Title: Lone Wolf
Author: Jodi Picoult
Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
Published: February 28, 2012
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 421
Source: Library
Read: October 13-17, 2012
In A Few Words: Powerful, Lonely
My Rating: 4 Stars
Goodreads: Add this to your TBR shelf
Goodreads Synopsis:
Edward Warren, twenty-four, has been living in Thailand for five years, a prodigal son who left his family after an irreparable fight with his father, Luke. But he gets a frantic phone call: His dad lies comatose, gravely injured in the same accident that has also injured his younger sister Cara.
With her father’s chances for recovery dwindling, Cara wants to wait for a miracle. But Edward wants to terminate life support and donate his father’s organs. Is he motivated by altruism, or revenge? And to what lengths will his sister go to stop him from making an irrevocable decision?
Lone Wolf explores the notion of family, and the love, protection and strength it’s meant to offer. But what if the hope that should sustain it, is the very thing that pulls it apart? Another tour de force from Jodi Picoult, Lone Wolf examines the wild and lonely terrain upon which love battles reason
Melissa's Musings:
I'm a big fan of Jodi Picoult, and have been for a while. I don't know quite why but since her last two books have come out I haven't rushed right out to get them. I did put myself on the library waitlist to get this and Between the Lines though and this one came in just a few months ago after having been waiting for it for almost 6 months. (I'll be reviewing Between the Lines soon)
The first thing I noticed about the book is that the front and back flaps are full color pictures of leaves. I thought this was a nice touch, so much better than boring white flaps. I can't remember having seen a book with inside cover flap pictures before so that is pretty neat.
There are a lot of neat quotes about wolves scattered throughout the book, which is a really nice touch. The comparisons of wolf packs to human elements like the mafia, and even human families are interesting to read about. The book gives you a new angle on the subject of wolves within these frames of reference that makes their hierarchy easier to understand.
In terms of the story itself, there are a lot of twists and turns. Some of them you see coming, some of them you don't. I don't want to ruin the story for anyone, so there won't be any spoilers here.
As with many of Picoult's other books there were medical and legal elements, which is her general niche. This book went relatively light on the courtroom and legal drama at first but then it picked up toward the middle of the story.
Also in what I would say that I've noticed is typical Picoult fashion the family turns on each other at certain key events. There are moments when Cara's stepfather, Joe, has to basically stab her in the back (figuratively speaking of course) because he is representing Cara's brother Edward. Their mother is forced to be in the middle, to try and do what's best for both of them.
There are some interesting secrets in this book. Especially the one that Cara's hiding. When I read it I was slightly let down because I thought it would be more serious than it was, or just be something different. Its' still important and impactful, just not what I was expecting.
I did feel bad for each of the characters in turn in the book. For Cara, Edward and their mother, Georgie, I felt sorry that they were so let down by Luke in different ways, and that often times he chose his wolves over them.I felt sorry for Luke that he couldn't connect with his family all that well.
One thing I didn't like were some of the corny plays on words that are sprinkled throughout the book. One lawyer says that her mothers name is Crystal Chandra Leer. As if that isn't bad enough, her own name is Helen Bedd. (Just say them out loud, you might cringe like I did) I don't remember Picoult's other books having cheesy plays on words like these so I was slightly let down by that.
Overall this was really enjoyable. I definitely recommend this to Picoult fans as well as anyone who'd like to learn more about wolves.
3 comments:
This sounds delightful, and I have it on audio, but wasn't able to listen to it..hmm I bet i could on my new phone!
I know nothing about wolves and frankly I don't really care if Picoult was 100% accurate. The story was gripping, the details were fascinating, and every family character was dynamic. I would love if she wrote about this family again. I recommend this to anyone.
Charmaine Smith New Zealand Golden kiwi fruit
Charmaine: I agree, the characters in this story are dynamic.
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