This is the second Picoult book I've read--the first was "Small, Great Things" which I gave three stars. "Lone Wolf" was a book I got from a thrift store's free rack. Glad I didn't pay good $$ for it. The story revolves around divorced parents Luke and Georgie and their 24-year old son Edward and 17-year old daughter Cara. Luke and Cara are involved in a car accident where Cara has a serious shoulder injury requiring surgery and Luke is in a coma because of a traumatic brain injury. The story is told from the perspective of each character. Cara comes across as a spoiled, self-centered brat. I found her extremely unlikeable and unsympathetic but told myself maybe that's how teens today are. Still didn't make me like her. At times I also found Georgie unlikeable. Edward was the character that was most likeable. The chapters are titled by the character's name and told from his/her viewpoint so we basically get into each of their minds. I started skipping the Luke chapters which told about his life before the accident. I didn't find them particularly interesting and don't feel they added much to the story other than to show that he was a bad husband and poor father.
Early on we learn that there is probably more to the accident than has been revealed. It comes out at the very end and explains some of Cara's behavior. Although I have never been involved in an end of life decision, I found some of the matters in the book unbelievable. Edward, as the closest adult relative, is the one who has the legal right to decide if his father should be taken off life support. Yet, we are supposed to believe that Cara, a minor, is entitled to a voice in that decision. And, since the decision was made without Cara's approval, it's put on hold.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: Other unbelievable parts of the story are when Cara somehow manages to get into the district attorney's office without much of a problem and then convinces the DA to charge her brother with a crime. Edward, at Cara's urging, brings a wolf from his father's place to Luke's hospital room while pretending that it is his (Edward's) guide dog. That is simply laughable.
END OF SPOILERS
I may try another book or two of Picoult's but if they aren't any better than "Lone Wolf," I won't be wasting any more of my time--too many other books out there to read.
Early on we learn that there is probably more to the accident than has been revealed. It comes out at the very end and explains some of Cara's behavior. Although I have never been involved in an end of life decision, I found some of the matters in the book unbelievable. Edward, as the closest adult relative, is the one who has the legal right to decide if his father should be taken off life support. Yet, we are supposed to believe that Cara, a minor, is entitled to a voice in that decision. And, since the decision was made without Cara's approval, it's put on hold.
POSSIBLE SPOILERS: Other unbelievable parts of the story are when Cara somehow manages to get into the district attorney's office without much of a problem and then convinces the DA to charge her brother with a crime. Edward, at Cara's urging, brings a wolf from his father's place to Luke's hospital room while pretending that it is his (Edward's) guide dog. That is simply laughable.
END OF SPOILERS
I may try another book or two of Picoult's but if they aren't any better than "Lone Wolf," I won't be wasting any more of my time--too many other books out there to read.
