Book Reviews
Songs of the Humpback Whales by Jodi Picoult
Sometimes finding your own voice is a matter of listening to the heart….
Jodi Picoult’s powerful novel portrays an emotionally charged marriage that changes course in one explosive moment….For years, Jane Jones has lived in the shadow of her husband, renowned San Diego oceanographer Oliver Jones. But during an escalating argument, Jane turns on him with an alarming volatility. In anger and fear, Jane leaves with their teenage daughter, Rebecca, for a cross-country odyssey charted by letters from her brother Joley, guiding them to his Massachusetts apple farm, where surprising self-discoveries await. Now Oliver, an expert at tracking humpback whales across vast oceans, will search for his wife across a continent — and find a new way to see the world, his family, and himself: through her eyes.
Writing this review is painful for me. I love Jodi Picoult, and I do not believe I have not liked one of her novels, but I’m pretty sure I did not like Songs of the Humpback Whale.
Sure, I gave it three stars. I will admit that it was a well crafted story, and like always, I loved being able to “see” the story from all the different perspectives. And I have to give credit for the fact that this book was written very early in Picoult’s career and she was still learning the craft. So I will keep the three stars.
But that is where the love fest ends.
I did not like Oliver, that I guess was understandable. He was a poor husband an father and did not deserve a family. But Jane, Jane really annoyed me and I found her irresponsible and childlike. Her daughter, Rebecca was more like a mother to her and I hated that. I wanted Rebecca to actually be the 15 year old she was suppose to be. But she wasn’t.
Another thing that bothered me about the book was that it was clumsily written. Again, I will chalk this up to amateur writing, but it does distract from the flow of the book. Too many times I had to reread passages just to make sense of them.
Although I recommend Picoult’s books to everyone, and usually pass them on to family…I’m not going to bother with this one.
Misery by Stephen King
Novelist Paul Sheldon wakes up in a secluded farmhouse in Colorado with broken legs and Annie Wilkes, a disappointed fan, hovering over him with drugs, ax, and blowtorch and demanding that he bring his heroine back to life.
Stephen King has held the title of Master of Suspense for decades now, but sometimes you have to time travel back to his early works to truly understand his title.
I nearly did not finish reading Misery. As the book progressed and the mentally frail Annie Wilkes became even frailer, I wasn’t sure how much more horror my poor little heart (and stomach) could take. I was truly unsettled and each night I swore that would be the last time I’d read right before turning off the light.
But of course, I always came back.
I’ve read many of King’s books over the years. I’ve enjoyed many, grew bored of a few, but this was only the second time I truly became frightened by one of his books, and so unsure whether I really wanted to see what happened in the end.
Misery was one of a couple of King’s things I enjoyed. I watched the movie, not read the book. It was scary indeed.
Have a terrific day.
I like Jodi Picoult. My favorite of her books is “Vanishing Acts”. I have never read this one, so I will have to check it out. I like Stephen King very much, but “Misery” was not my favorite by a long shot. But a good story and I did like the movie.
I like some Jodi Picoult, but not everything. This one fell into the pile of ones I didn’t care for all that much…even though I probably gave it a 3 as well. I didn’t hate it, it just didn’t do much for me.
I don’t love everything Steven King does either, but Misery is a great read and a great movie!
“Misery” was one of Stephen King’s better books – in my own humble opinion of course! Like yourself I had a little trouble with what was going to come next and I’m pretty sure I squirmed in my chair a lot while reading it!
I was happy to see that they didn’t screw up the movie adaptation for a change either. Kathy Bates was wonderful as Annie Wilkes and Paul Sheldon’s biggest fan. A big, skeery fan with more than one screw loose!
I used to love Jodi Picoult. I guess I still enjoy her, but she definitely follows a “recipe” of sorts when it comes to her writing. They all seem very similar, almost predictably so. About half way through the book, you can figure out the ending. So, I’ve kind of taken a break from her for a while.
“Misery” is by far one of the scariest books I’ve ever read!!!! Absolutely LOVED it!! So chilling! Definitely one I wouldn’t be able to read before bed or else nightmares would ensue. You’re brave!
I used to love reading Stephen King, but the only one I’ve read in 25 years is “On Writing” – and I loved it!
I haven’t read any of Jodi’s books, but hope to – I’ll be sure to skip that one.
I have read all of Jodi Picoult’s books. Songs of The Humpback Whale was the only one that I couldn’t finish. I think I got maybe about 1/3 done and couldn’t waste my time reading the rest of it. But she’s still one of my favourite authors.
Misery ~ loved the movie ~ didn’t read the book. I used to read Stephen King books when I was younger, Cujo being the most memorable and scary. Now that I am older, I do not feel the need to be scared out of my wits. LOL!
Have a happy weekend!
xo Catherine
I’ve read a few of Judi Picoult’s books and have 2 in my bookcase yet to read… and bugger if that isn’t one of them!
I never read Stephen King. I’ve tried. I can’t stand anything in the horror, scary realm. My nephew tried forever and finally talked me into trying the first book in the Dark Tower series… but I just couldn’t do it.
I am not a fan of horror anything, so Stephen King is one I avoid. Picoult is on my list of authors not read, but I will skip this particular book. Any suggestion on a really good book of hers?
I appreciate your honest review of Jodi’s book here because we like reading her books too but this one didn’t sound like one I would want to read. This review confirms that! We’ll be reading “Lone Wolf” by her this week.
I may be contrary but I think I want to read the JP one….just to see…….