Small Great Things

Small Great Things

Small Great Things
Author	Jodi Picoult
Language	English
Publisher	Ballantine Books
ISBN	978-0-345-54495-7
Pages	470

Small Great Things is a novel by Jodi Picoult published in 2016 by Ballantine Books. The book focuses on race, prejudice, and justice in the United States.

Plot Summary

The story revolves around Ruth Jefferson, an experienced labor and delivery nurse at a Connecticut hospital. During her shift, Ruth begins a routine checkup on a newborn, only to be reassigned to another patient. The parents of the newborn, who are white supremacists, do not 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. Ruth hesitates before performing CPR, and as a result, she is charged with a serious crime.

The novel explores the perspectives of three main characters: Ruth Jefferson, the nurse; Kennedy McQuarrie, Ruth's white public defender; and Turk Bauer, the baby's father and a white supremacist. Through these characters, the book delves into themes of racism, privilege, and justice.

Characters

• Ruth Jefferson: An African American labor and delivery nurse with over twenty years of experience.
• Kennedy McQuarrie: A white public defender who takes on Ruth's case.
• Turk Bauer: The father of the baby and a white supremacist.
• Brittany Bauer: Turk's wife and the mother of the baby.
• Edison Jefferson: Ruth's teenage son.

Themes

The novel addresses several important themes:

• Racism: The book examines both overt and covert racism in contemporary society.
• Privilege: It explores the concept of white privilege and how it affects the lives of the characters.
• Justice: The legal battle that ensues highlights issues within the justice system, particularly concerning race.

Reception

Small Great Things received positive reviews for its timely and thought-provoking exploration of race relations. Critics praised Picoult for tackling complex social issues and for her well-developed characters.

Adaptations

In 2017, it was announced that a film adaptation of Small Great Things was in development, with Viola Davis and Julia Roberts attached to star.

See Also

• Jodi Picoult
• Racism in the United States
• White privilege
• Justice system