R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on + 1438 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the first book I've read by this author but I found it somewhat disconcerting. There were two sections. Once the crash occurs, the author alternates the story of family members dealing with the tragedy with dialog by the hospitalized father who is unresponsive to medical attempts. The father was a renowned naturalist who studied and lived with wolves. He became a highly sought after authority on wolves and his comments are about his experience with wolves. On the other hand, his son and daughter disagree about whether or not life support should be disconnected because his prognosis is so bleak.
At first the technique of the alternating sections seemed appropriate but as I read more, the more uncomfortable it became. Finally, I felt that there were two books. Each was well written but attempts to link the two seemed awkward.
Was the author attempting to get inside the mind of a man whose surgery would make him forget some memories? Was she trying to link his own book to the tragedy of his children who disagreed about his future? I wasn't certain. And, as I read the author's comments I wondered if the author was just using a technique to write a book that she thought would appeal to readers because she had read one about a man who lived with wolves? I was never quite sure so I rated the book only three stars. Some may find this technique interesting but I did not. However, Picoult writes well and both sections were easy to read. I just wish she had written two different books or had approached the topic in a different way.
At first the technique of the alternating sections seemed appropriate but as I read more, the more uncomfortable it became. Finally, I felt that there were two books. Each was well written but attempts to link the two seemed awkward.
Was the author attempting to get inside the mind of a man whose surgery would make him forget some memories? Was she trying to link his own book to the tragedy of his children who disagreed about his future? I wasn't certain. And, as I read the author's comments I wondered if the author was just using a technique to write a book that she thought would appeal to readers because she had read one about a man who lived with wolves? I was never quite sure so I rated the book only three stars. Some may find this technique interesting but I did not. However, Picoult writes well and both sections were easy to read. I just wish she had written two different books or had approached the topic in a different way.
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