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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book but it took a while for me to get into it. By the time I got into it, the first section was over and part 2 started which was in a whole new time period. I felt like I was back at the beginning again and fighting to get into the book. It was just a struggle. The third section was really good though and I liked how it tied everything together. It completely made up for me being so confused at the beginning.
This is my favorite Jodi Picoult, although now, having read it for the second time years after reading it a first time, I might downgrade my rating to 4 stars; however I'm going to leave it at 5 stars in the spirit of how I felt about it the first time I read it.
In a departure from her more law-based works, this is a ghost story that deals with the Vermont eugenics project, which actually served as inspiration for Hitler.
The two criticisms I have, after re-reading it, are that Picoult can sometimes be overly descriptive (usually I love her descriptions, but every now and then there was a paragraph or two where I felt like there were too many adjectives), and two female characters, Meredith and Shelby, were interchangeable. Meredith and Shelby are both single moms, and their kids are more important to the story line than they are. I felt like they were very much the same person, to the point where I would mix up who lived where, who was which kid's mother, and who did what for a living.
Honestly, though, I still really enjoyed this book.
In a departure from her more law-based works, this is a ghost story that deals with the Vermont eugenics project, which actually served as inspiration for Hitler.
The two criticisms I have, after re-reading it, are that Picoult can sometimes be overly descriptive (usually I love her descriptions, but every now and then there was a paragraph or two where I felt like there were too many adjectives), and two female characters, Meredith and Shelby, were interchangeable. Meredith and Shelby are both single moms, and their kids are more important to the story line than they are. I felt like they were very much the same person, to the point where I would mix up who lived where, who was which kid's mother, and who did what for a living.
Honestly, though, I still really enjoyed this book.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I read this because the plot hinges on the Eugenics Program in Vermont, a real and terrifying thing that affected many people in my home state, especially Abenaki people.
I was surprised that an author whom I associate with beach novels tackled this painful chapter of history, and that (so far as I know) she got things right. If it hadn't been about something I was already interested in, I probably wouldn't have even picked it up!
If you're interested in the Vermont Eugenics Program, try "Breeding Better Vermonters," by Nancy Gallagher. It's an academic work, but the fact that well-intentioned, progressive, seemingly good people could do the things they did will keep you up nights.
I was surprised that an author whom I associate with beach novels tackled this painful chapter of history, and that (so far as I know) she got things right. If it hadn't been about something I was already interested in, I probably wouldn't have even picked it up!
If you're interested in the Vermont Eugenics Program, try "Breeding Better Vermonters," by Nancy Gallagher. It's an academic work, but the fact that well-intentioned, progressive, seemingly good people could do the things they did will keep you up nights.
Review originally published at Love Literature Art and Reason Book Review Blog
I kind of have a weird relationship with Jodi Picoult books. Typically, I love the book until like 95% through and then the end fizzles out for some reason and I close the book feeling vaguely disappointed by the story that I was earlier absolutely loving. I thought it was just me and how I would always feel about Jodi Picoult books, but then I read Second Glance, a book that came highly recommended by one of my friends (and I definitely respect her opinions).
I’m happy to announce that I have now finally read and thoroughly loved a Jodi Picoult book!
Second Glance was so many different stories wrapped up into one that came together so perfectly at the end. A depressed ghost hunter quit his job working for what he considered frauds who were in it for the money. His sister was a lonely librarian dealing with her son’s strange disorder. An old man sold his land to a developer. The developer encountered rumors about an Indian burial ground. Ross ended up being hired to investigate the claims. And a story that had been waiting decades to be revealed ended up affecting the lives of many residents of the town.
I loved how all of the characters were interconnected in some way, whether they were fated to meet due to circumstance or they were involved in the past events that led up to the strange happenings on the supposed burial ground. Second Glance was a bit of a ghost story, a bit historical fiction, and a bit contemporary novel all rolled into one and was very well done.
I absolutely loved the parts of the story that dipped into the past and deal with the Vermont history of eugenics and the people involved, as well as the horrid things that were done in the name of bettering society. I love that the author chose to intertwine such an interesting piece of history with a ghost story in a way that served to make me thing and care about all of the characters involved.
I picked the book up at the end of September hoping to finish it before starting my Creeptober ReadAThon I’m hosting with Booknerderie, but it ended up fitting perfectly in with the theme because of the ghostly elements and also the shocking truth behind the Vermont eugenics program. It was a horror in many ways, while also delivering a stellar story with compelling characters. I knew I’d finally find a Jodi Picoult book that I could say I enjoyed 100% and Second Glance was it for me!
I definitely recommend Second Glance, even if Jodi Picoult novels aren’t necessarily up your alley. It was quite the interesting book with a very good ending.
I kind of have a weird relationship with Jodi Picoult books. Typically, I love the book until like 95% through and then the end fizzles out for some reason and I close the book feeling vaguely disappointed by the story that I was earlier absolutely loving. I thought it was just me and how I would always feel about Jodi Picoult books, but then I read Second Glance, a book that came highly recommended by one of my friends (and I definitely respect her opinions).
I’m happy to announce that I have now finally read and thoroughly loved a Jodi Picoult book!
Second Glance was so many different stories wrapped up into one that came together so perfectly at the end. A depressed ghost hunter quit his job working for what he considered frauds who were in it for the money. His sister was a lonely librarian dealing with her son’s strange disorder. An old man sold his land to a developer. The developer encountered rumors about an Indian burial ground. Ross ended up being hired to investigate the claims. And a story that had been waiting decades to be revealed ended up affecting the lives of many residents of the town.
I loved how all of the characters were interconnected in some way, whether they were fated to meet due to circumstance or they were involved in the past events that led up to the strange happenings on the supposed burial ground. Second Glance was a bit of a ghost story, a bit historical fiction, and a bit contemporary novel all rolled into one and was very well done.
I absolutely loved the parts of the story that dipped into the past and deal with the Vermont history of eugenics and the people involved, as well as the horrid things that were done in the name of bettering society. I love that the author chose to intertwine such an interesting piece of history with a ghost story in a way that served to make me thing and care about all of the characters involved.
I picked the book up at the end of September hoping to finish it before starting my Creeptober ReadAThon I’m hosting with Booknerderie, but it ended up fitting perfectly in with the theme because of the ghostly elements and also the shocking truth behind the Vermont eugenics program. It was a horror in many ways, while also delivering a stellar story with compelling characters. I knew I’d finally find a Jodi Picoult book that I could say I enjoyed 100% and Second Glance was it for me!
I definitely recommend Second Glance, even if Jodi Picoult novels aren’t necessarily up your alley. It was quite the interesting book with a very good ending.
I highly recommend Second Glance by Jody Picoult. It is very different than the other books I have read that she has written. It is a mystery and a very well written one. It thouroughly creeped me out. It is about a piece of land that is being haunted because it is a supposed Indian burial ground. I think that this would be an excellent book club book. It has some very mild language and a couple of adult situations, but nothing explicit.
I really enjoy Jodi Picoult's story telling and this one had a great mystery, good characters and a strong plot with several serious issues woven in. All good. However, for me, the way the book was structured didn't draw me in. I worked hard to get into the book and then appreciated the story - mostly. Still a bit of a struggle to the end. So ALMOST satisfying :) Glad I read it tho! And still love this author!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fast read and interesting complicated mystery. I appreciate the social issues it calls to light on Native Americans rights, mistreatment, land, racism and more. The kids in this story are strong adventurers and I quite like their characters, Marie, intelligent and quirky.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Colonisation
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
medium-paced