Genres
Publication
Hodder & Stoughton (2006), 480 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML: "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 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart, Handle with Care) comes Keeping Faith: an "addictively readable" (Entertainment Weekly) novel that "makes you wonder about God. And that is a rare moment, indeed, in modern fiction" (USA Today)
Media reviews
Om utgivelsen
Hun er en liten jente med en usynlig venn. Etter skilsmissen er Faith ulykkelig. Hun vil at mamma og pappa skal være sammen. Er den nye vennen et rop om hjelp, om å bli sett? Eller har Faith faktisk kontakt med krefter som er større enn henne selv?
Mange tror Mariah kynisk
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utnytter datteren i et spill om oppmerksomhet og hevn. Men når foreldrene møtes i retten for å slåss om omsorgen for Faith er det langt mer enn barnets beste som står på spill. Det handler om hva som skjer mellom mennesker når sikkerhetsnettet er vekk, når alt som er igjen er troen og styrken som kommer innenfra.
Min datter tro er en medrivende fortelling om kampen for et barn i et samfunn der media, psykologene og de troende styrer.
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User reviews
LibraryThing member tomcatMurr
Poor little Jodi has been in the news recently, complaining about the fact that most of the books reviewed in the NYT are by men, and not enough are by women. Of course, what she means is that none of them are by her.
So, to redress this terrible injustice, I spent the afternoon in the bookstore
My review:
Pap.
So, to redress this terrible injustice, I spent the afternoon in the bookstore
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reading some of her latest efforts with the aim of reviewing them for her. I spent about 20 minutes on each one, which is probably about as long as she spent writing it.My review:
Pap.
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LibraryThing member writestuff
Jodi Picoult is known for writing controversial books (her latest effort - Nineteen Minutes - has already faced bans and challenges since its publication this year), and Keeping Faith is no different. When Mariah White walks in on her husband cheating with another woman (with her seven year old
Like all of Picoult's novels, this one kept me turning the pages. It is filled with complex characters who are not always what they seem. The idea of faith, religion and our belief systems are all explored with a flare for storytelling that I've come to expect from Picoult. There is also an underlying theme of what it means to be a parent, and more specifically what it means to be both a mother and a daughter.
This book held me spellbound. It is compulsively readable and will make readers re-think their beliefs and wonder at the strength of their faith.
Highly recommended.
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daughter Faith in tow), she can no longer delude herself that she has a perfect marriage. Shortly after this momentous event, Faith begins to see and talk to her "guard" who we later learn is God. Not only does the little girl talk to God, she begins healing others and develops stigmata. As the novel progresses, and Mariah and her now ex-husband feel their way through a contentious custody battle, the characters are all forced to deal with their own beliefs about God and faith.Like all of Picoult's novels, this one kept me turning the pages. It is filled with complex characters who are not always what they seem. The idea of faith, religion and our belief systems are all explored with a flare for storytelling that I've come to expect from Picoult. There is also an underlying theme of what it means to be a parent, and more specifically what it means to be both a mother and a daughter.
This book held me spellbound. It is compulsively readable and will make readers re-think their beliefs and wonder at the strength of their faith.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member misswinkle
‘Keeping Faith’ is one of the Picoult novels that didn’t seem to get as much as much media attention as some of the others (‘The Pact’ and ‘My Sister’s Keeper’ being the main two that spring to mind); however, this lack of attention is undeserved. The novel concerns, as usual, an
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unhappy family – the parents separate due to the husband’s affair, which causes the child, Faith, to invent an ‘imaginary friend’ – a female God. When Faith starts to heal people, she becomes the centre of a storm of media attention; and also of a custody battle between her parents. Show Less
LibraryThing member picklechic
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult is the story of Faith White, a 7 year old daughter whose parents are in the process of divorcing and who, though raised in a non-religious family, is now hearing and seeing visions of God, performing miracles, and experiencing stigmata. It is an intriguing story that
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makes the character's and the reader question what their religious beliefs are and what is the truth. The mother-daughter relationships in the book are very real and complicated like they are in real life. I really enjoyed the book, although I did find that it was a little slow moving in parts. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Picoult's work or who finds themselves questioning truth in religion and in all aspects of life. 4 stars. Show Less
LibraryThing member LynnB
I have mixed feelings about Jodi Picoult. On the one hand, she is a fantastic story-teller. On the other hand, too much of her and the books start feeling formulaic.
This is the story of Faith, a seven-year-old Jewish girl who, upon her parents' divorce, begins seeing visions of God (a female!),
Well written (as always), some plot lines that are easy to see where they'll go next (as usual)...but I really like the way Ms. Picoult ended this one....with a subject as emotionally charged as the existence of God, she managed to find an inspired way to escort the reader from Faith's life.
This is the story of Faith, a seven-year-old Jewish girl who, upon her parents' divorce, begins seeing visions of God (a female!),
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experiencing stigmata and healing people. This leads to enormous amounts of media, church and public attention, ending all possibility of living a normal life. It also causes Faith's father to seek custody, as he believes her mother is not protecting Faith from all the chaos, and that she may even be causing it.Well written (as always), some plot lines that are easy to see where they'll go next (as usual)...but I really like the way Ms. Picoult ended this one....with a subject as emotionally charged as the existence of God, she managed to find an inspired way to escort the reader from Faith's life.
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LibraryThing member calexis
She's done it again! Picoult is without a doubt one of my favourite authors. Her novels are just so brilliant that they present a story that is so real and so captivating. I am not kidding when I say that I could not put down this novel. I read it at home (still on strike so I have a lot of time at
I was raised by parents in the Catholic faith and through the years, my own faith has faltered. My mom is an atheist. My father hasn't been to church since my sister had her graduation ceremony in a church. So... I guess in a way, my parents raised me in a faith that they couldn't support. Despite acknowledging that my parents may or may not have something to do with my present-day lack of conviction in my faith... I think it has to do with the way religion is presented nowadays. I like to think of myself as someone who can make judgments of my own without being told what to do. And what I loved about this novel is that... you see those who are so stubborn and ignorant in their religion that they refuse to consider possibilities. And here's the thing... I believe that there is something... bigger and all-knowing. As for religion? I just don't believe in that institution anymore. So the novel... it shows that faith has little to do with what religion you believe in... it's what comes of the faith and what you believe in. If you believe in a God that is all-knowing and all-good.. what difference is that really to all the other religions out there? They all believe that God is all-knowing and all-good as well. Perhaps there should be less arguing who is right... because I don't think we'll ever really know. But focus on the act of faith, the act of goodness.
So excuse my little religious-faith-blabbering there. I guess the topic is still a little sensitive with me. As for Picoult's novel, I wholeheartedly recommend it to all. Whether you're religious or not. Keeping Faith is hilarious. It's touching. It's full of miracles. It's about second chances. It's about identity. It's about love. And it's just a compelling read that makes you want more.
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home), on the bus, in between my job, at dinner time, during every commercial of my TV shows, before going to bed when I'm exhausted. In fact, if you haven't read this novel of hers, or any, well stop wasting your time reading my review and just go pick up the book. haha. I am so serious though.I was raised by parents in the Catholic faith and through the years, my own faith has faltered. My mom is an atheist. My father hasn't been to church since my sister had her graduation ceremony in a church. So... I guess in a way, my parents raised me in a faith that they couldn't support. Despite acknowledging that my parents may or may not have something to do with my present-day lack of conviction in my faith... I think it has to do with the way religion is presented nowadays. I like to think of myself as someone who can make judgments of my own without being told what to do. And what I loved about this novel is that... you see those who are so stubborn and ignorant in their religion that they refuse to consider possibilities. And here's the thing... I believe that there is something... bigger and all-knowing. As for religion? I just don't believe in that institution anymore. So the novel... it shows that faith has little to do with what religion you believe in... it's what comes of the faith and what you believe in. If you believe in a God that is all-knowing and all-good.. what difference is that really to all the other religions out there? They all believe that God is all-knowing and all-good as well. Perhaps there should be less arguing who is right... because I don't think we'll ever really know. But focus on the act of faith, the act of goodness.
So excuse my little religious-faith-blabbering there. I guess the topic is still a little sensitive with me. As for Picoult's novel, I wholeheartedly recommend it to all. Whether you're religious or not. Keeping Faith is hilarious. It's touching. It's full of miracles. It's about second chances. It's about identity. It's about love. And it's just a compelling read that makes you want more.
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LibraryThing member kmoynihan
This book makes you really think about belief and faith... it left you with a lot of unanswered questions and I liked that.
LibraryThing member karima29
Another one of Jodi Picoult’s family dramas. This one involves adultery, divorce, and a child custody battle. The twist in this tale however comes from the little girl, aptly names Faith, who starts ‘suffering’ from stigmata, and her mother gets blamed for making it up to get attention.
The story behind the story for me is about the mom who is one of those women who thought the sun rose and set on her husband and wonders what a man like him ever saw in a woman like her. Her confidence is shattered when he has an affair and leaves her, and gradually she learns how to trust herself and find her strength, not only for herself, but for her daughter as well. I get the impression that a strong part of the author’s identity is that of mother because in most of her books that I have read so far, she delves deeper into yet another aspect of what it’s like being a mother. In this case, it means believing the word of your child even when it doesn’t make sense and nobody else believes her. You believe her because you’re her mother and you need to believe her, for both your sakes.
The book also gives some insight into stigmata, what it’s about, how it gets recognised by the church, the attention it gets from the media and devout Christians, and how the medical community explains it. I personally don’t believe it so those parts of the book were just kind of strange for me. Oh, and what was also interesting about it, is that the visions of God that the girl has was of a female God. That created a whole hoopla of it’s own, as you can imagine. As far as the most popular religions go (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc), God is neither gender and both.
Due to the topic being as much about religion as it was, this wasn’t one of my favourite of her novels. Otherwise, it’s classic Jodi Picoult with the family drama / courtroom drama /social commentary.
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It’s called Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.The story behind the story for me is about the mom who is one of those women who thought the sun rose and set on her husband and wonders what a man like him ever saw in a woman like her. Her confidence is shattered when he has an affair and leaves her, and gradually she learns how to trust herself and find her strength, not only for herself, but for her daughter as well. I get the impression that a strong part of the author’s identity is that of mother because in most of her books that I have read so far, she delves deeper into yet another aspect of what it’s like being a mother. In this case, it means believing the word of your child even when it doesn’t make sense and nobody else believes her. You believe her because you’re her mother and you need to believe her, for both your sakes.
The book also gives some insight into stigmata, what it’s about, how it gets recognised by the church, the attention it gets from the media and devout Christians, and how the medical community explains it. I personally don’t believe it so those parts of the book were just kind of strange for me. Oh, and what was also interesting about it, is that the visions of God that the girl has was of a female God. That created a whole hoopla of it’s own, as you can imagine. As far as the most popular religions go (Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc), God is neither gender and both.
Due to the topic being as much about religion as it was, this wasn’t one of my favourite of her novels. Otherwise, it’s classic Jodi Picoult with the family drama / courtroom drama /social commentary.
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LibraryThing member KC9333
Very typical of Picoult...if you like this author you will enjoy this book. I certainly did.
LibraryThing member readaholic12
This is my first novel by Jodi Picoult, and now I see what the fuss is all about. Big issues, big ideas, big story, real characters - I read it in about a day, couldn't wait to get back to it. Maybe because I just read so much Anne Lamott, or maybe because I'm just nostagic for that Grisham rush,
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it moved me as a mother and a person and I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know where it was heading, couldn't guess the ending and really cared what was happening to these people. It made me reflect on my conflicted religious beliefs and left me feelig an eensy bit more tolerant and thankful. I'll be reading more by this author. Show Less
LibraryThing member smckee
did not like as much as herother books. Disappointed bt the ending - anticlimatic.
LibraryThing member LibraryLou
I was very surprised when I read this. I was sure it was going to be another mass market paperback, read quickly soon forgotten. Instead I was hooked from the first chapter, and raced through it, hardly daring to guess what would happen next.
Very well written, I am keen to try others of this author
Mariah's husband put her into an institution after she tried to kill herself when she discovered he was having an affair. 7 years later, he does it again, only this time Mariah has her daughter, Faith, to think about.
Desperately trying to hold it together for her daughter, she begins to question her abilities as a mother, and when her daughters imaginary friend sets of a chain of events that no-one could have prepared for, Mariah finds her strength tested, and her beliefs shaken.
Very well written, I am keen to try others of this author
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now. It was a really good surprise read. Mariah's husband put her into an institution after she tried to kill herself when she discovered he was having an affair. 7 years later, he does it again, only this time Mariah has her daughter, Faith, to think about.
Desperately trying to hold it together for her daughter, she begins to question her abilities as a mother, and when her daughters imaginary friend sets of a chain of events that no-one could have prepared for, Mariah finds her strength tested, and her beliefs shaken.
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LibraryThing member ausimex
Of the few Jodi Piccoult books I have read I found that I liked this less than the others. Although it was an interesting read and intriguing it didn't really have a surprise ending like the other books of hers i've read. It left me with unanswered questions and the ending was very confusing to me.
As usual the characters were well developed and social issues come into play. I will continue reading all of Piccoults books and hope to one day figure this one out!
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I had to read it several times and still did not understand what it meant. As usual the characters were well developed and social issues come into play. I will continue reading all of Piccoults books and hope to one day figure this one out!
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LibraryThing member kayceel
Beautifully written, as always, and made me wonder about religion and my own spirituality.
LibraryThing member carmarie
I love Jodi Picoult! And although this wasn't one of my favorite of hers, I still have to give it to her! I love that she chose this unconventional story. Like all of her books. I love that she thinks outside the box.
LibraryThing member karriethelibrarian
An eight-year-old girl, Faith, suddenly begins communicating with God. She previously had no exposure to the Bible or any religious teachings, yet she is quoting verses from the Bible. She tells her mother that she can see God, who incidentially is a woman, and is having conversations with her.
Soon her father, who has left the family to marry his pregnant mistress, hears about his daughter's miraculous powers on the news. Deciding that Faith's mother is not fit to keep her, he mounts a cruel and negative custody case against her.
The custody case is contrived and a little unbelieveable, but the story is gripping and thought-provoking.
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When Faith begins to heal the infirmed, the media camps out at their doorstep and begins intruding on her life.Soon her father, who has left the family to marry his pregnant mistress, hears about his daughter's miraculous powers on the news. Deciding that Faith's mother is not fit to keep her, he mounts a cruel and negative custody case against her.
The custody case is contrived and a little unbelieveable, but the story is gripping and thought-provoking.
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LibraryThing member Cecilturtle
In this novel, Picoult attempts to pit believers with non-believers while at the same time reserving judgment as to whether God exists. The result is a poorly constructed discussion around religion, in other words a cop out. Her two main characters, a "teleatheist" and a young miracle worker,
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generate no constructive debate. The main theme is about authenticating the miracles (which I didn't really care for in the first place). The parade of psychologists and their interpretations of events are interesting and parts of the plot are well written, even gripping, but I was overall disappointed. I hoped for something meatier. Show Less
LibraryThing member paulachloe
Another engrossing read from Jodi Picoult. Beautifully written, as always.After Mariah White and her cheating husband’s marriage breaks up, their daughter, Faith starts reciting biblical passages, hearing and seeing visions of god, performing miracles and she even experiences stigmata.
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Faith and her family have no religious background whatsoever. They are then thrown into media chaos and a frenzied custody battle, making for a very powerful story. This is an intriguing story that makes the character's and the reader question what their religious beliefs are and what is the truth. The mother-daughter relationships in the book are very real and complicated like they are in real life. I would recommend this book to everyone no matter what their religious background, I couldn't put it down. Show Less
LibraryThing member DF1A_ShivaniP
Keeping Faith is a really well written novel by Jodi Picoult about bringing family together. Mariah is the single mother of Faith whose dad was a cheater and got re-married. Mariah not knowing how to raise a child is going through life on her own trying to protect her child. But Faith has started
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to see God and the family has not even studied religion. Mariah knows that Faith knows nothing about religion since Mariah has never told anything bout religion to her. As the novel continues, Faith starts to see God more, brings her grandma back to life and she is starting to bleed from her hands. The entire press is at Mariah's doorsteps trying to get the entire story, and bring Faith's magical powers to everyones notice. One of the press members is Ian, who doesn't even believe in God. Will Mariah be able to save her daughter from all this press? Why is Faith seeing God? Why is Faith bleeding from her hands everytime she tries to help someone? What if Mariah falls in love with Ian? Show Less
LibraryThing member meags222
This book was very good. It's about a girl who starts seeing God and performing miracles after her parents divorce. It really makes you question faith and those who don't practice any kind of faith. The book really explores the extremes of being too religious and of lacking any kind of religion. I
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really enjoyed this book and give it 4 out of 5 stars Show Less
LibraryThing member cloedoris
I bought this assuming I'd like it as I've liked all the other books barring one, but I didn't. I couldn't settle with it & iy trmsind on my shelf, maybe I'll give it another try one day.
LibraryThing member revslick
I'm always on the lookout for books that deal with religious themes, issues, and/or situations that are outside the religious writing market; mainly because the religious market has a lot of awful writers. Jodi writes a beautiful novel about a non-religious girl that talks to God (in female form)
If you are looking for a fun beach read, this is it. There some great character lines and insight to faith, religion, and the line of what we can and cannot explain.
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and develops Stigmata. From the militant atheist to the priest and rabbi, the characters are real and not thin caricatures of one group or another. There were moments the characters could have been a little more defined; however, this might have dragged the story down. There were also moments the story felt hurried, (i.e. during the trial), but overall this was a delight. If you are looking for a fun beach read, this is it. There some great character lines and insight to faith, religion, and the line of what we can and cannot explain.
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LibraryThing member madams
A good read but not one of Piccoult's better novels.
LibraryThing member iamexhumed
For me, this was quite the page-turner. I enjoyed the way that Jodi took a popular religious theme and made it into a realistic story about an everyday mother and daughter, and keeping it convincing the whole time. It explores the idea of religious doubt being challenged by something that nobody
The ending does not provide a whole lot of closure, but to me that just reinforces that at the end of the day, we can never absolutely know the answers to spiritual questions; we can only be guided by our own experience.
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can explain, and along the way everybody is forced to question what they truly believe. I was really struck by this story, because it made me wonder how much proof somebody needs that goes against what they believe (or don't believe), in order to cause them to second guess themselves. I guess in this particular case, it depends how attached you are to your skepticism, but also how much beef you have with Christianity that is not related at all to anything the religion actually teaches.The ending does not provide a whole lot of closure, but to me that just reinforces that at the end of the day, we can never absolutely know the answers to spiritual questions; we can only be guided by our own experience.
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LibraryThing member drausche
interesting concept and something to think about in this day & age
Subjects
Awards
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2004)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1999-05-05
ISBN
034083935X / 9780340839355
Other editions
Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult (Paperback)