Every time I take a break from Jodi Picoult's books, I find myself eager to get back and be completely mesmerized.

Her novel Second Glance was truly intricate. It delved into Vermont's history, explored complex mental health issues, incorporated elements of science, and so much more. At times, it felt like I was reading one of Cat Winters' works, whom I absolutely adore. So, when I reached the bibliography at the end of the book, it was like winning a double prize.

And what about the plot itself? I really, really liked it. It had twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The line "Most of the time, the words that were not written were the ones you needed most" really stuck with me. It made me think about how much can be left unsaid and yet still have a profound impact.

Overall, Second Glance was another great read from Jodi Picoult, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Time Taken To Read - 3 days

Blurb From Goodreads

Do we love across time? Or in spite of it?

A developer has targeted an ancient Abenaki Indian burial ground for a strip mall. Now, strange events have the residents of tiny Comtosook, Vermont, whispering about supernatural forces at play. Ross Wakeman, a ghost hunter who has never actually seen a ghost, is desperate to find something that can end the pain of losing his fiancée, Aimee, in a car accident. He has attempted suicide numerous times. Now, Ross lives only for a way to connect with Aimee from beyond the grave. While searching the site for signs of the paranormal, Ross meets the mysterious Lia, who reignites his passion for life for the first time in years. But the revelations that await Ross are beyond anything he could have ever imagined in this world or the next.

My Review

This is yet another re-read for me. However, I had completely forgotten the details until I reached part two. The first part of the story failed to truly engage me, and I began to question my original 4-star rating. Ross, our main protagonist, works on a ghost hunter show, obsessively seeking his lost loved one and unable to move forward from his heartbreak. Ross has a plethora of issues stemming from his grief, and as the story unfolds, you will gradually understand his character and actions. The remainder of the first part introduces a wide array of characters, making it difficult to become fully immersed as you struggle to remember who each person is and what their story entails while simultaneously trying to figure out how they will fit into the overall narrative.

Once I flipped to the second part, I simply couldn't put the book down. We are taken back in time to explore some of the background behind the haunting, and soon the connection between all the characters becomes clear, drawing you deeper into the story.

This is a tale filled with ghosts, love, loss, and heartache, evoking a range of emotions along the way. I firmly believe that for most people, you will either love or hate this book. If you have any interest in the afterlife and ghosts, I think you will thoroughly enjoy it. It definitely has a unique and somewhat slow and puzzling start, but if you persevere, it proves to be a great little story. I once again rate it 4 out of 5 stars.

I have a deep affection for Jodi Picoult, yet unfortunately, this particular book of hers ranks as my least favorite.

It presents a story that is not only confusing but also depressing and rather bizarre.

The narrative involves a significant number of characters, and initially, it's far from evident how they all interconnect. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that they all have their roles to play in the grand scheme of things.

Despite its flaws, the topics explored in the book are indeed interesting. It delves into the paranormal, touching on elements that are both mysterious and captivating. The theme of eugenics adds a thought-provoking dimension, making the reader question the ethics and morality of certain practices.

Suicide and depression are also explored, shedding light on these often overlooked and sensitive issues. Additionally, the book incorporates a murder mystery, which keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, trying to solve the puzzle.

Finally, there is a love story intertwined within the complex web of events, adding a touch of romance and human emotion to the otherwise dark and沉重的 story.

Overall, while this may not be Jodi Picoult's best work, it still manages to engage the reader and explore a wide range of thought-provoking topics.

In the initial pages of "Second Glance", we are presented with a diverse range of seemingly unconnected characters.

Subsequently, a captivating story unfolds, encompassing elements such as ghosts, Indian burial grounds, childhood genetic issues, love, and eugenics.

The question arises: what exactly is happening here? The complexity and convolution of all these problems seem almost overwhelming for a single book.

I have perused and relished numerous books by Jodi Picoult, and I appreciate her approach of writing novels that spotlight various social issues.

However, it appears that Picoult became so engrossed in crafting a book centered around ghosts that she perhaps lost sight of the crucial elements of eugenics, which, in my opinion, is the most fascinating aspect of this particular work.

These elements have the potential to spark a thought-provoking discussion.

I listened to the audio version of "Second Glance", which was expertly narrated by George Guidall.

At the conclusion of the narration, Picoult and Guidall engage in a worthwhile discussion about the book and her fascination with ghosts.

Overall, "Second Glance" is a thought-provoking and engaging read, despite its slight flaws.

Typically awesome! This is truly a remarkable piece. I absolutely loved this one with all my heart. The storyline is simply incredible, like a magical web that ensnares you from the very beginning. It is so engaging and full of twists and turns that it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Every moment is filled with excitement and anticipation. You can't help but be drawn into the story and become completely immersed in it. It is totally gripping, holding your attention hostage until the very end. I can't wait to see what else comes from this amazing source. It has truly left a lasting impression on me.

Having only discovered the work of Jodi Picoult just over two years ago, this is already the eighth title that I have read. I think it is therefore safe to say that I enjoy her novels.

This one is a ghost story and although I do not disbelieve in them, I am somewhat sceptical. After all, seeing is believing. So you never know, maybe one day. I think my scepticism was the reason that I was a long way into the story, nearly two hundred pages, before I really began to appreciate properly what was going on. Once the storyline made sense, I began to enjoy it much more, although I would not say it was amongst my favourites. Although the author herself said in August 2008, that Second Glance, her tenth novel written in 2003, to date was her personal favourite.

Although the book is a work of fiction, the work of the Vermont Eugenics Project actually existed, as did the Sterilization Law of 1931. A disturbing practice to prevent problem citizens reproducing, similar to the plans of the Nazis for racial cleansing! Once again, Jodi Picoult impresses me with her choice of a controversial subject to base a novel on.

Ghosts, Abenaki Indians and Eugenics Research link the characters and the periods of 1932 and 2001 together in an excellent example of mixing fact and fiction and the past with the present. There are so many twists and turns in the story that I was never quite sure what was going to happen next. I am only sorry that it took me so long to sort all the characters out in the early part of the book. As once it all slipped into place, it was a great read. I may well have given up if I had not already been a fan of Jodi Picoult, and that would have been a shame.

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I truly relished all the characters that the author skillfully intertwined.

It was indeed a pleasant surprise to encounter numerous twists in this particular work.

This is an excellent piece of fiction, featuring just the right amount of drama and an everlasting love that tugs at the heartstrings.

The way the author weaves the story, creating a web of complex relationships and unexpected turns, keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The characters come to life on the pages, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The drama adds excitement and tension, while the love story provides a touching and emotional core.

Overall, it is a remarkable work of fiction that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for an entertaining and engaging read.

This is a surprising ghost story. I think that more than the ghosts, what makes this a magnificent book is the gallery of unique and irresistible characters. Of course, the author's writing, as creative as it is, is the essential element to captivate the interest.

In summary: I loved this reading and the ending was precious!

Having already read all the books published here, I'm always waiting for a disaster at the end of a Jodi Picoult book and when Ross died, well, that was bad... But then he resuscitated - in a scene that made me laugh - and everything was okay. I really liked the couple Eli/Shelly, the first time they saw each other was the most beautiful thing. And Ethan, what a unique boy, I even thought he was going to die, fortunately that didn't happen. Sad was the death of Az/Gray Wolf; after living more than 100 years, discover a great-granddaughter and a sled and die, worse - kill himself!, damn it! :( It wasn't worth it.

I had never heard of eugenics in the US in the 1920s and 1930s, what a horrible thing and even more so since it served as the basis for Hitler's plan to exterminate races he considered inferior...

The fraction 2/5 indicates a certain proportion or quantity.

This book seems to have some interesting qualities. It would potentially be a great TP (whatever that might stand for) in the event of the next pandemic.

One notable feature is that the paper it is printed on is soft to the touch. This softness could make the reading experience more pleasant and perhaps even add a certain tactile appeal.

It's interesting to think about how this book might serve a useful purpose during a pandemic. Maybe it contains valuable information, stories, or entertainment that could help people cope with the challenges and uncertainties of such a situation.

Overall, while the fraction 2/5 might not directly relate to the book's qualities, the combination of its potential as a useful resource during a pandemic and the softness of its paper makes it an object of some interest.

It would be worth exploring further to see what exactly this book has to offer and how it could potentially benefit readers in different circumstances.

The original text seems rather brief and lacking in detail. It could be rewritten and expanded as follows:

The writing is of poor quality and disjointed.

However, if you have a penchant for stories that blend the supernatural elements of ghosts with the drama and allure similar to that of "The Bold & The Beautiful," then this might hold some interest for you.

It's a unique combination that could potentially吸引 those who enjoy a bit of the unexpected in their reading.

While the writing may not be polished, the concept itself has the potential to be developed into a captivating tale.

With some improvement and expansion, it could become a more engaging and enjoyable piece of literature.

If you're going to embark on the ambitious task of writing a book from the perspectives of a dozen different characters, then you'd better execute it flawlessly.

Unfortunately, Picoult fails to do so. In fact, she is far from achieving the mark. I managed to make it only as far as Chapter 3 or thereabouts before I couldn't endure the blatantly outdated speech and the unconvincing behaviors of the characters any longer. No self-respecting teenage boy in this day and age would utter the phrase "As if" or still be using a Game Boy. [Editing this in 2020 to admit that this might have been an incredibly sexist and narrow-minded thing for me to say.] And how on earth can Ross simply abandon his camera equipment, which is most likely worth thousands of dollars, and nonchalantly refer to them as replaceable? Especially considering the minimum wage he was earning. It seems like something that would only happen on another planet.

The only storyline that held a glimmer of potential was that of the doctor, Meredith, and her work with genetic engineering embryos. However, overall, there was nothing about this book that felt remotely believable. I just couldn't stop thinking "Who would do that? Who would say that?!" It seemed like no one in the real world.

I actually had a great fondness for My Sister's Keeper, so I was truly disappointed to have to slog through the brief paragraphs dedicated to characters that I couldn't care less about. Who the heck is Winks again? Who is Lucy? And who the hell is Stuart? It doesn't matter. I'm passing on this one.

I'm a huge Picoult fan, and I was really looking forward to this book. However, it ended up being a disappointment for me.

On the surface, it had all the right elements that I usually love in a Picoult novel. There were complex characters, thought-provoking themes, and a plot that seemed full of potential.

But as I read on, I found that it just didn't come together in the way I had hoped. The story felt far too long and drawn out, with too much plot crammed into one book. It was almost as if Picoult was trying to do too much, and as a result, the pacing suffered.

I also had some issues with the characters. While they were complex, they didn't always feel fully developed or believable. Some of their actions and decisions seemed forced or inconsistent, which made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story.

Overall, while there were some good aspects to this book, it just didn't live up to my expectations as a Picoult fan. I'm still looking forward to her future works, but this one will probably not be one that I'll be rereading anytime soon.