Hello Fellow Bookworms,
I hope everyone is doing well and focused on things that we love and bring us joy. One of those things for me is books. I have just recently finished my seventh book of the year called The Storyteller by, Jodi Picoult. She’s the same author that wrote My Sister’s Keeper, which turned into a movie. I read the book and watched the movie. I thought the book was better. I think the books are normally better.
This book, The Storyteller, was so good. Where should I start… I’ll start with the storyline that is based on historical facts surrounding the Holocaust. This book brought the Holocaust to life for me like a movie. I was drawn in by the details. I was invested in the characters and what was going to happen to them. I cried when they cried. I was sad when they were sad. I was happy and excited when they were.
The atmosphere in the book was so heavy with sorrow yet rich with hope. The details and descriptions referencing to the actual acts of violence against the Jews gripped my soul. I was aware of the crimes that took place against the Jews before reading this book. It was different to read it in such a way that you are pulled into the story making you feel like you are also there through the characters eyes. To top it off, even though there was so much death, sickness, violence, and suffering; they still had hope.
As I read I did notice a few em dashes that Picoult used while writing the book and a thought crossed my mind as I stopped reading. This book was written before AI was open to the public. I say before it was open to the public because it’s been here longer than we think. She did not use AI to write this book nor am I insinuating that she uses AI now. What I’m saying is people are using the em dash as a sign that the author used AI. This example is proof that we can’t judge a book based on em bashes. Some authors like to use them. I personally prefer the three dot option. The dramatic dot dot dot…
Picoult brought the Holocaust to life. It’s was huge for me to have my heart swell open for the violence these people endured. To feel like I was walking among them in their pain. At times it became hard to read. As bodies piled up I held my breath at the anticipation of when it would end. Not the book but the events. Still the sadness went on to explain more details of death and suffering.
Although the book carried such heaviness I do recommend it. The story Picoult tells here is important and deserves to be read. Things have happened in the past to humans that has truly transformed the history of humanity. I hope and pray that we continue to move on and heal from tragic events like these.
Until next time Bookworms, stay safe and stay positive.
M.C. Addington 