Reviews - The Storyteller | The StoryGraph

3.28k reviews for:

A story within a story. An old SS Nazi officer who asks a favor from a young Jewish woman who's grandmother was a death camp survivor. Never boring but not a fast paced thriller. Ms. Picoult writes a strrong tale, examining feelings and actions of people from the old world and today and how little things change. It's about what makes us human, how men can become monsters, guilt, retribution, penance and much more. Not a lightweight book by any means. I found it both depressing and uplifting. This is my first book by this author. I think she is worth delving deeper into her works. Four and a half stars even though I'm forced to lean toward 4 rather than the full 5. This did have an ending I did not expect.

mehlis's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kate_olsen's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

k8sav's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH

DNF For me. Sage and Leo were unlikeable and the pacing was terrible - I couldn’t get into it. Also I’m becoming more and more uncomfortable with fiction cantered around the Holocaust. I think I’d very much prefer to read non-fiction on this subject.
It’s already been little free libraried. I know it got rave reviews so I’m sure someone will love it

bryantn20's review against another edition

4.5

medium-paced

sarajeanb's review against another edition

3.0

In the beginning, I wasn't sure. I didn't like the main character very much (she doesn't particularly like herself, so, good work I guess Jodi). I just wasn't sure that the WWII aspect was going to be a seamless part of the story.

When I got to a certain point and realised the significance of the title and the changing narrative, everything had shifted into place for me.

The details of life in the ghetto and camps felt authentic. Picoult doesn't just throw facts at you. She places them down for you, bare and scary and human, and you pick your way through them at Minka's side.

This would be a great text for a senior English student to study.

Also, I love Leo.