Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here
Author: Jodi Picoult
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Hardcover
VolunteerVal avatar reviewed on + 645 more book reviews
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.