"Keeping Faith" Summary

Introduction

Imagine waking up one morning to find your young daughter talking to God. Not just any God, but a divine being she claims visits her, guiding her actions and even performing miracles. Welcome to the world of “Keeping Faith” by Jodi Picoult—a gripping, emotional tale that dives deep into the messiness of family, faith, and the thin line between belief and skepticism.

First published in 1999, “Keeping Faith” is a contemporary fiction novel that has captivated readers with its bold exploration of spirituality, media frenzy, and the complexities of motherhood. Picoult, known for tackling controversial and thought-provoking issues, delivers a story that is as much about personal conviction as it is about the social and legal minefields we navigate when the miraculous collides with the mundane.

Historical Context

Picoult sets her novel at the turn of the millennium—a time when America was wrestling with issues of religious pluralism, media sensationalism, and a growing skepticism toward miracles. The late 1990s saw the rise of talk shows, tabloid journalism, and a public increasingly interested in both spirituality and scandal.

Notably, the novel draws on real-life phenomena: reports of Marian apparitions, media circuses surrounding supposed miracles, and the public’s fascination with the intersection of science and the supernatural. Picoult cleverly weaves these themes into her narrative, grounding her fictional world in recognizable societal debates.

Brief Synopsis

Plot Overview

“Keeping Faith” follows the tumultuous journey of María “Faith” White, a seven-year-old girl who, in the aftermath of her parents’ bitter separation, begins to manifest what appear to be miraculous abilities. Her mother, María “Mariah” White, struggling with her own crises of self-worth, is thrust into the national spotlight as Faith becomes the center of religious, media, and legal storms.

As Faith’s visions and miracles intensify, the world’s reaction ranges from reverent awe to harsh skepticism. Where is the line between divine intervention and psychological trauma? And how far will a mother go to protect her child’s innocence—and her own fragile sense of faith?

Setting

The story unfolds in the small, fictional town of New Canaan, New Hampshire—a place as tranquil as its biblical namesake, yet crackling with underlying tension. Picoult’s New England is a character in itself: cozy, insular, and suddenly the epicenter of national controversy. The narrative also ventures into hospital rooms, courtrooms, and the chaotic world of television talk shows, illustrating how a quiet life can be upended by forces both earthly and unexplainable.

Main Characters

Let’s break down the key players in the drama of “Keeping Faith”:

Plot Summary

The Breaking Point

Mariah White’s world collapses when she catches her husband, Colin, cheating—again. For the second time in their marriage, Mariah is forced to confront her deepest insecurities and shield her daughter, Faith, from emotional fallout. The two retreat into a cocoon of mother-daughter solidarity, but the cracks in their lives are hard to ignore.

Faith’s Visions Begin

Faith, already a sensitive child, begins speaking to an “imaginary friend.” But this friend is different: she offers comfort, guidance, and soon, startling knowledge of the Bible—despite Faith’s lack of religious upbringing. Faith’s conversations with her friend soon escalate into visions, religious ecstasy, and even miraculous events, including a resurrection and inexplicable healings.

Media and Miracles

Word spreads. The small town becomes a pilgrimage site for the desperate, the devout, and the merely curious. The media descends with cameras and microphones. Enter Ian Fletcher, the self-styled “teleatheist” bent on debunking Faith’s miracles. But Ian’s skepticism is tested as he gets to know Mariah and Faith, and he finds himself drawn into their emotional orbit.

The Legal Storm

Colin, motivated by guilt and public pressure, seeks custody of Faith. The case explodes into a national spectacle—a battleground for faith versus reason, science versus belief, and parental rights versus a child’s need for protection.

Climax Without Spoilers

As the custody battle intensifies, so does Faith’s psychological and physical distress. Mariah faces impossible choices: trust in her daughter’s visions, or intervene for her safety? The novel builds to a heart-wrenching confrontation between faith and doubt, love and fear, privacy and public spectacle.

Themes and Motifs

Faith and Doubt

At its core, the novel asks: What does it mean to believe? Picoult doesn’t offer easy answers. Instead, she gives us characters who struggle, fall, and rise again, negotiating their own definitions of faith—whether religious, personal, or familial.

Motherhood and Protection

Mariah’s journey is one of fierce maternal devotion. The novel explores how far a mother will go to shield her child from harm—be it emotional, spiritual, or physical. Mariah’s love for Faith is both her salvation and her crucible.

The Power of Media

Picoult critiques the sensationalism of modern media, illustrating how personal tragedy can be twisted for public entertainment. The relentless glare of cameras and headlines becomes as much an antagonist as any person.

Miracles and Science

Miracles are at the heart of the novel—but so is skepticism. Picoult deftly balances medical explanations with the inexplicable, inviting readers to ponder the limits of science and the possibilities of belief.

Identity and Self-Worth

Mariah’s self-doubt is palpable; Faith’s innocence is fragile. Both characters must navigate a world eager to define them, learning to trust their own voices amid the clamor.

Table: Key Themes and Their Impact

Literary Techniques and Style

Jodi Picoult is a master of multi-perspective storytelling. She alternates chapters between Mariah, Faith, Ian, and even the media, offering readers an intimate look at each character’s motives and vulnerabilities. This technique builds empathy, even for those we might disagree with.

Picoult’s prose is clean and emotionally charged, with vivid imagery and dialogue that rings true. She employs symbolism—Faith’s name, the biblical allusions, the recurring motif of falling and rising again—to reinforce the novel’s themes.

The narrative structure is tight and suspenseful, moving seamlessly between courtroom drama, domestic tension, and spiritual reflection. Picoult’s use of irony and subtle humor (often courtesy of Millie, Mariah’s mother) keeps the story from becoming too heavy, even as it tackles profound questions.

Author's Background

Jodi Picoult, born in 1966, is one of America’s most prolific and best-selling contemporary novelists. A Princeton and Harvard graduate, Picoult is celebrated for her willingness to tackle complex ethical and social issues—ranging from euthanasia and racism to school shootings and, here, the nature of faith itself.

Her other acclaimed novels include “My Sister’s Keeper”, “Nineteen Minutes”, and “Small Great Things.” Picoult’s works often spark lively debate in classrooms and book clubs alike, thanks to her ability to humanize controversial issues through well-drawn characters and gripping plots.

In “Keeping Faith,” Picoult draws on her own Jewish heritage and fascination with spirituality, weaving a story that is as much about personal redemption as it is about organized religion. Her legacy lies in her power to make readers question, empathize, and, perhaps, believe in the impossible.

Key Takeaways

• Faith is personal: Picoult reminds us that belief—religious or otherwise—is deeply individual, shaped by experience, pain, and hope.
• Motherhood is heroic: Mariah’s journey is a testament to the quiet courage of mothers everywhere.
• Skepticism and faith can coexist: The novel doesn’t demonize doubt; instead, it honors the struggle to find meaning in chaos.
• Media shapes perception: The story is a cautionary tale about the power—and danger—of public scrutiny.
• Miracles may be closer than we think: Whether literal or metaphorical, the miraculous is woven into the fabric of everyday life.

Reader's Takeaway

Reading “Keeping Faith” is like standing at the edge of a vast mystery—one that tugs at your heart and challenges your mind. You’ll find yourself rooting for Mariah and Faith, questioning your own assumptions, and perhaps even reconsidering what it means to believe. The book is an emotional roller coaster: poignant, unsettling, and ultimately uplifting.

For college students and lecturers, it’s a goldmine of discussion ideas—perfect for classes on literature, religion, psychology, or ethics. For everyone else, it’s a compelling reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary things happen to the most ordinary people.

Conclusion

“Keeping Faith” is more than a novel about miracles; it’s a profound meditation on the bonds between mother and child, the struggle for self-worth, and the enduring human hunger for meaning. Jodi Picoult’s deft storytelling, rich characterizations, and willingness to tackle tough questions make this book an essential read for anyone interested in the big questions of faith, love, and truth.

If you’ve ever wondered what you would do if the impossible entered your life, this novel will keep you turning the pages—and pondering its questions—long after the final chapter. Dive into “Keeping Faith”—and prepare to be challenged, moved, and inspired.