'Women Are A Thousand Shades Of Grey'

Her books fly off the shelves, but could her latest novel alienate some of her fans? Author Jodi Picoult tells Wendyl Nissen why she tackled the topic of abortion, how her rigorous research affected her own views and what she believes her role is as a writer.

- Wendyl Nissen

When best-selling author Jodi Picoult set out to write her latest book, A Spark of Light, she had no idea the theme of the novel would resonate so strongly with current political issues in her home country.

The book was released as the United States Supreme Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh – described as a conservative “pro-life poster boy” – faced questions about his stance on abortion and reproductive rights.

“That was obviously surprising to me,” says Jodi, “and yet it also reinforced for me why I wrote this story, because in America women’s voices don’t matter. Women’s stories don’t matter and when you don’t speak up men create a narrative of shame, saying things like, ‘You had this coming to you, this is your fault, you knew better.’ Those are the things we hear a lot around reproductive rights. And victims are constantly demeaned. It’s really important to recognise that women matter. We are not second-class citizens… period.”

Jodi is extremely passionate about the central theme of her new book, which details what happens on the day an abortion clinic is attacked by a lone gunman and several people taken hostage, including the daughter of the hostage negotiator.

As a writer, Jodi often tackles important issues, including the death penalty, mercy killing, stem cell research, what it means to believe in God or not believe in God, the right to die, gay rights and racism. And to do this she will conduct rigorous research such as, for this book, talking to 151 women who had had abortions.