Wish You Were Here

Trigger Warnings: Covid, pandemic, death

When I first heard that Jodi Picoult's new book was about the Covid pandemic, I thought "She's pretty brave to write a book about a pandemic that we're still trying to get through". But I also thought that with her knack for taking on emotional, relevant issues, this topic would be a good pick for her faithful fan base.

Due to the Covid focus, this story may hit a little too close to home for some readers. The fear, loss and frustrations of how this virus has changed our lives will continue to be fresh for a long time. But you also know that with a book by Jodi Picoult, you will get a well-researched, engaging and emotional story.

The amount of research Picoult did for this book is staggering - from the Galapagos Islands to the art world to the global pandemic, you know she did a lot of research before writing this book. I will say that for me, the art world portion felt extraneous and there were a few times when I felt a little inundated with medical jargon, but I respect the time she takes to research and her unwillingness to hold back. This is evident with the eye-opening scenes of the effects of Covid on the patients as well as the strain (physical and emotional) on health care staff which are vividly and emotionally portrayed. [Note: I highly recommend reading the author's note at the end of the book which explains a fascinating part of the story.]

This was a big endeavour, but admittedly, not my favourite Picoult book to date. At times, the story felt long-winded and while main character Diana won't be on my list of favourite protagonists, her life choices and decisions made for good plot fodder. I also found the pacing a bit off and despite the subject matter, I wasn't as emotionally impacted as I had expected - but I'm also not a huge crier so take that with a grain of salt.

What will hit readers is the TWIST! Holy freaking cow! I did not see it coming and I give Picoult full props for turning her story on its head. With the subject matter and the twist, this is a very thought-provoking book that would be amazing for book club discussion.  

Right now, two years into the Covid pandemic, we're still struggling and it's hard to imagine what life was like before lockdowns, restrictions, losing loved ones and the fear of this disease that has killed millions worldwide. Jodi Picoult once again has chosen a subject that is relevant, emotional and all too real. And while this may not be the right time for everyone to read this book and will not sit well with some people whose beliefs stray from science, I applaud this author for writing a book about a subject that is still fresh in the minds and hearts of people, giving her readers much to think about and maintaining a respect for the struggle we continue to face. 

I hope this book will cause readers to be grateful for what we still have, to appreciate the people who continue to help on the front lines, and to find those little bits of light during this lengthy time of darkness. 

My Rating: 4 stars

Author: Jodi Picoult

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: Hardcover from public library

Publisher: Ballantine Books

First Published: November 30, 2021

Opening Line: When I was six years old, 

I painted a corner of the sky.

Book Description from GoodReads: From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a deeply moving novel about the resilience of the human spirit in a moment of crisis.

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. The whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Diana finds herself examining her relationships, her choices, and herself—and wondering if when she goes home, she too will have evolved into someone completely different.