Reviews with content warning for Dementia - Wish You Were Here

Writing this in 2024, it is so strange to have relived Covid-19 through this book. A nostalgia when reading about how life generally, the way we lived it - even if we did not contract the virus itself - and the varying attitudes around the virus around the world, the medical staff who saved us, the loved ones we lost - it was a definite struggle and very difficult to carry on at times (only because of Picoult being a favourite author did I persevere). As always, this one packed a punch. There is a description towards the end, describing life during covid and how it felt everyone was holding their breath - a desperate need for a gasp - which no one released which felt/feels very true in hindsight. I'm not sure if reading this 2-3 years ago would have changed the experience I had today (and in what sense that would be) but in a way, I am glad it has been catalogued by Picoult. It is so easy to forget the time the world shutdown, especially as we are creatures of nature, rushing back to the slog and race of working life, trains now running and borders are now open, the time you spend an hour working overtime is an hour lost spending time with loved ones - the small print should always be highlighted - remember what matters. My love for JP continues to grow with each book I read. Please do check trigger warnings before picking this up.

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hay_keasling5's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

5.0

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_david_'s review

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emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

I think I'm just not a fan of books in which the covid pandemic plays a big role. Nearly everyone currently alive has lived through it and witnessed its horrors or conspired that it wasn't that bad, but this book will not convince them otherwise. The plot twist was well written, but I still didn't like the story after. If you do not like the first half of the book, you will not enjoy the second.

To me personally, the main character was very self-centered and spoiled. A big theme in the book is that she "evolved" on the island to fit in better. She barely did though. She just got lucky with some villagers. The only moments I enjoyed was her making art with Belize, but the rest of the book made my eyes roll.

I think there was still a big clash of what the main character and I find important in life. I would have done the exact opposite of each choise she made in the end, except for perhaps the career choice.

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evelynritzi's review

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hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I love just about anything Jodie Picoult writes and this is no exception. She has a way of taking current issues and topics and examining them from such interesting POVs. I can’t believe how quickly she wrote this book and how well-researched it was.

And the TWIST! I almost threw the book across the room.

Highly recommended this one! 💜

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jennipea382's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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mollylulu04's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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astoriareader's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

SYNOPSIS:

It is March 2020. Diana finds herself alone in the Galápagos Islands, and she ends up being stuck there for an extended amount of time due to covid restrictions. Finn, her boyfriend and a surgical resident, is back home in New York City, and he is treating covid patients.
Diana has always had a plan for her life, and with this unexpected bump in the road & time for new perspective, she re-evaluates her life & the direction it’s headed.

MY THOUGHTS

Picoult is, as always, a great storyteller. This one has some unexpected turns, and I enjoyed the writing style. She also clearly researched all aspects of covid & incorporates in throughout the story.
I went in blind with this book, and I didn’t actually realize it involved covid. For anyone with loved ones that passed from covid or triggers surrounding covid, this is one to skip.
I was a little disappointed with the twist, but that is a personal preference.
Overall, it’s a good book, but not my favorite one by Picoult.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 stars. covid heavy in plot. story about figuring out what to do with your life.

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stephmcoakley's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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