Warning: Detailed Summary of the Entire Book

“Sing You Home” takes place in Rhode Island. In the story, Zoe, a music therapist, and Max Baxter, a landscaper, because of their infertility issues, depend on in vitro fertilization, and after a stillbirth, are left with three healthy embryos, frozen cryogenically. Max does not want to go through the whole ordeal of trying for a child again, and when Zoe pressures him, he divorces her. Max moves in with his older brother Reid and his wife Liddy, who also have infertility issues. Max turns to alcohol and after a traffic accident, with Reid and Liddy’s encouragement, becomes a born-again Christian.

Zoe, on the other hand, meets Vanessa Shaw, a lesbian, and the two fall in love. Zoe moves in with Vanessa, and they marry in Massachusetts. Zoe still wants to have children badly, but she can’t become pregnant again since she has had a hysterectomy. Vanessa who is younger than Zoe volunteers to have the embryos planted in her. Since part of the embryos belong to Max, Zoe asks Max to give her permission to use the embryos.

Although answering Zoe mildly in the beginning, with the urging of his brother and Pastor Clive and his church, Max sues Vanessa and Zoe for the right to his children (embryos). He now wants to give the embryos to his brother and his wife. In no time, the story focuses on court proceedings, Right-Wing Christian beliefs versus Gay-Lesbian rights, and the rights of the embryos.

As a subplot, a despondent high-school student, Lucy, becomes Zoe’s patient, but unbeknownst to all parties until the end, she is the stepdaughter to Pastor Clive. To win the case, Pastor Clive alleges that Lucy has been molested by Zoe. In view of losing her job and reputation, Zoe gives up on the embryos and agrees to let Max win the case.

Max, in the meantime, has fallen in love with Liddy, and after examining the situation, with Liddy’s encouragement, he gives the embryos to Zoe and Vanessa.

The epilogue, seven years later, is told by Samantha Baxter, a six-year old who mentions she has two mommies, and a daddy (Max). She implies her daddy will marry Liddy.

The three main characters-- Zoe, Vanessa, and Max--take turns to tell the reader their version of the story in first person. Each character is fully authentic, significant, and capable of gaining readers’ empathy.

The novel covers controversial issues as discrimination, music therapy, evangelical Christian beliefs and anti-gay agenda, in-vitro fertilization, small town prejudices, corrupt attorneys turning the case into a media circus for their ends, and alcoholism. The writing is detailed, fair to both sides, and downright brilliant.

To enhance the story, the book comes with a CD of songs, whose lyrics are written by the author.

the author's story weaving and the way she addresses social issues.

is Jodi Picoult, an American Author, a graduate of Harvard and Princeton. Several of her novels have been made into movies.
Some of her books are: Songs of the Humpback Whale (1992), Harvesting the Heart (1994), Picture Perfect (1995), Mercy (1996), The Pact (1998), Keeping Faith (1999), Plain Truth (2000), Salem Falls (2001), Perfect Match (2002), Second Glance (2003), My Sister's Keeper(2004), Vanishing Acts (2005), The Tenth Circle (2006) Nineteen Minutes (2007), Change of Heart (2008), Handle With Care (2009), House Rules (2010), Sing You Home (2011).

I would always recommend Jodi Picoult's work, as reading her is an education in itself as to story weaving, character development, usage of English, and storytelling. The subject of this story may feel controversial for some, but I think, the two sides of the story are represented fairly as they are in real life, and in detail.

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Created Jun 05, 2014 at 3:25pm • Submit your own review...