Monday, January 18, 2021

Book Review - The Book of Two Ways by Jodi Picoult


 Jodi Picoult always writes a timely, perceptive, issue related, character driven book. Her formula is distinctive, her quality remains impeccable. I watched a streaming author talk with her and she basically said that "If I start phoning it in, living off my laurels, then I will stop."  She truly pours a ton of blood, sweat, tears, and  research into her writing.  The  Book of Two Ways is her newest piece of evidence that she can hit the high notes for a book that makes you think, that entertains, and is very pertinent to our times. 

front cover blurb: Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn. She's on a plane - prepares for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong. 

The book then diverts into two.  Water/ Boston is her life there as a death doula - she helps families dealing with death. Her own marriage - on the brink of demise, though Brian truly helped her after the death of her own mother many years ago. And she has a teen daughter dealing with issues. 

Land/Egypt chapters takes us to a tomb dig and discovery - we go to the past when she was a student with Wyatt, and in current days when she seeks answers to what could have been and what is now.  Love? Competition? Connection?

cover blurb: Two possible futures unspool, as do the secrets and doubts long buries with them. What does a life well lived look like? Do we make choices...or do choices make us?

The Book of Two Ways can be convoluted, yet it's powerful. I've always liked the idea of sliding doors - if this, then that.  Jodi Picoult digs deep into Egyptian history, the path for death into the afterlife, and explores the depth of marriage and love and choices.  Entertaining and deep! 


17 comments:

  1. This sounds fascinating - do we make choices, or do choices make us? Indeed! Thanks for the reco. Anything with Egypt gets on my tbr without a second thought..

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    1. I believe she does a ton of research. I hope she got the Egypt angle correct. It's interesting and I like her writing and characters

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  2. I haven't read Jody Picoult in a long time...not because I don't love her writing. I do. But I got on a kick once, reading book after book of hers, until one disturbed me so very much I had to stop. Haven't picked her up since and now, maybe I will.

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    1. She can be intense and she does have a bit of a formula. You do have to space out her work. But she truly hits the mark on current issues. This one is quite valid - the idea of dying well....

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  3. I think I may well get this book Joanne. sounds like an excellent read.
    Have a good wekk.

    Yvonne.

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    1. I wouldn't throw it out there if I didn't have faith in the work. She's a darn good writer. Consistently.

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  4. I want to read this one - I'm a Sliding Doors fan too.

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    1. I love the concept. I do it with myself. My life would have changed a lot if I accepted an intern deal in France - but I had accepted the paying job in Texas...that brought me here, I did meet Ray and married....
      Wow - what if I had gone to France and met a Jean-Pierre....Whoa!

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  5. Hi Joanne - thanks for this ... I hadn't realised she has this pedigree in writing ... so thanks for highlighting the book and make me look her up. Fascinating ... I'll look out for this at some stage in the future - and her name will resonate more seriously with me now. Thanks ... sounds really good - take care - Hilary

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    1. she's cranked out a lot of books, but they are well written and researched. She always makes me think

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  6. Egyptian history combined with Picoult's writing style - sounds like a winner, Joanne.
    Thank you.

    One more day and counting...We're so close!

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  7. I know we shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but I like that colour scheme so much I'd be tempted to pick it up just for that!

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    1. Please forgive the stray apostrophe. I thought I had the littles devils trained, but one gave me the slip.

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    2. all good. And yes the cover attracts the eye. Fortunately the writing within will keep you from straying.

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  8. Sounds like a very intriguing read. You always give the best book reviews, Joanne!

    Julie

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    1. thanks. I try - my blog is my writing right now, so I want to give it some effort.

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