Small Great Things Audiobook By Jodi Picoult cover art

Small Great Things

A Novel

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Small Great Things

By: Jodi Picoult
Narrated by: Audra McDonald, Cassandra Campbell, Ari Fliakos
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#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In “the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written” (The Washington Post), the acclaimed author tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion—and doesn’t offer easy answers.

“A gripping courtroom drama . . . Given the current political climate it is quite prescient and worthwhile. . . . This is a writer who understands her characters inside and out.”—Roxane Gay, The New York Times Book Review

Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than twenty years’ experience. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be told a few minutes later that she’s been reassigned to another patient. The parents are white supremacists and don’t want Ruth, who is Black, to touch their child. The hospital complies with their request, but the next day, the baby goes into cardiac distress while Ruth is alone in the nursery. Does she obey orders or does she intervene?

Ruth hesitates before performing CPR and, as a result, is charged with a serious crime. Kennedy McQuarrie, a white public defender, takes her case but gives unexpected advice: Kennedy insists that mentioning race in the courtroom is not a winning strategy. Conflicted by Kennedy’s counsel, Ruth tries to keep life as normal as possible for her family—especially her teenage son—as the case becomes a media sensation. As the trial moves forward, Ruth and Kennedy must gain each other’s trust, and come to see that what they’ve been taught their whole lives about others—and themselves—might be wrong. Social justice Thought-Provoking Fiction Literary Fiction Scary Genre Fiction Sagas Heartfelt Inspiring Women's Fiction
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Critic reviews

“Small Great Things is the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written. . . . It will challenge her readers . . . [and] expand our cultural conversation about race and prejudice.”—The Washington Post

“A novel that puts its finger on the very pulse of the nation that we live in today . . . a fantastic read from beginning to end, as can always be expected from Picoult, this novel maintains a steady, page-turning pace that makes it hard for readers to put down. It also allows for conversations to be had and for people to sit back and look at their lives, actions (past and present) and wonder how they will move forward. This is a fantastic book not only because it addresses something that happens in America and around the world every day, but it also shows us that change is possible too.”—San Francisco Book Review

“A gripping courtroom drama . . . Given the current political climate it is quite prescient and worthwhile. . . . This is a writer who understands her characters inside and out.”—Roxane Gay, The New York Times Book Review

“Small Great Things embraces . . . empathy, hope and humility.”—Newsday

“[An] author at the top of her heart-rending game.”—The National

“A gripping read about an issue of urgency.”—The Vancouver Sun

“A book that needs to be read.”—The Detroit News

“Exciting and fast-paced.”—New York Journal of Books

“[Picoult] offers a thought-provoking examination of racism in America today, both overt and subtle. Her many readers will find much to discuss in the pages of this topical, moving book.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Powerful . . . revelations abound.”—The Free Lance-Star

“Picoult has outdone herself.”—St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“A courageous and important work.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“I couldn’t put it down. Her best yet!”—New York Times bestselling author Alice Hoffman

“A compelling, can’t-put-it-down drama with a trademark [Jodi] Picoult twist.”—Good Housekeeping

“It’s Jodi Picoult, the prime provider of literary soul food. This riveting drama is sure to be supremely satisfying and a bravely thought-provoking tale on the dangers of prejudice.”—Redbook

“Jodi Picoult is never afraid to take on hot topics, and in Small Great Things, she tackles race and discrimination in a way that will grab hold of you and refuse to let you go. . . . This page-turner is perfect for book clubs.”—Popsugar

Featured Article: The Absolute Best of Jodi Picoult in Audio


You’ve probably heard of Jodi Picoult and her stellar reputation in the world of contemporary fiction. Picoult’s novels explore topical issues through compelling stories that are often known for inspiring listeners to shed a tear. But Picoult is such a prolific writer that it can be difficult to know which audiobook to listen to first. Here are our suggestions for the best Jodi Picoult audiobooks—the ones that should go on your listening list straight away.

Featured Article The Absolute Best of Jodi Picoult in Audio
Compelling Narrative Structure • Thought-provoking Exploration • Unexpected Plot Twists • Emotional Impact

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I honestly have never read a book that isn't a mystery or thriller. Yet this book was highly recommended. This book has left me truly thinking & feeling all the pain with Ruth & Kennedy. I was haunted for days of how she educated us without trying . I love the social justice in this book and how every individual may walk away feeling something but it brings societies ignorance with social justice even if we think it doesn't affect them. I truly loved the way our author wrote this book. She took every aspect of this book & gave you the insight of how they think or feel. I never saw the ending coming, I never expected the twist with Brittany. But most of all, I love the story, the journey & the title of this book.

Read the last chapter, the author expresses why she choose this storyline. So well done.

WOW! Great book. A must read.

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Jodi Picoult is a fantastic teacher and unbelievably wondrous writer. I believe "Small Great Things" should be required reading for high school students.

Stunning

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This is a bold, difficult and provoking book that I listened to in two days. It makes the reader think, feel and question. It is often offensive -- not because the author offends but because the reader knows these things are real and that is offensive. The book exposes things that are hard to think about.

I liked Ruth and Kennedy. I hated Turk and those in his circle. All of that is expected. What makes it more interesting though is that Turk is also loving to his wife and son. He is even sweet when he talks about his love story. He isn't a caricature of a white supremacist. Or maybe he is. But there are still aspects of his personality that are likable.

I never post spoilers, so this next comment will not be illustrated -- I hated the ending. I may have given this book five stars if the ending were stronger and less perfect.

The narration was very good. I loved the voices for Kennedy and Ruth as they were quite distinct and it was easy to stay with the storyline. This book flows well, and the emotion is tight; the narration allows the emotion and allows for the offensive words to shock but not startle the reader out of the story.

Bold, Difficult and Provoking.

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Loved this book. It felt so real to learn that an African American woman would be targeted in a hospital where she had an amazing reputation. It does expose the prejudices that still might exist. The story also begs us to dig into our hidden prejudices. Great job!

A STORY SO REAL

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GREAT ALL AROUND!!!!!!! Recommended it to everyone I've come in contact with this week!!! This book spoke to my soul!!!! I haven't felt so many emotions listening to a boo

Outstanding book

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