Helpful Score: 2
Wish You Were Here is the unplanned writing project that helped Jodi Picoult cope with pandemic quarantine.
The premise: It's March 2020 in NYC and Diana O'Toole is on track to achieve her life goals. Her career at Sotheby's is advancing, her surgical resident boyfriend Finn is going to propose during their long-awaited exotic vacation, and their future plans align perfectly. Then news of a mysterious virus begins to spread, and Diana and Finn could never anticipate the ways it will change their lives.
COVID-19 is a primary theme so if you're not interested in reading about the early days of the pandemic, pass on this until you are. I was completely engrossed and read the book in a couple of sittings. This is most impactful for readers who have little background information so do yourself a favor and avoid spoilery reviews.
The novel combines fine art, the Galapagos Islands, complicated relationships, and a worldwide pandemic as only Jodi Picoult can. Readers either love or hate her ripped-from-the-headlines emotionally-manipulative plots, and this one will be no different.
Thank you to Ballantine Books for the review copy of this unforgettable novel.
The premise: It's March 2020 in NYC and Diana O'Toole is on track to achieve her life goals. Her career at Sotheby's is advancing, her surgical resident boyfriend Finn is going to propose during their long-awaited exotic vacation, and their future plans align perfectly. Then news of a mysterious virus begins to spread, and Diana and Finn could never anticipate the ways it will change their lives.
COVID-19 is a primary theme so if you're not interested in reading about the early days of the pandemic, pass on this until you are. I was completely engrossed and read the book in a couple of sittings. This is most impactful for readers who have little background information so do yourself a favor and avoid spoilery reviews.
The novel combines fine art, the Galapagos Islands, complicated relationships, and a worldwide pandemic as only Jodi Picoult can. Readers either love or hate her ripped-from-the-headlines emotionally-manipulative plots, and this one will be no different.
Thank you to Ballantine Books for the review copy of this unforgettable novel.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was such a disappointment! I can't tell you why it is so ridiculous because that would ruin the experience of reading it (which is hopefully more positive for you than it was for me.) So. Stupid.
Helpful Score: 1
Very Covid heavy novel. I started this audiobook after testing positive for Covid (smart?) and listening to it on my daily walks in the cold to get some fresh air and exercise. It was okay... there is a big twist halfway in the novel I wasn't a fan of (SPOILER). It brought back memories of those first few months in March 2020 when nobody knew what to expect or what was happening. December 2021 and we are still dealing with nonstop daily coverage of it. *Sigh*
Helpful Score: 1
Diana O'Toole is about to get engaged on a trip to Galapagos Island but a virus hits New York on the eve of their departure. Finn tells her she should still go to the island as he has to stay at the hospital to handle all the sick. When Diana arrives on the island the whole island is now under quarantine and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated Diana must venture beyond her comfort zone. Will this cause Diana to examine her relationships, her choices and herself? Will Diana evolve into someone completely different? This is a great story with a completely surprising twist that I did not see coming. I love the characters and the plot was unexpected. I will definitely seek to read more Jodi Picoult as she knows how to tell a story.
