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emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The writing in this book was exquisite. This was my first read of a Jodi Picoult book. I was impressed with Picoult's ability to write so precisely and thoughtfully on the emotions that would be present in a person experiencing the things that Dawn does in this story. The story itself was unique and definitely gripping. Pulling the reader write into the lives of the key players, with strong emotion.
That being said...I was NOT in love with this book.
Besides the fact that the entire premise makes me deeply uncomfortable, the entire book was just SO depressing.
I mourned for dying patients. I mourned for dying mothers. I mourned for lost love. I mourned for lost opportunity, for the life not chosen. There was a lot in this book that would resonate with people that feel that they have missed out on life. That they somewhere took a wrong turn and have ultimately ended up in a reality that could have been so different had they made different choices. There are probably very few people out there that can say they have lived a life totally free from regret, but many still end up satisfied. Dawn is in a relationship with a man that loves her, that understands her to the very depths....and it just isn't enough. I think the dose of reality that she is hit with when she gets home is surreal, but less explosive than could ever be possible in the real world.
At one point in the story, Dawn says that she has put everyone first her whole life. But the end of the tale leaves the hearts of everyone she cares about in absolute tatters. I think that there are people in the real world that also use this excuse to do things to caring partners that really aren't justified. In this way, I suppose it was humanizing. But I didn't like being a party to it and I couldn't really identify with her reasons, which made me just not like the story, in general.
I think most of all, I was disappointed with the ending. There is literally no conclusion. What does she choose? The reader will never know.
That being said...I was NOT in love with this book.
Besides the fact that the entire premise makes me deeply uncomfortable, the entire book was just SO depressing.
I mourned for dying patients. I mourned for dying mothers. I mourned for lost love. I mourned for lost opportunity, for the life not chosen. There was a lot in this book that would resonate with people that feel that they have missed out on life. That they somewhere took a wrong turn and have ultimately ended up in a reality that could have been so different had they made different choices. There are probably very few people out there that can say they have lived a life totally free from regret, but many still end up satisfied. Dawn is in a relationship with a man that loves her, that understands her to the very depths....and it just isn't enough. I think the dose of reality that she is hit with when she gets home is surreal, but less explosive than could ever be possible in the real world.
At one point in the story, Dawn says that she has put everyone first her whole life. But the end of the tale leaves the hearts of everyone she cares about in absolute tatters. I think that there are people in the real world that also use this excuse to do things to caring partners that really aren't justified. In this way, I suppose it was humanizing. But I didn't like being a party to it and I couldn't really identify with her reasons, which made me just not like the story, in general.
I think most of all, I was disappointed with the ending. There is literally no conclusion. What does she choose? The reader will never know.
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Two paths, two possible lives, explored while a death doula faces a near death experience. I didn’t know anything about death doulas, so was interested in her career.
I quite enjoyed this but found it dragged on more than I needed. It was a very meandering read.
I love what ifs and exploring possibilities so that drew me to it but I wanted more.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In Jodi Picoult fashion, there is SO much contained in these 406 pages. First, the title is a great double entendre. I love how much it aligns with the story in multiple ways. And, the inclusion of the works of Egyptologists was fascinating. Their work only comes to my mind in a museum. The story showcases the compelling aspects of their work. Also, I had no familiarity with death doulas until reading this novel. At the end-of-life for family in the future, I will seriously consider the services of a doula.
There were a few aspects of this story that were just too unbelievable which prevented me from giving it 5 stars. Overall, I was captivated by the many life choices among the stories. I even found the jumping timeline and meandering across stories engaging. In the second half of the novel, those aspects really pulled me in.
There were a few aspects of this story that were just too unbelievable which prevented me from giving it 5 stars. Overall, I was captivated by the many life choices among the stories. I even found the jumping timeline and meandering across stories engaging. In the second half of the novel, those aspects really pulled me in.
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked this one. In some ways, it felt like the inside-out of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s One True Loves. Strong writing, detailed story telling, and in true Jodi Picoult, an ending that leaves you wanting more.
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No