Jacob Have I Loved by Katherine Paterson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Jacob Have I Loved
Book Review: A Masterfully Written, Potentially Harmful Story
Summary: 2 Stars
Sara Louise Bradshaw is an awkward, pretentious young woman consumed with envy against her twin sister, whom she feels has robbed her of love and attention since their birth, when Louise was forgotten in the rush to save Caroline's life. In Louise's words,
I was the elder by a few minutes. I always treasured the thought of those minutes. They represented the only time in my life when I was the center of everyone's attention. From the moment Caroline was born, she snatched it all for herself. (Harper Trophy, 1990, p. 18)
Her feelings are understandable, since her emotionally distant parents do favor the beautiful Caroline, making significant sacrifices to develop her musical gift while Louise (or "Wheeze," as dubbed by her sister) is neglected. The book traces Louise's journey out of her oppressive adolescence into a new life of her own choosing, as she leaves home and marries far from her family.
This story is one of the first in a 1980's genre of fiction that focused on the out-of-place feelings young people struggle with. As in many stories of this type, the author succeeds very well at portraying Louise's crushing resentment, but fails to provide a satisfying resolution. Throughout her struggles she is obsessively self-absorbed and bitterly envious, providing ample opportunity for readers' empathy but not for emulation. More troubling than her hatred of Caroline is her insistence that God is to blame for her pain. This sentiment is underscored by her mentally ill grandmother, who venomously whispers an out-of-context scripture quotation to her: "As it is written, 'Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.'" (Romans 9:13)
Although the author subtly lets the reader know that many of Louise's problems are of her own making, the idea that God has forsaken her is never really contradicted. Rather, it is through taking responsibility for her decisions, leaving home and building a new life on her own terms that Louise achieves resolution. The story concludes when, in her new vocation as a midwife, she momentarily forgets to care for a healthy twin while saving the life of the younger. She instructs the young mother to give proper attention to the healthy child, and walks home peacefully, hearing her sister's voice singing in her mind. This scene may be interpreted to mean that she has come to terms with the injustice of her childhood, even though she does not actually reconcile with her sister or parents.
This book won a Newbery Medal, and has been enjoyed by many readers because of its masterful writing and the genuine pathos of its protagonist. But Louise's faults unfortunately permeate this compelling story. I'm willing to be challenged, but I believe that while Paterson has done a great job of describing adolescent struggles, her protagonist is never allowed to fully transcend them. This, combined with the truly poisonous nature of Sara Louise's family, makes this a story that may do more harm than good.
Book Review: A Thoughtful Book
Summary: 2 Stars
Let me start off with the good stuff: It's written clear, a bit of a sad tone in Katherine's writing, but it might just be her style. If you like to read books with a boatload of teen thoughts, then go ahead and enjoy this book! It's full of sadness and humble happiness.My other thoughts are: For school I had to read and 'examine' this book. Unfortunately I didn't find much to examine and what i mean is: It's a story about a girl stuck on an island and she has nothing to do, no one to love and all the good things happen to her sister. It's the story of deaths and marriages that happen on her small island. Not very exciting. Plus it's all the "inner" thinking of a rather plain girl.
I don't know. I just like action, but not 'thoughtful' books such as these. If you're like me and enjoy fast-paced action-packed books, then I really suggest you not to read this book.
Book Review: A Very Surprising Book
Summary: 3 Stars
It was a sad yet true book. Life is not always fair and that what it says in this book.Book Review: A book about a twin who no one worries about...
Summary: 5 Stars
Jacob Have I Loved is a realistic fiction book, by Katherine Paterson. It's about a girl, Sara louise, and her twin, Caroline. Sara louise is jeleous of Caroline, and gets very mad at her. She works as a waterman and sells the crabs for money for her family, so Caroline could take piano and voice lessons. When Sara Louise gets sick of Caroline getting all of the attention, she starts keeping half of her money to her self, so that she could go to boarding school. When her family noticed they were low on money, Caroline had to stop her piano and voice lessons. Sara louise eventually began to become her own person. This was a very good book. I would recommend reading it if you a twin or have brothers or sisters. I think anyone in Middle school or high school would like it though.Book Review: A classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I've read this book a hundred times over the years, and each time I enjoy it a little more. It is a true classic and should be read by children of all agres. The author paints a timeless portrait of the difficult life in a harsh climate. The characters are also well developed and very sympathetic. I love this book.