Coming Soon From Jodi Picoult

At the end of February last year, Jessica and I were madly trying to plan for a visit from Jodi Picoult.  Although Jodi had done book signings at  the store twice before in the early 2000s, this was something completely different.  In the ten years since her last visit, Jodi had become wildly popular and a hosting a "Jodi Picoult Event" was akin to putting on a rock concert. No more setting up a little table with flowers on it in the back of the store.....we had to rent a venue!  We sold over 300 tickets and had a wonderful time celebrating the publication of Sing You Home. Jodi was warm and charming, Ellen Wilber sang beautifully and the sunlight sparkled on the ocean as we enjoyed a special morning in Westhampton Beach. 

In a few weeks,  Lone Wolf, Jodi Picoult's new book will be released. I was lucky enough to read an advance copy and I loved the story, the setting and the characters; the Picoult magic is clearly in evidence in this new book.  As always, the plot revolves around a difficult issue that many have faced: who has the right to make end of life decisions and how do you determine the wishes of someone who cannot communicate with you?

Luke Warren has spent his adult life trying to understand the behavior of wolves.  His passion for the subject leads him to try to become part of a pack, learning the proper behavior, avoiding alcohol and other "human" smells that might unsettle the wolves, embedding himself in a pack for long periods of time.  Luke's dedication to the wolves, sometimes to the detriment of his family, has left him divorced from his wife and estranged from his son, Edward.  Only his teenage daughter, Cara, shares his interest in the wolves and, after her mother's remarriage, his home.

Luke and Cara are in an automobile accident that leaves Luke in a coma.  His son, Edward, the only adult next-of-kin, returns from a self-imposed exile in Thailand to make the necessary decisions about Luke's care.   Edward and Cara do not agree about what Luke would want and fireworks ensue.  I do not want to give away any more of the story.  There are secrets, family history, legal complications and medical issues that come into play, making the pages fly by.

Picoult employs different points of view, adding depth and layers to the story.  I especially enjoyed learning about the behavior of wolves; their loyalties and survival behaviors are fascinating.  As always, I gained new knowledge and enjoyed a fast-paced and fascinating read!

If you haven't tried a Jodi Picoult novel, pick one up today.  And keep those pages turning.......