Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult: A Powerful Tale of Race and Prejudice
Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult is a must-read novel that will make you think, challenge your beliefs and emotions, and stay with you long after you finish the last page. With its powerful story of a black labor and delivery nurse, Ruth Jefferson, and her struggles against racial prejudice in the US healthcare system, this book is an absolute must-read for all those who want to understand the reality of race relations in America. An emotionally gripping and thought-provoking book, Small Great Things is bound to leave a lasting impact on its readers.
The story follows Ruth’s life as a nurse, where she has worked for many years despite facing discrimination from her white coworkers every day. When Ruth refuses to obey the orders of a white supremacist couple during a routine labor and delivery procedure, her life takes a turn for the worse as she faces legal troubles and public scrutiny. Despite being backed by her lawyer Kennedy McQuarrie, Ruth is left feeling scared and alone as she fights against racism in the courtroom. As the trial progresses, Ruth’s story becomes more complex as secrets are revealed about her past that could potentially change her future forever.
The characters in this book are extremely well written and each one of them brings something unique to the story. From Ruth’s strength and courage to Kennedy’s unwavering determination to fight for justice; from Turk Bauer’s intense hatred to Davis Bauer’s compassion; every character is carefully crafted to bring out different aspects of the story. The author also makes sure to address important topics such as power dynamics between races, institutionalized racism in modern society, white privilege, etc., making it an unforgettable experience for readers.
Overall, Small Great Things is an incredibly powerful read that touches upon various themes related to race relations in today’s world. Its depiction of racism in America is heartbreaking yet essential viewing if we are ever going to learn from our mistakes and move towards a more equitable future. This thought-provoking novel will surely stay with you long after you finish reading it. If you’re looking for a compelling read that will open up conversations about racism in America then Small Great Things is definitely worth checking out.