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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
At a different time. I may have liked this book. I felt like I was slogging through it. I really disliked the Egyptian part of the story. I found it boring even though I saw the need for it.
This book has a lot of twists and turns. At times, I didn’t want to put the book down, wanting to know the next line. I didn’t enjoy the Egyptology part of it but it completes the story.
There was enough info in this book for 3 books. A complete course on ancient Egypt and hieroglyphics? Check. Possible different times lines due to quantum physics. Check. Weird part with fat shaming. Check
But I still enjoyed the story. The death doula stories were neat to me. 3.5 rounded up.
But I still enjoyed the story. The death doula stories were neat to me. 3.5 rounded up.
I used to love Jodi Picoult and I still am glad she’s writing; she delves into things in a whole-hearted way that I admire. But I’m meh about most of it.
I'm a huge fan of Jodi Picoult. However, this was not my favorite. I didn't love the main character, Dawn. She was hard to invest in. Sometimes she even seemed spoiled. Sometimes the Egyptology was overmuch for me. On the other hand, the narrative structure was clever. I had my typical JP novel moment where I think, "Ahhhhh... I see what you did there!" I'll be honest: I HATED the end. That's probably tainting my review.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-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
While the storyline is intriguing, and now that I’ve finished, I would say this book was enjoyable, it is very “heavy” on Egyptian archeology, mythology and hieroglyphics. If you’re like me and these are NOT your “thing”, then this read will be a bit more of a challenge to get through, especially at the beginning. Also, there are several places where the theories of quantum physics are incorporated into the dialogue between Dawn and her husband Brian. They are a bit confusing. Plus, Picoult is constantly going back in forth in time, between Dawn’s life as a doctoral student, her married life, her experiences as death doula, and the time directly after the plane crash.
In the present, Dawn Edelstein is passenger on a plane when it crashes. Miraculously, she and thirty-five others survive. At home, her husband, Brian, a scientist and her teenage daughter, Meret, are waiting her return. Fifteen years ago, she was Dawn McDowell and was working in Egypt on her thesis on representations in the Book of Two Ways. There she met Wyatt, who like herself was studying ancient Egyptian tombs and texts. They had a strong connection. However, she had to return home suddenly when her mother called her to tell her that she was very ill with cancer. Dawn cared for her until her death and looked after her younger brother as well. While her mother was in the nursing home, she met Brian. They dated briefly, were married and are raising Meret, which has had its difficulties. Dawn is now a death doula, attending to the non-medical needs of the terminally ill. Her latest client is Win, a woman like herself who has unresolved issues with past associations. Recently, Dawn’s married life has been fraught with angst, as she and Brian have struggled to relate to each other. She is compelled to return to Egypt to find closure in her unfinished relationship with Wyatt.
In the present, Dawn Edelstein is passenger on a plane when it crashes. Miraculously, she and thirty-five others survive. At home, her husband, Brian, a scientist and her teenage daughter, Meret, are waiting her return. Fifteen years ago, she was Dawn McDowell and was working in Egypt on her thesis on representations in the Book of Two Ways. There she met Wyatt, who like herself was studying ancient Egyptian tombs and texts. They had a strong connection. However, she had to return home suddenly when her mother called her to tell her that she was very ill with cancer. Dawn cared for her until her death and looked after her younger brother as well. While her mother was in the nursing home, she met Brian. They dated briefly, were married and are raising Meret, which has had its difficulties. Dawn is now a death doula, attending to the non-medical needs of the terminally ill. Her latest client is Win, a woman like herself who has unresolved issues with past associations. Recently, Dawn’s married life has been fraught with angst, as she and Brian have struggled to relate to each other. She is compelled to return to Egypt to find closure in her unfinished relationship with Wyatt.
emotional
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes