My Sister's Keeper

STORY SUMMARY : WRITE ABOUT A BOOK

Name : Amanda Lo Class : S5C

School No : 07044

Book Call No : F PIC

Book Title : My Sister's Keeper

Author : Jodi Picoult

Publication Year/ (Edition) : 2008

SETTING

This story is mainly set around the Fitzgerald household where there are undoubtly tears and laughter in abundance. Just like any normal family would be. the only difference is their daughter, Kate, is dying from a rare form of leukemia, blood cancer. Thus, the story moves from trips to the hospital where Kate recieves treatment after treatment to no avail, to the garage where Kate's elder brother sets up his room because he cant stand the tension at home, to the girls' bedroom, where Kate and her little sister, Anna, share stories and secrets... if only they were a normal family, but it is not to be that way...

Character

The main character of the story is Anna Fitzgerald. Kate's sister knew from the start that she was a 'planned' child. a baby conceived with a specific use for her in the future. Anna is genetically identical to her drastically ill sister, Kate. Kate has a rare form of leukemia, and the doctors say the only way to save her is to practically 'sacrifice' Anna by extracting stem cells, cord blood, bone marrow, lymphocytes etc. for Kate's medical treatment. No one likes being used as tool for someone else. Thus, Anna make a firm decision to sue her parents for the rights to her own body.

-Sara Fitzgerald is mother to Jesse, Kate and Anna. She left the legal world to become what she loves most- a mother. But when Kate is diagnosed with APL leukemia, her comfortable world falls apart. Sara knows she will do anything to save her daughter, or any one of her children. Whatever it takes.

-Campbell Alexander is legal counsel to Anna Fitzgerald, helping her sue her parents to the rights of her own body. Never before has he took on a case that touched him so much, and hit so close to home. Although he suffers from frequent strokes since he collapsed a year ago, he is determined to see this case to the end, even if it costs him his peace of mind, he believes no one should be forced to do something they don't want to, even if in Anna's case, the reslut is her sister dying.

Conflict

Kate Fitzgerald is diagnosed with a deadly form of leukemia, blood cancer from a very young age. The family was torn apart. Her mother, Sara took on the responsibilty of caring for her, even if it was like driving a dagger through her heart everytime the doctors drew blood from her daughter's arm. Therefore, when they were offered a chance to try and save Kate, Sara jumped for it, even if it meant creating a new baby specifically genetically identical to Kate. Years passed and Anna started having a change of heart. She did not want to continue donating stem cells, bone marrow and whatever else to her sister anymore. She doesn't care what happens to Kate anymore, she is suing her parents for medical emancipation, the rights to her own body. The idea in itself shatters the already fragile family. Now Brian, the father, immerses himself in fire-fighting and doesn't come home, while Kate's brother, Jesse, creates those fires just to get his parents' attention. the story encompases a mother's love, forced to be torn; a child's struggle with cancer; a family buried under conflict; tough decisions to be made; and in the end, Fate's cruel hand.

Conclusion

Fate dealt the last blow in the end of this heart-breaking story. The results of Anna's lawsuit are revealed, and she is granted medical emancipation. Anna chooses not to donate her kidney to Kate even though her sister is nearing Death's door.... The results are good for Anna, but why is she crying? A few months later, Kate has a healthy kidney, her cancer is cured and she is free to live her life normally.. What happened to Anna? I suppose you'll have to read the book to find out!

Opinion

I love this book. It is heartbreaking yet mesmerising. Each event is relevant to the next, although you may not realise it the first time, the realisation comes brutal and hard. Most of all, this novel highlights a family's struggle, that inadvertantly makes them stronger, and teaches us that love conquers all.

Rating

Star : 5