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Title: Jacob Have I Loved
Score:
Author: Katherine Paterson
Rating: Not available
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Review of Jacob Have I Loved

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Comments for Jacob Have I Loved

• Posted on 2009-09-02
  A Masterfully Written, Potentially Harmful Story
  
  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.
  
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• Posted on 2009-04-20
  Amazing Book-Emotional, Interesting, and Realistic! Great for Children!
  
  My mom gave me Jacob Have I Loved to read after buying it used at the library. I was skeptical from the first few pages which I found "old" and "boring", but I soon became engaged in the novel. This is the story of two sisters, the older one, compared to Esau, who feels robbed of everything she can be proud of, her friends, her dreams, even her name, by her younger sister, Caroline, compared to Jacob. This book is the perfect balance of an excellent, engaging plot, well developed and realistic characters and strong emotions. Although not a sad book, Jacob Have I Loved takes the reader through the ups and downs of adolescents. Katherine Paterson does an excellent job of taking on the voice of Sara Louise Bradshaw and making her come to life. The book is set in World War II, adding an interesting element to Sara's story of struggle to come out from under her adored sister, Caroline' shadow. This book contains amazing messages about the value of individuals, and is something we can all learn from. Katherine Paterson did an excellent job on this novel and definitely deserved the Newberry Medal Honor.
  
  I recommend this book for anyone ages 11-19, although anyone can truly enjoy it. Although this book is narrated by a girl and may be better understood by girls, it has a message applicable to both genders. In short, anyone can read and love Jacob Have I Loved!
  
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• Posted on 2009-02-17
  Great Read Even for Adults
  
  I have taken to reading my children's books in these tough economic times and was glad to find this one. Paterson gets at the agony of adolescence in a way that brought long forgotten tears several times as I read. Her description of both the Bay and Appalachia is such that I can see them clearly in my mind. She creates several strong characters, most especially Sara Louise. She does not shy away from the realities of life, rather, she witnesses to them. As a Presbyterian minister I appreciate Paterson's responsible use of scripture in this story. As a high school teacher I can see her young characters every day in my classes. You will find here a story of redemption as old as the Bible. Don't leave it just for your kids to read.
  
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• Posted on 2008-09-27
  Coming-of-Age
  
  Every time I read this I am amazed at its honesty and harshness. The main character is a girl to be pitied, even as she is strong. I've heard people complain that so many characters are villainized, but that is because Louise is viewing (with surprising fairness) them through her own eyes as she learns to rely upon herself for her own happiness. Along the way, things are revealed to her, against her will, that not everyone is sorted into the concrete concepts of good and evil.
  
  This is a subtle, beautifully written book about the nuances in our lives and our relationships with other people. But it is also about strength and personal courage to be the person you are meant to be.
  
  With combined flavors of psychology, drama, and classic teen angsty, this provides a wondrous delving into a girl who simply wanted to be loved.
  
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• Posted on 2008-08-22
  Dont bother reading this book
  
  THis book is full of hatred. I couldn't shake the feeling of anger for several days after reading this book. She never askes her sisters forgiveness. Nothing is really resolved. it is a waste of time.
  
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