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Zeit der Gespenster
„Wahre Liebe ist wie Gespenster, von denen jedermann spricht, die aber nur wenige gesehen haben“. Auf schmerzhaft paradoxe Weise umreißt jene dreihundert Jahre alte, dem Roman vorangestellte Maxime des französischen Moralisten François de La Rochefoucauld punktgenau Ross Wakemans Misere: Zwar durfte er besagten wenigen angehören – seit dem tödlichen Unfall seiner Frau jagt er hingegen wortwörtlich einem Gespenst nach. Diese aus ungebrochener Liebe betriebene Geistersuche macht sich nun ein Unternehmer zunutze. Ross soll vermeintlich paranormale Phänomene widerlegen und den herrschenden Aberglauben beenden, dass Bauarbeiten auf dem Friedhofsgelände der Abenaki-Indianer die Rache der Toten heraufbeschwören. Ausgerechnet jetzt wird Ross’ Suche allerdings erstmals von Erfolg gekrönt sein …
Beließe es Jodi Picoult knappe 500 Seiten bei einer oberflächlichen, wenngleich spannenden Mystery-Lovestory, gelte sie nicht als amerikanische Schriftstellerin von Rang. Nahezu unmerklich schleicht sich ein beklemmendes Kapitel Geschichte in den fiktiven Text ein: das Vermont Eugenik-Projekt der zwanziger und dreißiger Jahre. Wissenschaftler strebten mittels kontrollierter Fortpflanzung und „freiwilliger“ Sterilisation die Erschaffung einer Idylle an, in der man lediglich Bewohner mit „idealer“ Erbmasse akzeptierte. Indianer sowie Angehörige Nervenkranker wurden fast per se als „fruchtbare Minderwertige“ abgestempelt und Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse entsprechend vertuscht. Anknüpfungspunkte hierzu bildet die Autorin mithilfe von Zeitsprüngen, insbesondere jedoch anhand der Romanfiguren: Hauptbindeglieder zwischen Gegenwart und Vergangenheit sind eine moderne Genetikerin, ein alter Abenaki-Indianer, eine geheimnisvolle Frau, deren tragischer Tod eng mit dem Eugenik-Projekt zusammenhängt, und nicht zuletzt Ross Wakeman selbst.
In Jodi Picoults Werken – etwa Neunzehn Minuten – tun sich aus den Blickwinkeln vieler Personen peu à peu erschreckende, unerwartete Abgründe und Facetten verletzter Seelen auf. Meisterhaft geschrieben, bildet Zeit der Gespenster da keine Ausnahme. Angeblich sei Jodi Picoult von all ihren Romanen dieser sogar der liebste. Das mag jeder Leser selbst entscheiden – bemerkenswert ist das Resultat ihrer gründlichen Recherchen und Erzählkunst erneut allemal. – Fenja Wambold
464 pages, Hardcover
First published April 8, 2003
2308 people are currently reading
29134 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Picoult
111 books94.6k followersJodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.
Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,356 reviews
April 13, 2012
First of all I just have to say that this may be one of the worst Jodi Picoult books I've ever read--one of the most utterly and completely ridiculous storylines in her line of books so far. First off, the beginning is overwhemingly confusing---so many different characters I coudn't keep my focus. This was a huge flaw. Second, all the history and scientific crap really bored me out of my gord. Would have made this read so much smoother if she cut it down about 75 percent. It also rubbed me the wrong way the character Ross would blantantly walk around in his underwear around his sister...was there a need for this description? Sounds like incest to me. The only part I found even remotely interesting about this book was when they went back in time. After that, I found it painfully hard to get through this novel. Overall it was tedious, predictable, and unbelievable. Don't get me wrong, Jodi Picoult is a gifted writer...but her concept for this novel was a little far fetched.
March 18, 2025
There are few contemporary authors who can balance an incongruous number of issues, characters and timelines as well as Jodi Picoult. I admit to being very particular when choosing one of her novels… thanks to Goodreads I know I’m a mood reader. So, if I’m not prepared to use the Kleenex, then Picoult is not for me.
This book truly surprised me— I was initially drawn in by the haunted house in rural Vermont — I knew there would be some social issues and was pleasantly surprised when it looked like Picoult was addressing the plight of how we’ve treated Native American tribes. We were the interlopers.. and Picoult sure gets it. But as the plot ratcheted up, I started to realize that she wasn’t just scratching the surface, she was going deep into eugenics. The anger and disgust I felt was palpable and the ugliness impossible to ignore.
‘
But she never stops with just the social issues; she introduces seemingly unrelated characters and begins to build a layered plot line that continues to shock. And then what began as a rundown house and unexplained phenomena that haunts a town (complete with crazy psychics and paranormal investigators) becomes a story about love, prejudice, injustice, and the simple will to survive. This particular novel made me think of how a painting begins as a bunch of dots, lines, shadings and as those begin to fill the canvas with the mixture of colors, a sharper image emerges. That’s how I felt about this story.
I agree with other reviewers— yup, too much stuff in here and a stutter step ending, despite its brilliant reveal and solid story telling. So pick up this ghostly tale, but it’s like getting five stories for the price of one.
(Reviewed 10/16/24)
This book truly surprised me— I was initially drawn in by the haunted house in rural Vermont — I knew there would be some social issues and was pleasantly surprised when it looked like Picoult was addressing the plight of how we’ve treated Native American tribes. We were the interlopers.. and Picoult sure gets it. But as the plot ratcheted up, I started to realize that she wasn’t just scratching the surface, she was going deep into eugenics. The anger and disgust I felt was palpable and the ugliness impossible to ignore.
‘
But she never stops with just the social issues; she introduces seemingly unrelated characters and begins to build a layered plot line that continues to shock. And then what began as a rundown house and unexplained phenomena that haunts a town (complete with crazy psychics and paranormal investigators) becomes a story about love, prejudice, injustice, and the simple will to survive. This particular novel made me think of how a painting begins as a bunch of dots, lines, shadings and as those begin to fill the canvas with the mixture of colors, a sharper image emerges. That’s how I felt about this story.
I agree with other reviewers— yup, too much stuff in here and a stutter step ending, despite its brilliant reveal and solid story telling. So pick up this ghostly tale, but it’s like getting five stories for the price of one.
(Reviewed 10/16/24)
April 1, 2007
Jodi Picoult is a fabulous story teller. She has a gift for sharing compelling stories, and for weaving intricate plot lines and interesting characters into a rich literary tapestry. In Second Glance Ms. Picoult has reached new highs. She introduces us to many different characters and story lines; she intertwines those characters to tell one fascinating fictional story; and she throws in a lesson about American history that is quite disturbing and educational. In Second Glance Picoult writes with a magical descriptive quality that is reminiscent of Alice Hoffman, but undeniably Picoult in its detail, compassion, and intricacy. She talks of love and romance; reality and truth; guilt and responsibility; and science and the supernatural.
Second Glance is, on one level, a ghost story. When a developer tries to build on a piece of land in Comtosook, Vermont, strange things begin to happen. The ground freezes in August; the sky rains down rose petals; and the home that is being demolished somehow rebuilds itself at night. Ross Wakeman, a retired “ghost-hunter”, haunted by the death of his own fianc�, agrees to study the construction site for proof of ghosts. His work not only forces the locals to consider the existence of ghosts, but leads to the re-opening of a 70 year old murder case.
More than just a ghost story, Second Glance also teaches us about the horrors of the 1920s-1930s Vermont Eugenics project. In the 20s and 30s, some “learned” men in Vermont wanted to “preserve the state’s rural charm” by systematically eliminating “bad” genes from the reproductive gene pool. Violent tendencies, simple-mindedness, loose morals, etc, were believed to be the result of a poor genetic makeup, and Vermont’s population could be “cleansed” by eliminating these bad genes through forced sterilization. The local Abenaki Indians, having their own language and lifestyle, were victimized by the Eugenics laws, and often committed to mental hospitals and jails, and forced to undergo sterilization.
Beyond these two stories, Picoult shares several love stories. Ross is consumed by his love for Aimee, his fianc�, and is over-ridden by guilt that he could not save her from death. He flirts with death as a way of re-connecting with Aimee, and feels trapped on earth until he is smitten by a new mystery lady. Shelby loves her brother Ross, is completely devoted to her son Ethan, but longs for romantic love. Meredith loves her daughter Lucy and her grandmother Ruby, but is too absorbed in her work to find time for romantic love. Cissy loves her husband and her unborn child, but has difficulty in loving herself.
While I strongly recommend this novel, I find myself unable to summarize the plot. The story has twists and turns, rich detail, and interwoven story lines; and I fear that in attempting to summarize it, I would do a great disservice to the novel and to Jodi Picoult. Second Glance is at once a ghost story, a love story, and a murder mystery. It questions truth and reality, and opens the door to an acceptance of the supernatural. Second Glance also is a historical novel, sharing the sad truth of the Vermont Eugenics project and how that project effected the Abenaki. In the end, Second Glance is a compelling novel that should attract many readers and keep them up at night turning pages.
Second Glance is, on one level, a ghost story. When a developer tries to build on a piece of land in Comtosook, Vermont, strange things begin to happen. The ground freezes in August; the sky rains down rose petals; and the home that is being demolished somehow rebuilds itself at night. Ross Wakeman, a retired “ghost-hunter”, haunted by the death of his own fianc�, agrees to study the construction site for proof of ghosts. His work not only forces the locals to consider the existence of ghosts, but leads to the re-opening of a 70 year old murder case.
More than just a ghost story, Second Glance also teaches us about the horrors of the 1920s-1930s Vermont Eugenics project. In the 20s and 30s, some “learned” men in Vermont wanted to “preserve the state’s rural charm” by systematically eliminating “bad” genes from the reproductive gene pool. Violent tendencies, simple-mindedness, loose morals, etc, were believed to be the result of a poor genetic makeup, and Vermont’s population could be “cleansed” by eliminating these bad genes through forced sterilization. The local Abenaki Indians, having their own language and lifestyle, were victimized by the Eugenics laws, and often committed to mental hospitals and jails, and forced to undergo sterilization.
Beyond these two stories, Picoult shares several love stories. Ross is consumed by his love for Aimee, his fianc�, and is over-ridden by guilt that he could not save her from death. He flirts with death as a way of re-connecting with Aimee, and feels trapped on earth until he is smitten by a new mystery lady. Shelby loves her brother Ross, is completely devoted to her son Ethan, but longs for romantic love. Meredith loves her daughter Lucy and her grandmother Ruby, but is too absorbed in her work to find time for romantic love. Cissy loves her husband and her unborn child, but has difficulty in loving herself.
While I strongly recommend this novel, I find myself unable to summarize the plot. The story has twists and turns, rich detail, and interwoven story lines; and I fear that in attempting to summarize it, I would do a great disservice to the novel and to Jodi Picoult. Second Glance is at once a ghost story, a love story, and a murder mystery. It questions truth and reality, and opens the door to an acceptance of the supernatural. Second Glance also is a historical novel, sharing the sad truth of the Vermont Eugenics project and how that project effected the Abenaki. In the end, Second Glance is a compelling novel that should attract many readers and keep them up at night turning pages.
March 29, 2009
I had trouble getting into this, at first. I found the changing pov choppy. But about halfway through the book I found myself caught up in the story. As usual her work is frightening in how it describes the myriad positive and negative emotions involved in motherhood.
October 29, 2024
Wow! Everything I was hoping for and more! Thank you Heidi for your review. It put this one at the top of my “spooky reads”. Hope to write my detailed review soon.
November 28, 2020
Ok another JP book that made my head spin. I love paranormal tropes so i was in my element here. There's a ton of characters which took me a while to get a hold off but once i was in, i was in!
As in all her books they do follow the same formula but I'm good with that, i love that she makes me re-evaluate my views while educating me on various topics i know little about.
As in all her books they do follow the same formula but I'm good with that, i love that she makes me re-evaluate my views while educating me on various topics i know little about.
September 20, 2024
This book is not what I thought it was going to be. From the beginning, I was a little surprised by the subject matter, but having read many of her other books, I trusted her to take me on a journey. It was written differently than many of her other works. It reminded me of the movie Babel - a bunch of disparate stories that eventually are all connected. I don’t normally like this kind of storytelling, because there are often too many strings to track. In this case, it worked well, though there were as many surprises as there were anticipated plot points.
May 9, 2020
I love Jodi Picoult but sadly this was my least favourite of her books.
A confusing, depressing and bizarre story.
It involves quite a few characters and it's not immediately clear how they all fit together but they do in the end. With that being said, the topics were interesting - paranormal, eugenics, suicide and depression, murder mystery and a love story.
A confusing, depressing and bizarre story.
It involves quite a few characters and it's not immediately clear how they all fit together but they do in the end. With that being said, the topics were interesting - paranormal, eugenics, suicide and depression, murder mystery and a love story.
December 28, 2023
Second Glance by Jodi Picoult is a book about the supernatural -ghosts. I struggled through this book. It was difficult to follow. Often i wondered what was going on. Eventually it circled back and closed parts of the book to make some sense. This was my least favorite Jodi Picoult book.
August 13, 2017
Finalmente acabei de ler o livro.
Não me importo nada que uma leitura seja demorada desde que a mesma me seja prazerosa. Não foi o caso deste livro, foi uma leitura muito lenta, difícil e deveras agridoce, houve alguns momentos que gostei mas no geral não me convenceu muito.
Já é o terceiro livro que leio da autora, as suas obras nunca são leituras fáceis, mas esta foi a que menos gostei, não senti empatia com nenhum personagem e uma das coisas que mais me perturbou foi a facilidade e leviandade com que a autora aborda o tema do suicídio, basicamente se não sabemos qual o propósito da nossa existência a solução é tirar a própria vida? Em vez de ir à procura desse sentido.
Parte que achei interessante no livro porque o conhecimento e o saber nunca são demais, foi as informações sobre a eugenia e o quanto isso inspirou os nazistas e também saber um pouco mais sobre a cultura nativo americana.
Em relação ao paranormal? Não me convenceu.
Não me importo nada que uma leitura seja demorada desde que a mesma me seja prazerosa. Não foi o caso deste livro, foi uma leitura muito lenta, difícil e deveras agridoce, houve alguns momentos que gostei mas no geral não me convenceu muito.
Já é o terceiro livro que leio da autora, as suas obras nunca são leituras fáceis, mas esta foi a que menos gostei, não senti empatia com nenhum personagem e uma das coisas que mais me perturbou foi a facilidade e leviandade com que a autora aborda o tema do suicídio, basicamente se não sabemos qual o propósito da nossa existência a solução é tirar a própria vida? Em vez de ir à procura desse sentido.
Parte que achei interessante no livro porque o conhecimento e o saber nunca são demais, foi as informações sobre a eugenia e o quanto isso inspirou os nazistas e também saber um pouco mais sobre a cultura nativo americana.
Em relação ao paranormal? Não me convenceu.
March 27, 2022
First things first - trigger warning - suicidal ideations from 1 character throughout.
I’ve read several Jodi Picoult books before, I don’t mind lots of characters and changing from 1 to the next. But somehow, all of it didn’t feel “put together” while I was reading this one.
The characters do all tie together by the 3rd section but it always had a disjointed feel to it. Maybe I’m judging her a little more harshly because I’ve read other books by her that were executed superbly.
It’s a story about the ghosts of the past (literally ghosts) still trying to find their way 70 years after they died. The eugenics project in Vermont comes into play as well as the mistreatment of Native Americans.
I found myself scrolling through my phone when I could have been reading a lot during this one. A sure sign that the story didn’t grab me as much as other books I’ve read.
I’ve read several Jodi Picoult books before, I don’t mind lots of characters and changing from 1 to the next. But somehow, all of it didn’t feel “put together” while I was reading this one.
The characters do all tie together by the 3rd section but it always had a disjointed feel to it. Maybe I’m judging her a little more harshly because I’ve read other books by her that were executed superbly.
It’s a story about the ghosts of the past (literally ghosts) still trying to find their way 70 years after they died. The eugenics project in Vermont comes into play as well as the mistreatment of Native Americans.
I found myself scrolling through my phone when I could have been reading a lot during this one. A sure sign that the story didn’t grab me as much as other books I’ve read.
December 30, 2017
Not bad at all. I liked it and the characters. There were some very funny moments and not as much controversy as some of Picout's books which made this novel a lighter read than most of her books. I expected it to be a bit slow at the beginning and it did have some slow moments but not as much as I expected. I like the ghost aspect which I did not think I would from Picoult because I was afraid it would be like Danielle Steel's Past Present when the ghosts showed up but it wasn't. It was actually well written.
Overall, not bad at all and I liked it simply!
Overall, not bad at all and I liked it simply!
July 22, 2023
Where do I begin?
First, I love this author, so I was willing to give this book, a second glance.
Yes, I know I am playing with the title a bit here, but to be honest, not many reviewers were happy with this story.
There are many characters in it, and at times, I had a difficult time keeping up – but eventually they all "came together" for a purpose.
Picoult is a storyteller, and this one – well, do you believe in ghosts?
There were so many twists and turns, that eventually, I was curious enough (my love of mystery) that I had to stay with it to figure out how all of these people would tie together…or not.
It was eerie, scandalous, poetic, exaggerated, and right on the mark at the same time--- very, very sad at times, also alarming because Picoult points out that History does indeed repeat itself no matter how much we want to believe that we learn from history.
(Another one of those experiences {remember 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, but there is something about what is happening today that makes you wonder if we still are not in some ways still experiencing the remnants of that horrific secret. Take time to read the author’s note at the end.
Bottom line, if you are a Jodi Picoult fan, you may want to stick with this one to the end to see how she brings it all together.
Even as strange as this tale is, there is some satisfaction in knowing you made it to the end. 3.5 stars
First, I love this author, so I was willing to give this book, a second glance.
Yes, I know I am playing with the title a bit here, but to be honest, not many reviewers were happy with this story.
There are many characters in it, and at times, I had a difficult time keeping up – but eventually they all "came together" for a purpose.
Picoult is a storyteller, and this one – well, do you believe in ghosts?
There were so many twists and turns, that eventually, I was curious enough (my love of mystery) that I had to stay with it to figure out how all of these people would tie together…or not.
It was eerie, scandalous, poetic, exaggerated, and right on the mark at the same time--- very, very sad at times, also alarming because Picoult points out that History does indeed repeat itself no matter how much we want to believe that we learn from history.
(Another one of those experiences {remember 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, but there is something about what is happening today that makes you wonder if we still are not in some ways still experiencing the remnants of that horrific secret. Take time to read the author’s note at the end.
Bottom line, if you are a Jodi Picoult fan, you may want to stick with this one to the end to see how she brings it all together.
Even as strange as this tale is, there is some satisfaction in knowing you made it to the end. 3.5 stars
September 9, 2020
If you're going to write a book from the perspective of a dozen different characters, then you better do it right.
Unfortunately, Picoult doesn't do it right. Not even close. I only got as far as Chapter 3 or so and couldn't stomach the obviously dated speech and unconvincing behaviors of the characters. No self-respecting teenage boy would use the phrase "As if" or still use a Game Boy. [Editing this in 2020 to say this incredibly sexist and narrow-minded of me to say.] And how can Ross just abandon his camera equipment most likely worth thousands of dollars and blithely refer to them as replaceable. On the minimum wage he was getting? On what planet?
The only storyline that had some potential was the doctor, Meredith, and her work with genetic engineering embryos. There was nothing about this book that felt believable, I just kept thinking "Who would do that? Who would say that?!" No one.
I actually really liked My Sister's Keeper so I was really disappointed to trudge through brief paragraphs of characters that I didn't give a damn about. Who the hell is Winks again? Who is Lucy? Who the hell is Stuart? Whatever, pass.
Unfortunately, Picoult doesn't do it right. Not even close. I only got as far as Chapter 3 or so and couldn't stomach the obviously dated speech and unconvincing behaviors of the characters. No self-respecting teenage boy would use the phrase "As if" or still use a Game Boy. [Editing this in 2020 to say this incredibly sexist and narrow-minded of me to say.] And how can Ross just abandon his camera equipment most likely worth thousands of dollars and blithely refer to them as replaceable. On the minimum wage he was getting? On what planet?
The only storyline that had some potential was the doctor, Meredith, and her work with genetic engineering embryos. There was nothing about this book that felt believable, I just kept thinking "Who would do that? Who would say that?!" No one.
I actually really liked My Sister's Keeper so I was really disappointed to trudge through brief paragraphs of characters that I didn't give a damn about. Who the hell is Winks again? Who is Lucy? Who the hell is Stuart? Whatever, pass.
January 29, 2018
I don't believe in ghosts. Sorry, I just don't. You could put in a haunted house or whatever and at the end of the day I still wont believe in ghost. Even if I die and become a ghost and haunt all the people that did me wrong in my lifetime - I still wouldn't believe.
Admitting all of that - I can't say that I was hesitant about reading this book nor did I have high expectations for it. I've said this countless time but I really do have a love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult.
Second Glance wasn't my favorite book of hers because nothing will ever beat my first love: Vanishing Acts. I didn't really connect with the characters or the story line while reading. I didn't really care about what was happening. I was entertained enough that I read the book start to finish without stopping. I feel like I just kind of wanted to get this book over with so I didn't let myself really stop reading or even think about another book.
I guess if you believe in ghosts or into that sort of scene then I suggest you try out this book. I'm not really into because I don't believe in ghosts or anything but I've also read other paranormal books with ghosts or evil spirits that were a lot better than this book.
I'm sorry - I tried, it just didn't work out with me.
Admitting all of that - I can't say that I was hesitant about reading this book nor did I have high expectations for it. I've said this countless time but I really do have a love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult.
Second Glance wasn't my favorite book of hers because nothing will ever beat my first love: Vanishing Acts. I didn't really connect with the characters or the story line while reading. I didn't really care about what was happening. I was entertained enough that I read the book start to finish without stopping. I feel like I just kind of wanted to get this book over with so I didn't let myself really stop reading or even think about another book.
I guess if you believe in ghosts or into that sort of scene then I suggest you try out this book. I'm not really into because I don't believe in ghosts or anything but I've also read other paranormal books with ghosts or evil spirits that were a lot better than this book.
I'm sorry - I tried, it just didn't work out with me.
January 15, 2009
I really like Jodi Picoult, but the problem with reading many books by one author is that you start to recognize certain patterns and be able to predict the outcome of any given situation. I knew very early on what happened to Cecilia's baby, as I'm sure most readers did. I was also pretty sure I knew how Cecilia died because of a riddle I learned in elementary school. When the truth was revealed and I found I was right, I wasn't quite sure how to feel about it. I'm not trying to brag or anything. In fact, when I read something I like to try not to predict the ending. I like to be surprised. Unfortunately, Jodi Picoult seems incapable of surprising me anymore.
Still, it was a good book. It was interesting and well written, as always. There are some technical details that make me shudder, like the fact that she's so comma-happy, but I still enjoyed the book and recommend it highly.
Still, it was a good book. It was interesting and well written, as always. There are some technical details that make me shudder, like the fact that she's so comma-happy, but I still enjoyed the book and recommend it highly.
November 4, 2024
My friend Ruth and I read this one together. It was my second reading and I still remember it which is unusual as most books I forget fast these days. My sister originally recommended it to me.
August 9, 2017
First Jodi piccoult book. I set it down for 3 months, came back to it, found some things that started to click. Led me to read many many more Jodi piccoult books.
February 4, 2010
Ross Wakeman became a ghost hunter after he lost his fiancee, Aimee, in a terrible car accident. He has never really believed in the paranormal, but he forces himself to take on the career so that one day he could be reunited with his lost love. He moves in with his motherly older sister Shelby, along with her son Ethan who is suffering from XP (xeroderma pigmentosum), in Comtosook, Vermont. There have been rumors floating around of supernatural activity in Comtosook. Several people believe it is due to a land dispute over a sacred Indial burial ground that is causing the strange occurrences. One day while Ross is investigating during the night he meets the mysterious Lia, who truly wakens him from his depressed mindset after Aimee's death. Her appearance causes Ross to discover startling revelations about Comtosook and its' ancestry.
Jodi Picoult is a talented author. All the information in Second Glance is presented nicely and accurately, even if it must have required months to research each painstaking detail. I learned a lot about ghosts, and the most interesting nonfiction fact that I got from the book was the eugenics project going on in Vermont around 1930's. I thought only Hitler tried sterilizing humans he didn't see fit to live, but it turns out that people in the USA were doing the same thing. Go figure.
Back to the book. Overall, I loved it. Jodi Picoult delivers developed characters, and interesting plot, and a completely original story. Like always. However, for some reason I felt as if the multiple point of views in Second Glance were a bit choppy, especially at the beginning. This isn't a problem that is prevalent in Picoult's other novels, but I don't know what happened here. Also, it took a while for the conflict to settle in. Still, I would highly recommend Second Glance, especially to Science Fiction and Paranormal Fiction lovers.
Jodi Picoult is a talented author. All the information in Second Glance is presented nicely and accurately, even if it must have required months to research each painstaking detail. I learned a lot about ghosts, and the most interesting nonfiction fact that I got from the book was the eugenics project going on in Vermont around 1930's. I thought only Hitler tried sterilizing humans he didn't see fit to live, but it turns out that people in the USA were doing the same thing. Go figure.
Back to the book. Overall, I loved it. Jodi Picoult delivers developed characters, and interesting plot, and a completely original story. Like always. However, for some reason I felt as if the multiple point of views in Second Glance were a bit choppy, especially at the beginning. This isn't a problem that is prevalent in Picoult's other novels, but I don't know what happened here. Also, it took a while for the conflict to settle in. Still, I would highly recommend Second Glance, especially to Science Fiction and Paranormal Fiction lovers.
May 26, 2010
I knew as I was sitting in a crowd of over 200 Jodi Picoult fans listening to her recount her field research for this book, it was going to be a novel that would have me looking over my shoulder taking a Second Glance for paranormal presence.
This intricately layered novel does a perfect job of demonstrating Picoult's fantastical writing abilities. She is a master at her craft, and Second Glance has proven once again that Picoult can take on any subject matter, objectively present the facts for both sides, and challenge the reader to question their belief system. Absolutely brilliant!
To even begin to attempt to describe this novel, I have to say, I will not give it the justice it deserves. So, at its basic level, Second Glance takes the reader on a journey to show how love can travel through time and maybe... just maybe there are supernatural forces out there ensuring it travels safely. The story also blends the controversial subject of eugenics in the mix; and as a reader you can't help but wonder the possibilities of genetic diagnosis and replacement therapy with a proper blend of government and ethical organizational involvement.
Picoult takes a myriad of subjects and ideas and wraps it around a paranormal theme; and despite the odd mix it blends just perfectly and challenges the reader to not discount the possibilities. Once again… absolutely brilliant.
This was a perfect choice for a book club discussion as it offered the avenue to discuss ghost stories, genetic testing, boundaries and possibilities. As a disclaimer, I must note, this is probably one of Picoult's more complex reads, but if you're already a fan, I can say with certainty, you will not be disappointed.
This intricately layered novel does a perfect job of demonstrating Picoult's fantastical writing abilities. She is a master at her craft, and Second Glance has proven once again that Picoult can take on any subject matter, objectively present the facts for both sides, and challenge the reader to question their belief system. Absolutely brilliant!
To even begin to attempt to describe this novel, I have to say, I will not give it the justice it deserves. So, at its basic level, Second Glance takes the reader on a journey to show how love can travel through time and maybe... just maybe there are supernatural forces out there ensuring it travels safely. The story also blends the controversial subject of eugenics in the mix; and as a reader you can't help but wonder the possibilities of genetic diagnosis and replacement therapy with a proper blend of government and ethical organizational involvement.
Picoult takes a myriad of subjects and ideas and wraps it around a paranormal theme; and despite the odd mix it blends just perfectly and challenges the reader to not discount the possibilities. Once again… absolutely brilliant.
This was a perfect choice for a book club discussion as it offered the avenue to discuss ghost stories, genetic testing, boundaries and possibilities. As a disclaimer, I must note, this is probably one of Picoult's more complex reads, but if you're already a fan, I can say with certainty, you will not be disappointed.
August 3, 2020
Gosto muito dos livroos desta autora mas este é um pouco estanho. Fala de fantasmas, amores que ultrapassam a própria morte e de se descobrir a verdade. Mas mesmo assim, demorei algum tempo a apanhar o ritmo e andei um pouco perdida. Mas não desgostei do final
August 13, 2010
This was an amazing read! Reading this story re-confirms why Jodi Picoult is one of my favorite authors.
I believe it's one of her finest. Not only do I sincerely enjoy her prose and expressive style, but I also love the fact that every time I read a Jodi Picoult book I learn something new and interesting. In this case she weaves the issues of eugenics and genetics into an original story of a love lost.
There are so many layers to this book, that’s what's so fascinating. The fact that there was a multitude of unconnected characters introduced in the first part of the book didn’t confuse me at all, on the contrary, it intrigued me. It’s just thrilling when you find out how they are connected or related as the story unfolds. In that sense, it is a page turner. Also I found the ghost angle of the story totally believable.
My favorite character was definitely the 103 year-old Abenaki, Az Thompson.
I will highly recommend this book to all my friends.
I believe it's one of her finest. Not only do I sincerely enjoy her prose and expressive style, but I also love the fact that every time I read a Jodi Picoult book I learn something new and interesting. In this case she weaves the issues of eugenics and genetics into an original story of a love lost.
There are so many layers to this book, that’s what's so fascinating. The fact that there was a multitude of unconnected characters introduced in the first part of the book didn’t confuse me at all, on the contrary, it intrigued me. It’s just thrilling when you find out how they are connected or related as the story unfolds. In that sense, it is a page turner. Also I found the ghost angle of the story totally believable.
My favorite character was definitely the 103 year-old Abenaki, Az Thompson.
I will highly recommend this book to all my friends.
December 30, 2008
This was another one of my attempts at listening to a book on cd while in the car. Unfortunately this one was a flop. I'm used to Jodi Picoult using lots of characters in her stories because I have read two of her other books. However this one just never seemed to gel in anyway. I have to admit that I only made it about 2 chapters into the book before I completely lost interest. The characters did not seem like that needed to have any connection to each other what so ever. I felt like I needed to make a character list just to keep everyone straight. This book is called second glance but I don't recommend even giving it a first one.
September 2, 2017
Só não dou cinco estrelas porque as primeiras 150 páginas foram entediantes
Opinião completa em: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...
Opinião completa em: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...
January 21, 2013
Do you believe in ghosts? or in what we call paranormal activity? I used to watch a show called 'Ghost Hunters'. As the name suggests, in this show they hunt ghosts from attics and old mansions; they kind of showed us the presence of an energy in these places with the help of some devices. I was actually piqued by the idea. I always believed in the unknown energy around us; something like the existence of a sixth sense. But when I picked 'Second Glance' to read I never expected the story to be something like that.
My first thought about Second Glance was that its just a book in which the existence of ghosts and invisible forces on earth are going to be questioned and in the end science is going to win. I was so sure! but was I wrong!
This is my first Jodi Picoult book. I have 2 of her books in my 'to-read' list; 'My Sister's Keeper and 'Nineteen Minutes'.
But apparently I decided to read Second Glance and this book was a wake up call!. Second Glance stirred my beliefs on undefined forces of nature. Don't think I m delusional but its the truth.
My first thought about Second Glance was that its just a book in which the existence of ghosts and invisible forces on earth are going to be questioned and in the end science is going to win. I was so sure! but was I wrong!
This is my first Jodi Picoult book. I have 2 of her books in my 'to-read' list; 'My Sister's Keeper and 'Nineteen Minutes'.
But apparently I decided to read Second Glance and this book was a wake up call!. Second Glance stirred my beliefs on undefined forces of nature. Don't think I m delusional but its the truth.
June 12, 2021
Custou-me um bocado a entrar nesta história, não só pelas muitas personagens que nos apresenta, como pelos temas muito dispersos que começa a desenvolver. Só a partir da 2a parte comecei verdadeiramente a apreciar a história e a sentir alguma ligação com as personagens.
A parte dos fantasmas aborreceu-me um bocado, mas a parte sobre o Projeto Eugénio foi realmente muito interessante.
Não é um dos melhores da autora, nem um dos que mais gostei, apesar de o ter lido muito rapidamente, mas ainda assim, vale a pena ler.
A parte dos fantasmas aborreceu-me um bocado, mas a parte sobre o Projeto Eugénio foi realmente muito interessante.
Não é um dos melhores da autora, nem um dos que mais gostei, apesar de o ter lido muito rapidamente, mas ainda assim, vale a pena ler.
January 18, 2008
Not my favorite Picoult novel, but there's some good stuff here. I wasn't familiar with the whole eugenics thing prior to reading this book. Appalling! Based on real events.
I liked this line:
"Men...were like an accessory, like a belt or purse or shoes. You didn't necessarily need one to complete your look. Granted, if you walked around barefoot you got a few odd stares every now and then, but the important parts of you were covered."
I liked this line:
"Men...were like an accessory, like a belt or purse or shoes. You didn't necessarily need one to complete your look. Granted, if you walked around barefoot you got a few odd stares every now and then, but the important parts of you were covered."
July 23, 2024
Um, yeah. Not my favorite Picoult but kinda neat, I guess. Different from everything else I've read from her, what with ghosts/paranormal. Eugenics and family tragedy, though - those were right in her swim lane. Goes to show Jodi Picoult can draw readers in, no matter the subject.
February 3, 2009
Again, another book for me where you have to suspend your belief now and again. But a good story if you are easily amused. The end was the hardest to swallow.
Ross Wakeman has repeatedly puts his life at risk after the love of his life dies. When nothing works, and a job with a paranormal investigator brings him no closer to his former love, he moves in with his sister. As chance would have it, strange phenomena are plaguing the town, and Ross is drawn into an investigation of a piece of land that local Abenaki Indians claim is an old burial ground. In the process, he meets lovely Lia Beaumont, who has some mysterious connection to sinister goings-on 70 years before in Comtosook. Add a bunch of eccentric characters, and Picoult tries to spin a suspenseful otherworldly tale that touches on insight into the human spirit and the depths of true love.
Ross Wakeman has repeatedly puts his life at risk after the love of his life dies. When nothing works, and a job with a paranormal investigator brings him no closer to his former love, he moves in with his sister. As chance would have it, strange phenomena are plaguing the town, and Ross is drawn into an investigation of a piece of land that local Abenaki Indians claim is an old burial ground. In the process, he meets lovely Lia Beaumont, who has some mysterious connection to sinister goings-on 70 years before in Comtosook. Add a bunch of eccentric characters, and Picoult tries to spin a suspenseful otherworldly tale that touches on insight into the human spirit and the depths of true love.
May 29, 2017
Read quite some time ago but loved this book in fact love all of Jodi Picoult books.
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