From the Bookshelf of Jodi Picoult Books Reading Group.…

Leaving Time

Jodi Picoult

Start date: October 14, 2014

Finish date: November 30, 2014

Discussion: Books Under Discussion

Why we're reading this: October/November Group Read-Along
[close] October/November Group Read-Along

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 53 topics — 1,533 comments total

Books Under Discussion

Mercy-possible spoilers
By Paula · 18 posts · 369 views

last updated Nov 13, 2024 09:42AM

Mad Honey
By Heather · 8 posts · 113 views

last updated Oct 10, 2023 07:30AM

What Members Thought

Sep 12, 2014 Glenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2014

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabou For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.
Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.

I like reading Picoult novels because of the unique topics she writes about, her engaging writing style, and her ability to make you think. She always presents the story from multiple viewpoints, allowing the reader to examine the issues from all sides. I really liked this one. It was apparent that Picoult has done extensive research in writing this book. The parts about the elephants were fascinating--how they interact with each other and humans, how they are loyal and loving, and how they grieve. There are surprising parallels between them and the human world and how each species deals with grief.

This was an entertaining and well crafted story, dealing with grief, love, loss, motherhood, memories, mental illness, and the powerful similarities between animals and humans. The ending was a shock to me and I'm not sure I liked it. Now I want to reread the book to find all of the hidden clues I missed the first time around. Many readers think Picoult is overrated, but I will continue to read all she writes.

“In the wild, an elephant mother and daughter stay in close proximity their whole lives; I hope I am that lucky.”
...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 12, 2014 Tiffany Bannister rated it it was amazing

I thought this book was fantastic. From the beautifully developed characters to the twisted ending. I love all the research Jodi Picoult does for her novels. Wonderful book!!

Like · see review