A Spark of Light

A Novel

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Bahni Turpin, Jodi Picoult

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best seller

The author author of Small Great Things returns with a powerful and provocative new novel about ordinary lives that intersect during a heart-stopping crisis.

"Picoult at her fearless best... Timely, balanced and certain to inspire debate." (The Washington Post)

The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center - a women’s reproductive health services clinic - its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage.

After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, sets up a perimeter and begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. As his phone vibrates with incoming text messages he glances at it and, to his horror, finds out that his 15-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic.

But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order to save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it, and who will find that faith tested as never before. A pro-life protester, disguised as a patient, who now stands in the crosshairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself, vowing to be heard.

Told in a daring and enthralling narrative structure that counts backward through the hours of the standoff, this is a story that traces its way back to what brought each of these very different individuals to the same place on this fateful day.

One of the most fearless writers of our time, Jodi Picoult tackles a complicated issue in this gripping and nuanced novel. How do we balance the rights of pregnant women with the rights of the unborn they carry? What does it mean to be a good parent? A Spark of Light will inspire debate, conversation...and, hopefully, understanding.

Praise for A Spark of Light:

"This is Jodi Picoult at her best: tackling an emotional hot-button issue and putting a human face on it." (People)

"Told backward and hour by hour, Jodi Picoult's compelling narrative deftly explores controversial social issues." (Us Weekly)

©2018 Jodi Picoult (P)2018 Random House Audio

So very upset with this book

First let me say that I have read all of Jodi Picoults novels. I have devoured every one of them with so much delight, until now. I have only reviewed one book and have been an audible listener for 5 years, but i felt it was my duty to warn other Picoult fans of wasting a credit. In fact, i actually repurchased this book to leave a credit after returning it because it was that disappointing! The book is told back to front in reverse order. I get what the author is trying to do here, but like another reviewer said, it just left the whole story scattered and flip-floppy and a bit hard to follow. Not just that, but when the book finally ended I was like, Okay so what actually happened? it felt like there was no climax and a LOT of unanswered questions. Had the story been written in chronological order, it would have been okay, but even then i feel like the events in the book were not up to Picoult standards. something would happen that was supposed to be a BOOM moment in the book, but it didn't feel like a key event because the character it involved wouldn't be introduced until later on in the book. (because of the whole reverse order writing) Plus, the whole thing was a bit one sided and preachy. Very disappointed in this book. If you get through two chapters and aren't taken by it, know that it will not change or climax, and to not waste your time on the rest.

Not her best

I love Jodi’s books but this one was different. Too many characters made it confusing and the ending just fizzled out without a real conclusion. I am still a fan but this was not my favorite.

Great book!

I’m a Jody Picoult fan!! Was a little concerned about this book being one sided therefore controversial. I found it to be fair with feelings from both sides but with research and facts and plenty of education for those on both sides. I especially appreciated Jody’s comments at the end. I too wish we could come together to make progress with available birth control, increased minimum wage, education and childcare. Come on people!

choice...always a pleasure... when you have it.

Jodi has done it again. she has left this up to the reader to make their choice and choose where they stand. Not an easy read due to the content, but the writing is flawless. When it's all said and done choice is what is in this book. Now the question is to the reader.....do you CHOOSE to accept the challenge and heart felt book, or do you pass it by because the of the topic. Don't let politics and your personal views get in the way of this amazing story. Open your heart and mind to this adventure.

Interesting Perspective, Great Listen

The story is about the issue of Reproductive Rights and is told through many voices and points of view. Really well done, as always. #IssueFiction #Suspenseful #ReproductiveRights #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Love Jodi Picoult, but...

I feel like the ending was thrown together. Am I wrong? Maybe I missed something.

Going backwards is hard on Audible

I had a hard time with this one, as I did not read the summary first and realize the book was narrating backwards. I kept hearing things over and over thinking I was some how in the wrong chapter. It can be boring as an audible to hear things repeated.

I'm a big picoult fan but this one didn't do much for me. I had hoped for more. I can also see how Pro life people will not be a huge fan.

Did not like ending

I was very disappointed with how the book was wrapped up. Too many loose ends for me.

Not Her Best Work

This was not my favorite book of hers. I didn't create the emotional attachment with the characters. The parallel stories didn't seem to mesh, even in the end. And, I was excited to read it as I am from Mississippi. It wasn't bad, but definitely not in my top 3.

Never disappoints

I love her books and this one is no exception. Kept my attention throughout the whole book waiting to hear what would happen. Can't wait for her next.