Gypsy Reviews

Originally posted at Gypsy ReviewsJodi Picoult is one of my favourite authors, no matter she likes to employ a familiar in her books but she manages to write people so beautifully and realistically. Each of her books focuses on a different issue and through her books she manages to spread awareness about them and provide an insight view into those people’s lives and puts us in their shoes. The Storyteller was one of my most anticipated reads this year with the synopsis but despite that and the fact that it deviated from the typical Jodi Picoult formula, it wasn’t as amazing as I had hoped though it still managed to deliver a very strong message and was a very emotional book.Sage Singer has gone through a lot in the past few years, she’s constantly hiding and scared to make herself be known. It might be because of the scar on her face or the fact that she’s become so used to being unimportant and not having people care about her. But she loves to bake and that’s the only thing that matters right now. It was hard to like Sage in the beginning, she was really mopey and it got tiring. I didn’t like how she was so ready to just close the door on her happiness and settle for second best for example sleeping with Adam even though he’s married and she basically just says this is what she deserves, she doesn’t deserve an actual relationship where she comes on top. She deserves a relationship with a married man where his priority will never be her. But slowly, especially after Josef makes his request, we see the more headstrong side of Sage who is angered by Josef’s request and feels she has to do something at least.The story is told through a few perspectives as typical for a Jodi Picoult novel and it’s what really makes her novels. There’s also a story component and you get a few snippets of this story at the beginning of each chapter, rest assured it is connected to the entire story. We have Sage’s perspective, Josef’s perspective from his past, another character’s perspective (not going to mention because spoiler) and another person’s perspective from the past. What displeased me was the pacing of the novel, a huge chunk of the novel is set in the past and I think it’s just way too long. By the middle I was clamouring to get back to present day.Usually Jodi Picoult novels go from an issue to bringing it up in court and the rest of the book chronicles the trial but The Storyteller only makes it to the first step. I think those who are tired of Picoult’s formula will be glad that this book is different however I felt that without it and being replaced by the whole insert of the past, it got boring quick. But this does not mean Picoult was not able to use this opportunity to focus on other aspects and use them to the story’s advantage.Even though the flashback to WWII was long, it was filled with such raw emotion. Learning about WWII in school, it gets drilled in that the Germans were absolutely heartless to murder all those Jews and to keep the war going and that doesn’t change from reading The Storyteller but it opens your eyes to how the soldiers felt. Has it occurred to you that despite following orders, maybe they were sick of all the bloodshed? That having to live with the stink of rotting bodies and the metallic smell of blood was mental torture? That the constant killing actually would take its toll on the soldiers too. I’m not feeling sympathetic towards the soldiers, this is just more of an eye-opener as we get to see from the perspective of a soldier which we wouldn’t normally get to read from. They say the grass is greener on the other side but is it really? I like that Picoult was able to draw attention to this and get me thinking and remember that there are two sides to this.Anyone who has learnt about WWII is no stranger to how the Jews were treated. I always understood the gist of what happened but following the story of someone who had been in that time period was an incredible eye-opener as well. They’re all desperately trying to survive and would do anything to save the ones they love but sometimes doing everything you can is not enough because people don’t keep promises and you can trust on nothing. Living as a Jew during that time was a complete life of uncertainty, no move you made didn’t make you a target for the Germans, you were never safe. Any second a bullet could go through your brain or your family member or friend would be gone.You couldn’t rely on promises.I might not have agreed with how Sage came to her decision but the ending was surprising and it makes a lot of sense once you read the book. I was so glad Picoult went that direction too, it’s what makes this her book. I gave this book 4 stars not because it wasn’t a good book as compared to my 5 star ratings but because to me, as a Jodi Picoult book, it was a 4 star among her books. It definitely could have been a lot better but it’s still a very powerful and impactful novel that speaks so much about human nature. I do recommend this book if you like the sound of it from the synopsis.Verdict: You want to read this book.--------------------A different formula to her usual books. It is truly a great book and lives up to her reputation but compared to her other books I think Picoult could have done better. It seemed underwhelming and a little too ridden with details. -- Full review to come