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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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 Audio
Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sagas Women's Fiction Inspiring Heartfelt Thought-Provoking

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.

What listeners say about Small Great Things

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WOW

Upon reading the synopsis, I was a little suspect about this novel. Frankly, it sounded as if it could easily set me up to be disappointed and I really liked Jodi Picout too much to be disappointed by one of her novels. I preordered the book and began it in the first day it arrived.

Why did I love this book? Because I've lived this book and it felt as if Jodi looked into my heart, mind and soul to craft this novel . It felt as if she became a sister from another mother and gave voice to my greatest fears and angst. Thank you for putting the voice that resonates inside my head into words that others can read:listen to and understand.

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Timely

Jodi has a way of presenting life's complexities and pain in a way that the impact continues long after the last page is turned. As a highly educated African American woman who attended dominant culture (white) schools all of my life, this book spoke to me. Racism is so insidious that we now call it unconscious bias. I use this term and understand it intellectually, however, my soul feels this bias as racism. In spite of chronic soul injury I am consciously aware of the fact that whatever I do or say in response to this chronic trauma I must never forget my responsibility to those generations who follow me. My doctoral professor asked me why I choose to carry that burden. My response, because if I don't who will. At 65 years of age looking at the current political climate, the maltreatment and disrespect shown towards President Obama and his grace and dignity during the past 8 years, my answer remains the same. "When they go low, you go high". (Mrs. Obama). Thank you Jodi for having the courage to write this book.

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YES AND AMEN!

Sp true! This is an excepriomally well done tale of the human condition and dynamic of the phenomena of racism in America and abroad! I am a 64 year old woman of color in America. Kudos to this author who has rendered believable voices via her characters!! SHALOM, Jodi Picoult.

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Should be required reading for all white Americans

I am exactly the target audience that the author intended this book for and I’m so glad to have read it. A friend happened upon it in a used book store and recommended it to me. I, like the author, have lived a life of white privilege and thought it was enough that I’m not an overt racist. This book has made me examine closely my own racism and has spurred many discussions with both white friends and family as well as friends and loved ones of other races. More than anything it has made me realize how far I have to go in continuing to learn and change. It is a must read for any white person who wants to begin to scratch the surface of examining race in America.

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Amazing

Jodi is my favorite author. Until now, I would have told you my favorite book of hers was The Storyteller. But this book was phenominal. I am a white woman married to a black man, therefore I also have black family members. This was a very difficult book to listen to in parts. When the white supremist was talking and spewing hate against black people, it broke my heart and made me angry. There were so many things in the book that made me angry - but that was the point. If people don't get angry about injustice, it will never change. I could relate to so much in this book. White people tend to not think about race and even believe they are not racist. But when you or someone you love is black, it is very clear that racism still exists and affects lives of real people. And just a note, black people think about race every day - they have to.

I hope that if you read/listen to this book, it will be with an open mind. No matter what your color, there is something in here for you to learn. Also, I usually don't listen to the authors notes if there are any after the book, but this time I did. I encourage you to do the same. Jodi speaks from the heart and tells you how she did the research for this book. As part of a bi-racial family, I think this hit the nail on the head several times.

Thank you Jodi for writing so passionately about a subject that no one wants to talk about. You are still my favorite author!

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Kudos for tackling a tough subject

As a white adoptive parent of 4 children of color (my kids are all adults now), I give Picoult kudos for writing about prejudice and racism—however the perception of the conversation, the point is it’s a start of a conversation.

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Outstanding!

This book made my heart swell and break at the same time. It’s hard to read but I couldn’t put it down. I appreciate the way in which three different perspectives were given a voice and a platform. I have much to think about in my own perspective on racism. Thank you Jodi for such an eloquent and entertaining way to illuminate a difficult social issue in American culture.

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Touching

I enjoyed the dynamics of the interaction between the characters! A much needed discussion on the topic of Racism. Just listened to the ending from the author and I applaud her honesty! It is s new experience for me to use Audible and it is very rewarding! This book will be discussed by my Book Club next week and with our diversity of beliefs should be an enthralling evening !

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Powerful, shocking and humbling

This is an outstanding book that takes a hard look at the modern issues around race in North America. It captures the perspectives of 3 different people and weaves a story that is humbling, shocking, powerful and creates a good opportunity for some self reflection. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, it is an important message.

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thank you, Jodi

This was an engaging story, a bit predicable at times, but I think it was well done. I believe the author's note at the end should not be skipped. I applaud Jodi for addressing the issue and hope that it helps some really think about the systematic and passive sides of racism. We have a long way to go.

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