Comments on: Audiobook Review: Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult

By: Mommy Brain » Links for Friday, July 10, 209

Mommy Brain » Links for Friday, July 10, 209 — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:09:21 +0000

[...] My favorite YA fiction, part one ~ Book review: Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult ~ Book review: The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle [...]

By: CarrieK

CarrieK — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:31:46 +0000

Iliana – If you haven’t tried Nineteen Minutes, that’s the one I’d suggest. I thought it was excellent.

By: iliana

iliana — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:20:01 +0000

I've only read one Jodi Picoult book, which I didn't like, but I've had this one on my shelf and wanted to give her writing another try. Hmm, maybe I should pick a different one! .-= iliana´s last blog ..Link-o-rama =-.

By: CarrieK

CarrieK — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:24:02 +0000

Lilly – I hear that from a lot of people – that Picoult is uneven, with some great books and some that aren’t all that great. Of course, I’ve also heard the extreme ends of the spectrum – those who love everything she does and those who can’t stand her. Well, at least she gets people talking!

By: lilly

lilly — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:03:36 +0000

I have recently read Change of Heart which was the fourth book of Picoult's I read and now instead of thinking of her as my favorite author, I 'm thinking that maybe Vanishing Acts and MySister's Keeper were her only books I loved because the other two were a disappointment and now this one also seems like one as well. I am really confused about Jodi Picoult.

By: CarrieK

CarrieK — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:36:15 +0000

Sandy – Exactly! If the book can’t stand on its own without a gimmick, then fix it!

Kathy – I have enjoyed three of her other books, so I’m not giving up on her – just not a big fan of this particular title.

Courtney – after looking at some other reviews on Goodreads, I think we’re in the majority opinion on this one.

LF – There are a few authors that I would love to read every single thing they’ve written – but I don’t think Picoult is one of them. I’ve enjoyed three of her books, but stopped reading one because I felt like the plot was blatantly stolen from Stephen King’s The Green Mile.

By: Literary Feline

Literary Feline — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:04:59 +0000

Like Kathy, I have enjoy the Picoult books I have read, but this is one I haven’t read. A book group I was in read it a few years ago and I don’t think anyone came away happy with it. I can’t say I’ve had the urge to read this one. If I decide I must read every book the author’s written, I might, but I’m not in a hurry. I’m sorry this one wasn’t more to your liking. Hopefully your next book was much more to your liking!

By: Courtney

Courtney — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:21:57 +0000

I completely agree. I was close to putting this book down, for good, several times. Since Rebecca’s perspective was told in reverse order, we found out about Hadley in the beginning. Something, though, kept me reading. I found each character unique–I guess that’s what did it.

I wanted so badly for Sam to have a happy ending with Jane because he deserved it. The more I read and knew about Hadley, too, the more I wanted him to have a happy ending with Rebecca, but I knew that was impossible.

This book is haunting. It made me want to rewrite the ending and change a few things along the way, too. I have read several of Picoult’s books, and for the most part I have been content with the way they unfold. With this book, however, I was completely unhappy with the ending.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:11:52 +0000

Sorry this didn’t work for you. I’ve enjoyed the Picoult books I’ve read.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:55:59 +0000

I love audios that have multiple narrators…it just adds another dimension. However, I have always thought that Piccoult needs to be careful with herself. She does crank them out, and many of them are good. But like many successful authors, things can easily fall apart. The plot and development sounds like a disaster, and that shouldn’t happen with an experienced author like her. I have walked away from many a favorite author that has simply lost their mojo.