The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

[nickyb325]

I was apprehensive about reading this book, but I got it as a recommendation from my husband's grandma. She's sweet, but she and I do not have the same taste in books. She's offered me several recommendations and I've mostly just smiled and gave the typical response most booknerds do when someone gives them reading advice, "I'll have to check it out!" ..Aaaand I never do. But, this one I figured I'd take chance on. I hadn't read a Jodi Picoult book since My Sister's Keeper, and it was great, but I didn't necessarily feel inspired to go out and pick up every other one of her books at B&N. I have to say I was intrigued that she was writing historical fiction of sorts. Maybe she does this a lot (as I mentioned I'm not a Jodi Picoult-anite...Picoult-ion whatever). Anyways, the brass tax of it. Jodi Picoult uses her signature wandering narrator technique to tell the story of lives that have intertwined between today's modern world and that of Germany and Poland during the Holocaust.

Sage Singer avoids the public eye as much as possible, working through the night as a baker and hiding behind her hair to cover up a large facial scar. When she does venture out during daytime hours its to visit a grief counseling group to try to process her mother's death. There she meets 90 year old Josef Weber. The two strike up an unlikely friendship and Josef slowly opens up to Sage about his past. Sage, a non-practicing Jew, is shocked to learn that this old man, who frequents her bakery and shares half of his pastries with his dachshund, was once an German SS officer. Trying to process this information and deal with the insurmountable task that Josef asks of her, Sage becomes closer to her grandmother, a Holocaust survivor. Slowly, Sage begins to draw out her grandmother's story that she has hidden away. Sage struggles as she tries to understand if she can forgive Josef, if she even has a right to forgive Josef, and what that forgiveness would mean for her and her family.

I'm so thankful that I actually followed up on this recommendation because it kept me enthralled from beginning to end. Similar to My Sister's Keeper, Picoult tackles some extremely tough subject matter and allows you to see all of the gray area rather than the black and white of things. The book flows seamlessly through the narrators, each with their own voice, and has the ability to provide some really surprising twists and turns that will keep you flipping through the pages.

Has anyone else read this? What were your thoughts?

[sophiagia10]

The last Jodi Picoult I read was House Rules, many years ago, and it has been my favourite until now. I LOVED this book –The Storyteller is a riveting tale of Sage Singer; a baker that works nights to avoid contact with the outside world

[primrose777]

I've heard a lot of good things about this book.... it is on my TBR list.

[Maud Fitch]

I've heard a lot of good things about this book.... it is on my TBR list.

I might give it a go, although I must say Jodi has failed to hold me in the past.

[primrose777]

I've heard a lot of good things about this book.... it is on my TBR list.

I might give it a go, although I must say Jodi has failed to hold me in the past.

I am not a Jodi Picoult fan either Maud but so many people have reccomended this, that I to amgoing to give it a go.

[Mystery_Fan]

I did find this a fascinating read, but be forewarned -- the sections set in the concentration camps are hard reading. Picoult did her research and brings the horror to life.

[jbj]

I have not read the story teller by jodi picoult so maybe its one to read.
However i have read many others of hers including my sisters keeper,salem falls,the tenth circle,The perfect match,The pact,19 minutes and keeping faith.
I think jodi picoult is a good writer and wouldnt have a problem with reading her books in the future.
I also watchedmy sisters keeprer on tv would say i prefer the book as it went into more detail but thats my own preference.

[CassiCox]

I just started this book a few days ago, and am excited to get into it. I have read all of her books, although I agree, some are much better than others- I loved My Sister's Keeper, Salem Falls and 19 minutes...but Lone Wolf, Perfect Match and Keeping Faith were not as enthralling. Thank you for the review!

[heather ahern]

"The Storyteller" by Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite books by this author. Books with themes relating to the Holocaust always peak my interest, and this was no different. Sage Singer is a shy baker, a loner who stays away from the unknown. She develops an unlikely friendship with a regular customer, Josef Weber, who turns out to be a former SS soldier during the Holocaust, and he wants to use Sage as his vessel to unburden his sins. Sage is Jewish herself, and the last thing she wants is to hear the tales he is telling, yet she is drawn to him, and torn between turning him over to the Nazi hunters, or running away from the old man altogether. A haunting, realistic tale, it doesn't disappoint and like all of Picoult's other novels, it includes the twist and turns I have come to expect and love in her work.