid characterisation
' A Spark of Light' begins with a seemingly random act of violence. The reasons for which are gradually revealed historically hour by hour as the story lay... READ MORE
A 'must' read!
The setting of the tale is a women's clinic. Although it deals with all aspects of women's health, it is the abortion aspect that causes protest and demons... READ MORE
Difficult reading style.
So sorry - this was just not to my taste. It wasn't the subject matter but the way the book seemed to bounce around to different characters - those who I u... READ MORE
Thought-provoking but somewhat disappointing.
Although in the past I've enjoyed a number of this author's books, I'd read a couple more recently which had felt rather too formulaic and therefore disapp... READ MORE
Imaginative and touching
This is the first book I have ready by Jodi and I'm so glad I did. The imaginative way of telling the story backwards allowed for a greater connection with... READ MORE