Keeping Faith

by Jodi Picoult

Book Overview

"A triumph. This novel's haunting strength will hold the reader until the very end and make Faith and her story impossible to forget." --Richmond Times Dispatch "Extraordinary." --Orlando Sentinel... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0688168256
• ISBN13: 9780688168254
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

wrong book

I'm sure a order a hardcover not a paperback ( that I received in the today)..

Could "Guard" really be a woman?

Seven-year-old Faith is caught in the middle of her parents crumbling marriage and in much need of a friend to confide in. That is when her imaginary friend "Guard" steps in. Not long after, miracles start to occur around Faith, and this small town in New Hampshire starts to realize that Faith is not only speaking to "God", but that her God is a woman.The faithful start to arrive on Faiths' doorstep in search of miracles; along with the media led by a card carrying atheist whose TV show thrives on disproving such hype. They are all found camping out, waiting to have a moment, or a word with Faith. In the mean time the custody battle between Faiths' parents flares up leaving her torn between them as well as more confused with each passing day. The complications heighten when this innocent child exhibits the bleeding hands of the stigmata, leaving the doctors completely baffled.Jodi Picoult is an author that will keep you coming back for more and will easily make a fan out of you. She takes a story and makes you question it every turn of the page. Something that may appear to be blatantly true is transformed into the totally unexpected, you will find yourself doubting just about everyone in the book at one point or another. I suggest another of this authors books if you haven't had enough, "THE PACT, A LOVE STORY" which is about a teen suicide, another great read. The end of every chapter leaves you wondering about the veracity of each characters statement. Sometimes she does it with just one word, turning your idea of things "head over heels" when you thought you had it all figured out. Picoult is a truly talented author and worth watching and reading, you will certainly be entertained.

Makes you wonder

In 380-ish pages that seem to turn themselves, Jodi Picoult makes readers stop and think about several issues as simple as mother-daughter relationships and as complex as God. Mariah White, for the second time in their marriage, catches her husband with another woman. The first time, she was pregnant with their daughter, Faith. The second time, Faith was with Mariah when Colin was caught in the act. The first time, Mariah tries to kill herself. The second time, Colin leaves and Faith's "Guard" shows up. The seven year old starts performing miracles, attracting media attention, develops stigmata and quotes the Bible, although she's never been subjected to it. Mariah tries to shield her daughter from the attention while trying to find out for sure what is wrong with her. The reader switches back and forth several times, wondering if Faith is seeing God or if her mother is seeking attention. The book ends with a custody battle between Colin and Mariah and the reader wondering how much "Faith" they really have and would have if in a similar circumstance. The book is filled with colorful characters, perhaps the best Mariah's hold-no-punches mother, Millie. A GREAT book that you won't put down, and won't forget after you do.

Picoult is an amazing novelist!

Plain and simple...Jodi Picoult takes my breath away. With each book she writes, Jodi Picoult just keeps getting better. Like KEEPING FAITH, the story of a little girl who seems to be a religious visionary, Picoult takes controversial topics and weaves incredible stories from them. KEEPING FAITH is not only a story of the love of a mother for her child, but an examination of the issues of religion, and the effects of media oversaturation. Picoult writes with an overwhelming grace, beauty and deep sensitivity, and her novels are always thought provoking. Picoult gives her loyal readers the gift they've always wanted with each new book. To those who have not had the pleasure of reading her books, pick up KEEPING FAITH. And then, do yourself a favor, and pick up the rest of her novels as well.

A FASCINATING NOVEL

Mariah White catches her husband with another woman (the second time during their marriage), her 7 year old daughter, Faith, witnesses the whole ugly scene. Mariah goes into depression and Faith retreats to a world of silence until she begins talking to her "imaginary friend". Mariah has little concern about the "friend" until her daughter begins reciting passages from the Bible, performing miracles and experiencing stigmata.Once the media hears of the little girl, they endlessly try to find out more, turning Mariah and her daughter's life upside-down.Mariah tries to find out what is happening to her daughter as well as shelter her from the frenzy caused by the media.Ian Fletcher is the newsman who broke the story about Faith and started out to expose her as a fraud. As he becomes involved with the White's, he begins believing that Faith may actually be God's messenger.The novel has several different themes...religion, media, and child custody.I have only read one other novel by Jodi Picoult, The Pact (excellent novel as well), but she is an auther whose talent is endless. She writes novels that are suspenseful, controversial, and powerful.Everything about this book works, the characters, the pacing and the plot.

Child as pawn for others' needs

It's a pleasure for a reader to follow the development of style and substance of a writer. For me, reading each new work by this immensely talented author, has been a delight. KEEPING FAITH is the story of a seven-year-old girl who, suddenly, seems to see a "guard" (read god) that is invisible to all others. She seems to develop powers of healing that bring scores of people to camp on the lawn of her house (where she lives with her recently divorced, rather emotionally fragile mother). What ensues brings into play the exploitation of this child, the frenzy of the media with a "hot" story, with cameras and microphones at the ready, as well as actions and reactions from Faith's family - her mother (who needs a good shake for her wimpiness with her former husband) and Faith's feisty, gutsy grandmother. An interesting beautifully written book including a riveting court custody hearing and an ending that will keep you discussing the work long after you have completed it.