This is distinct from the other Picoult books that I have perused.

It is an enchanting ghost and love story.

At the beginning, it is a bit challenging to immerse oneself in, but the effort is truly worthwhile in the end.

The story weaves together elements of the supernatural and deep emotions in a captivating manner.

As the plot unfolds, the reader is drawn into a world where love transcends the boundaries of life and death.

The characters are well-developed, and their relationships add depth and complexity to the narrative.

Despite the initial difficulty in getting into the story, the payoff is well worth it, as it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.

Overall, it is a unique and engaging read that fans of Picoult and lovers of ghost and love stories alike will surely enjoy.

There are few contemporary authors who can balance an incongruous number of issues, characters, and timelines as adeptly as Jodi Picoult. I confess to being extremely particular when selecting one of her novels. Thanks to Goodreads, I am aware that I am a mood reader. So, if I'm not ready to reach for the Kleenex, then Picoult is not the author for me.

This book truly astonished me. Initially, I was drawn in by the haunted house in rural Vermont. I knew there would be some social issues at play, and I was pleasantly surprised when it seemed that Picoult was addressing the plight of how we have treated Native American tribes. We were the interlopers, and Picoult surely understands this. But as the plot intensified, I began to realize that she wasn't merely scratching the surface; she was delving deep into eugenics. The anger and disgust I felt were palpable, and the ugliness was impossible to ignore.

However, she never stops with just the social issues. She introduces seemingly unrelated characters and commences building a layered plot line that continues to shock. And then what began as a rundown house and unexplained phenomena that haunt a town (complete with crazy psychics and paranormal investigators) transforms into a story about love, prejudice, injustice, and the simple will to survive. This particular novel made me think of how a painting starts as a collection of dots, lines, and shadings, and as those begin to fill the canvas with a mixture of colors, a sharper image emerges. That's precisely how I felt about this story.

I concur with other reviewers. Yes, there is an abundance of stuff in here, and the ending has a bit of a stutter step, despite its brilliant reveal and solid storytelling. So, pick up this ghostly tale, but it's like getting five stories for the price of one.

(Reviewed 10/16/24)

The first Jodi Picoult book that I picked up was truly an interesting experience.

I initially set it down for about 3 months. However, when I came back to it, something magical happened.

I started to notice certain things that began to click into place. It was as if the story was gradually revealing its deeper layers to me.

This newfound understanding led me on an amazing journey of reading many, many more Jodi Picoult books.

Each one of her books has its own unique charm and complexity, drawing me in and making me eager to discover what lies ahead in the story.

Jodi Picoult's writing style is captivating, and her ability to create well-developed characters and thought-provoking plots is truly remarkable.

I am now a dedicated fan of her work and look forward to reading every new book she publishes.

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I absolutely loved it!

It was an experience that left me with a feeling of pure joy and satisfaction.

The moment I laid eyes on it, I was instantly drawn in by its charm and beauty.

Every detail was meticulously crafted, and it was evident that a great deal of care and attention had been put into its creation.

As I interacted with it, I was amazed by how well it functioned and how seamlessly it integrated into my life.

It brought a sense of excitement and novelty that I had been longing for.

I can't wait to explore more of what it has to offer and continue to enjoy this wonderful thing that I now love so much.

Loved it!!

Where do I begin?

First and foremost, I have a profound love for this author, which is precisely why I was more than willing to give this book a second, more in-depth glance.

Yes, I am well aware that I am playing around with the title to some extent here, but to be completely honest, not a great number of reviewers were overly pleased with this particular story.

There is a plethora of characters within it, and at certain moments, I found myself having a rather difficult time keeping up. However, as the story progressed, they all eventually "came together" for a specific purpose.

Picoult is truly a master storyteller, and this one - well, do you believe in ghosts?

There were an abundance of twists and turns throughout the narrative. Eventually, my love for mystery got the better of me, and I became curious enough that I simply had to stay with it to figure out precisely how all of these people would either tie together or not.

The story was eerie, scandalous, poetic, exaggerated, and yet right on the mark all at the same time. It was very, very sad at times, and also quite alarming because Picoult astutely points out that history does indeed repeat itself, no matter how much we might wish to believe that we have learned from it.

(Another one of those experiences, much like "Four Winds" by Kristin Hannah.) https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

This is definitely an exposure of a dark secret in American history that Picoult presents in this story. However, there is something about what is happening in the present day that makes one wonder if we still, in some ways, are not experiencing the remnants of that horrific secret. It is highly advisable to take the time to read the author's note at the end.

Bottom line, if you are a die-hard Jodi Picoult fan, you may very well want to stick with this one until the very end to see how she manages to bring it all together.

Even though this tale is rather strange, there is a certain degree of satisfaction in knowing that you have made it to the conclusion. 3.5 stars.

**3.5 stars**

What a truly weird book this is!

The plot seems to be all over the place, filled with really strange coincidences that are almost too hard to believe. I can't even truthfully say that I liked the main characters.

Both Ross and Lia were suicidal, which made it very difficult to empathize with them. Especially since they kept hurting those they loved. Their actions and decisions were often self-destructive and had a negative impact on the people around them.

However, the most interesting aspect of the story was definitely delving into the Eugenics movement in 1930s Vermont. It was absolutely horrifying to read about how these people used this so-called pseudo science with such flawed research to try and get rid of people who were different from them.

It makes me extremely glad that I was born in more enlightened times, where we have a better understanding of the value and diversity of all human beings.

This book definitely had its flaws, but it also managed to bring to light an important and disturbing piece of history.

Ok, here is another JP book that truly made my head spin. I have a great passion for paranormal tropes, so this book was right up my alley. There is an abundance of characters in it, and it took me a while to get a good grip on them all. However, once I managed to do so, I was completely immersed!

Just like in all of her books, they do follow a similar formula. But that's perfectly fine with me. I really appreciate that she makes me re-evaluate my views while also educating me on various topics that I know very little about. It's not just entertainment; it's also a learning experience.

This particular JP book has its own unique charm. The paranormal elements are vividly described, making it easy for the reader to imagine the strange and wonderful world she has created. The characters, although numerous, are all well-developed and have their own distinct personalities. It's a real pleasure to follow their adventures and see how their stories unfold.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys paranormal fiction. It's a great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Jodi Picoult is an outstanding storyteller. She has a remarkable talent for presenting captivating stories and weaving complex plot lines and interesting characters into a vivid literary fabric. In "Second Glance", Ms. Picoult has achieved new heights.

She introduces us to a diverse range of characters and story lines, skillfully intertwining them to create one fascinating fictional narrative. Additionally, she incorporates a lesson about American history that is both disturbing and educational.

In "Second Glance", Picoult writes with a magical descriptive quality that recalls Alice Hoffman, yet is unmistakably Picoult in its detail, compassion, and intricacy. She explores themes such as love and romance, reality and truth, guilt and responsibility, and science and the supernatural.

On one level, "Second Glance" is a ghost story. When a developer attempts to build on a plot of land in Comtosook, Vermont, strange phenomena begin to occur. The ground freezes in August, rose petals rain from the sky, and the home being demolished mysteriously rebuilds itself at night. Ross Wakeman, a retired "ghost-hunter" haunted by the death of his fiancée, agrees to investigate the construction site for evidence of ghosts. His work not only compels the locals to consider the existence of ghosts but also leads to the reopening of a 70-year-old murder case.

Beyond being a ghost story, "Second Glance" also educates us about the horrors of the 1920s-1930s Vermont Eugenics project. During that time, some "enlightened" men in Vermont aimed to "preserve the state's rural charm" by systematically removing "bad" genes from the reproductive gene pool. Traits such as violent tendencies, simple-mindedness, and loose morals were believed to be the result of poor genetic makeup, and the Vermont population could be "purified" by eliminating these bad genes through forced sterilization. The local Abenaki Indians, with their unique language and lifestyle, were victimized by the Eugenics laws, often being committed to mental hospitals and jails and forced to undergo sterilization.

In addition to these two main storylines, Picoult presents several love stories. Ross is consumed by his love for Aimee, his fiancée, and is burdened with guilt for failing to save her from death. He flirts with death as a means of reconnecting with Aimee and feels trapped on earth until he is charmed by a new mystery woman. Shelby loves her brother Ross and is completely dedicated to her son Ethan but longs for romantic love. Meredith loves her daughter Lucy and her grandmother Ruby but is too preoccupied with her work to find time for romantic love. Cissy loves her husband and her unborn child but struggles to love herself.

Although I highly recommend this novel, I find it difficult to summarize the plot. The story is filled with twists and turns, rich details, and intertwined story lines. I'm afraid that in attempting to summarize it, I would do a great injustice to the novel and to Jodi Picoult. "Second Glance" is simultaneously a ghost story, a love story, and a murder mystery. It challenges our perception of truth and reality and opens the door to an acceptance of the supernatural. It is also a historical novel, revealing the tragic truth of the Vermont Eugenics project and its impact on the Abenaki. In conclusion, "Second Glance" is a captivating novel that is sure to attract a wide readership and keep them up all night, eagerly turning the pages.

I absolutely adored this book! Before picking up this particular one, I had never delved into any of Jodi Picoult's works. However, now that I have discovered her, I am truly overjoyed.

I concur with several others in that the initial introduction of a plethora of characters was a bit of a challenge. But what was truly remarkable was the way in which each and every one of these characters became so intricately entwined with one another. It was truly a sight to behold.

Moreover, this story was simply lovely. It had all the elements that made it a captivating read from start to finish. Now, I finally understand what people mean when they say that an author is "such a good storyteller". Jodi Picoult has truly mastered the art of weaving a compelling narrative that keeps the reader hooked until the very end. I can't wait to explore more of her books in the future.

I read this book some time ago, so I can't recall enough details to pen a highly detailed review.

Nonetheless, I can affirm that I relished reading it. It was extremely engrossing and effortless to read.

One aspect that I wished to comment on and which I particularly adored about the book and still remembered was the controversial subject matter it dealt with. Picoult is renowned for incorporating controversial topics into her books, and I believe this was one of her finest examples of doing so. She took eugenics, which is widely regarded as a heinous thing, and contrasted it with genetic counseling in in vitro fertilization. This latter concept has certain positives but also some alarming parallels with eugenics. It indeed makes you halt and reflect.

I also think it's wonderful that she weaves eugenics into such a mainstream format. I feel that eugenics is one of those dark chapters in US history that has largely been brushed aside. I myself only learned about it through a solitary college genetics class. Evidently, it's crucial that we remember our history to avoid repeating our mistakes, so I love that Picoult is revealing this period to a broad audience.

As much as Picoult is a masterful storyteller, she truly shines when it comes to writing history. In this book, she has managed to intertwine an astonishing number of important subjects. It was so complex that I often had to remind myself that I was reading just one novel and not a collection of twelve short stories.

AHHH...This book was an absolute delight, filled with countless twists and turns. The sheer number of characters initially made it a bit challenging to keep up, but as the story progressed, it became clear that they all intertwined for a specific purpose.

It was an eerie, scandalous, poetic, exaggerated, and yet completely on-point read. At times, it was very, very sad, and also alarming because Picoult astutely points out that history does indeed repeat itself, despite our best efforts to learn from it. I have a particular penchant for reading her acknowledgments and notes at the end of her writing, as she has a remarkable way of explaining or connecting the events in the real world to those that occurred in the book.

Bravo, Jodi - you've done it again. You've managed to captivate me and draw me into your world.

My favorite passage:

At some time or another, everyone was failed by this world. Disappointment was the one thing humans had in common. Trapped in the whirlpool of what might have been, you might not be able to drag yourself out, but you could be saved by someone else who reached in. Heroes didn't leap from tall buildings or stop bullets with an outstretched hand. They didn't wear boots and capes. They bled, and they bruised, and their superpowers were as simple as listening or loving. Heroes were ordinary people who knew that even if their own lives were impossibly knotted, they could untangle someone else's. And maybe that one act could lead someone to rescue you right back.