LGBTQ Annotation

Author: Jodi Picoult

Title: Sing You Home

Genre: Fiction/LGBTQ

Publication Date: 2011

Number of Pages: 466

Geographical Setting: Rhode Island

Time Period: Contemporary

Series (If applicable): None

Plot Summary: Picoult’s story begins with the lives of Zoe and Max Baxter, told from Zoe’s perspective. Zoe is pregnant and the two couldn’t be happier. This was their 5th and last attempt at IVF so that Zoe could have a baby and they could start their family. After tragedy strikes and causes a rift between Zoe and Max, they both turn in different ways to cope. Zoe reunites with her friend Vanessa and they form a special friendship that turns into something much more. Max, turns to drinking and when he finds himself in a serious accident, gives his life over to God. Zoe and Vanessa start to make a life with each other and must work against everyone to prove that their relationship is love and will last a lifetime.

A greater part of the book focuses on a court case between Zoe and Max while they battle for custody of their embryos they fertilized in the past. The reader gets to see all three points of view as Vanessa and Zoe fight for a life together and Max struggles to find the right answers.

Subject Headings: LGBTQ--fiction, Women’s Lives and Relationships, Lesbian couples, music therapists, Infertility, Divorce, Embryo transfer, and Reproductive Technology, and Religion.  

Appeal:

-Tone/Mood: There is a realistic tone and mood to the story as it follows the three main characters. It is also very thought-provoking, making the reader contemplate throughout the whole story.

-Characterization: The story follows two women-Zoe and Vanessa, and one man-Max throughout their journey to find happiness.

-Story Line: Revolves around special issues such as LGBTQ rights, human embryos, religion, depression, suicide, and music therapy.

-Frame/Setting: This novel revolves around issues that will be relevant such as bullying and depression and the helpfulness of music therapy. The novel takes place in a conservative town in Rhode Island and it sets the tone for the rest of the book.

-Style/Language: It is divided between dialogue based language and descriptive past events and the thoughts and feelings of the characters.

-Pacing: Pacing is quick- each main character has a section devoted to them throughout the book and their stories often overlap so the reader gets all three points of view from that particular situation.

3 terms that best describe this book: perseverance, powerful, thought-provoking

Similar Authors and Works

-3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Different daughters: a history of the Daughters of Bilitis and the rise of the lesbian rights movement by Marcia Gallo

This work of nonfiction follows the story of the first organization that is committed to lesbian civil rights during the McCarthy era. While it is historical writing, this is a relevant work to Picoult’s novel because it gives some background and historical facts to supplement the works within the novel.

The Baby Chase: how surrogacy is transforming the American Family by Leslie Morgan Steiner

This nonfiction follows the life and story of a couple who dealt with infertility issues and ended up using surrogacy as a way to have a child. While slightly differing from embryo transferring and IVF, this story still is relatable in the regards of working through infertility and finding alternate solutions to the pain it causes.

Waiting for Daisy by Peggy Orenstein

This memoir tells the life story of Peggy over 6 years as she struggles to become a mother-regardless of the repercussions in the other area of her life. The memoir also deals with families and relationships and in vitro fertilization.

-3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

Hood by Emma Donoghue

This novel is also categorized as an LGBTQ novel and is about lesbian partners. This novel also deals with grief and romance like Sing You Home. It follows the story of Kate Wall as she travels to Ireland for the funeral of her younger sister, Cara. While there, Kate realizes that Cara was a lesbian and was in a relationship with her housemate, Pen. The story is also told from Pen’s point of view as she deals with the death of Cara.

They say she tastes like honey by Michelle Sawyer

This novel follows the escapades of Macy Delongchamp, an out and proud lesbian and travel entrepreneur. It follows several of Macy’s relationships (intimate and casual). Then Macy sees her life begin to crumble, death of loved ones, alcohol, and more.

Between Friends by Kristy Kiernan

Kiernan’s novel follows Ali Gutierrez as she struggles to have a second child. Her friend, Cora, gave Ali her eggs to use the first time, but the second time around may be a different story. The reader follows the lives of Ali and Cora and the ups and downs of life.  

Side note: This book focuses a lot on Zoe’s work as a music therapist and so the author includes a CD to be played while reading the novel. Each section has a song that relates to the story being told. The songs stirs up more emotion and can help the reader connect to the story more than without it. I’ve never seen an adult book with a CD soundtrack before.