The chronology isn’t too hard to figure out either, although sometimes it all flows so well that it’s difficult to remember what year we’re in, particularly when picking the book up at the end of the day. I found the continual time change a little confusing at first the viewpoint changes between Nicholas (in the third person) and Paige (in the first person) which is fine the relevant name is at the heading of each section.

The writing is powerful, the characterisation very good. There are many flashbacks, too, to their childhood and teens - particularly Paige’s as she grew up feeling the loss of her mother and going through several traumatic experiences. The first two-thirds of the book then take us back in time, so we see how Paige and Nicholas met and how their romance blossomed despite parental opposition. She now wants to return but Nicholas won’t let her in so she’s camping in the garden. The prologue of the book gets right to the heart of the story: Paige has abandoned her husband and young baby Max, although we don’t know why. Paige, by contrast, grew up with a father who loved her but never had any money her mother, whom she adored, walked out when Paige was five, and never returned. Nicholas grew up in a privileged home with two loving parents and all he could want materially. It features a young couple from very different backgrounds. ‘Harvesting the Heart’ is one of Picoult’s earlier novels, first published in 1993 although it was then re-published about three years ago. I was given this particular one for Christmas 2012 but have only just recently read it. Nevertheless I’ve gradually added a few more to my wishlist and have been pleased to be given them. I found two of them very thought-provoking and well-written although I didn’t much enjoy the third one I tried. I’ve read only a few novels by Jodi Picoult though somehow I feel as if I’ve read more.

Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult