Wish You Were Here: A Novel

I was torn by this journey that has opened Infront of me. A very pleasurable beginning with Diana and her surgeon partner Finn sharing their life together. Being very adventurous and having a travel bucket list with their desire to visit the Galapagos islands together. No spoilers, but we were lead to believe that Diana visited the island on her own as Finn was involved with the outbreak of Covid at the hospital , and in New York where they live. The island that she allegedly visited was closed down when she arrived. She was then stranded, and couldn't return home. I loved the descriptive and view of this fascinating part of the world. But out of the blue came a twist that I didn't see coming. Covid was the focus of the rest of the story . I learnt more about this global epidemic that I had know before and how it affected those poor people that went through this period in our lives. The end was very unnerving ,and I found it hard to read. It is still having a profound effect on me, but a truly wonderful read.

Firstly, I can't understand negative reviews of this book which are based on the fact that it's a story about the Covid-19 pandemic. If you don't enjoy reading about that, don't read about it! I personally do like stories set during the crisis because it's a huge part of our collective human experience and (one day) history, so as Jodi says herself in her author's note for this novel, it's important that it's chronicled and the many stories it contains are told.For that reason I really liked Wish You Were Here. The protagonist Diana has her whole life planned out, and so far it's all going according to plan. Her dreams revolve around achieving specific milestones in her personal and professional life which she must hit by a certain age to stay on track. When Covid arrives, her plans are derailed... and her character arc thereafter unfolds in a beautiful and unexpected way.The big twist half way through really splits the book in two, and I did prefer the first half - especially the scenes in the Galapagos. After the twist the story lost some momentum, as if the reveal had come too soon - hence the reason for losing one star. I loved the very end though, when normally I find endings somewhat disappointing.I haven't read a Jodi Picoult book in many many years, but I remember I used to enjoy the likes of My Sister's Keeper. This one was the usual thought-provoking stuff I'd expect from this author and was typically well written, and it's made me want to delve back into more of her work. I picked up Wish You Were Here because of the subject matter and it certainly didn't disappoint - it's a life-affirming and hopeful view of the pandemic, with an intriguing plot and likeable characters.

‘Wish You We’re Here’ by Jodi Picoult is a novel that she hadn’t expected to write. Yet I am very pleased that she did. I found this an amazing book, though it can be hard to find the right words when a novel has had a profound effect, yet I will try.First, a word of caution: Jodi Picoult has never shied away from writing about uncomfortable subjects. This novel contains graphic accounts of people with Covid-19 as well as its wider consequences. It is a novel that I would also suggest reading ‘cold’, so only a brief summary.Friday, the 13th March 2020 and Diana O'Toole's life is going well. At the age of twenty-nine she has a job she loves as an art specialist at Sotheby's New York and has recently secured an important client; an achievement that likely will lead to a promotion. She and her boyfriend, Finn, are about to leave on vacation to the Galapagos and she suspects that while there he is going to propose. So far it could be the set up for a romance novel.Then Finn, a surgical resident at a NYC hospital, advises Diane that with the increasing cases of the new virus that the hospital needs him to stay. He insists that she should still go and reluctantly Diane agrees.However, as Diane arrives in the Galapagos the world is shutting down, including her destination, Isabela Island. She elects to stay but finds herself stranded, with only intermittent news from the outside world. While on the island she makes connections with local people as well as with nature, and begins to contemplate aspects of her life to date. No further details to avoid spoilers.As noted above, Picoult does not hold back on depicting the effects of the virus, not only on those infected but by loved ones distraught when unable to visit or say goodbye as well as the experiences of members of the medical profession. It considers the grief and loss, both personal and collective, experienced by many during the pandemic.It also portrays how people responded to quarantine, lockdown and restrictions: baking, box sets, boredom, learning to Zoom, and the like. It brought back vivid memories of those early days of the pandemic when uncertainty was high.I was blown away by this novel on many levels. Given that Diane is sharing her story in the first person, though with additional material, it is an personal account.There was its central story though I was also drawn by details of the exclusive art world in which Diane works; an appreciation of the natural world and, given the location of the Galapagos, musings on Darwin’s theory of evolution. Spirituality and the sense of purpose also plays an important part in the narrative though in a subtle way. Perhaps most importantly is the journey that we all face in coming to terms with death.I appreciated Jodi Picoult’s Author’s Note in which she details the intense research that she undertook in order to portray experiences by inviting survivors to share their accounts.I also expect that ‘Wish You Were Here’ will prove popular with reading groups as it offers a great deal of scope for discussion alongside a good read.Despite a theme that appears dark, there is still hope interwoven throughout. As one character says to Diane: “we are in uncharted territory…The future is completely up in the air.”Overall, I feel that ‘Wish You Were Here’ is an important novel. A novel with heart that is complex and multilayered, yet accessible. It has also given me new perspectives to consider.Very highly recommended.

I found this book was notpickupable in so far as I kept finding other things to do rather than pick it up to carry on reading it. Still I am quite pleased I persevered as the last 10% was fun. The first 50% was just the opposite and had it continued in the same vein I would have given it 2 stars.Strangely I was in a very similar situation to Diana at the start of the pandemic, stuck on holiday in South America with borders closed and questionable chances of getting home. That’s where the similarities ended.I found I rather enjoyed reading about life during the pandemic and felt that was well written. Similarly the overall plot turned out to be very clever, but somehow as I read I thought the plot was going to be obvious and uninspiring.So hats off to Jodi for proving me wrong and writing a pretty decent book.

Another thought provoking read from this awesome writer. I don’t think I would have bought it if I had known it was based in the backdrop of COVID, which left many scars.Don’t let that deter you from reading. It’s a beautiful story of love, life, loss and discovery. Prepare to be surprised, delighted and, ultimately, with a sense of hope and truth.Just loved it.

I liked the premise behind this book, being set during COVID made it particularly moving in places. The last few chapters felt like they were racing to get to a sadly predictable and disappointing ending. The book is mostly strong and engaging but then peters away and you can feel indecision about where to take the story, the abrupt end is just very flat, so that's why I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars.

Remarkable, lovely read - if you haven’t been the Galapagos are amazing - GO!Ending a little abrupt, maybe that’s to allow the reader to dream!

I wasn’t sure if I would like this book seeing that it was written during the pandemic, but have enjoyed the author’s books before. It really brought back the horrible time we all had which I seem to have forgotten. Even with the subject matter, it was a great read.

There are books you don't just read but devour and want to crawl into. Books that make you forget to eat and drink, that make you forget time and place and leave you breathless. "Wish You Were Here" by Jodi Picoult is such a book. I can say from my deepest heart that this book is definitely going to be one of the best books I have read in a long time.Plot:Diana O'Toole has it all: A handsome and successful boyfriend, a promising career at Sotheby's and all her future life goals already mapped out, like being married at 30, having two kids at 35 while at the same time climbing the professional ladder in the art auction world. What is more, she is convinced that Finn, her boyfriend, is going to propose to her on their upcoming trip to the Galápagos Islands.But then Covid19 comes along. Finn, a surgical resident, has to stay behind at the hospital but urges Diana to make the trip alone.The moment Diana arrives at theGalápagos Islands, the whole place is put under quarantine. Everything is shut down and she needs the help of a local family to find a place to stay. Stripped of almost everything - her luggage got lost and she's running out of money - she explores the beauty of the islands and meets people who will change her forever. Suddenly she starts questioning everything that has seemed so important to her, and she wonders if she will be a completely different person when she goes back home again.Well, and then a plot twist comes along that really left me speechless. I didn't see it coming and I couldn't have seen it coming. I'm not going to say anything more about it, just this: Please read this book!!!!!

Jodi Luckily never disappoints. She take complex and socially divisive issues and allows you to connect with a person without getting caught up in the politics. I really enjoyed this book!😀.

My first read of 2023 and a fresh plot with a completely new and different twist.Left me wanting for more when the narration ended.A 5star rating from me.

Over the many years that I have read Ms Picoults` books, there have of course, been some I’ve liked, some I haven’t , some I’ve been indifferent to and some that age just too damn good for words. Wish you were here falls into the final category. It is an impressive manuscript, made even more exceptional, by the subject matter that she has tackled.Our main characters, Dianna and Finn are a couple. Finn is a surgical resident in a NY hospital and Dianna works as an art specialist at Sotheby’s. When covid enters the world stage, little do our couple realise how it may inhabit and disrupt their lives. A planned holiday about to start is disrupted as all Drs are ordered to remain at work. Dianna and Finn discuss whether they cancel it or whether she still goes. Whether she gets out of NY and stays away from what is speculated to be the pandemic epicentre. No more plot. No spoilers.As we sit here, 2 years into the pandemic, it must be acknowledged that it was a brave book to write. You could always say a risky book to write. As a widow from 2019, an ex-registered nurse myself, and someone who nursed my mum through to her passing in 2021, Ms Picoult, boy did you get this book right. Thank you so much for taking your time with your research.My husband was in icu several times during the last years of his life and your writing of ICU a patients and effects from their stay….he suffered those too. I could relate to that. As a registered nurse, I can say that your writing of how nurses work from day to day is beautifully done. I noted the subtle humour that came in through some nurses comments. Again highly relatable. I was that nurse, but am not anymore. Your care in writing about dementia was beautifully done, allowing for the disease to be demonstrated through the exquisiteness of the person underneath.This book was going to be controversial for some people and I think that is perceived in the Goodreads reviews.- Some find it “hard to read”.- Some who have lost someone to C-19 may find it a hard read.- Others have said it is “too heavy, not a light read”.- Others have said that there is not enough drama.From my point of view, I’m a writer and a reader….- This was fact with a fiction story overlay. Those in the world who have trouble seeing how covid can play out, would benefit from reading this book. It describes everything the world has experienced, but shares it through the eyes of a 29 year old fictional woman.- This book is a life changer book. Anyone that reads it, should sit up and take stock and realise how short life is. Put the phone/tablet down and look at what’s around you.- Readers should take stock of life and “be happy with what you have”. There is a saying “the secret to having it all, is knowing you already do”The underlying message for me in this book…..realise who you are. Sometimes the person or event that is in front of you, that you think is the right thing for you…..may not be.

Meraviglioso