Helpful Score: 25
I read this book because I am a big Jodi Picoult fan. I would advise anyone thinking about reading this book to make sure it is not the first Jodi Picoult book you read. It was an interesting read mainly to see the beginning of Jodi's complex character details and her ability to weave a storyline from many controversial subjects in our society. This book covers several different subjects, spousal and child abuse, traumatic events and the way they affect lives, and a grown man's involvement with a minor. Jodi obviously took on too many subjects to make this story compelling. Each character seems to have enough flaws that none ever seems to touch the heart of the reader. Since it was a first novel, I applaud Ms. Picoult's efforts. However, if it was not a first novel of an accomplished author, I probably would have put the book down before finishing.
Helpful Score: 19
Eh... I'm glad this wasn't my first Picoult book, it may have been my last. I thought it dragged a lot, I really didn't like any of the characters and it just kind of "was". Most interesting thing about it was the whale stuff :)
Helpful Score: 18
Oh, this was terrible. I almost can't even begin to describe how terrible. I'm shocked that it got such good reviews from the newspapers. Okay, reasons why this book is terrible . . . 1) the time sequence is so out of whack that she ends up revealing the shocking parts of the book too early, which makes you not want to read the rest, but plow through it anyway hoping fruitlessly that it will get better, 2) you really, really dislike the Oliver character who is the guy communing with the humpbacks (I liked humpbacks before reading this book, and now they are tainted by this guy's scientific self-obsession/agrandizement), and 3) it's just slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
I guess, ultimately, it's about families and love, what brings people together and rips them apart, but there's no real issue/premise that makes it all a cohesive whole like the rest of her books. If you want a good introduction to Picoult, start with Nineteen Minutes or My Sister's Keeper. This book will make you avoid her forever, if you've never read her before.
I guess, ultimately, it's about families and love, what brings people together and rips them apart, but there's no real issue/premise that makes it all a cohesive whole like the rest of her books. If you want a good introduction to Picoult, start with Nineteen Minutes or My Sister's Keeper. This book will make you avoid her forever, if you've never read her before.
Helpful Score: 5
Another wonderful human interest story from Jody Picoult. However, the story unfolds in reverse order which made it a bit confusing for me. Definately a book to be read in one or two sittings, rather than over a week in small increments the way I did.
Helpful Score: 4
Another success. My BF had a hard time with the diffirent perspectives and timelines, but I really enjoyed then and thought it enhanced the suspense waiting to see how events were viewed by different characters. As are all of her books, it's thought provoking and challenging on several levels.
