ARTFUL READERS CLUB REVIEW
LEAVING TIME by JODI PICOULT
April 24, 2015
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It's that time again...book review time for those of us who participate in the ARTFUL READERS CLUB... an outgrowth of Darcy Wilkinson's blog, ART AND SOLE. My selection this month is LEAVING TIME by Jodi Picoult.
Alice was a scientist who studied grief patterns among African elephants. She moved her study venue to New Hampshire when she married a researcher who ran an elephant sanctuary there...then she disappeared. This is the story of their daughter Jenna, a teen searching for her missing mother, Alice. She went missing when Jenna was 3. At 13, Jenna's ready to launch her own investigation. By using a multi-character point of view, Picoult has each character provide a piece of the puzzle that leads to Alice's disappearance from the sanctuary (soon after a co-worker was trampled to death.) Jenna enlists the help of Virgil, a former cop who worked on the disappearance 10 years earlier... to no avail, and Serenity, a psychic who no longer believes in her gift. They all played their part in taking us to a satisfying and totally unexpected, SHOCKING conclusion!!
The author blends nature and nurture to balance the plight of the Asian and African elephants with the yearning of a child to find her mother. Often writing about controversial subjects pertaining to today's society, Picoult found the plight of wild elephants in Africa and Asia fit the bill. There are quite a few chapters dedicated to elephants, their behavior and the impact of poaching. Being a frequent visitor to Africa and Asia and having met and observed many elephant families, this was of great interest to me. Jodi Picoult certainly did her research. Her book is based on information garnered from real-life elephant researchers and includes a list of their books for those interested.
This is a story of love and respect, grief and loss and the love between a mother and her child... both elephant and human. It's moving, poignant, full of mystery, intrigue, adultery and a twist at the end that blew me away!!
If I were an elephant, I'd trumpet LEAVING TIME by Jodi Picoult. I loved it!
Here's my art representation of the book...
If you love elephants, I highly recommend this book as much of it is devoted to elephant behavior.
Thanks for stopping by...hope to "see" you again for my next posting.
Hugs,
abbyj
I haven't read a Picoult book in years (usually so intense and depressing), but may give this a try.
ReplyDeleteLove your reviews and your art Abby. I can appreciate a good read, especially with a "shocking conclusion" as I usually have it figured out before the end. Sounds like this will elude me.
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