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Wish You Were Here
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Fiction (2022)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.
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.
310 pages, Hardcover
First published November 30, 2021
About the author
Jodi Picoult
117 books86.9k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 24,190 reviews
August 19, 2024
This book took my breath away, leaving me terrified, shaken to the core, and overwhelmed by a storm of emotions: sadness, amusement, excitement, stress, worry, and anxiety—all at once.
It revolves around a “Sliding Doors” theme, exploring where life could take you and the challenges you might face if you make different choices during a pandemic.
This is a philosophical, metaphysical, and psychological novel about the evolution of human lives—how we change, adapt to the new normal, and, most importantly, how we stay alive and protect our sanity when chaos reigns.
Diane O’Toole, an associate at Sotheby’s, lives with her surgical resident boyfriend Finn in New York City. She has meticulously planned their future together: the house, the kids, the bucket-list trips, and their retirement.
For nearly four years, they’ve saved up for a long-awaited trip to the Galapagos. This is an especially exciting time for Diane because the legendary Kitomi Ito (the quiet twin of Yoko Ono) has postponed the auction of her prized Toulouse-Lautrec painting due to a virus outbreak. This auction could be the key to Diane’s long-sought promotion.
Meanwhile, Diane’s hopes are high because she discovered a ring hidden in Finn’s sock drawer. He’s planning to propose, and she’s ready to say yes, excited to celebrate her 30th birthday as an engaged woman.
But, as the saying goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Finn confesses that his hospital is in crisis mode. COVID-19 is spreading through NYC faster than they anticipated. Finn urges Diane to go on the trip alone, and surprisingly, she agrees.
However, as soon as she lands, things go awry. Her luggage is lost, and that’s just the beginning. When she arrives at her hotel, she discovers it’s closed, and the entire island is on a two-week quarantine.
Fortunately, a local woman offers her a place to stay, leaving her with traditional food. Yet Diane finds herself trapped on the island, unable to speak the local language, struggling to follow curfews, dealing with a mysterious and hostile man, and running low on cash—with no ATMs in sight. To top it off, the internet is spotty at best. She resorts to writing postcards to Finn, only to find out the post office is closed as well. How will she send them?
Then, Diane’s fate intertwines with that mysterious man and his daughter, setting off a chain of events that will forever change her perspective on the island and her life.
No more spoilers, but I will say this: halfway through the book, I dropped my e-reader and screamed, “What the hell!”
After the shocking, jaw-dropping revelation, the story didn’t lose its pace. The emotional depth and the satisfying, heartfelt ending left me smiling. I’d give it 10 stars for the powerful and cathartic conclusion—like the final, epic scene of a remarkable movie.
This book also offers a stark, realistic portrayal of the terrifying realities of COVID-19. Finn’s emails, in particular, deliver a dark, raw, and honest depiction of the grueling battle medical professionals fought against the virus. It’s a reminder to hold deep respect for these true heroes who gave us hope during the darkest times.
Jodi Picoult is a masterful storyteller. She captures the tragedy of the pandemic, while also painting vivid images of the Galapagos. The novel tells the story of a woman trying to forge a different path from her mother, whom she resented for abandoning her. In doing so, Picoult shows us how opening our hearts and forgiving others can free us from our burdens.
I loved this book so much—it’s one of Picoult’s best works. I also appreciated the references to Dante (she previously tackled this in The Tenth Circle), Tiger King (she, too, is guilty of being obsessed), and Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
This is one of those rare books you’ll want to revisit at different stages of your life. Diane’s inner journey will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished, inspiring you to reflect on what you want to do with your one precious life.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine Books for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
It revolves around a “Sliding Doors” theme, exploring where life could take you and the challenges you might face if you make different choices during a pandemic.
This is a philosophical, metaphysical, and psychological novel about the evolution of human lives—how we change, adapt to the new normal, and, most importantly, how we stay alive and protect our sanity when chaos reigns.
Diane O’Toole, an associate at Sotheby’s, lives with her surgical resident boyfriend Finn in New York City. She has meticulously planned their future together: the house, the kids, the bucket-list trips, and their retirement.
For nearly four years, they’ve saved up for a long-awaited trip to the Galapagos. This is an especially exciting time for Diane because the legendary Kitomi Ito (the quiet twin of Yoko Ono) has postponed the auction of her prized Toulouse-Lautrec painting due to a virus outbreak. This auction could be the key to Diane’s long-sought promotion.
Meanwhile, Diane’s hopes are high because she discovered a ring hidden in Finn’s sock drawer. He’s planning to propose, and she’s ready to say yes, excited to celebrate her 30th birthday as an engaged woman.
But, as the saying goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Finn confesses that his hospital is in crisis mode. COVID-19 is spreading through NYC faster than they anticipated. Finn urges Diane to go on the trip alone, and surprisingly, she agrees.
However, as soon as she lands, things go awry. Her luggage is lost, and that’s just the beginning. When she arrives at her hotel, she discovers it’s closed, and the entire island is on a two-week quarantine.
Fortunately, a local woman offers her a place to stay, leaving her with traditional food. Yet Diane finds herself trapped on the island, unable to speak the local language, struggling to follow curfews, dealing with a mysterious and hostile man, and running low on cash—with no ATMs in sight. To top it off, the internet is spotty at best. She resorts to writing postcards to Finn, only to find out the post office is closed as well. How will she send them?
Then, Diane’s fate intertwines with that mysterious man and his daughter, setting off a chain of events that will forever change her perspective on the island and her life.
No more spoilers, but I will say this: halfway through the book, I dropped my e-reader and screamed, “What the hell!”
After the shocking, jaw-dropping revelation, the story didn’t lose its pace. The emotional depth and the satisfying, heartfelt ending left me smiling. I’d give it 10 stars for the powerful and cathartic conclusion—like the final, epic scene of a remarkable movie.
This book also offers a stark, realistic portrayal of the terrifying realities of COVID-19. Finn’s emails, in particular, deliver a dark, raw, and honest depiction of the grueling battle medical professionals fought against the virus. It’s a reminder to hold deep respect for these true heroes who gave us hope during the darkest times.
Jodi Picoult is a masterful storyteller. She captures the tragedy of the pandemic, while also painting vivid images of the Galapagos. The novel tells the story of a woman trying to forge a different path from her mother, whom she resented for abandoning her. In doing so, Picoult shows us how opening our hearts and forgiving others can free us from our burdens.
I loved this book so much—it’s one of Picoult’s best works. I also appreciated the references to Dante (she previously tackled this in The Tenth Circle), Tiger King (she, too, is guilty of being obsessed), and Darwin’s Theory of Evolution.
This is one of those rare books you’ll want to revisit at different stages of your life. Diane’s inner journey will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished, inspiring you to reflect on what you want to do with your one precious life.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group / Ballantine Books for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.
August 7, 2021
Of all the books I have read this year, I cannot think of any that will resonate so deeply with a global audience as this one. Jodi Picoult carries out an impressive level of research for her oh so human look at the pain, losses, lockdown, heartbreak, grief, loneliness and isolation experienced by people as the horrifying nightmare of Covid-19 took hold and shut down so much of the world. I can understand if this is too soon for many readers to read about, but I found this to be an absolutely riveting read, highlighting the incredibly courageous work of the frontline medical staff, whilst providing an insightful glimpse into the beauty and nature of the Galapagos Islands, its people, history and culture.
In New York, the ambitious Diana O'Toole is almost thirty, and on the verge of achieving all that she wants professionally as an art specialist at Sotheby's, and personally, convinced that Finn Colson, a surgical resident at the Presbyterian hospital will propose on a trip to Galapagos to celebrate her 30th birthday. However, her carefully planned life is about to be shot into tiny pieces when Finn is unable to go with her as a medical emergency develops with the beginnings of the Covid-19 virus. Diana arrives on Galapagos as it is going into quarantine and lockdown, leaving her stranded, her luggage is lost, she cannot speak the language, and communications are patchy. She is isolated and lonely, but finds herself connecting with a local family. Like so many people, Diana is to find herself re-evaluating her sense of identity and working out what really matters in life.
There is a humdinger of a ingenious twist that Picoult weaves into the narrative that I cannot reveal as it will be entering into spoiler territory. This is one of the author's best works, it is multi-layered, the characters are stellar and feel so authentic, and whilst it does not make for easy reading, I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could. Ultimately, this is a emotionally poignant, thought provoking novel, of what it is to be human, and the love, resilence, bravery and hope in the face of a global pandemic that broke so many lives. I think so many readers will love and appreciate this book. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
In New York, the ambitious Diana O'Toole is almost thirty, and on the verge of achieving all that she wants professionally as an art specialist at Sotheby's, and personally, convinced that Finn Colson, a surgical resident at the Presbyterian hospital will propose on a trip to Galapagos to celebrate her 30th birthday. However, her carefully planned life is about to be shot into tiny pieces when Finn is unable to go with her as a medical emergency develops with the beginnings of the Covid-19 virus. Diana arrives on Galapagos as it is going into quarantine and lockdown, leaving her stranded, her luggage is lost, she cannot speak the language, and communications are patchy. She is isolated and lonely, but finds herself connecting with a local family. Like so many people, Diana is to find herself re-evaluating her sense of identity and working out what really matters in life.
There is a humdinger of a ingenious twist that Picoult weaves into the narrative that I cannot reveal as it will be entering into spoiler territory. This is one of the author's best works, it is multi-layered, the characters are stellar and feel so authentic, and whilst it does not make for easy reading, I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could. Ultimately, this is a emotionally poignant, thought provoking novel, of what it is to be human, and the love, resilence, bravery and hope in the face of a global pandemic that broke so many lives. I think so many readers will love and appreciate this book. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
November 12, 2021
Hmm, this is a tough one to review.
In the end, I liked what Jodi Picoult did with Wish You Were Here. I like that she took it in, let's say, unexpected directions, and explored a subject I knew very little about. I did not predict the way this story would unfold. Which is good.
That being said, I found the first half of this book very slow. Diana finds herself alone in the Galápagos islands, her boyfriend thousands of miles away fighting to save people from COVID in the emergency room, when the island is put on lockdown. With no way to get home, Diana wanders around being a bit of an ignorant tourist, meeting the locals, and trying to find a way to feed herself.
Diana becomes involved in the lives of local businessman, Gabriel, and his daughter, Beatriz. Through these new friendships and interactions, she begins to question what she had thought she wanted from her life, to question the path she is on and whether it is the right one. This goes on for more than half of the book (192 pages in the e-arc). I was not enamoured by it.
As I said earlier, though, the book does go on to take some interesting turns. It's unfortunate that what I liked about the book would reveal too much, so I can only really talk about my complaints here.
It's rewarding for the patient reader.
In the end, I liked what Jodi Picoult did with Wish You Were Here. I like that she took it in, let's say, unexpected directions, and explored a subject I knew very little about. I did not predict the way this story would unfold. Which is good.
That being said, I found the first half of this book very slow. Diana finds herself alone in the Galápagos islands, her boyfriend thousands of miles away fighting to save people from COVID in the emergency room, when the island is put on lockdown. With no way to get home, Diana wanders around being a bit of an ignorant tourist, meeting the locals, and trying to find a way to feed herself.
Diana becomes involved in the lives of local businessman, Gabriel, and his daughter, Beatriz. Through these new friendships and interactions, she begins to question what she had thought she wanted from her life, to question the path she is on and whether it is the right one. This goes on for more than half of the book (192 pages in the e-arc). I was not enamoured by it.
As I said earlier, though, the book does go on to take some interesting turns. It's unfortunate that what I liked about the book would reveal too much, so I can only really talk about my complaints here.
It's rewarding for the patient reader.
December 22, 2021
I get what the author was trying to do with this book… I guess.. but it was a no from me 🤷🏻♀️ I thought the main character was so obnoxious and frustrating and I really don’t understand the glowing reviews. Did I miss something? 😅 Part 2 of this book takes such a surprising turn, but like.. not in a good way. It just felt kind of ridiculous to me 😬
August 21, 2024
Waiting out COVID-19 from the Galapagos
Diana O'Toole has always been a planner. She has serious life dreams, and she is steadily making progress. Her career is promising, and she has a hunky doctor boyfriend. She even has a travel list, and she is planning on visiting the Galapagos Islands. Timing isn't always ideal, and the pandemic breaks out just as she lands in the Galapagos. What will Diana learn about herself from this time? How much of life should be planned?
The first half of this book was dynamite, definitely 5-stars. It was incredibly engaging, and it would cut from times in the Galapagos to back to certain time periods of Diana's life. I had a ball looking up the different animals from the Galapagos and all different pictures of the islands. The second half of the book was extremely slow paced and felt like running through sand. It was far too long. I would rate the last half of the book two or maybe three stars.
There is a twist that I never saw coming which was pretty delightful. I'm definitely looking for more from Jodi Picoult!
*Thank you, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
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Diana O'Toole has always been a planner. She has serious life dreams, and she is steadily making progress. Her career is promising, and she has a hunky doctor boyfriend. She even has a travel list, and she is planning on visiting the Galapagos Islands. Timing isn't always ideal, and the pandemic breaks out just as she lands in the Galapagos. What will Diana learn about herself from this time? How much of life should be planned?
The first half of this book was dynamite, definitely 5-stars. It was incredibly engaging, and it would cut from times in the Galapagos to back to certain time periods of Diana's life. I had a ball looking up the different animals from the Galapagos and all different pictures of the islands. The second half of the book was extremely slow paced and felt like running through sand. It was far too long. I would rate the last half of the book two or maybe three stars.
There is a twist that I never saw coming which was pretty delightful. I'm definitely looking for more from Jodi Picoult!
*Thank you, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
2025 Reading Schedule
Jan A Town Like Alice
Feb Birdsong
Mar Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere
Apr War and Peace
May The Woman in White
Jun Atonement
Jul The Shadow of the Wind
Aug Jude the Obscure
Sep Ulysses
Oct Vanity Fair
Nov A Fine Balance
Dec Germinal
Connect With Me!
Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta My Bookstore at Pango
December 13, 2021
4.5 stars
Wow, I'm not sure how to put into words what I just read.
I will start off with a bit of a warning. If you're not in a place where you can read about the experiences of Covid from many different angles, then I'd recommend you steer clear of this one for a while. The trauma of the pandemic is very real, and the author does an incredibly good job of conveying it to the reader in a visceral way.
I have not read a book by Picoult in years. I became disenchanted with her issues-driven writing that always felt like it had an agenda. I suppose this one is similar, but it doesn't seem to be forcing things down my throat. I had seen so many stellar reviews for it that I took the chance to pick this one up and wasn't disappointed.
It takes a LOT to surprise me. I maybe read one or two books a year that truly knock me off kilter with a surprise. This one might be my one for the year.
This book features Diana, an art acquisition specialist at Sotheby's with a long term boyfriend, Finn, who is a surgical resident. The two are planning a bucket list trip to the Galapagos in March of 2020, and Diana found an engagement ring hidden in the dresser so she is pretty sure Finn will propose during the trip. Yet Covid has begun to hit New York City with a vengeance, and Finn has to stay and work, it is all hands on deck. He encourages Diana to go on the trip without him and she reluctantly agrees. As soon as she arrives on the small island, the world goes into lockdown and she's unable to return home. Communication is spotty. She gradually gets to know some of the residents of the island, and becomes very close to them.
The book is so much more complex than my short synopsis can convey. There are parental abandonment issues, re-examination of life choices, and myriad other issues that the pandemic brought to the surface for many, if not all of us. The reason I didn't rate this a full five stars was because I didn't really like Diana most of the time (sometimes she is sympathetic, but other times she is very selfish) and I hate infidelity in any form. I get that she was struggling being so isolated and far away, but to me it isn't an excuse and so a half of a star taken away for that.
However this book overall is incredibly insightful and thought provoking, as well has having a jaw dropping moment that I won't forget anytime soon. If anything, this book should make everyone really think about the choices we make in life and why we are making those choices. The pandemic has allowed many of us to reassess what is truly important in our lives. This is a meaty book, filled with emotion and anguish, and like I said at the beginning, it's not a book for everyone at this time. I really appreciated the author's note at the end and it gave me so much perspective about the choices that the author made in her writing of this novel.
This would make a fantastic book club choice, there's a lot here that begs to be discussed and dissected.
Edited to add: I think she missed a golden opportunity to add an Easter egg here and call the singing group the Scarabs or something beetle related rather than bird related.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Wow, I'm not sure how to put into words what I just read.
I will start off with a bit of a warning. If you're not in a place where you can read about the experiences of Covid from many different angles, then I'd recommend you steer clear of this one for a while. The trauma of the pandemic is very real, and the author does an incredibly good job of conveying it to the reader in a visceral way.
I have not read a book by Picoult in years. I became disenchanted with her issues-driven writing that always felt like it had an agenda. I suppose this one is similar, but it doesn't seem to be forcing things down my throat. I had seen so many stellar reviews for it that I took the chance to pick this one up and wasn't disappointed.
It takes a LOT to surprise me. I maybe read one or two books a year that truly knock me off kilter with a surprise. This one might be my one for the year.
This book features Diana, an art acquisition specialist at Sotheby's with a long term boyfriend, Finn, who is a surgical resident. The two are planning a bucket list trip to the Galapagos in March of 2020, and Diana found an engagement ring hidden in the dresser so she is pretty sure Finn will propose during the trip. Yet Covid has begun to hit New York City with a vengeance, and Finn has to stay and work, it is all hands on deck. He encourages Diana to go on the trip without him and she reluctantly agrees. As soon as she arrives on the small island, the world goes into lockdown and she's unable to return home. Communication is spotty. She gradually gets to know some of the residents of the island, and becomes very close to them.
The book is so much more complex than my short synopsis can convey. There are parental abandonment issues, re-examination of life choices, and myriad other issues that the pandemic brought to the surface for many, if not all of us. The reason I didn't rate this a full five stars was because I didn't really like Diana most of the time (sometimes she is sympathetic, but other times she is very selfish) and I hate infidelity in any form. I get that she was struggling being so isolated and far away, but to me it isn't an excuse and so a half of a star taken away for that.
However this book overall is incredibly insightful and thought provoking, as well has having a jaw dropping moment that I won't forget anytime soon. If anything, this book should make everyone really think about the choices we make in life and why we are making those choices. The pandemic has allowed many of us to reassess what is truly important in our lives. This is a meaty book, filled with emotion and anguish, and like I said at the beginning, it's not a book for everyone at this time. I really appreciated the author's note at the end and it gave me so much perspective about the choices that the author made in her writing of this novel.
This would make a fantastic book club choice, there's a lot here that begs to be discussed and dissected.
Edited to add: I think she missed a golden opportunity to add an Easter egg here and call the singing group the Scarabs or something beetle related rather than bird related.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 16, 2021
NO SPOILERS….
…..It’s mid June, 2021. I’m reviewing this novel early.
“Wish You Were Here”, will be released in stores in November, 2021.
Diana O’Toole, an associate specialist at Sotheby’s, (one of the worlds largest brokers of art collectibles), and Finn Colson, (a surgical resident at the New York Presbyterian Hospital), were going to Galapagos.
It was an expensive trip for two millennials in New York, but they had been saving up for four years. Diana was sure that Finn would propose to her once on the island.
At last minute, due to a virus, (only 19 cases of covid in New York at the time), Finn was told that within a couple of days, the emergency dept. at hospital would be swamped. He couldn’t leave.
Finn thought Diana should still go — take the vacation alone.
Disheartening and hesitant, Diana agrees.
Once in Galapagos…the archipelago of the volcanic islands—marine turtles, sea lions, penguins, iguanas, hood mockingbirds, mangrove trees, black lava, strong sun, and where Charles Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection was formed, Diana’s vacation goes haywire. Her luggage was lost. She was in a country where she didn’t speak the language. The internet connection was spotty at best, and the entire island was newly under quarantine. She meets a few locals - and with relentless storytelling, Jodi Picoult starts reeling us in.
Jodi Piciout is a great observer and describer of the vagaries of life. She has a way of creating characters that are flawed, yet sympathetic, vulnerable, yet strong. She demonstrates that once again, no topic is off-limits or too difficult to handle.
She pulled this novel off flawlessly….by eliciting strong emotional reactions.
The reveals are skillfully written… showing readers bits and pieces until the full picture emerges.
….As the narrative took a compelling, and unexpected turn, I found it impossible to put this book down.
….I wanted the story to move in a different direction…yet the choices Jodi made were an uncomfortable gift. While Diana, (a protagonist that was both challenging and easy to understand), was grappling with what she wanted, what she needed, and how life circumstances were changing her….I was asking myself the same questions.
….I was sad to leave the characters I came to care about…..[characters who Picoult reached deeply into their souls to make them come alive]
….I was sobbing towards the end (I can’t intellectualize or explain the rawness of my full anguish away, even if I tried) — I just know I felt overwhelmingly sad.
….My body felt drained. I was aware of my own fragility, and vulnerability to the shock, sadness, and loss experienced from the powerful realistic emotional punch of heartbreaking unyielding mind-boggling storytelling.
It cuts to the bone—not sunny, nor sappy…..
…..yet Jodi Picoult, not only wrote this novel free from fear, passionate, gentle, and for her characters survival, but for ours too.
It’s no accident Jodi Picoult is one of the foremost Best Selling authors of her generation. And this novel, might just be her finest work yet.
…..It’s mid June, 2021. I’m reviewing this novel early.
“Wish You Were Here”, will be released in stores in November, 2021.
Diana O’Toole, an associate specialist at Sotheby’s, (one of the worlds largest brokers of art collectibles), and Finn Colson, (a surgical resident at the New York Presbyterian Hospital), were going to Galapagos.
It was an expensive trip for two millennials in New York, but they had been saving up for four years. Diana was sure that Finn would propose to her once on the island.
At last minute, due to a virus, (only 19 cases of covid in New York at the time), Finn was told that within a couple of days, the emergency dept. at hospital would be swamped. He couldn’t leave.
Finn thought Diana should still go — take the vacation alone.
Disheartening and hesitant, Diana agrees.
Once in Galapagos…the archipelago of the volcanic islands—marine turtles, sea lions, penguins, iguanas, hood mockingbirds, mangrove trees, black lava, strong sun, and where Charles Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection was formed, Diana’s vacation goes haywire. Her luggage was lost. She was in a country where she didn’t speak the language. The internet connection was spotty at best, and the entire island was newly under quarantine. She meets a few locals - and with relentless storytelling, Jodi Picoult starts reeling us in.
Jodi Piciout is a great observer and describer of the vagaries of life. She has a way of creating characters that are flawed, yet sympathetic, vulnerable, yet strong. She demonstrates that once again, no topic is off-limits or too difficult to handle.
She pulled this novel off flawlessly….by eliciting strong emotional reactions.
The reveals are skillfully written… showing readers bits and pieces until the full picture emerges.
….As the narrative took a compelling, and unexpected turn, I found it impossible to put this book down.
….I wanted the story to move in a different direction…yet the choices Jodi made were an uncomfortable gift. While Diana, (a protagonist that was both challenging and easy to understand), was grappling with what she wanted, what she needed, and how life circumstances were changing her….I was asking myself the same questions.
….I was sad to leave the characters I came to care about…..[characters who Picoult reached deeply into their souls to make them come alive]
….I was sobbing towards the end (I can’t intellectualize or explain the rawness of my full anguish away, even if I tried) — I just know I felt overwhelmingly sad.
….My body felt drained. I was aware of my own fragility, and vulnerability to the shock, sadness, and loss experienced from the powerful realistic emotional punch of heartbreaking unyielding mind-boggling storytelling.
It cuts to the bone—not sunny, nor sappy…..
…..yet Jodi Picoult, not only wrote this novel free from fear, passionate, gentle, and for her characters survival, but for ours too.
It’s no accident Jodi Picoult is one of the foremost Best Selling authors of her generation. And this novel, might just be her finest work yet.
November 23, 2021
Diana O’Toole, an associate specialist for Sotheby’s auction house, has her perfect life in NYC with surgical resident, Finn, mapped out - all that’s missing is the proposal and wedding, and she’s pretty sure she’s about to get the former on their romantic vacation to the Galapagos. When the initial wave of COVID hits and Finn is needed at the hospital, Diana goes solo and finds herself trapped longer than expected by travel restrictions. What she discovers during and after this extended vacation opens her eyes and makes her re-evaluate the future she’s envisioned.
I’ve learned something about myself after finishing this book:
I think I’m broken. Looking around at all my friends’ glowing reviews for this, I have to wonder why I didn’t feel those things too.
Let me start with some things Jodi Picoult did so well in this book, though, because she deserves credit where it’s due:
First: This woman researched the hell out of the major aspects of COVID-19 from transmission to its after effects and it SHOWS. Many won’t be ready for such an unflinching, no-holds-barred look at this virus, but if you ever feel ready to look at it more closely in the relative safety of a fictionalized story, this is your book. It’s difficult and sobering at times, but it’s also terribly insightful and honest, and I can respect that. I learned a lot that I didn’t know, and I think it’s a tremendous learning opportunity for those who want it.
Second: She writes very well. Structure, plot, fully-developed characters, pacing, atmosphere, the big twist, which was so clever … it’s all there. It’s perfectly good fiction, and it will appeal to many readers, as evidenced by all those aforementioned glowing reviews.
So why didn’t it work as well for me?
First: The story felt forced. COVID-19 was really the body of the book, so to speak, and Diana’s story was just the clothing thrown on to disguise it. Picoult had all this knowledge about the virus to share, but it felt much better suited for a non-fiction book. Finn’s emails to Diana were just woefully unrealistic to me. Not the detailed names of medicines, machines and interventions used on patients - that was highly factual, but given their circumstances of being separated for so long, it didn’t feel like this is what he’d be spending all his time writing the love of his life about.
Second: Despite the reasoning for Diana’s decision-making and conclusions, I couldn’t get onboard with it. I can’t really discuss it for spoiler reasons, but it didn’t ring true to me, and I really didn't like the ending. She just didn't make sense to me.
Third: The first half of the book was - there’s no way to put this politely - kind of boring. Maybe that was intentional on the author’s part to put the reader back in the mindset of the early days of the pandemic when everything was shut down and we were spending our days struggling to find things to do, but this reader wasn’t ready to revisit those days and how the world felt then.
As I said, it’s a well-written book with an abundance of 4 and 5-star reviews, so I encourage you to read some of those before deciding whether the book is for you. It’s simply a case of right book, wrong reader for me.
★★★ ½
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, NetGalley and author Jodi Picoult for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It’s due for publication on November 30, 2021.
This review and all my others can also be seen at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
I’ve learned something about myself after finishing this book:
I think I’m broken. Looking around at all my friends’ glowing reviews for this, I have to wonder why I didn’t feel those things too.
Let me start with some things Jodi Picoult did so well in this book, though, because she deserves credit where it’s due:
First: This woman researched the hell out of the major aspects of COVID-19 from transmission to its after effects and it SHOWS. Many won’t be ready for such an unflinching, no-holds-barred look at this virus, but if you ever feel ready to look at it more closely in the relative safety of a fictionalized story, this is your book. It’s difficult and sobering at times, but it’s also terribly insightful and honest, and I can respect that. I learned a lot that I didn’t know, and I think it’s a tremendous learning opportunity for those who want it.
Second: She writes very well. Structure, plot, fully-developed characters, pacing, atmosphere, the big twist, which was so clever … it’s all there. It’s perfectly good fiction, and it will appeal to many readers, as evidenced by all those aforementioned glowing reviews.
So why didn’t it work as well for me?
First: The story felt forced. COVID-19 was really the body of the book, so to speak, and Diana’s story was just the clothing thrown on to disguise it. Picoult had all this knowledge about the virus to share, but it felt much better suited for a non-fiction book. Finn’s emails to Diana were just woefully unrealistic to me. Not the detailed names of medicines, machines and interventions used on patients - that was highly factual, but given their circumstances of being separated for so long, it didn’t feel like this is what he’d be spending all his time writing the love of his life about.
Second: Despite the reasoning for Diana’s decision-making and conclusions, I couldn’t get onboard with it. I can’t really discuss it for spoiler reasons, but it didn’t ring true to me, and I really didn't like the ending. She just didn't make sense to me.
Third: The first half of the book was - there’s no way to put this politely - kind of boring. Maybe that was intentional on the author’s part to put the reader back in the mindset of the early days of the pandemic when everything was shut down and we were spending our days struggling to find things to do, but this reader wasn’t ready to revisit those days and how the world felt then.
As I said, it’s a well-written book with an abundance of 4 and 5-star reviews, so I encourage you to read some of those before deciding whether the book is for you. It’s simply a case of right book, wrong reader for me.
★★★ ½
Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, NetGalley and author Jodi Picoult for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions. It’s due for publication on November 30, 2021.
This review and all my others can also be seen at: https://acuriouskatreads.blogspot.com/
December 2, 2021
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
Diana O’Toole is a young woman who is very ambitious. She has a plan for her life that she has outlined carefully.
She is happy with the track that she’s on and she has a boyfriend whom she loves and sees a future with. Finn is handsome, loving and a surgical resident!!
Diana and Finn have planned a romantic getaway to the Galapagos, where they will celebrate her 30th birthday.
They have been listening to the news, reports of a virus in China that is deadly, but it seems worlds away.
The night before their planned departure, Finn tells her that his vacation has been cancelled and all hospital personnel must be ready for the wave of patients that the hospital is expecting.
To quote John Lennon - “LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHILE YOU’RE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS”
Finn convinces Diana to go on the trip without him. They have invested so much time and money and she has dreamed of seeing the islands.
We travel with Diana as she reaches Isabel island. But there are challenges. Her luggage is lost, her hotel is closed and she doesn’t speak Spanish!!
It isn’t long before the island is quarantined. Diana has no choice but to stay. As she relaxes into the inevitable, she meets people that she likes and who are kind and helpful.
With the help of Gabriel, a former tour guide, Diana discovers the incredible animals of the island. There are land tortoises, flamingos, penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas. So much to see and experience!! The landscape is incredible, from lush green vegetation to dry land shaped by volcanic eruptions.
Meanwhile internet connections are difficult but she does get news from Finn, there are so many deaths in NYC. They are running out of ventilators, he works for days without a break. Every time she gets an email from Finn, things keep getting worse, more people are dying!!!!!
Ms. Picoult’s writing shines in this novel!! Her descriptions are so vivid I could picture the landscape, the volcano and the sea. The characters are well described and I got lost in the story. The characters evolve and change along with the story!!
There are shifts in the novel, we are able to enter the world of NYC hospitals in crisis mode!! The nurses and doctors are all doing their best, but they are fighting an unknown enemy!!
BE PREPARED TO REVISIT THE ISOLATION WE ALL FELT, THE INABILITY TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AND TO HEAR WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A FRONTLINE WARRIOR!!
I felt truly engaged with the characters, I found the story believable and I learned so much. This novel was worth reliving the worst of 2020, the year when the world was stuck on PAUSE!!
The author’s notes are not to be missed and add depth to the novel. You will learn why Ms. Picoult was compelled to write this novel and all the research she did.
I can highly recommend this book to everyone!!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher, Ballantine Books, through NetGalley.
Diana O’Toole is a young woman who is very ambitious. She has a plan for her life that she has outlined carefully.
She is happy with the track that she’s on and she has a boyfriend whom she loves and sees a future with. Finn is handsome, loving and a surgical resident!!
Diana and Finn have planned a romantic getaway to the Galapagos, where they will celebrate her 30th birthday.
They have been listening to the news, reports of a virus in China that is deadly, but it seems worlds away.
The night before their planned departure, Finn tells her that his vacation has been cancelled and all hospital personnel must be ready for the wave of patients that the hospital is expecting.
To quote John Lennon - “LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU WHILE YOU’RE BUSY MAKING OTHER PLANS”
Finn convinces Diana to go on the trip without him. They have invested so much time and money and she has dreamed of seeing the islands.
We travel with Diana as she reaches Isabel island. But there are challenges. Her luggage is lost, her hotel is closed and she doesn’t speak Spanish!!
It isn’t long before the island is quarantined. Diana has no choice but to stay. As she relaxes into the inevitable, she meets people that she likes and who are kind and helpful.
With the help of Gabriel, a former tour guide, Diana discovers the incredible animals of the island. There are land tortoises, flamingos, penguins, sea lions and marine iguanas. So much to see and experience!! The landscape is incredible, from lush green vegetation to dry land shaped by volcanic eruptions.
Meanwhile internet connections are difficult but she does get news from Finn, there are so many deaths in NYC. They are running out of ventilators, he works for days without a break. Every time she gets an email from Finn, things keep getting worse, more people are dying!!!!!
Ms. Picoult’s writing shines in this novel!! Her descriptions are so vivid I could picture the landscape, the volcano and the sea. The characters are well described and I got lost in the story. The characters evolve and change along with the story!!
There are shifts in the novel, we are able to enter the world of NYC hospitals in crisis mode!! The nurses and doctors are all doing their best, but they are fighting an unknown enemy!!
BE PREPARED TO REVISIT THE ISOLATION WE ALL FELT, THE INABILITY TO SEE OUR LOVED ONES AND TO HEAR WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE A FRONTLINE WARRIOR!!
I felt truly engaged with the characters, I found the story believable and I learned so much. This novel was worth reliving the worst of 2020, the year when the world was stuck on PAUSE!!
The author’s notes are not to be missed and add depth to the novel. You will learn why Ms. Picoult was compelled to write this novel and all the research she did.
I can highly recommend this book to everyone!!!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher, Ballantine Books, through NetGalley.
July 30, 2021
I got to read this as an ARC by NetGalley. I didn't request it because I am somewhat "over" Picoult. Her latest books are a chance for her to stand on a soap box and proclaim her views of controversial topics. It's not that I disagree or agree with her views, but she has become biased in giving just one side of the issue. In the past, her books have given the reader a chance to consider both sides, however, not so in her latest novels. The idea of Covid is a very touchy subject in many people's lives. I couldn't believe it took her over halfway through the book to switch gears so suddenly like it was an easy out for her to use the unreliable narrator. She needs to put more thought into her twists because people who are familiar with this style could see this coming. The idea the main character left the day of the world shutting down seemed very unlikely and the fact she continued on her dream journey seemed even more unlikely. I don't think I'll be reading her latest and "greatest" novels any time soon. She's lost me as a dedicated reader. Sorry that I'm maybe being too honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2022
If books were retail establishments, Wish You Were Here would be The COVID Store. Not a Walmart or Tesco, where you can grab a quart of COVID while you’re there to stock up on a cart-full of subjects. Nope, this is all COVID/all the time.
While many recent contemporary novels have included the new pandemic world to varying degrees of specificity, none to my knowledge have immersed readers quite so completely into one character’s experience dealing with its ramifications. The book begins just as the first wave is hitting New York hospitals. Diana, a 29-year-old art historian, must decide if she should go on vacation to the Galápagos without her boyfriend, Finn, a doctor who needs to stay put and help manage the crisis on the front lines.
She goes, and she ends up getting stuck there. Of course there are worse places to ride out COVID. The scenery is lush and inspirational, the people are captivating, and the overall experience is perspective-shifting. While Diana is meeting new friends and finding her true self, Finn is back home risking his life every day as a first responder.
And I hated her for it. I contemplated throwing this novel across the room many times. “If I even finish it, this is a 2-star read at best,” I thought.
But then…
I’ve got to hand it to Jodi Picoult, I don’t think I can name another book that gave me whiplash quite like Wish You Were Here did. She sure got me!
By the end, I was captivated. Diana had dug herself a pretty deep hole in my eyes, but I opened up to the possibility of her redemption. It’s so rare for me to allow a second half of a novel to make up for the first that I have to give Picoult credit.
Reading through other reviews, Wish You Were Here is clearly a polarizing reading experience. It’s just not a “meh” type of book. Prepare for impact if you do pick it up, though what impact it will have on you personally is hard to say. Recommend it for your book club and get ready to watch the sparks fly! People gonna have opinions on this one.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
While many recent contemporary novels have included the new pandemic world to varying degrees of specificity, none to my knowledge have immersed readers quite so completely into one character’s experience dealing with its ramifications. The book begins just as the first wave is hitting New York hospitals. Diana, a 29-year-old art historian, must decide if she should go on vacation to the Galápagos without her boyfriend, Finn, a doctor who needs to stay put and help manage the crisis on the front lines.
She goes, and she ends up getting stuck there. Of course there are worse places to ride out COVID. The scenery is lush and inspirational, the people are captivating, and the overall experience is perspective-shifting. While Diana is meeting new friends and finding her true self, Finn is back home risking his life every day as a first responder.
And I hated her for it. I contemplated throwing this novel across the room many times. “If I even finish it, this is a 2-star read at best,” I thought.
But then…
I’ve got to hand it to Jodi Picoult, I don’t think I can name another book that gave me whiplash quite like Wish You Were Here did. She sure got me!
By the end, I was captivated. Diana had dug herself a pretty deep hole in my eyes, but I opened up to the possibility of her redemption. It’s so rare for me to allow a second half of a novel to make up for the first that I have to give Picoult credit.
Reading through other reviews, Wish You Were Here is clearly a polarizing reading experience. It’s just not a “meh” type of book. Prepare for impact if you do pick it up, though what impact it will have on you personally is hard to say. Recommend it for your book club and get ready to watch the sparks fly! People gonna have opinions on this one.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
November 30, 2021
No doubt about it.
Jodi Picoult is a polished writer, and her research is always meticulous. This author can write.
So, this rating is not a reflection of her talent…but rather one reflecting my enjoyment level of reading this story. Or lack of enjoyment, as the case may be.
This book is HEAVY.
Diane O’Toole is climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world, and is about to depart for the Galápagos, with her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident in Manhattan, when the first cases of Covid-19 appear in the city. The hospital needs all hands on deck.
Their vacation is non-refundable and he encourages her to take it, not realizing how bad things would get. Diana finds herself stranded there, the borders closed, the Island under quarantine.
During her time there, we will learn A LOT about Art History, the Art Auction world and the beautiful Galápagos Islands-and if you are interested in these topics, you may find the book fascinating……
Because Finn is back home, we also learn everything about what the ICU Doctors, Nurses and other medical staff endured….and are still enduring, as they learned to fight Covid, by trial and error, and it’s detailed. This is a prevalent theme in the entire book, and Ms. Picoult does not hold back.
If you read this-be prepared!
If you have lost someone to Covid-19-it may be too soon to pick this up.
I do LOVE what a wonderful tribute it is to the medical community…the men and women who continue to be the heroes of this Pandemic.
BUT-if you read to escape and be entertained-it’s not going to happen here.
I found Diana to be a selfish woman, who easily justified the decisions she makes-so that didn’t help either.
But the point was to have us, as a reader, reflect upon how an EXPERIENCE, can change our perceptions of what is and is not important, and perhaps change our lives forever.
Be sure to read the author’s notes AFTER the epilogue.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to Ballantine Books for my gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review
Jodi Picoult is a polished writer, and her research is always meticulous. This author can write.
So, this rating is not a reflection of her talent…but rather one reflecting my enjoyment level of reading this story. Or lack of enjoyment, as the case may be.
This book is HEAVY.
Diane O’Toole is climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world, and is about to depart for the Galápagos, with her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident in Manhattan, when the first cases of Covid-19 appear in the city. The hospital needs all hands on deck.
Their vacation is non-refundable and he encourages her to take it, not realizing how bad things would get. Diana finds herself stranded there, the borders closed, the Island under quarantine.
During her time there, we will learn A LOT about Art History, the Art Auction world and the beautiful Galápagos Islands-and if you are interested in these topics, you may find the book fascinating……
Because Finn is back home, we also learn everything about what the ICU Doctors, Nurses and other medical staff endured….and are still enduring, as they learned to fight Covid, by trial and error, and it’s detailed. This is a prevalent theme in the entire book, and Ms. Picoult does not hold back.
If you read this-be prepared!
If you have lost someone to Covid-19-it may be too soon to pick this up.
I do LOVE what a wonderful tribute it is to the medical community…the men and women who continue to be the heroes of this Pandemic.
BUT-if you read to escape and be entertained-it’s not going to happen here.
I found Diana to be a selfish woman, who easily justified the decisions she makes-so that didn’t help either.
But the point was to have us, as a reader, reflect upon how an EXPERIENCE, can change our perceptions of what is and is not important, and perhaps change our lives forever.
Be sure to read the author’s notes AFTER the epilogue.
NOW AVAILABLE!
Thank You to Ballantine Books for my gifted copy provided through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to offer a candid review
October 14, 2021
Spectacular. It left an ache behind in my heart.
February 23, 2024
**Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House-Ballantine, and Jodi Picoult for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 11.30.21!**
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.
Can you remember EXACTLY what life was like before COVID-19? The dreams you had, the trips you wanted to take, the memories you thought you could make?
Jodi Picoult's latest novel, fresh off the front page of life, explores all of these questions, as her characters battle the pandemic from two entirely different perspectives. The result? A tale as heartbreaking and poignant as you could possibly imagine.
Diana always has a plan. Her PLANS have plans. Working for Sotheby's art auction house, alongside her charismatic and lovable best friend Rodney, she is about to close the deal on a very special Toulouse-Lautrec painting, while her boyfriend-and-she's-sure-soon-to-be-fiancée Finn works at a hospital in NYC completing his residency. The two are just about to check off one of their collective bucket list items with a trip to the stunning Galapagos islands. However, news of this new virus has brought the city to a standstill and Finn is trapped at work with no respite in sight. Diana hesitantly listens to Finn when he tells her to go on their trip anyway...and despite her reservations, she does.
After arriving, however, COVID continues to escalate, essentially trapping Diana on a small island in paradise. As idyllic as this sounds, Diana quickly learns she will not be able to return to NYC anytime soon...and she's stuck with almost nothing to her name, no way to contact Finn, lingering fears about her mother's health at the front of her mind, and she's forced to quickly adapt to island life. When she befriends a few locals, however, her perspective on the trajectory of her life begins to shift. What exactly IS she missing at home? Can she hide forever in paradise? And as lives hang in the balance, is she gaining more than she thought she lost?
Picoult has a knack for pressing a finger firmly on the pulse of our nation (and in this case, our world!) and does it again with this book. She never shies away from controversial topics and isn't afraid to make her viewpoints known. Aside from her political views, however, she knows how to write a heart and gut-wrenching story and although this book didn't move me to tears, it did SHOCK me. There is a Trademark Picoult Twist® that whether you like it or not, and see it coming or not, will turn everything on its head for you as a reader. I was absolutely stunned, and it's probably one of the more surprising experiences I've had reading any of Picoult's books thus far.
And of course there's the small fact that we are all STILL dealing with COVID in some way shape or form, so at times it was difficult to read about it, mainly because like so many of us, I wish this was a chapter we could consider closed. Picoult never rests though, her thorough and detailed research shines, although it can feel like a LOT at times. But again, this is due to the fact that COVID has been such a loud and relevant part of our lives for well over a year now, and the fatigue can be overwhelming (and I can only imagine how it is exponentially worse for those in the medical field and on the front lines in any respect!) 👏
It's easy to identify that feeling of nostalgia for a time when masks weren't a part of our daily wardrobes, when we didn't time how long we washed our hands, and most of all, when TRAVEL was an easy and effortless break from the monotony of day-to-day life and Wish You Were Here captures all of these emotions. What it also ultimately does, however, is remind us that destiny is ALWAYS in our hands even when the universe tries to tell us otherwise. This is another strong, beautiful, and moving effort from Picoult, and hopefully someday it will stand testament to a time when we could feel truly grateful for all that we have, all we can give, and all the potential our lives TRULY hold.
4 ⭐
Nominated for Best Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards! Now available in paperback!
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath.
Can you remember EXACTLY what life was like before COVID-19? The dreams you had, the trips you wanted to take, the memories you thought you could make?
Jodi Picoult's latest novel, fresh off the front page of life, explores all of these questions, as her characters battle the pandemic from two entirely different perspectives. The result? A tale as heartbreaking and poignant as you could possibly imagine.
Diana always has a plan. Her PLANS have plans. Working for Sotheby's art auction house, alongside her charismatic and lovable best friend Rodney, she is about to close the deal on a very special Toulouse-Lautrec painting, while her boyfriend-and-she's-sure-soon-to-be-fiancée Finn works at a hospital in NYC completing his residency. The two are just about to check off one of their collective bucket list items with a trip to the stunning Galapagos islands. However, news of this new virus has brought the city to a standstill and Finn is trapped at work with no respite in sight. Diana hesitantly listens to Finn when he tells her to go on their trip anyway...and despite her reservations, she does.
After arriving, however, COVID continues to escalate, essentially trapping Diana on a small island in paradise. As idyllic as this sounds, Diana quickly learns she will not be able to return to NYC anytime soon...and she's stuck with almost nothing to her name, no way to contact Finn, lingering fears about her mother's health at the front of her mind, and she's forced to quickly adapt to island life. When she befriends a few locals, however, her perspective on the trajectory of her life begins to shift. What exactly IS she missing at home? Can she hide forever in paradise? And as lives hang in the balance, is she gaining more than she thought she lost?
Picoult has a knack for pressing a finger firmly on the pulse of our nation (and in this case, our world!) and does it again with this book. She never shies away from controversial topics and isn't afraid to make her viewpoints known. Aside from her political views, however, she knows how to write a heart and gut-wrenching story and although this book didn't move me to tears, it did SHOCK me. There is a Trademark Picoult Twist® that whether you like it or not, and see it coming or not, will turn everything on its head for you as a reader. I was absolutely stunned, and it's probably one of the more surprising experiences I've had reading any of Picoult's books thus far.
And of course there's the small fact that we are all STILL dealing with COVID in some way shape or form, so at times it was difficult to read about it, mainly because like so many of us, I wish this was a chapter we could consider closed. Picoult never rests though, her thorough and detailed research shines, although it can feel like a LOT at times. But again, this is due to the fact that COVID has been such a loud and relevant part of our lives for well over a year now, and the fatigue can be overwhelming (and I can only imagine how it is exponentially worse for those in the medical field and on the front lines in any respect!) 👏
It's easy to identify that feeling of nostalgia for a time when masks weren't a part of our daily wardrobes, when we didn't time how long we washed our hands, and most of all, when TRAVEL was an easy and effortless break from the monotony of day-to-day life and Wish You Were Here captures all of these emotions. What it also ultimately does, however, is remind us that destiny is ALWAYS in our hands even when the universe tries to tell us otherwise. This is another strong, beautiful, and moving effort from Picoult, and hopefully someday it will stand testament to a time when we could feel truly grateful for all that we have, all we can give, and all the potential our lives TRULY hold.
4 ⭐
Nominated for Best Fiction in the Goodreads Choice Awards! Now available in paperback!
August 20, 2021
Inhale ↔️ exhale.
To be completely honest, I was nervous as hell, beginning this book. I love Jodi Picoult, but a book revolving around Covid…I wasn’t sure I could pull it off.🙈
Diana and Finn have planned the ultimate dream vacation. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galápagos Islands. But when New York is ravaged by Covid, it looks like their dream holiday will have to be shelved. Finn is a resident at a large New York Hospital and things are about to hit the fan. It’s all hands on deck!
Jodi Picoult brought the stark reality of the pandemics’ first wave to life. Capturing the consuming fear and exhausting moment of every healthcare worker called into the fight to deal with the nightmare crisis. No sensationalism here…just the brutal reality of it all.
The structure of the chapters midway had me subconsciously holding my breath! (You’ll understand once you read it). I was captivated, nearly frozen in place.
My emotions were raw as tears endlessly flowed down my cheeks for the final 20%. Even when simply trying to describe the book to a friend they start flowing again.😢
I’d love to go into more detail, but the less you know going in the better. A must-read for 2021!
A buddy read with Susanne
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine.
To be completely honest, I was nervous as hell, beginning this book. I love Jodi Picoult, but a book revolving around Covid…I wasn’t sure I could pull it off.🙈
Diana and Finn have planned the ultimate dream vacation. A once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Galápagos Islands. But when New York is ravaged by Covid, it looks like their dream holiday will have to be shelved. Finn is a resident at a large New York Hospital and things are about to hit the fan. It’s all hands on deck!
Jodi Picoult brought the stark reality of the pandemics’ first wave to life. Capturing the consuming fear and exhausting moment of every healthcare worker called into the fight to deal with the nightmare crisis. No sensationalism here…just the brutal reality of it all.
The structure of the chapters midway had me subconsciously holding my breath! (You’ll understand once you read it). I was captivated, nearly frozen in place.
My emotions were raw as tears endlessly flowed down my cheeks for the final 20%. Even when simply trying to describe the book to a friend they start flowing again.😢
I’d love to go into more detail, but the less you know going in the better. A must-read for 2021!
A buddy read with Susanne
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine.
November 30, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Jodi Picoult is back in the game with this touching and emotional novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diana is nearly 30, about to make a major sale in her art auction job, and is happily in a relationship with surgical resident Finn. They are about to take a two week vacation to the Galápagos, and Diana just knows Finn is going to propose to her there.
Life is perfect.
Until the very real COVID-19 pandemic hits NYC.
It’s all hands on deck at the hospital where Finn works, and there’s no way he can leave for vacation. He convinces Diana to go without him so that the money they spent isn’t completely wasted.
Reluctantly, she goes on the trip, but it’s not the luxurious dream vacation she had in mind. The island has shut down and everyone is in lockdown. There are no ferries to get to the airport, and no flights to get her back home. The hotel she was supposed to stay at is closed.
Luckily, she meets a local woman who lets her stay at the empty apartment attached to her house. Feeling isolated and completely alone, Diana meets a local family who help her out and start to embrace her.
The longer she’s on the island and the more she starts to enjoy it, Diana will question many things about her life - what she wants out of it and who she wants in it.
While some readers may not be ready to embrace a story set during COVID times, I couldn’t help myself. Picoult writes a gripping story that is largely unputdownable. As usual, it’s immediate how much research she put into it. We learn about the world of art (and art auctions), the culture of the Galápagos, and of course...the pandemic.
What I really appreciated was learning about the emergency healthcare workers on the frontline in the early days of lockdown when there were so many unanswered questions. Of course, I’ve read and seen stories on the news, but Picoult personally interviewed so many of them and used their experiences in the story. She’s right when she says we can never thank them enough for all that they do.
I wish I could go into more detail with my thoughts, but I’m not able to do so without giving spoilers. I can imagine that what happens in this book might not sit well with ALL readers, but ultimately it worked for me and made me think. Again, the research Picoult did is astounding...but it’s not information overload (unlike her last book which shoved Egypt down my throat).
The author’s note is a must-read as Picoult goes into detail about the writing and research for the book, and how it came to fruition. I absolutely loved reading about her writing journey.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 11/30/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Jodi Picoult is back in the game with this touching and emotional novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diana is nearly 30, about to make a major sale in her art auction job, and is happily in a relationship with surgical resident Finn. They are about to take a two week vacation to the Galápagos, and Diana just knows Finn is going to propose to her there.
Life is perfect.
Until the very real COVID-19 pandemic hits NYC.
It’s all hands on deck at the hospital where Finn works, and there’s no way he can leave for vacation. He convinces Diana to go without him so that the money they spent isn’t completely wasted.
Reluctantly, she goes on the trip, but it’s not the luxurious dream vacation she had in mind. The island has shut down and everyone is in lockdown. There are no ferries to get to the airport, and no flights to get her back home. The hotel she was supposed to stay at is closed.
Luckily, she meets a local woman who lets her stay at the empty apartment attached to her house. Feeling isolated and completely alone, Diana meets a local family who help her out and start to embrace her.
The longer she’s on the island and the more she starts to enjoy it, Diana will question many things about her life - what she wants out of it and who she wants in it.
While some readers may not be ready to embrace a story set during COVID times, I couldn’t help myself. Picoult writes a gripping story that is largely unputdownable. As usual, it’s immediate how much research she put into it. We learn about the world of art (and art auctions), the culture of the Galápagos, and of course...the pandemic.
What I really appreciated was learning about the emergency healthcare workers on the frontline in the early days of lockdown when there were so many unanswered questions. Of course, I’ve read and seen stories on the news, but Picoult personally interviewed so many of them and used their experiences in the story. She’s right when she says we can never thank them enough for all that they do.
I wish I could go into more detail with my thoughts, but I’m not able to do so without giving spoilers. I can imagine that what happens in this book might not sit well with ALL readers, but ultimately it worked for me and made me think. Again, the research Picoult did is astounding...but it’s not information overload (unlike her last book which shoved Egypt down my throat).
The author’s note is a must-read as Picoult goes into detail about the writing and research for the book, and how it came to fruition. I absolutely loved reading about her writing journey.
Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 11/30/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
December 3, 2021
No one needs fiction about the pandemic right now. There was no entertainment in this story, no escape. I should have stopped after an hour but pushed through. All regrets for spending 12 hours here. Worst book of the year for me.
December 22, 2021
Somewhere between 3 - 3.5 stars
The day before Diana and Finn are scheduled to leave on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos Islands, Finn finds out he has to stay behind to continue working. Covid-19 is a new virus that is taking over NYC and it’s ‘all hands on deck’ at the hospital where he is a surgical resident. Finn tells Diana to go on the trip without him and she does.
This was my first dive into a Covid themed novel. I was really hesitant in knowing if I was “ready” to tackle this subject matter since it’s still so fresh and prevalent in the real world. I thought the author did a fantastic job with how she incorporated all of her Covid research. I am happy to report that the Covid piece worked well for me.
Jodi Picoult is a favourite author of mine. Her storylines and characters are usually a ‘for sure’ fit for me. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case with this novel (which was extra disappointing). A few major things didn’t work for me — the main character and the storyline itself. I wasn’t a fan of the main character, Diana. She wasn’t likeable, didn’t feel genuine and came across as selfish. My lack of connection with her kept me at a distance from the entire storyline. I was interested but never invested. My emotions were never touched. My issue with the storyline itself is that it could have been done so many other ways and been more impactful (for me). I simply wasn’t a fan of the way Covid was incorporated into the book. I also felt that the book was too heavy on the romance aspect.
Overall, it was an “okay” read but not nearly as fantastic as I had hoped and expected. I know I’m the outlier with my thoughts, so please read the many raving reviews before deciding on this one.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the loan!!
The day before Diana and Finn are scheduled to leave on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos Islands, Finn finds out he has to stay behind to continue working. Covid-19 is a new virus that is taking over NYC and it’s ‘all hands on deck’ at the hospital where he is a surgical resident. Finn tells Diana to go on the trip without him and she does.
This was my first dive into a Covid themed novel. I was really hesitant in knowing if I was “ready” to tackle this subject matter since it’s still so fresh and prevalent in the real world. I thought the author did a fantastic job with how she incorporated all of her Covid research. I am happy to report that the Covid piece worked well for me.
Jodi Picoult is a favourite author of mine. Her storylines and characters are usually a ‘for sure’ fit for me. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case with this novel (which was extra disappointing). A few major things didn’t work for me — the main character and the storyline itself. I wasn’t a fan of the main character, Diana. She wasn’t likeable, didn’t feel genuine and came across as selfish. My lack of connection with her kept me at a distance from the entire storyline. I was interested but never invested. My emotions were never touched. My issue with the storyline itself is that it could have been done so many other ways and been more impactful (for me). I simply wasn’t a fan of the way Covid was incorporated into the book. I also felt that the book was too heavy on the romance aspect.
Overall, it was an “okay” read but not nearly as fantastic as I had hoped and expected. I know I’m the outlier with my thoughts, so please read the many raving reviews before deciding on this one.
Thank you to my lovely local library for the loan!!
December 15, 2021
What can I say about this that hasn't already been written? Jodi Picoult is the master of research and her writing is top-notch here! I listened to the audiobook and the narrator was perfect!
Part One was hands-down a 5 star. It "wowed" me!!
Part Two was good and fascinated me but I feel it was a little bit too long.
If you're ready for a Covid story 😷 then this one is for you. Be prepared to go on a gutsy journey about survival, courage, love and loss.
Part One was hands-down a 5 star. It "wowed" me!!
Part Two was good and fascinated me but I feel it was a little bit too long.
If you're ready for a Covid story 😷 then this one is for you. Be prepared to go on a gutsy journey about survival, courage, love and loss.
December 6, 2021
Someone asked me whether people will still be reading this novel in fifty years. Yes, I think so. Jodi Picoult has given us a long and diverse library, but WISH YOU WERE HERE is special. It's not just a riveting, deeply moving, and impeccably researched novel: it chronicles an historic moment in time: March - May 2020, and the first months of the Covid19 pandemic. WISH YOU WERE HERE is the sort of book that helps define a novelist's legacy: it's that good and, yes, that important.
November 30, 2021
Not yet thirty, Diana O’Toole has had her life planned out, she’s already moving up in her profession, working at Sotheby’s, and her personal life has been fairly smooth sailing, as well. Her boyfriend is a surgical resident, and they are preparing to leave soon for Galapagos. She will celebrate her 30th birthday while on this lovely vacation away from the city, spent with the man she loves, and is pretty sure he will propose. Everything seems to be falling into place just as she’d planned.
And then - COVID. Her boyfriend Finn is needed as a health care worker, but insists that she go anyway, their trip is non-refundable, and there’s no reason why she shouldn’t go even if they both can’t go. At least she can get away from all of this for a while. When her plane lands she finds out that her luggage is lost, and when the boat taking her to the island arrives, she realizes it may be the last boat there. And back.
I’ve read several books by Jodi Picoult, but nowhere near all of them - she’s a very prolific writer. Until I read this, I would have said that her The Storyteller was the one that pulled me in completely. But this tops that one for me, there were so many beautiful moments in this, so many ones we could all relate to - unless we’ve ignored the news for the last year and a half. So many that gave me hope.
There’s so much more to this story, the connection she makes with the place and the people, along with the struggles she faces in a place where she doesn’t speak the language, and the restrictions. But she allows herself to open up to the limited possibilities available and celebrates the beauty found in this lovely place and in the people. The struggle with feeling isolated, even as we have all struggled during this isolation, that isolation, that struggle is also what connects us.
While the pandemic is what propels this story to the story that follows, it is so much more than just a pandemic story. It is a story of love in all its many forms, finding the people and places that call you home, and recognizing the beauty in answering that call.
Published: 30 Nov 2021
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine / Ballantine Books
January 3, 2022
I was given this book as a Christmas gift, and while my enthusiasm for Picoult books has waned exponentially in the past few years, I still thought this might be a good read on which to end 2021. I was wrong. This was probably one of my least favorite Picoult books and definitely reinforced my belief that Picoult and I are just at an impasse.
I think it may have been a bit "too much, too soon" for me as it relates to Covid - especially since in the epilogue set in 2023, Covid is a long distance thing in the past - unfortunately, I doubt it. My first gripe is that I found the first half of the book to be very, very slow; although looking back, I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. I must admit that I had no idea about the "big twist" that happened about the halfway point, and that's really where it all went downhill for me.
Second of all, I just didn't find the characters overly believable. I honestly don't think that Diana would have traveled by herself to the Galapagos, where she didn't speak the language or know anything about the island, or that her boyfriend, Finn, would think it was a good idea either. And even if Diana had gone, once she knew that the island was completely shutting down and she was given the opportunity to leave, she would not have stayed. The Finn/Diana relationship was perplexing to me on every level, and quite frankly, Diana's actions even through the final page of the book seemed selfish and illogical.
Finally, the Covid aspect seemed more like a gimmick to me. It was like Picoult had "the twist" in mind and Covid was the afterthought to make it work. Don't get me wrong, the research into early Covid days was detailed and eye-opening; however, the aspect of Covid that was used to make the twist anywhere close to believable, is something that I have never read about or heard about from anyone who has recovered from a near-death Covid experience. It was just a bit too fanatical for me. Side note: I also had no issue with the Trump/Covid criticism, but I found it oddly telling that despite part of the story taking place in a nursing home in New York City, there was zero criticism of Andrew Cuomo's actions, which sent thousands of long-term care residents to their death by barring nursing homes from refusing people with Covid. You have to call it both ways to be legit in my book.
And that ending - don't even get me started. Just a big, fat eye roll for me.
While I can appreciate what Picoult set out to accomplish with this one, I think it may have been better suited for release a few years from now when hindsight is truly 20/20, and it's not so fresh in readers' minds. 2 stars.
I think it may have been a bit "too much, too soon" for me as it relates to Covid - especially since in the epilogue set in 2023, Covid is a long distance thing in the past - unfortunately, I doubt it. My first gripe is that I found the first half of the book to be very, very slow; although looking back, I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half. I must admit that I had no idea about the "big twist" that happened about the halfway point, and that's really where it all went downhill for me.
Second of all, I just didn't find the characters overly believable. I honestly don't think that Diana would have traveled by herself to the Galapagos, where she didn't speak the language or know anything about the island, or that her boyfriend, Finn, would think it was a good idea either. And even if Diana had gone, once she knew that the island was completely shutting down and she was given the opportunity to leave, she would not have stayed. The Finn/Diana relationship was perplexing to me on every level, and quite frankly, Diana's actions even through the final page of the book seemed selfish and illogical.
Finally, the Covid aspect seemed more like a gimmick to me. It was like Picoult had "the twist" in mind and Covid was the afterthought to make it work. Don't get me wrong, the research into early Covid days was detailed and eye-opening; however, the aspect of Covid that was used to make the twist anywhere close to believable, is something that I have never read about or heard about from anyone who has recovered from a near-death Covid experience. It was just a bit too fanatical for me. Side note: I also had no issue with the Trump/Covid criticism, but I found it oddly telling that despite part of the story taking place in a nursing home in New York City, there was zero criticism of Andrew Cuomo's actions, which sent thousands of long-term care residents to their death by barring nursing homes from refusing people with Covid. You have to call it both ways to be legit in my book.
And that ending - don't even get me started. Just a big, fat eye roll for me.
While I can appreciate what Picoult set out to accomplish with this one, I think it may have been better suited for release a few years from now when hindsight is truly 20/20, and it's not so fresh in readers' minds. 2 stars.
January 6, 2022
“Wish You Were Here” is Jodi Picoult’s 26th novel and expected to be seen on Netflix in the future. In this story, Picoult addresses the virus, to make sense (if there is any sense) to the pandemic.
Picoult chose to use the Galapagos to center her story. Her protagonist, Diana, is on the edge of 30; she’s single and living with her surgeon boyfriend in NYC. Diana and her man, Finn, are set to enjoy a beautiful and needed vacation to the Galapagos. Unfortunately, the virus becomes an issue right before they were to leave. Finn insisted that she still go, even though he has been told by his hospital that he cannot. It’s a non-refundable trip, so Finn suggests that she go without him. She’s uneasy about traveling without him, but decides to go since she’s a modern woman.
In her previous novels, it was evident early what her “issue” was that she’s illuminating to her readers. As I read this, I kept wondering, “What is she trying to say here? What is her thing?” Well, it seems that her theme is that we were all thrown into this crazy life, heads spinning, wondering what is true and what is media hype in what seemed was overnight in time. She doesn’t go into politics, which I appreciated. But she did go into the confusion we felt. She also illuminated what the front-line workers endured. Diana and Finn live in NYC, which we all know was ground zero early in the pandemic. Picoult uses Finn to provide the reader with the horror that hospital workers bore.
Diana gets stuck at the Galapagos. Through Diana the reader learns about the islands and island life, and more importantly, she learns about herself.
My best part of this story is the information provided by Finn. The daily horror that these frontline workers endured is striking. No one knew anything. No one knew how to care for the sick. Picoult did a fabulous job giving the emotional stress that we all went through.
Picoult is easy to read and she confronts controversial issues. In this one, she writes about the disorientation, the fear, and the chaos that the world braved during the beginning of the pandemic.
Picoult chose to use the Galapagos to center her story. Her protagonist, Diana, is on the edge of 30; she’s single and living with her surgeon boyfriend in NYC. Diana and her man, Finn, are set to enjoy a beautiful and needed vacation to the Galapagos. Unfortunately, the virus becomes an issue right before they were to leave. Finn insisted that she still go, even though he has been told by his hospital that he cannot. It’s a non-refundable trip, so Finn suggests that she go without him. She’s uneasy about traveling without him, but decides to go since she’s a modern woman.
In her previous novels, it was evident early what her “issue” was that she’s illuminating to her readers. As I read this, I kept wondering, “What is she trying to say here? What is her thing?” Well, it seems that her theme is that we were all thrown into this crazy life, heads spinning, wondering what is true and what is media hype in what seemed was overnight in time. She doesn’t go into politics, which I appreciated. But she did go into the confusion we felt. She also illuminated what the front-line workers endured. Diana and Finn live in NYC, which we all know was ground zero early in the pandemic. Picoult uses Finn to provide the reader with the horror that hospital workers bore.
Diana gets stuck at the Galapagos. Through Diana the reader learns about the islands and island life, and more importantly, she learns about herself.
My best part of this story is the information provided by Finn. The daily horror that these frontline workers endured is striking. No one knew anything. No one knew how to care for the sick. Picoult did a fabulous job giving the emotional stress that we all went through.
Picoult is easy to read and she confronts controversial issues. In this one, she writes about the disorientation, the fear, and the chaos that the world braved during the beginning of the pandemic.
May 14, 2022
Brilliant and stunning. I preordered this book months ago when I saw it was about a trip to the Galapagos. I visited the islands 30 years ago, and memories of that enchanting place are still fresh in my mind. Unfortunately, a couple of the early reviews I read gave away the mind-boggling twist but did not interfere with my reading pleasure when the book was finally published. No twists revealed in this review. This deals with the horror of COVID in heartbreaking, riveting storytelling.
Wish You Were Here explores the world that changed almost two years ago when the pandemic entered our lives. It addresses loss, grief, death, pain, isolation, resilience, hope, dreams, sexual identity, and art. It is well-researched on a scientific level but also has some powerful metaphysical themes. This emotional read brought me to tears, and I had to resist a strong urge to peek at the final chapter.
Diana O'Toole is approaching her 30th birthday. She has her life well planned and is on a path where everything she hoped for is falling into place. She has decided to be married by age 30 and have two children by the time she is 35. She shares an apartment in New York City with her boyfriend, Finn, a handsome surgical resident. She knows that he is going to propose marriage on an upcoming romantic vacation in the Galapagos. Their future plans are right on schedule. They will live in upper New York and have a bucket list for future travel, children, and a dog. Diana works for Sotheby's in the art acquisition field. She has a new wealthy celebrity client (easily identified as Yoko Ono under a different name.) By selling her valuable painting, she is bound to be awarded a prestigious promotion at the auction house. What could go wrong?
The time is early 2020, and the pandemic has reached NYC. The world we are living in is about to change drastically. So far, there are 19 patients in the hospital with the disease. Finn has been warned that it will rapidly become much worse, despite the denial of President Trump of danger. As the sick and dying flood into the hospital where Finn is working, he cannot leave on holiday. He urges Diana to go on her own since the trip is already paid for. Diana has not gone to movies or a restaurant by herself. Besides Finn, her main friend and confidant is a flamboyant, gay black man, also an employee of the auction house. He plays an important part later in the story. Diana accepts Finn's wish that she travel to the Galapagos on her own for the two-week vacation. This suggestion takes her firmly out of her comfort zone, but she is determined to follow his suggestion and heads to Isabela Island in the Galapagos by herself.
As the hospital becomes overwhelmed by patients, Finn is afraid, sleepless, and very stressed. He resents that Diana followed his suggestion rather than staying in their apartment to comfort him when he returns home after long hours on duty and the hopelessness of it all. He thought she would reject his advice. Frontline workers, like Finn, have shown great heroism during the pandemic.
When Diana arrives on Isabela Island, tourists are rushing to leave the Galapagos. It is going into lockdown. Diana is determined to prove herself by staying the two weeks. Her luggage was lost in route. She does not understand the language. Her prepaid hotel is locked down, as are the shops and restaurants. Worse. The banks are closed, and there is no ATM. She does not have sufficient cash on her person. All communication with the outside world is unreliable and spotty. She wants to confirm that she can cope.
While wandering in distress, trying to figure what to do, a kindly, older lady leads Diana into her home. People are distant at first because she is an outsider and tourist. As the two-week lockdown is extended and there is no way to leave, they regard her as one of their own. She gradually makes friends with the son of the homeowner. He is a gruff, charismatic man who has a small farm and his daughter, an unhappy, self-harming 14-year-old. She is developing close bonds with these people.
She is delighted to explore the wonders of the island with her new friends. The animal life, the landscape, the volcanoes, swimming in the clear waters amongst penguins and sea lions. Nature is described in vivid, atmospheric detail. As the weeks pass, Diana is feeling quite content in her surroundings. Her time there is not without problems. She has written postcards to Finn, assuring him that everything is fine and that she misses him. These were never posted as promised. She is unable to reach him by phone. She gets occasional text messages from him describing the sickness and the horrors he is witnessing and his resentment that she didn't remain home with him. She also must face the news that her much absent and neglectful mother, a Pulitizer Prize-winning photojournalist, had died in a nursing home with early-onset dementia in Diana's absence. She is re-evaluating her life choices, her well-planned schedule, and her past hopes and dreams. She is evolving a new, different identity while trying to work out what is important to her. She is in no hurry to leave the island and her new friends. One day, while swimming in the ocean, she almost drowns and is rescued close to death.
Then something very unexpected and shocking occurs that makes us doubt everything we thought we knew.
I loved this book, with its location, well-developed, fascinating characters, unexpected revelations, unique plot, and thought-provoking storyline. Some people will find the description of the pandemic too disturbing at this point in time. Highly recommended for readers who can cope with intense images of the chaos inside the hospital wards.
Wish You Were Here explores the world that changed almost two years ago when the pandemic entered our lives. It addresses loss, grief, death, pain, isolation, resilience, hope, dreams, sexual identity, and art. It is well-researched on a scientific level but also has some powerful metaphysical themes. This emotional read brought me to tears, and I had to resist a strong urge to peek at the final chapter.
Diana O'Toole is approaching her 30th birthday. She has her life well planned and is on a path where everything she hoped for is falling into place. She has decided to be married by age 30 and have two children by the time she is 35. She shares an apartment in New York City with her boyfriend, Finn, a handsome surgical resident. She knows that he is going to propose marriage on an upcoming romantic vacation in the Galapagos. Their future plans are right on schedule. They will live in upper New York and have a bucket list for future travel, children, and a dog. Diana works for Sotheby's in the art acquisition field. She has a new wealthy celebrity client (easily identified as Yoko Ono under a different name.) By selling her valuable painting, she is bound to be awarded a prestigious promotion at the auction house. What could go wrong?
The time is early 2020, and the pandemic has reached NYC. The world we are living in is about to change drastically. So far, there are 19 patients in the hospital with the disease. Finn has been warned that it will rapidly become much worse, despite the denial of President Trump of danger. As the sick and dying flood into the hospital where Finn is working, he cannot leave on holiday. He urges Diana to go on her own since the trip is already paid for. Diana has not gone to movies or a restaurant by herself. Besides Finn, her main friend and confidant is a flamboyant, gay black man, also an employee of the auction house. He plays an important part later in the story. Diana accepts Finn's wish that she travel to the Galapagos on her own for the two-week vacation. This suggestion takes her firmly out of her comfort zone, but she is determined to follow his suggestion and heads to Isabela Island in the Galapagos by herself.
As the hospital becomes overwhelmed by patients, Finn is afraid, sleepless, and very stressed. He resents that Diana followed his suggestion rather than staying in their apartment to comfort him when he returns home after long hours on duty and the hopelessness of it all. He thought she would reject his advice. Frontline workers, like Finn, have shown great heroism during the pandemic.
When Diana arrives on Isabela Island, tourists are rushing to leave the Galapagos. It is going into lockdown. Diana is determined to prove herself by staying the two weeks. Her luggage was lost in route. She does not understand the language. Her prepaid hotel is locked down, as are the shops and restaurants. Worse. The banks are closed, and there is no ATM. She does not have sufficient cash on her person. All communication with the outside world is unreliable and spotty. She wants to confirm that she can cope.
While wandering in distress, trying to figure what to do, a kindly, older lady leads Diana into her home. People are distant at first because she is an outsider and tourist. As the two-week lockdown is extended and there is no way to leave, they regard her as one of their own. She gradually makes friends with the son of the homeowner. He is a gruff, charismatic man who has a small farm and his daughter, an unhappy, self-harming 14-year-old. She is developing close bonds with these people.
She is delighted to explore the wonders of the island with her new friends. The animal life, the landscape, the volcanoes, swimming in the clear waters amongst penguins and sea lions. Nature is described in vivid, atmospheric detail. As the weeks pass, Diana is feeling quite content in her surroundings. Her time there is not without problems. She has written postcards to Finn, assuring him that everything is fine and that she misses him. These were never posted as promised. She is unable to reach him by phone. She gets occasional text messages from him describing the sickness and the horrors he is witnessing and his resentment that she didn't remain home with him. She also must face the news that her much absent and neglectful mother, a Pulitizer Prize-winning photojournalist, had died in a nursing home with early-onset dementia in Diana's absence. She is re-evaluating her life choices, her well-planned schedule, and her past hopes and dreams. She is evolving a new, different identity while trying to work out what is important to her. She is in no hurry to leave the island and her new friends. One day, while swimming in the ocean, she almost drowns and is rescued close to death.
Then something very unexpected and shocking occurs that makes us doubt everything we thought we knew.
I loved this book, with its location, well-developed, fascinating characters, unexpected revelations, unique plot, and thought-provoking storyline. Some people will find the description of the pandemic too disturbing at this point in time. Highly recommended for readers who can cope with intense images of the chaos inside the hospital wards.
September 9, 2021
What a page turner!
This is a pandemic themed novel involving a young couple who live together in NYC at the time when COVID was first beginning to swamp the hospitals and there were so many deaths.
Finn is a hospital resident doctor at the hospital and Diana is an art specialist at Sotheby’s.
They had a previously planned trip to the Galapagos, and when the departure date comes.. Finn insists that Diana go alone since he can’t get away, as he is stuck basically 24/7 at the hospital.
Diana makes it to the island just before everything is totally closed down.
Even though this was a story involving COVID, it was still an enjoyable read.
Shocking plot twist!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Group-Ballantine for the ARC!
This is a pandemic themed novel involving a young couple who live together in NYC at the time when COVID was first beginning to swamp the hospitals and there were so many deaths.
Finn is a hospital resident doctor at the hospital and Diana is an art specialist at Sotheby’s.
They had a previously planned trip to the Galapagos, and when the departure date comes.. Finn insists that Diana go alone since he can’t get away, as he is stuck basically 24/7 at the hospital.
Diana makes it to the island just before everything is totally closed down.
Even though this was a story involving COVID, it was still an enjoyable read.
Shocking plot twist!
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Group-Ballantine for the ARC!
December 8, 2021
Pandemic perspective from CNN
This is not this authors typical book. The story line is similar to the Book of Two ways but takes place during the Covid era. Unfortunately it hasn't aged well even though it just came out. A lot of talk about the fear but no mention about how it was largely media driven. A lot of talk about masks with the main characters boyfriend (a surgeon) pretty much insisting at one point had people been wearing masks this would have prevented people from catching the virus. Actual clinical studies disprove that. Story takes place in NY where the main character's mother dies in a nursing home . No mention of the Governor's actions in that state and it's impact on nursing homes. No mention of the reports out of NY where doctors were automatically admitting people and placing them on vents without trying other therapeutic measures. No mention of the ban on lifesaving medications. No mention of thousands of Doctors that disagreed with the CDC and NIH on treatments. No mention of the flawed PCR tests. I can understand artistic license but the author seemed to use CNN as her perspective on the whole thing including the attacks on Trump. Re-read the Book of Two ways, it was much better.
This is not this authors typical book. The story line is similar to the Book of Two ways but takes place during the Covid era. Unfortunately it hasn't aged well even though it just came out. A lot of talk about the fear but no mention about how it was largely media driven. A lot of talk about masks with the main characters boyfriend (a surgeon) pretty much insisting at one point had people been wearing masks this would have prevented people from catching the virus. Actual clinical studies disprove that. Story takes place in NY where the main character's mother dies in a nursing home . No mention of the Governor's actions in that state and it's impact on nursing homes. No mention of the reports out of NY where doctors were automatically admitting people and placing them on vents without trying other therapeutic measures. No mention of the ban on lifesaving medications. No mention of thousands of Doctors that disagreed with the CDC and NIH on treatments. No mention of the flawed PCR tests. I can understand artistic license but the author seemed to use CNN as her perspective on the whole thing including the attacks on Trump. Re-read the Book of Two ways, it was much better.
January 28, 2023
Nearly perfect, but I didn't buy the ending.
August 18, 2024
I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan. The books I have read by her that I rated four or five stars include My Sister’s Keeper, Mad Honey, Small Great Things, The Pact, Nineteen Minutes, and The Book of Two Ways.
I tried reading Wish You Were Here several months ago and set it aside. Then a good friend of mine read it and recommended it, so I started listening to it on audiobook. I almost stopped listening to it on audiobook because it felt like a romance story, and I typically don't like romance books.
Then BAM, the plot took a huge sharp turn, and I was hooked until the very end.
The story takes place during the pandemic. Finn is a doctor in New York City when COVID hits. Finn and his girlfriend, Diana, had scheduled a vacation to the Galapagos islands and she believes he is going to propose. Because Finn is needed at the hospital, Diana goes ahead and travels to the Galapagos right before countries started shutting down.
There are several stories in this book about those who do and do not survive COVID. About twelve years ago, my mom was put into a medically induced coma due to a life-threatening illness. The stories she shared about her memories while in the coma had some eerie similarities to the stories in Wish You Were Here.
I'm very glad I listened to the entire book. As always, Picoult's author notes at the end provide insight into the thorough research she conducted before writing the book.
I tried reading Wish You Were Here several months ago and set it aside. Then a good friend of mine read it and recommended it, so I started listening to it on audiobook. I almost stopped listening to it on audiobook because it felt like a romance story, and I typically don't like romance books.
Then BAM, the plot took a huge sharp turn, and I was hooked until the very end.
The story takes place during the pandemic. Finn is a doctor in New York City when COVID hits. Finn and his girlfriend, Diana, had scheduled a vacation to the Galapagos islands and she believes he is going to propose. Because Finn is needed at the hospital, Diana goes ahead and travels to the Galapagos right before countries started shutting down.
There are several stories in this book about those who do and do not survive COVID. About twelve years ago, my mom was put into a medically induced coma due to a life-threatening illness. The stories she shared about her memories while in the coma had some eerie similarities to the stories in Wish You Were Here.
I'm very glad I listened to the entire book. As always, Picoult's author notes at the end provide insight into the thorough research she conducted before writing the book.
August 26, 2021
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult was a very moving and timely novel. I had read some advanced reviews about what this book was about but they were not able to prepare me for how reading Wish You Were Here was going to affect me. Jodi Picoult was able to capture all the underlying fears, warnings, precautions, attitudes, compliance and non-compliance to the threat of Covid-19 as it overtook and cast its ugly face upon the world. Her extensive research was masterful. She captured the essence of the bewilderment, terror, stress, pure exhaustion and the determination to not let the virus win that the members of the health care community faced. The challenges of living in quarantine, excessive hand washing, securing time slots for food delivery, the process of wiping down and washing everything that would be touched, gathering mail and delaying its opening, mask wearing, overcrowded hospitals and the exorbitant amount of patients put on ventilators only to die were all present throughout. All those things and more was what made this book so believable. Jodi Picoult captured those moments of crisis so many of us faced and also the resilience that so many exhibited to be able to navigate their way through the pandemic. Wish You Were Here was well written and so memorable.
Diana O’Toole was an almost thirty year old woman that was living her life according to her plan. She was an associate specialist at the well known and renowned Sotherby’s. Diana had high aspirations to climb the corporate ladder in the art field at Sotherby’s and secure a prominent position. Her private life was equally satisfying. Her long term boyfriend, Finn, was a surgical resident at a prominent New York hospital. Their futures were promising and together they contemplated an engagement and eventually marriage and a home in nearby Westchester County. Diana and Finn had saved for and meticulously planned a vacation to the Galapoaos Islands that would occur just before Diana’s thirty birthday. Diana even suspected that Finn would finally propose to her there and of course she would say yes. Just at that time, Covid-19 had made its way to New York City. Diana noticed how empty the streets were and how few people were out and about. As Diana traveled around the city by subway, the day before her and Finn’s vacation, she noticed how deserted the subway stations and cars were. When Diana got home, she was not prepared for what Finn was about to tell her. Finn’s role at the hospital had been redefined. All doctors, residents and medical staff were required to be available to treat the onslaught of patients that arrived at the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19. Finn would not be able to go to the Galápagos Islands but insisted that Diana go by herself. He wanted her to be out of the city and somewhere safe where she would not get the virus. Reluctantly, Diana finally gave in and traveled to Galapagos alone.
As soon as Diana arrived at the airport on Galapagos, she was greeted with the information that her luggage was lost. She decided to take the ferry to Isabela where she and Finn had booked a room at one of the hotels. Just as the ferry docked, Diana was given the choice to return to the mainland. Isabela was under quarantine and almost everything was shut down. For some unknown reason, Diana decided to stay. She was about to find out that the hotel where she had a reservation was shut down. Diana had no luggage and nowhere to stay. Abuela, one of the women that cleaned the hotel took pity on her. Through hand gestures and the little bit of Spanish Diana could muster, she asked Abuela if she knew anyplace where she could stay. Abuela took Diana under her wing and offered her a place to stay. It was also almost impossible to get a message to Finn. The Wi-Fi on the island was almost nonexistent. As time passed on the island, Diana discovered its hidden treasures and beauty and was trusted with Beatriz’s secret and the special bond she formed with Gabriel. Diana began to wonder if this was the life she was meant to live rather than the one that waited for her back home in New York.
In Jodi Picoult’s author’s note, she conveyed the idea where she got the idea for writing this book. “Several months into the pandemic I stumbled across an article about a Japanese man who got stranded in Machu Picchu during COVID. He was trapped there due to travel restrictions and, out of necessity, stopped being a tourist and became a resident of the community. That was Jodi Picoult’s spring board for writing Wish You Were Here. In my opinion, I believe that this was one of her best novels to date if not her absolute best one. She gathered her research by interviewing medical professionals and survivors who had been on ventilators. Even though I lived through and am still living through the consequences, precautions and challenges of COVID-19 I was reminded of how this virus has changed our life as it was once was. Having two daughters and a son-in-law in the medical field, I was extremely cautious and still am as I always worried for their safety and health and mine. I devoured Wish You Were Here. The characters were so believable and memorable. I felt like I really knew them by the end of the book. It made me smile and even shed a few tears at parts of the story. I highly recommend this book. Publication is set for November 30, 2021.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Wish We Were Here by Jodi Picoult through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Diana O’Toole was an almost thirty year old woman that was living her life according to her plan. She was an associate specialist at the well known and renowned Sotherby’s. Diana had high aspirations to climb the corporate ladder in the art field at Sotherby’s and secure a prominent position. Her private life was equally satisfying. Her long term boyfriend, Finn, was a surgical resident at a prominent New York hospital. Their futures were promising and together they contemplated an engagement and eventually marriage and a home in nearby Westchester County. Diana and Finn had saved for and meticulously planned a vacation to the Galapoaos Islands that would occur just before Diana’s thirty birthday. Diana even suspected that Finn would finally propose to her there and of course she would say yes. Just at that time, Covid-19 had made its way to New York City. Diana noticed how empty the streets were and how few people were out and about. As Diana traveled around the city by subway, the day before her and Finn’s vacation, she noticed how deserted the subway stations and cars were. When Diana got home, she was not prepared for what Finn was about to tell her. Finn’s role at the hospital had been redefined. All doctors, residents and medical staff were required to be available to treat the onslaught of patients that arrived at the hospital with symptoms of COVID-19. Finn would not be able to go to the Galápagos Islands but insisted that Diana go by herself. He wanted her to be out of the city and somewhere safe where she would not get the virus. Reluctantly, Diana finally gave in and traveled to Galapagos alone.
As soon as Diana arrived at the airport on Galapagos, she was greeted with the information that her luggage was lost. She decided to take the ferry to Isabela where she and Finn had booked a room at one of the hotels. Just as the ferry docked, Diana was given the choice to return to the mainland. Isabela was under quarantine and almost everything was shut down. For some unknown reason, Diana decided to stay. She was about to find out that the hotel where she had a reservation was shut down. Diana had no luggage and nowhere to stay. Abuela, one of the women that cleaned the hotel took pity on her. Through hand gestures and the little bit of Spanish Diana could muster, she asked Abuela if she knew anyplace where she could stay. Abuela took Diana under her wing and offered her a place to stay. It was also almost impossible to get a message to Finn. The Wi-Fi on the island was almost nonexistent. As time passed on the island, Diana discovered its hidden treasures and beauty and was trusted with Beatriz’s secret and the special bond she formed with Gabriel. Diana began to wonder if this was the life she was meant to live rather than the one that waited for her back home in New York.
In Jodi Picoult’s author’s note, she conveyed the idea where she got the idea for writing this book. “Several months into the pandemic I stumbled across an article about a Japanese man who got stranded in Machu Picchu during COVID. He was trapped there due to travel restrictions and, out of necessity, stopped being a tourist and became a resident of the community. That was Jodi Picoult’s spring board for writing Wish You Were Here. In my opinion, I believe that this was one of her best novels to date if not her absolute best one. She gathered her research by interviewing medical professionals and survivors who had been on ventilators. Even though I lived through and am still living through the consequences, precautions and challenges of COVID-19 I was reminded of how this virus has changed our life as it was once was. Having two daughters and a son-in-law in the medical field, I was extremely cautious and still am as I always worried for their safety and health and mine. I devoured Wish You Were Here. The characters were so believable and memorable. I felt like I really knew them by the end of the book. It made me smile and even shed a few tears at parts of the story. I highly recommend this book. Publication is set for November 30, 2021.
Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for giving me the opportunity to read this advanced copy of Wish We Were Here by Jodi Picoult through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 4, 2021
Wow!! Wish you were here is so GOOD!! Such an intense page turner!!! It was very hard to put down. I wasn’t sure how I felt about reading a book COVID related but Jodi Picoult did it perfectly. The letters from Finn describing handling COVID at the hospital were heartbreaking and so real. It was eye-opening! Jodi really did her research before writing this one. About halfway through the book, Jodi threw in a total shocker and it was so intense and so unexpected! This book kept me on the edge of my seat. A fantastic book!
Thank you Net Galley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
Thank you Net Galley and Ballantine for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.
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