A Spark Of Light

A Spark Of Light

Adult fiction
"Hostage negotiation is not a test of your manhood. It is not a
chance to be a knight in shining armor, or a way to get your fifteen
minutes of fame. It may go your way, and it may not, no matter how
textbook your responses are. Don't take it personally.
But Hugh had known from the get-go that this was never going to
be possible, not today, not this time, because this was a different
situation altogether. There were God knew how many dead bodies in the
clinic, plus five hostages who were still alive. And one of them was
his kid."
Hugh is one of the main characters of Jodi Picault's A Spark Of
Light. A police officer trained in hostage negotiation, he has to
talk an active shooter into releasing the hostages he's holding in an
abortion clinic. One is his only child who he has raised as a single
parent. His life revolves around her. In addition to all that he's
wondering why she's be at a place where they'd terminate unwanted
pregnancies. She's only fifteen.
Actually Hugh and the shooter, George, have something in
common: devotion to a beloved child. George has learned that his Lil
has come to this place. He's sure someone there has convinced or
coerced her into committing an act that he, as a right to lifer and
fundamentalist Christian, finds unacceptable--an act that will consign
her to Hell for all eternity. Now he's desperate and dangerous,
backed up against the proverbial wall. No matter what Hugh promises,
George is sure that if he releases the hostages a SWAT team will swoop
in and kill him.
Piccoult used a bold technique that very few novelists could
pull off. She started at a pivotal moment in the drama and worked her
way backward. Her narrative, told through multiple perspectives, lets
readers get to know the thoughts and feelings of the men caught up in
a life or death drama and the other people whose lives hang in the
balance.
Piccoult's many fans, suspense story affecianados, and people
willing to ponder on the ethical and moral complexities of abortion
will find A Spark Of Light to be a must read.
On a personal note, my younger daughter, Katie, has been my book buddy
almost all her life. We started with board and picture books and
worked our way through Goosebumps and Sarah Dessen's YA offerings to
adult novels. These days we discuss what we're reading and recommend
favorites regularly in our phone conversations. She's taken the
initiative to start her own book club.
Jodi Piccoult has been one of our absolute favorite authors. We love
not only her masterfully crafted novels, but her willingness to take
on controversial issues and to share her own thoughts and feelings in
author's notes. Katie gave me A Spark Of Light for Christmas. I read
it New Years Eve. It is one of my most precious possessions.
Great big shouts go out to Piccoult for her consistantly masterful and
thought provoking offerings and Katie for being my book buddy and
amazing daughter.
jules hathaway


Sent from my iPod