Wish You Were Here; Jodi Picoult
Ballantine Books and Penguin Random House Audio - 11/30/2021
Wish You Were Here is a story that begins just before COVID has shut down the world. Diane and Finn are a young couple living in NYC. Diana hasn't had the best childhood but, her life feels near perfect now. At 29 she works for Sothebys and Finn is a surgical resident at a New York hospital. The two have planned a romantic getaway to the Galapagos islands and, Diana is pretty sure the Finn is planning on asking her to marry him. Right before the couple is planning to leave, Finn gets word that all hands on deck are needed at the hospital and no one can take time off. He encourages Diana to take the trip alone since the trip is already paid for and non refundable. She decides to go alone (Big Mistake) and it isn't long before things go from bag to worse. I can't say too much more about this novel without spoiling it for perspective readers but, this just may be my favorite Picoult novel yet and, I've read all of her books except for her previous one.
I went into this one without reading reviews -- do yourself a favor and just go into this one blind - you will be glad you did. The story is told from Diana's POV with later input from Finn. The story is well-written, a perfect story set in COVID times that did not feel too depressing. It's a story about relationships, reassessing priorities and figuring out what is really important in life. I loved this book. The audio version was read by Marin Ireland who, as always, did a fabulous job.
Rating - 5/5 stars
I saw the First Chapter, First Paragraph you posted a week or so ago and got the book. I agree--it was definitely a 5/5 stars for me and the best Covid book I can imagine. And yes, it was full of surprises. Wish You Were Here is the first Jodi Picoult I've read in years, and I loved it!
ReplyDeleteJen, so happy you loved it as well.
DeleteA 5 sounds really, really good!
ReplyDeleteIt was an easy story to read and hard to put down.
DeleteI've only read one Picoult book and that was a few years ago. This one might be my second.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will read it, I'd love your take.
DeleteI read The Book of Two Ways earlier this year and it was a mess. So I'm very happy to hear that this was a five star read for you and Jenclair who commented! I'm definitely going to check this out!
ReplyDeleteThe Book of Two Ways was the one book I skipped by her; the story just did not interest me. Please try this one - so good.
DeleteAdding it to the TBR list! I haven't read a Picoult novel in years and this one sounds good.
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect pandemic story IMO.
DeleteI've never been much of a fan of this author, but you thoroughly hooked me on this new one of hers. I'm glad to see that "COVID fiction" is starting to show up. I'm curious to see how it is all handled now that we've been living through it for two years.
ReplyDeleteI'd be very interested in your thoughts here Sam. I thought it was well done and more than just about COVID.
DeleteThe audio is awesome Vicki.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this! I've never read Picoult but I may have to give this a try...
ReplyDeleteIt's a pandemic story but much more.
DeleteI've read a couple of JP's books and enjoyed them. Keep thinking I should read more and I love the sound of this so this could be the one. I'll keep an eye out at the library.
ReplyDeleteI hope you can try this one Cath. I think you will enjoy it.
DeleteI'm happy to see how much you enjoyed this one.
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend it Deb.
DeleteI love her novels and bought this on a whim the other day at Costco. Might give it as a gift and then borrow it back. ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL - that works but, make sure you add it to your list, I think you will love it.
DeleteI'm curious to read pandemic novels and this one sounds thought-provoking. thanks
ReplyDeleteThe Jodi Picoult book was so good and the pandemic covered in an unexpected but successful way.
DeleteI've read one or two of her books and find them emotional and thought-provoking. You've definitely piqued my curiosity with this latest release so I'll have to check it out.
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