Small Great Things
A Novel
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Narrated by:
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Audra McDonald
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Cassandra Campbell
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Ari Fliakos
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Written by:
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Jodi Picoult
About this listen
2017 Audie Awards, Winner
Number-one New York Times Best Seller
With richly layered characters and a gripping moral dilemma that will lead listeners to question everything they know about privilege, power, and race, Small Great Things is the stunning new pause-resister from Jodi Picoult.
Soon to be a major motion picture
“[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])
Ruth Jefferson is a labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital with more than 20 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 African American, 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.
With incredible empathy, intelligence, and candor, Jodi Picoult tackles race, privilege, prejudice, justice, and compassion - and doesn’t offer easy answers. Small Great Things is a remarkable achievement from a writer at the top of her game.
Praise for Small Great Things
“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.” (San Francisco Book Review)
©2016 Jodi Picoult (P)2016 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
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Loved this book
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A story that makes you think
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In the wild, when a wolf knows its time is over, when it knows it is of no more use to its pack, it may sometimes choose to slip away. Dying apart from its family, it stays proud and true to its nature. Humans aren’t so lucky. Luke Warren has spent his life researching wolves. He has written about them, studied their habits intensively, and even lived with them for extended periods of time.
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Love the writing style of Jodi Picoult
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Written by: Jodi Picoult
What listeners say about Small Great Things
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Katy Latimer
- 2023-01-27
Hard but well worth it !
This audio book was difficult to listen to. It made me uncomfortable. When we feel uncomfortable we pay attention and that’s when we learn. One of the best books I’ve read in a
long time. Thanks for not giving up on writing the hard stuff, Jodi Picoult.
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- Roxie Gallinger
- 2018-01-18
Awesome
I couldn't stop listening to this book. I walked farther in my distances while listening to it. The three different Narraters was different but they did a great job at helping you know who is who.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Charmaine Bellamy
- 2021-06-12
Incredible read!
I just finished this awesome book. I highly recommend it. It is captivating, I couldn’t stop listening. Also, it discusses and brings to light numerous race issues; both overt and subtle. It allowed me to feel compassion for the white supremest, the innocent dark skinned nurse, the “allies” who didn’t see their own biases.
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- Brandi
- 2023-05-07
A Book, a Story everyone NEEDS to read/hear
There were times I thought I didn’t want to keep reading, the hate, the ridiculous hate thinking, but I pushed on! Jodi gives us all an opportunity to pause and try to imagine what it is to be other than white! To try inn some small way begin to understand how every decision a person if colour makes must think beyond the choice and consider all potential outcomes. Thank you Jodi, this has been a gift!
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- Silvia Smith
- 2019-08-28
Thought provoking
This novel provides a very powerful view into the lives of the privileged versus those who are not. It gives a very heartrending look into the everyday evils of racism and how easily we can all overlook our own racist attitudes.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kate F.
- 2021-05-11
Very well done.
Fabulous novel, very well written. Great narration. Will be looking for more by this author.
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- Kendalyn Hodgins
- 2023-03-10
Amazing Read.
Really makes you take a look at what you thought you knew. Awesome book with amazing narrators.
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- B
- 2018-11-29
perspective altering
This book will alter the way you look, or don't look, at racism. Not at first, but gradually and uncomfortably deeply. Brilliantly written, amazingly well narrated by multiple narrators with voices well chosen for their role.
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- Kindle Customer
- 2019-03-27
Well written tough topic
Jodi has a way of writing that sucks you right it. this book will get you right in the feelers
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-01-13
A life changing book
Important. Something everyone should read.
Amazingly written and the voice actors were amazing. One of my favourite books of all time.
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1 person found this helpful