Ratings47
Average rating3.8
'A powerfully evociative story of the resilience and triumph of the human spirit' TAYLOR JENKINS REID, BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF DAISY JONES AND THE SIX 'Extraordinary . . . it's such a great book' GRAHAM NORTON Diana O'Toole's life is going perfectly to plan. At twenty-nine, she's up for promotion to her dream job as an art specialist at Sotheby's and she's about to fly to the Galápagos where she's convinced her surgeon boyfriend, Finn, is going to propose. But then the virus hits New York City and Finn breaks the news: the hospital needs him, he has to stay. But you should still go, he insists. And reluctantly, she agrees. Once she's in the Galápagos, the world shuts down around her, leaving Diana stranded - albeit in paradise. Completely isolated, with only intermittent news from the outside world, Diana finds herself examining everything that has brought her to this point and wondering if there's a better way to live. But not everything is as it seems . . . 'What a masterpiece! All her books are great but this was exceptional!' ***** Real Reader Review 'Keep the tissues to hand and prepare to get emotional' ***** Real Reader Review 'What a twist!' ***** Real Reader Review MAD HONEY, the stunning and compelling Sunday Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan is available now.
Reviews with the most likes.
This book was an ‘extra, optional' book club book, and I'm SO GLAD I read it. I'm beginning to realize that I love everything I read from this author. The premise - a woman gets stranded on vacation in the Galapagos and away from her significant other who is a front-line doctor in NYC at the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic in March, 2020. The story swept me along as she got her footing in her new surroundings and became a part of that community, while having limited contact with NY and her life outside of paradise. Meanwhile, her boyfriend is drowing in Covid patients in NY and hoping she is ok. I saw an interview with the author where she mentioned that she interviewed front line workers while writing the book, and that they were so grateful to tell their story, and the truth of what it was like in the hospitals in 2020. I can't go into more detail about the turns the story takes without major spoilers, but it's a great read with so so much to discuss. Things like - what if we step off the path we are on and really look at it to see if it is still what we want, or what we would choose? Examine if we believe in things we can't understand, or that don't make sense. What would we risk to have a last chance to speak to a loved one? I can't wait for book club to discuss alllllll of it. Highly recommend. First five-star read of 2023!
I enjoyed the first half of this, but the second part not so much. Unfortunately I just wasn't as invested with the second half of the book.
I should say though, that it was beautifully written in parts.
Thank you to PH and Jodi Picoult for the chance to read this book.
4.5 stars. Loved the narrator. I could listen to her all day. And Jodi Picoult did not disappoint. Great story and her perspective on Covid and what a lot of people went through during the pandemic is worth reflection and a desire to live life fully.
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3,174 booksWhen you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...