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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
Many reviewers on this site complain about the academic detail in this book. That aspect is exactly what makes it such a rich story to me. I will admit, however, that I am not familiar with the widely famous Jodi Picoult and that this is the only novel of hers that I have read. (Having read synopses of her other books, I think I somehow chose the one out of thirty that I would actually enjoy the most.)
Oh the Egyptology research! Mythology, pictography, technology, technique, bureaucracy, environment: Picoult actually went on a dig so she could write about the experience. I learned from this book that ancient Egyptians had pet dogs and cats; they would name their dogs but called every cat simply "Cat" ("Mau"). I adore that detail! "The Book of Two Ways" is an actual coffin text meant to guide the spirit in the afterlife on one of two pathways, water or land. Picoult took that concept and ran with it.
...and then mashed it up with quantum physics - Schrödinger's Mau, anyone? - and then gave the main character two different but equally viable paths and love interests. Picoult then takes the reader on a sequentially obfuscated journey: So artfully done!
I enjoyed all of the characters. The main character, Dawn Edelstein, is an Egyptology grad student turned death doolah! Both careers are so interesting and so deeply described. The narrative takes room to gently talk about the process of death and the point of life (who we love, what we decide, who remembers us, etc.). Dawn has an overweight teenage daughter, and that's precious too. Oddly, another thing I learned from this book is that "LOL" was once telegraph code for "loss of life" ....lol!
It must be evident that this book excited me. I have so much to say about it and I can't slow down enough to be coherent. Sure there were flaws. I usually find romantic dialogue to be cheesy. And maybe the book had too much going on. Still, I relished all the details and enjoyed parts of the romance. I even felt completely torn between the two men: the husband of 15-years made of sweat and solid rock and the college dreamboat who shares her intellectual passions. Can you really love two people? How painful that would be!
Cutting, insightful prose. "I told him 'I love you.' And I meant it. But it wasn't like flinging open the door of my heart but a statement of fact like 'It's raining.'" ... "I am drawing back the curtain, revealing not just pretty stories but facts: that love can also kill you; that for you to triumph, other people have to be hurt; that the wealth love brings comes at a staggering cost."
This book entertained me, educated me, made me think, made me surprised, made me laugh, made me cry. Death, love, Egypt, muons, cats ... What's not to love?!
Oh the Egyptology research! Mythology, pictography, technology, technique, bureaucracy, environment: Picoult actually went on a dig so she could write about the experience. I learned from this book that ancient Egyptians had pet dogs and cats; they would name their dogs but called every cat simply "Cat" ("Mau"). I adore that detail! "The Book of Two Ways" is an actual coffin text meant to guide the spirit in the afterlife on one of two pathways, water or land. Picoult took that concept and ran with it.
...and then mashed it up with quantum physics - Schrödinger's Mau, anyone? - and then gave the main character two different but equally viable paths and love interests. Picoult then takes the reader on a sequentially obfuscated journey:
Spoiler
Are there two parallel time lines? It sure seems like it until the very end!I enjoyed all of the characters. The main character, Dawn Edelstein, is an Egyptology grad student turned death doolah! Both careers are so interesting and so deeply described. The narrative takes room to gently talk about the process of death and the point of life (who we love, what we decide, who remembers us, etc.). Dawn has an overweight teenage daughter, and that's precious too. Oddly, another thing I learned from this book is that "LOL" was once telegraph code for "loss of life" ....lol!
It must be evident that this book excited me. I have so much to say about it and I can't slow down enough to be coherent. Sure there were flaws. I usually find romantic dialogue to be cheesy. And maybe the book had too much going on. Still, I relished all the details and enjoyed parts of the romance. I even felt completely torn between the two men: the husband of 15-years made of sweat and solid rock and the college dreamboat who shares her intellectual passions. Can you really love two people? How painful that would be!
Spoiler
And then, Picoult leaves Dawn's decision open-ended ... Schrödinger again.Cutting, insightful prose. "I told him 'I love you.' And I meant it. But it wasn't like flinging open the door of my heart but a statement of fact like 'It's raining.'" ... "I am drawing back the curtain, revealing not just pretty stories but facts: that love can also kill you; that for you to triumph, other people have to be hurt; that the wealth love brings comes at a staggering cost."
This book entertained me, educated me, made me think, made me surprised, made me laugh, made me cry. Death, love, Egypt, muons, cats ... What's not to love?!
Not my favorite Picoult I’ve ever read. And I’ve read them all! I found the timeline of this book to be especially confusing and disorienting at times. While the backdrop of Egyptology was fascinating, it felt rather laborious and distracting. Add in the bits about quantum physics, and it became too much. I enjoyed the exploration of life and death and the development of the characters themselves. Overall, an interesting love story, but not one that felt overly unique.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brian was done absolutely dirty! Justice for lovely thoughtful caring Brian! Also not a fan of Merit’s only personality trait being that she’s fat, but wait wait don’t worry Wyatt was fat as a kid and now he’s not so it’s all fine she’s gonna get skinny.
3.5* This was a really difficult one for me to decide on a rating for. So much of this book was absolutely heart shatteringly beautiful and I was so emotionally invested in the characters. What brought it down for me was the really ancient Egypt heavy parts where it felt like I was slogging through university coursework that I didn’t sign up for. I was also a bit confused at times with the timelines of things but given the nature of this book and how easy it is to confuse me that isn’t shocking at all.
Still glad I read this one. I definitely am still a big fan of Jodi Picoult as a writer.
Final thought = this is the first I’ve ever heard of Death Doulas. I hope they become more common of a thing! I think it is an amazing an much needed service.
Still glad I read this one. I definitely am still a big fan of Jodi Picoult as a writer.
Final thought = this is the first I’ve ever heard of Death Doulas. I hope they become more common of a thing! I think it is an amazing an much needed service.
I couldn’t finish this book. It was so unlike Jodi Picoult’s other books. It read like a textbook in many parts and felt like rambling about the Egyptian archaeology details. Just not my cup of tea.
This book held my interest from start to finish. I loved the Egyptology lessons and references to life and death philosophies. It certainly made me think. I will say that skipping around timelines was a tad confusing but it comes together in the end.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated