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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book would have been even better without the love story (arguably stories). I enjoyed Picoult's narration (as usual) especially given that this novel was divided up differently than her usual style of character-per-chapter. The emotions seem real and raw and the way she ties the past to the present is far-fetched yet completely believable. Most of all, parts of this story stay with you but don't make you afraid to go to sleep at night. It was delicately handled while taking on some hefty subjects. Some of the characters were a little flat and there were too many introductions to them in a row ("So and So was such and such. Paragraph. So and so was such and such.") Overall, it's still one of her good ones and will spark spirited debate about eugenics and ghosts.
Slow at the beginning, but great twists, great writing, and lots of perspectives as with all of Jodi's books.
Jodi Picoult writes with such intricate detail. I was always guessing page after page. Romantic types that believe that love transcends time will love this book.
I’ve tried writing this review a few times and it keeps coming out confusing. Maybe that’s because this book was confusing! It was a weird one! A lot going on with a lot of characters from many generations! It almost lost me in the beginning but I kept going. Part 2 moved along much better for me! Not sure I loved the ending and it took awhile to wrap up. Not my favorite Jodi Picoult, but I didn’t hate it like some.
A ghost story that includes a history of the Eugenics movement ( laws put in place to serilize citizens who were considered less than desirable for society) in Vermont. I found that to be particularly interesting. It is a slower read than some of Picoult's pther work, but I still enjoyed it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Excellent excellent excellent. There were so many twists and turns, the first one actually made me bring my hand to my mouth. Some were predictable but in a way where it makes a lot of sense and it's not cheesy. The characters are well fleshed out and the mystery had me by the neck. The multiple POV's was a nice way to tie everything together. This was my first Jodi Picoult read and I plan to read more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Self harm, Terminal illness, Forced institutionalization, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, Abortion
i have read enough Picoult to know the formula better then my own name. All these books end up like a recipe. A broken love, a sick child, a legal dispute, and a tested emotional bond. Throw all of this together and I guarantee that anyone could write a Picoult book.
However, only Jodi continues to wow me time and time again with her language. It is hard to find powerful and original imagery in any popular series of novels. Often the verbal wordplay is pushed to the side in order to facilitate a quicker read and write. I continue to buy Jodi Picoult though (in fact i own all of the books except for Sing Me Home, and Songs of the Humpback whale" because her imagery is so powerful. :)
Second Glance is no exception. It posses the same formulaic set up as all the other novels. We start with a town in distress, apparently stuck in the grasp of a ghost who rebukes the building of a strip mall on an Indian Burial Ground. The sleepy Tennessee town includes occupants like Eli, a half indian half american sheriff, Shelby, a librarian and bibliophile and her son Ethan a child who suffers from XP and cannot face the sun directly. The town might be saved though when the contractor building on the land hires Shelby's brother, a man so riddled with his own loss that he turns to the paranormal in one last desperate attempt to convince himself that there is something beyond the grave.
After loosing his wife Aimee, Ross Wakeman seems bent on taking his own life or at least devoting it to walking among the dead. His search for this ghost though will bring him to the real thing opposed to the lights show that he has helped create for years. Together Ross, Eli, Shelby, and a cast of minor characters unravel what really happened to the women that haunts the town as well as make emotional connections to each other and uncover parts of themselves that they where keeping in the dark.
When I look back and read my synopsis of this book I have got to admit that it sounds as corny as all get up. I don't read books like this. At least my synopsis tells me that i would not read a book like this. However this book did honestly catch my attention. I'll admit its far fetched ( a lot of picoult's stories are if you have read Handle With Care and Salem Falls I am sure that you will agree) Yet Picoult plays off this in order to create a novel that feels both close to us as readers and human beings while still satisfying our inward desire for adventure and suspense.
I would suggest this book to my friends and would say "Hey this is a great chance for summer reading"
It is the kind of book that you can sit on the beach with and not worry about the waves turning its pages to tatters. It is also the kind of book that will keep you from said waves as you desperately try to finish off just one more chapter.
For all these reasons I am giving this book a four and wishing everyone happy readings and a lovely summer. :)
However, only Jodi continues to wow me time and time again with her language. It is hard to find powerful and original imagery in any popular series of novels. Often the verbal wordplay is pushed to the side in order to facilitate a quicker read and write. I continue to buy Jodi Picoult though (in fact i own all of the books except for Sing Me Home, and Songs of the Humpback whale" because her imagery is so powerful. :)
Second Glance is no exception. It posses the same formulaic set up as all the other novels. We start with a town in distress, apparently stuck in the grasp of a ghost who rebukes the building of a strip mall on an Indian Burial Ground. The sleepy Tennessee town includes occupants like Eli, a half indian half american sheriff, Shelby, a librarian and bibliophile and her son Ethan a child who suffers from XP and cannot face the sun directly. The town might be saved though when the contractor building on the land hires Shelby's brother, a man so riddled with his own loss that he turns to the paranormal in one last desperate attempt to convince himself that there is something beyond the grave.
After loosing his wife Aimee, Ross Wakeman seems bent on taking his own life or at least devoting it to walking among the dead. His search for this ghost though will bring him to the real thing opposed to the lights show that he has helped create for years. Together Ross, Eli, Shelby, and a cast of minor characters unravel what really happened to the women that haunts the town as well as make emotional connections to each other and uncover parts of themselves that they where keeping in the dark.
When I look back and read my synopsis of this book I have got to admit that it sounds as corny as all get up. I don't read books like this. At least my synopsis tells me that i would not read a book like this. However this book did honestly catch my attention. I'll admit its far fetched ( a lot of picoult's stories are if you have read Handle With Care and Salem Falls I am sure that you will agree) Yet Picoult plays off this in order to create a novel that feels both close to us as readers and human beings while still satisfying our inward desire for adventure and suspense.
I would suggest this book to my friends and would say "Hey this is a great chance for summer reading"
It is the kind of book that you can sit on the beach with and not worry about the waves turning its pages to tatters. It is also the kind of book that will keep you from said waves as you desperately try to finish off just one more chapter.
For all these reasons I am giving this book a four and wishing everyone happy readings and a lovely summer. :)
Picoult is fun reading, but even in a ghost story she manages to raise issues that will get you thinking. The hot topic in this book is genetic engineering, interwoven with life-after-death, love, and the true nature of family, among other ideas. I enjoyed it.