Choice

Choice is a clever, relevant and hopefully empathy-provoking. It's a very brief audiobook that postulates what would happen if there was an epidemic of pregnant men? How would these men and teenage boys react when society tries to dictate what they can and can't do with their own bodies and abortions are hard to come by in the post Roe v. Wade debacle that plagues the USA?

Picoult is not one to shy away from an emotionally charged story and when she is paired with the talent of narrator Therese Plummer, you know they will pack quite a big punch. Honestly, I would have liked it to be a bit longer and dig deeper, but this very short 38 minute audiobook hits on some great points and despite its brevity, will instigate some good book club discussion.

Note: Proceeds of the sale of this audiobook are being donated by the author to reproductive rights organizations

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Author: Jodi Picoult

Genre: Short Story, Dystopian

Type and Source: eAudio from Audible.ca

Narrator: Therese Plummer

Run Time: 38 minutes

Publisher: Audible Originals 

First Published: May 18, 2022

Read: August 20, 2024

Book Description from Audible.ca: In this thought-provoking short, #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Jodi Picoult explores a dystopian crisis through the pinhole lens of an ex-couple experiencing an unwanted pregnancy.

Please note: This content is intended for adults only. It features themes of pregnancy loss that may be upsetting to some listeners. Discretion is advised.

Margot and James are broken up—for good this time. James made sure of it when he dropped the bomb on Margot: that he doesn’t want kids, ever.

Then, on the biggest morning of his life, James—an ambitious lawyer at a high-powered firm—wakes up pregnant. He realizes with dread that he is part of a recent epidemic of men suddenly and inexplicably becoming pregnant. His condition obvious to the higher-ups, James is denied the promotion he was expecting, sending him reeling.

Meanwhile, Margot, a social worker, must handle the influx of desperate, pregnant teenage boys suddenly seeking her help. When she receives a call from James with the same problem, the challenge of navigating post-Roe America hits even closer to home.