This the kind of book that makes you want to have a reason to spend a long time in the bathroom... the kind of novel that makes you not mind getting stuck at the tracks while a never-ending, slow-moving train clanks by... the kind of story you're going to miss when you read the last line on the last page.
Okay, I admit it. I'm not finished with it yet. I'm somewhere between two-thirds and three-fourths of the way through it. However, only one of Picoult's novels was a disappointment to me, and I didn't like that one from close to the beginning, so I'm fairly confident this will be wonderful til the very end.
It's part mystery (a mother has been missing for ten years) and part elephant journal. If you love elephants, if you hate circuses (because of the animal acts), if you'd like an insider's view into an elephant sanctuary, this is the book for you. Picoult did research at the Tennessee sanctuary (there's only one other in the U.S.--it's in California) and in the wild in Botswana. If you read it, you'll learn a lot about how elephants grieve...and what wonderful mothers elephant mamas are.
Below is a link to a page that includes an interview with Jodi Picoult about the book.
And since I'll be finished with this book soon, what are some recommendations for my next one?
Oh geez, recommendations? How about a book of poems from an obscure Michigan poet? ;-)
ReplyDeleteI love elephants; they're fascinating. I'm curious...what was the one novel you didn't like?
Shay--I have never encountered an obscure Michigan poet that I like. Now, I know one who is quite well-known (she has a huge following), and I AM going to get a couple copies of her new book, but obscure ones? No...
DeleteI did not care for "Second Glance." I had to force myself to slog through parts of it. But that's my opinion. That's why they have six different kinds of pie in a restaurant... Everyone's taste is different.
I have not read this JP book yet. I have read many others and almost all have been engrossing reads. As always I read in more than one book at a time. I'm reading something good and along comes some else good to divide my attention. I am reading Rebel Yell about Stonewall Jackson and Civil war...author is same who wrote Empire of Summer Moon. Then yesterday Resilience by sister of Glenn Close drew my attention. Memior of her troubled life and odd family and mental illness.
ReplyDeleteClaudia--A book about Glenn Close's family? That sounds interesting...
DeleteI immediately wanted to ask which one you didn't like, too. ;) Would love to read something where elephants are actually treated with respect for once.
ReplyDeleteTammy--This is an incredible view into the lives of elephants... I think you would enjoy it.
DeleteThe book sounds interesting. Right now I am reading a light hearted mystery about a tarot reader.
ReplyDeleteLinda--I'm not much of a mystery reader, but I did used to fiddle around with Tarot cards (as a pre-teen).
DeleteLinda--I'm not much of a mystery reader, but I did used to fiddle around with Tarot cards (as a pre-teen).
DeleteThis is an oldie, but speaking of elephants, did you ever read Water for Elephants? I loved it, though I wasn't thrilled by any of the author's other works. For lightweight stories with a nice touch of humor, I really like Liane Moriarty-The Husband's Secret was my favorite of her many books. I'm currently reading The Rosie Project--odd, but entertaining.
ReplyDeletePat
Critter Alley
Pat--I loved Water for Elephants. Thanks for the heads-up about their other books. I've considered buying them--since WFE was so good--but always changed my mind.
DeleteOdd? I like odd... ;)
Pat--I loved Water for Elephants. Thanks for the heads-up about their other books. I've considered buying them--since WFE was so good--but always changed my mind.
DeleteOdd? I like odd... ;)
Hey Sioux. Your blog hates me. Once again it ate my comment. So frustrating. I'm going to have to start doing a copy on my comments so that after Blogger eats it all I have to do is paste it in the second time.
ReplyDeleteLet's see. "Water for Elephants" was already mentioned. Non-elephant related is "The Intelligencer" by Leslie Silbert. As far as I know it's her one and only book, but I enjoyed it---even blogged about it a few years back. I've only read one book by Jodi Picoult and wasn't crazy about it, though I know she's hugely popular. I'll probably try one of her other titles. Deborah Smith's "Blue Willow" is great, though I know you're not much for romance.
Oh, I picked up "The Kite Runner" on your recommendation. I'll let you know what I think, but I'm expecting to love it. :)
Lisa--Hosseini's 2nd book--"A Thousand Splendid Suns" is one I love even more than "The Kite Runner"…perhaps because it's more of a woman's story.
Delete"The Intelligencer" is one I've never heard of. Thanks for the recommendation.
One of Picoult's books--okay, two of them--that are my favorites are "Lone Wolf" (you learn a lot of about wolves in that one) and "Handle With Care." But perhaps one of those was the one you didn't care for?
As far as romance books, I'm waiting until this Spring, and then I'm going to dip my toes in that genre and dive into a particular one… ;)
Hmmm...I read Picoult's THE TENTH CIRCLE. I remember it, so that's saying something, huh? :-)
ReplyDeleteI read mostly MG and YA and your mention of elephants reminded me of THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN (by Katherine Applegate). SO good! But I do try to keep up with adult fiction--albeit four or five years late--so I finally read HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET and loved it so. (I think you will, too!)
Cathy--
DeleteI enjoyed "The Tenth Circle" as well. I'll have to check to HOTCOBAS.
(And you're right. If you can remember the book, it made some sort of memory--either good or really, really bad.)