From the Bookshelf of Jodi Picoult Books Reading Group.…

The Storyteller

Jodi Picoult

Start date: March 1, 2013

Finish date: March 30, 2013

Discussion: Books Under Discussion

Discussion leader: Rachael

Why we're reading this: Jodi Picoult's newest books comes out Febuary 26th, 2013. I would love to hear your opinions as we discus…more
[close] Jodi Picoult's newest books comes out Febuary 26th, 2013. I would love to hear your opinions as we discuss the novel.

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

Jan 09, 2013 Glenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-read-in-2014

At 25, Sage Singer is scarred, both physically and mentally, by the car accident that took her mother’s life. A baker who works at night, Sage shuns almost all human contact, save for her coworkers and her funeral-director boyfriend, Adam, who is married to another woman. Sage ventures out of her comfort zone to befriend Josef Weber, an elderly retired teacher, who throws her world into chaos when he tells her that he’s a former SS officer and asks her to help him end his life. Sage, whose grand At 25, Sage Singer is scarred, both physically and mentally, by the car accident that took her mother’s life. A baker who works at night, Sage shuns almost all human contact, save for her coworkers and her funeral-director boyfriend, Adam, who is married to another woman. Sage ventures out of her comfort zone to befriend Josef Weber, an elderly retired teacher, who throws her world into chaos when he tells her that he’s a former SS officer and asks her to help him end his life. Sage, whose grandmother Minka survived the Holocaust, reaches out to the Department of Justice and is connected with Leo Stein, a charismatic attorney and Nazi hunter. Leo travels to New Hampshire to investigate Sage’s claims, which leads them to Minka, who shares a surprising connection to Josef.

I love the way Picoult can tell a story and force us to look at a situation from both sides, helping us to see another's viewpoint and question our ideas of right and wrong. I was drawn into Sage's dilemma and it is impossible to read this book without wondering what you would do, if the decision was yours. It is presented both from the point of view of Holocaust victim and of Nazi officer; and only after all the stories are told do we truly know Josef.
I really liked Minka's story she wrote and how it parallels the Nazi soldiers. At first I wasn't sure what to think of this part, but as I read on it fit perfectly.
Ultimately, this book is about forgiveness; who can and should forgive whom about what, and why. I am conflicted about the ending--I'm not sure Sage did the right thing and wonder why she lied to Leo about it.
Overall a powerful and emotional read worth your time.

"Inside each of us is a monster; inside each of us is a saint. The real question is which one we nurture the most, which one will smite the other.”

“Forgiving isn't something you do for someone else. It's something you do for yourself. It's saying, 'You're not important enough to have a stranglehold on me.' It's saying, 'You don't get to trap me in the past. I am worthy of a future.”

4.5 stars ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 04, 2013 Lori rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Picoult expertly weaves an amazing story. I had to remind myself a few times that Minko was a fictional character and that this was not a memoir. However looking at the research list Picoult provided it could very well be a collaboration of memoirs.

This is such an amazing read, difficult at times because of the subject matter but riveting none the less. There are now images seared in my mind that I'm sure I will carry with me for a long time ( like the toddler singing the lullaby in her dead mo ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 03, 2013 alhafizol rated it it was amazing

Shelves: cj-s-shelf, e-book, jodi-picoult, favorites, read-on-kindle, 2013

Originally Posted at Coffee & Crackers

I was blown away. That impression alone is enough to describe how great this book is. I am never disappointed by Jodi Picoult's novels and there is no exception for this one as well. It draws me to get lost in the story, brings me high and low, become engrossed with the narration, getting attached to the characters, breaks my heart to pieces, and in the end leaves me in a deep thinking.

"The Storyteller" is a story about "forgiveness" interwoven with the dar Originally Posted at Coffee & Crackers

I was blown away. That impression alone is enough to describe how great this book is. I am never disappointed by Jodi Picoult's novels and there is no exception for this one as well. It draws me to get lost in the story, brings me high and low, become engrossed with the narration, getting attached to the characters, breaks my heart to pieces, and in the end leaves me in a deep thinking.

"The Storyteller" is a story about "forgiveness" interwoven with the dark and traumatic secrets of the pasts. Basically, this book is written in three parts: Part I: Sage befriended Josef, an ex-Nazi SS guard, Part II: The story of Minka during the darkest time of her life, the Holocaust, and Part III: Sage's final decision and Josef's atonement. The second part of the book is the hardest part for me to get through, it is awful, mentally exhausting, and too tragic. However, it is my favorite part as well as Picoult plays with my emotion and at the same time enlighten me with the events happened during the Nazi era and the Holocaust through the eyes of Minka, a survivor. I was also intrigued with this book because there's also a spooky story within. I was scared, I was angry, I was happy, I was broken-hearten, throughout the story.

Not only the story is brilliantly executed, but the characters also are well developed. Sage, Minka, and Josef are three strong characters. Throughout the story I can see how Sage's evolved from a self-contained, isolated girl into a confident and beautiful person, Minka's willpower and courage to survive, and Josef's atonement of his sins. They are powerful and inspiring characters brought together by Picoult to make this story irresistible. Once the story ended, lots of "I wish.." things pop out in my mind. I wish Sage realized the truth sooner. I wish she did not kill Josef (spoiler), I wish Minka could meet Josef before she died, I wish Josef told sage everything, the real story, who he really was. But, things haven't always happened in the ways that we wish it should happen. Life is more complicated than that. That is what I have learned from "The Storyteller".

To forgive is not easy, and to forget is even harder. An amazing book is a book that we can take and learn something from it. Grab and read "The Storyteller" and your life will change. I truly recommended it to all readers out there.

{CJ @ Alhafizol, 2013} ...more

Like · see review

Sep 26, 2013 Erin rated it really liked it

4.5 stars. The Classic Jodi that I love. Her last few books have felt a bit off to me, but this one was mesmerizing. Such a difficult topic to explore and I felt it unfolded beautifully.

Like · see review

Feb 27, 2013 Melinda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2013

This is one AWESOME! book. The details that she takes in recounting the scenes from the Concentration Camp is unimaginable. This is a story that is so true to life that it seems she pulled the story from the headlines. She is truly demonstrating how she takes steps to make her books true to life. 5 stars does not do this book justice.

Like · see review