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Finding time to read with two small children can be tricky, so I welcome the 4-6 hour blocks of time I’ve had while traveling for the site this past month. I like to read a wide variety of genre, particularly books with stories that may not be the traditional romance or suspense/thriller novel I’m often drawn to.
Award-winning author Jodi Picoult recently released Leaving Time, a gripping, deeply affective novel about a young girl’s search for her mother. Fans of the bestselling author have long anticipated the release of this book, and having not read any of Picoult’s prior works, I’d say this was the perfect introduction.
Jenna Metcalf is the 13-year old daughter of elephant researcher Alice Metcalf, who disappeared 10 years prior after a tragic accident at their elephant sanctuary. With no conclusive evidence of her death, Jenna refuses to believe that her mother abandoned her and spends much of her time searching for her online and scrutinizing the journals she kept. Determined to find out exactly what happened to her mother, Jenna enlists the help of a widely known psychic, who’s public failure ended her career, and a weary, alcoholic private detective who previously worked on Alice’s case.
Told from multiple perspectives, the novel compels the reader to keep turning the pages in search of the same answers Jenna is looking for. The novel is a quick read and one that artfully uses the metaphor of elephant grief to explore the idea that “those we can’t forget are never truly gone.” Admittedly, the ending was quite a surprise and one I’ll let you uncover for yourself.
Picoult was inspired to write Leaving Time during her personal journey of becoming an empty-nester. As a parent, I can relate to the daily pouring out of myself for my kids only to one day have them leave (and rightfully so). Picoult remembers the sadness she felt when her daughter left for school and she wanted to explore that theme of what happens to those loved ones who are left behind in her novel. After reading about how an elephant mother and daughter stay together their entire lives in the wild, Picoult decided to use their behavior as a metaphor for the novel. Surprisingly, I learned a lot about elephants as Picoult was painstaking about including factual, research-based information pertaining to the elephant’s memory, their behavior, and how they experience loss and grief.
Picoutl’s novel is filled with just the right amount of suspense to keep readers turning the page while still managing to reach deeply into her readers to affect their soul.
Leaving Time is now available at Walmart for 40% off the cover price.
Images: Jodi Picoult
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