Title: The Storyteller
Author: Jodi Picoult
Publication Year: 2013
Publisher: Recorded Books
Edition: audio
Source: Library
Setting: New Hampshire
Date Completed: March - 2013
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: possibly
I finished this audio book over a month ago, but needed to think about it for a while as initially I was disappointed. Though not may favorite Picoult book, it's still worth mentioning.
The Storyteller was a tough one for me -- plot-wise. The story begins with a 30-something, Jewish woman by the name of Sage Singer, who is guilt ridden and grieving over the loss of her mother in a car crash a few years prior. Sage is hiding from the world working as a baker at night. She does this to hide both physical and emotional scars. She's also involved in an affair with a married funeral director. Sage also attends a grief group, and it there where she meets Josef Weber, a quiet old man who is well respected in the community. He is also a man who harbors his own hidden guilt.
Years ago Josef was a former Nazi Officer during the Holocaust . Now he is looking for forgiveness for the role he played in the genocide of so many innocent people. He asks Sage to help him die. When Sage learns of Josef's role, she makes a call to Federal authorities. Leo Stein, a Department of Justice agent then enters the picture becoming involved in investigating the case. There is also Sage's grandmother, Minka, who spent time in an Auschwitz internment camp. Her story is painful but important.
Needless, to say, The Storyteller, is a complicated or shall I say, rather challenging novel. It blends historical facts and its modern day repercussions. Although it was not a favorite Picoult novel of mine, mostly because I found Sage's character annoying from the very beginning, I think this novel will still be popular among many of Jodi's fans. There is no courtroom trial in this one, but the author still utilizes her previous style of multiple viewpoints, which included the use of (4) different narrators in the audio version, all did a good job.
Picoult definitely gives readers something to think about.
ReplyDeleteDiane, thanks for your honest review of this novel. I need to read another JP book soon (probably an older one).
ReplyDeleteI doubt this one is for me. Thank you for an honest review.
ReplyDeleteI've really liked most of the Picoult books I've read although the courtroom bit and moral dilemma theme was starting to grate a little...then I really couldn't get into Lone Wolf at all. I usually rush to get her latest one but I think I'll wait a while and think about this one.
ReplyDeleteThe premise of the novel intrigues me and Picoult does provide a thought provoking novel, in most cases. I'm wondering if this is one that would be better read than listened to on audio.
ReplyDeleteI have read a few other reviews of this one that said it was pretty mediocre. I will probably focus on reading a few of her books that I already have on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound a bit different for her but I'm not sure I would want to read it .
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