Wish You Were Here
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- Create Date：2021-07-24 00:51:07
- Update Date：2025-09-07
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- Author：Jodi Picoult
- ISBN：1473692504
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Summary
**Please include spoiler warnings/hide spoilers in your reviews for the readers who haven’t had a chance to read WISH YOU WERE HERE yet。**
Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track。 She will be married by thirty， done having kids by thirty-five， and move out to the New York City suburbs， all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world。 She’s not engaged just yet， but she knows her boyfriend， Finn， a surgical resident， is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday。 Right on time。
But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city， and on the eve of their departure， Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital。 He has to stay behind。 You should still go， he assures her， since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste。 And so， reluctantly， she goes。
Almost immediately， Diana’s dream vacation goes awry。 The whole island is now under quarantine， and she is stranded until the borders reopen。 Completely isolated， she must venture beyond her comfort zone。 Slowly， she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana， despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders。
Diana finds herself examining her relationships， her choices， and herself—and wondering if when she goes home， she too will have evolved into someone completely different。
Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track。 She will be married by thirty， done having kids by thirty-five， and move out to the New York City suburbs， all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world。 She’s not engaged just yet， but she knows her boyfriend， Finn， a surgical resident， is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday。 Right on time。
But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city， and on the eve of their departure， Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital。 He has to stay behind。 You should still go， he assures her， since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste。 And so， reluctantly， she goes。
Almost immediately， Diana’s dream vacation goes awry。 The whole island is now under quarantine， and she is stranded until the borders reopen。 Completely isolated， she must venture beyond her comfort zone。 Slowly， she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana， despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders。
Diana finds herself examining her relationships， her choices， and herself—and wondering if when she goes home， she too will have evolved into someone completely different。
Reviews
Bobbie
，
Review coming shortly！ What a great book！ I highly recommend it。
Bonnie Plante
，
Full disclosure。 I finished this book 3 days ago and have yet to figure out a way to discuss it without spoilers。 So， rather than detailing the story， I'll talk around it。 I， like many other people am suffering from pandemic fatigue。 I hesitated to even pick up this book knowing that it took place in the midst of Covid-19。 However， I absolutely love Jodi Picoult's books so I took a deep breath and dove in。 I'm glad that I did。 While the story does indeed take place during the pandemic， it is not Full disclosure。 I finished this book 3 days ago and have yet to figure out a way to discuss it without spoilers。 So， rather than detailing the story， I'll talk around it。 I， like many other people am suffering from pandemic fatigue。 I hesitated to even pick up this book knowing that it took place in the midst of Covid-19。 However， I absolutely love Jodi Picoult's books so I took a deep breath and dove in。 I'm glad that I did。 While the story does indeed take place during the pandemic， it is not about the pandemic。 Rather it is a rich， beautiful story about love and loss， hope and despair， and figuring out how to love ourselves through it all。 Picoult has crafted a book that teaches us that things don't have to be real to have a real impact on our lives。 It is beautifully written with descriptions so detailed that you will feel the salt on your skin and the breeze in your hair。 If you only read one book this year， read this one。Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for an opportunity to read an ARC of this book。 。。。more
Reba
，
I wanted a story of hope and love and got so much more from Jodi Picoult's Wish You Were Here。 Picoult masterfully weaves a story that happens to written during Covid-times， but it is about discovering who you were meant to be， surviving isolation， and love。 Wish You Were Here begins with Diana literally painting stars in the sky with her father in Grand Central Station。 We learn that Diana has an estranged relationship with her Pulitzer Prize winning photographer mother， works in the private co I wanted a story of hope and love and got so much more from Jodi Picoult's Wish You Were Here。 Picoult masterfully weaves a story that happens to written during Covid-times， but it is about discovering who you were meant to be， surviving isolation， and love。 Wish You Were Here begins with Diana literally painting stars in the sky with her father in Grand Central Station。 We learn that Diana has an estranged relationship with her Pulitzer Prize winning photographer mother， works in the private collection department of Christie's， and lives with her medical resident boyfriend。 Her life is right on track according to her "list，" that is until the pandemic hits。 Diana and her boyfriend were supposed to go on a trip to the Galapagos （where Diana hopes he will propose！）， but the hospital cannot allow him to leave。 He encourages Diana to still go to keep her safe from Covid。Diana reluctantly agrees， but she becomes trapped on the island when it shuts down to contain the pandemic。 For the first time， Diana is alone。 She has no place to stay when the hotel closes and doesn't know a soul on the island。 （This was definitely not on her "list。"） She is forced to figure out what she really needs to survive and who she truly is。Everything changes when Diana finally gets home， because she doesn't want the same things as before。 As expected， Picoult has created a meticulously researched story with such real characters。 Wish You Were Here had me holding my breath， wiping away tears， and laughing out loud。 This is this book I needed to read right now， and I thank Jodi Picoult for writing it （and NetGalley for the arc！）。 I can only hope that I can do this book justice with my review。 It gave me hope and the promise of joy。I will be encouraging everyone I know to READ THIS BOOK！ 。。。more
Ionarr
，
Argh。 ARGH。 I need another chapter NOW。This is a Good Book。 Impeccably written， with a great story， characters you really empathise with even when you want to slap them a bit， and that speaks to our humanity and our shared trauma of the pandemic。 This is the first COVID-19 situated book I've read and it's pretty perfect - so well done， so nuanced and sensitively treated （both for coronavirus and other issues touched upon）， and wrapped up in enough of a great story that it just feels like a reall Argh。 ARGH。 I need another chapter NOW。This is a Good Book。 Impeccably written， with a great story， characters you really empathise with even when you want to slap them a bit， and that speaks to our humanity and our shared trauma of the pandemic。 This is the first COVID-19 situated book I've read and it's pretty perfect - so well done， so nuanced and sensitively treated （both for coronavirus and other issues touched upon）， and wrapped up in enough of a great story that it just feels like a really good read。 The book is compulsively readable and engaging， and I just loved it， even though it isn't something I'd ever normally pick up。No spoilers， but I screamed at the ending。 Keep going。 KEEP GOING。 。。。more
Heidi Sandiford
，
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons。 I thought it was a very accurate portrayal of NYC during the start/height of the pandemic and it also takes place in the Galapagos Islands which I visited a couple of years ago。 Diana， working for Sotheby's， and Finn， a surgical resident， live in NYC and are on the cusp of getting married。 They have planned a vacation to the Galapagos where Diana is sure Finn plans to propose to her。 Then Covid happens and everything goes wrong。 Diana goes to the G I really enjoyed this book for several reasons。 I thought it was a very accurate portrayal of NYC during the start/height of the pandemic and it also takes place in the Galapagos Islands which I visited a couple of years ago。 Diana， working for Sotheby's， and Finn， a surgical resident， live in NYC and are on the cusp of getting married。 They have planned a vacation to the Galapagos where Diana is sure Finn plans to propose to her。 Then Covid happens and everything goes wrong。 Diana goes to the Galapagos on her own while Finn stays behind to deal with the increasing number of Covid patients at the hospital。。。 To avoid any spoilers I won't say anymore about the plot。 A person not familiar with Covid （if that is even possible） might think they were reading a horror story。 Have to give this 5 stars！ 。。。more
Laura
，
Loved it！ Review to follow shortly
Caroline Hedges
，
Jodi Picoult has been a favorite author of mine for many years。 I have struggled with the last few， but this one is Jodi at her best！ I love how she juxtaposed the beauty of Galapagos with the horror unfolding in New York City。 It was how Covid lockdown was for me， full of beautiful family moments and anxiety ridden hours。 I even had the troubled teen to cope with too！ If I had to pick something that jarred it would be the need to educate the reader with every piece of research， although I liked Jodi Picoult has been a favorite author of mine for many years。 I have struggled with the last few， but this one is Jodi at her best！ I love how she juxtaposed the beauty of Galapagos with the horror unfolding in New York City。 It was how Covid lockdown was for me， full of beautiful family moments and anxiety ridden hours。 I even had the troubled teen to cope with too！ If I had to pick something that jarred it would be the need to educate the reader with every piece of research， although I liked how she varied it through dialogue and POV。I won't talk about the story because it needs to be read with no spoilers。 Let's just say， I was totally blown away by it all and have been talking to all my friends about the need to read this when it comes out。Thank you Netgalley for the ARC。 This is my honest review。 。。。more
Terri
，
One of the last times I read a Jodi Picoult book was when I was recovering from chemo and it was My Sister's Keeper。 This was not a very good idea mostly bc she had captured a lot of what being sick and isolated felt like and seeing that on the page was a way for me to try and articulate what it was like for me。 So， I shouldnt be surprised that her current book， taking place in NYC during COVID was a lot like traveling back in time， a time that feels 20 years ago and also so recent。 I found myse One of the last times I read a Jodi Picoult book was when I was recovering from chemo and it was My Sister's Keeper。 This was not a very good idea mostly bc she had captured a lot of what being sick and isolated felt like and seeing that on the page was a way for me to try and articulate what it was like for me。 So， I shouldnt be surprised that her current book， taking place in NYC during COVID was a lot like traveling back in time， a time that feels 20 years ago and also so recent。 I found myself also wishing I had spent part of last year somewhere like Galapagos， instead of the four walls of my apartment。 The book is vivid and the characters live on the page。 You'll learn alot about Art History。 There's a mention of Schitts Creek （I will not say in what context） and Id like to believe Ted did inspire （maybe subliminally） the Galapago joke （read to see where）。 Plus our collective trauma and Tiger King。 The book moves along and is well done; if you're ready for a book about finding yourself among the dumpster fire that was 2020， this book does it justice。 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy。 。。。more
Mary Mellgren
，
Diana O’Toole has her life all planned out。 She is an art assistant at Sotheby’s and hoping a deal with a high profile client will lead to a big promotion。 She and her surgeon boyfriend Finn are almost engaged and planning a romantic getaway to the Galápagos Islands to celebrate her 30th birthday。 But then a virus strikes New York and Finn is unable to leave town。 He urges Diana to go as the trip is not refundable and it would be a shame to lose all the money。 Diana goes but the trip turns into Diana O’Toole has her life all planned out。 She is an art assistant at Sotheby’s and hoping a deal with a high profile client will lead to a big promotion。 She and her surgeon boyfriend Finn are almost engaged and planning a romantic getaway to the Galápagos Islands to celebrate her 30th birthday。 But then a virus strikes New York and Finn is unable to leave town。 He urges Diana to go as the trip is not refundable and it would be a shame to lose all the money。 Diana goes but the trip turns into a nightmare almost immediately。 Her luggage is lost， no wi-fi and the entire island is under quarantine with no way for her to leave， Her fate is in the hands of a local family who provide her a place to stay and food。 She befriends the daughter and realizes that she is struggling with a secret。 She also finds herself having feelings for the father and loving the life on the island， suddenly she questions her life in New York and the choices she has made for her life。Then the plot changes and a different story emerges that reflects the tragedy of the pandemic and the effects it has on the body and mind of its victims。Thanks to Jodi Picoult and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine 。。。more
Maureen
，
Another good book by Jodi！ Some people my not like it because it’s about the COVID pandemic。。 it was a wonderful story filled with love and sadness and especially to all those frontline workers god bless them
Christina
，
5 StarsHere’s a book I didn’t know I needed。 I’m a huge fan of JP， but don’t let that discredit this review。 This book is a fascinating viewpoint of the pandemic that was vastly different from myown experience。 It’s rich in description and scenery， it’s lush in the art world and it’s deep in the depravity of NYC hospitals during the worst of the pandemic。 Not only does the storytelling feel like vintage Jodi Picoult in the best way， but the character development is captivating and beautiful。 The 5 StarsHere’s a book I didn’t know I needed。 I’m a huge fan of JP， but don’t let that discredit this review。 This book is a fascinating viewpoint of the pandemic that was vastly different from myown experience。 It’s rich in description and scenery， it’s lush in the art world and it’s deep in the depravity of NYC hospitals during the worst of the pandemic。 Not only does the storytelling feel like vintage Jodi Picoult in the best way， but the character development is captivating and beautiful。 There were times I couldn’t put the book down because I was enjoying the actual story so much。 I didn’t honestly want to read a book about the pandemic while we’re still living it but I’m so glad I did。 Diana and Finn have distinct voices that are so compulsively readable it’s mesmerizing。 I loved these characters and felt equally captivated by both of their experiences。 At times heartbreaking and cruel， Wish You Were Here is exactly what the doctor ordered: a reminder to live in the moment， and appreciate the smallest of details knowing the next isn’t guaranteed。 And when the world forces you to press pause， try to look around and appreciate the view。 。。。more
Tfalcone
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC。 Well， I did not see that one coming。 Without giving too much away， Jodi Picoult's books often have an unexpected twist。 （ I remember throwing the book across the room when I was reading My Sister's Keeper。） This book deals with the Covid epidemic and how our outlook on life bas changed in so many ways。 Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC。 Well， I did not see that one coming。 Without giving too much away， Jodi Picoult's books often have an unexpected twist。 （ I remember throwing the book across the room when I was reading My Sister's Keeper。） This book deals with the Covid epidemic and how our outlook on life bas changed in so many ways。 。。。more
Dr。 Barb
，
Diana is an art specialist buying expensive art for Sotheby’s。 Her boyfriend， Finn， is an emergency physician at a hospital。 They have purchased tickets for a much-needed vacation to the Galapagos。 Covid is just beginning in New York City and Finn’s attending physician declares all doctors are needed and discourages his vacation。 Diana believes Finn thinks she should go by herself。 When Diana arrives at her destination， her hotel has closed due to Covid and there is no returning ferry。 She is re Diana is an art specialist buying expensive art for Sotheby’s。 Her boyfriend， Finn， is an emergency physician at a hospital。 They have purchased tickets for a much-needed vacation to the Galapagos。 Covid is just beginning in New York City and Finn’s attending physician declares all doctors are needed and discourages his vacation。 Diana believes Finn thinks she should go by herself。 When Diana arrives at her destination， her hotel has closed due to Covid and there is no returning ferry。 She is reunited with a teen from the ferry and Diana ends up staying in Beatriz’s grandmother’s apartment kept her for son Gabriel， Beatriz’s father。 Diana is isolated on the island with plenty of time to think about her life and what she really wants to do with it。 Meanwhile， she receives messages from Finn， telling her how much he misses her and what his life is like with Covid patients。 Finn’s fear and helpless feelings add to his desperation and exhaustion。 This book really looks at the importance in trying to understand oneself， being honest with others， and being strong enough to realize how experiences in life make you a different person。 Great book， includes lots of research on Covid， and gives the reader a lot to think about。 。。。more
Claire Talbot
，
Wish You Were Here is a story of choices - Diana O'Toole is an up and coming mover and shaker in the art world at Sotheby's - and just landed the auction of the century。 Her life is moving according to plan， and the next step will be her engagement to her surgical resident boyfriend， Finn。 Diana feels a proposal will be coming on their vacation to the Galápagos Islands - she has even found the box in Finn's drawer。 What Diana doesn't know is that Finn will come home that night from his hospital Wish You Were Here is a story of choices - Diana O'Toole is an up and coming mover and shaker in the art world at Sotheby's - and just landed the auction of the century。 Her life is moving according to plan， and the next step will be her engagement to her surgical resident boyfriend， Finn。 Diana feels a proposal will be coming on their vacation to the Galápagos Islands - she has even found the box in Finn's drawer。 What Diana doesn't know is that Finn will come home that night from his hospital in NYC and drop that bomb that Covid-19 is here， and there will be no trip for him。 He encourages her to go on her own， and she finds herself stranded on an island paradise， where she meets a new man， his daughter， and begins to question her life choices。 There is a major plot twist I don't want to reveal， because it is essential to the story - but it keeps you reading and wondering what Diana will do。 Thank you to NetGalley for providing an Advanced Reader copy。 。。。more
Toni
，
Wish You Were Here is Picoult's look at the COVID pandemic。 As she usually does， she makes the reader think about issues while reading。 And as the pandemic did for most of us， questions such as "what is really important"？ "Am I really in the right career？" or "Is the plan for my life really the right one？" are looked at by the main character。 Wish You Were Here is Picoult's look at the COVID pandemic。 As she usually does， she makes the reader think about issues while reading。 And as the pandemic did for most of us， questions such as "what is really important"？ "Am I really in the right career？" or "Is the plan for my life really the right one？" are looked at by the main character。 。。。more
buzy_reading
，
In Wish You Were Here the reader is introduced to Diana O’Toole and Dr。 Finn Colson， both residents of New York during the COVID pandemic。 The story begins at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 when New York had only nineteen reported cases。Diana’s character detailed a design for her future， but what she didn’t factor into her plans was this pandemic and being in the Galapagos without Finn。When Diana’s not exploring the island she’s talking about art。 I knew going into this book that ar In Wish You Were Here the reader is introduced to Diana O’Toole and Dr。 Finn Colson， both residents of New York during the COVID pandemic。 The story begins at the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 when New York had only nineteen reported cases。Diana’s character detailed a design for her future， but what she didn’t factor into her plans was this pandemic and being in the Galapagos without Finn。When Diana’s not exploring the island she’s talking about art。 I knew going into this book that art was a theme to the storyline I just didn’t realize how much I wouldn’t care about art。 She works for an auction house helping people sell their art collections。 I found myself skimming through the art scenes focusing on the scenes where Diana spent time on the island。 Diana’s a foreigner in another part of the world during a pandemic。 She’s at a disadvantage with her limited Spanish words leaving her vulnerable and scared。 This is my first read where an author wrote about the pandemic from the standpoint of traveling to an island during shutdown。 I wondered how long it would take before someone took advantage of the pandemic。 Jodi didn’t miss a beat。 She mentioned everything just the way I remembered it。 No matter where you were in the world this pandemic hit us all。 Just remember while reading that Jodi likes to surprise her readers。 What I conjured in my mind was so off base from the way Jodi turned this story around。 What I like about Jodi’s writing style is how the twists and turns come out of nowhere。 They are subtle and always unexpected。 I got so caught up in the information that the twist came as a pleasant surprise。 Jodi uses her books as a forum to express her personal opinions。 In this case with Wish You Were Here she chose to include the pandemic and art as her means of expressing the concept about Diana’s character。 Jodi set out to chronicle the pandemic which she did。 In doing that she redefined an experience I hadn’t imagined during this pandemic。 Not only did Jodi recapture all the positive and negative moments she designed an interesting twist that was unexpected yet very fascinating。 She took a tragic situation and turned it around with an interesting spin giving new life to Diana’s character。 Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-five novels。 This is my fourth read by her。 I’m nowhere close to the 25 novel mark。 I’m not sure if I’ll read the rest of her books， depends on my mood。 One thing I’ve learned about Jodi is that I like half of her concept。 The half where it focuses solely on the character without the informative backstory。 Some of her research while very thoroughal is too much to handle and process。 For me it’s where I get bored。Typically you can expect a controversial topic when reading one of Jodi Picoult’s book， but I wouldn’t reference this concept as controversial。 。。。more
Jackie Sunday
，
This creative fictional story brings us a powerful account of the horrors of Covid during the pandemic of 2020。 It wasn't that long ago and already， many of us have moved on and forgotten the days of being glued to the TV news reports with medical professionals scrambling to save their patients。 This book makes us remember。Many of us don't want to remember。 We want those days to be behind us。 But the author makes it clear that we can't learn from the past unless we take a closer look and she get This creative fictional story brings us a powerful account of the horrors of Covid during the pandemic of 2020。 It wasn't that long ago and already， many of us have moved on and forgotten the days of being glued to the TV news reports with medical professionals scrambling to save their patients。 This book makes us remember。Many of us don't want to remember。 We want those days to be behind us。 But the author makes it clear that we can't learn from the past unless we take a closer look and she gets us hooked with a love story。The book starts with a romance between Diana who sells art with Sotheby's and her boyfriend Finn， who is a resident at a NYC hospital。 The couple is excited as they are just about ready to depart for their planned trip to the Galapagos。 But there's a problem。 Finn can't leave。 Every ICU bed is being filled with Covid patients and he needs to stay to help。 He tells Diana to go without him which she does。She gets to a place called Isabella which explodes with beauty。 Yet， there are hardships。 The airline lost her luggage。 She can't speak but a few words of the language。 Her hotel is closed even though they have paid in advance。 In fact， everything is closed and she has no phone signal or a way to go back at this point。 She has no choice but to figure out how to manage on her own with a few US dollars and toothbrush in her backpack。 Someone says， "Maybe having all the boats and tours suspended for a few weeks isn't a bad thing。 Maybe it gives Mother Nature a moment to breathe。"Diana who has planned every day of her life is now on her own。 She thought this would never happen。 She finds a place to stay and in the meantime， she is able to pick up some online messages from Finn but can't return any。 And then half way through the book， something happens - a real twist like no other。This is above 5 stars。 Jodi Picoult did an incredible amount of research with patients and the medical staff to bring us a glimpse on what it was like during the peak of the pandemic。 Yet， there's more。 She shows the connection we have with love， feelings of grief， mysteries of the brain， complexities for those who are gay and an inside look at the art world。 It's cleverly written with a strong story that folds all the pieces together like a brilliant piece of art that captures the imagination。 We all lived through this time。 Can it change who we are？ Yes， maybe。My thanks to Jodi Picoult， Ballantine Books and NetGallery for allowing me to read this advanced copy expected to be released on November 30， 2021。 。。。more
Kathleen
，
It’s early 2020 and Covid is beginning to menace New York City。 Diana， an associate at Sotheby’s and her partner Finn， a surgical resident， are about to leave for a long planned trip to the Galapagos Islands。 She’s sure a proposal is part of Finn’s plans。 The night before they are to leave， all hospital time off is cancelled。 Finn tells Diana to take the trip of their dreams alone。 She does。 She arrives in the Galapagos only to find the island is closing for two weeks because of Covid。 She rashl It’s early 2020 and Covid is beginning to menace New York City。 Diana， an associate at Sotheby’s and her partner Finn， a surgical resident， are about to leave for a long planned trip to the Galapagos Islands。 She’s sure a proposal is part of Finn’s plans。 The night before they are to leave， all hospital time off is cancelled。 Finn tells Diana to take the trip of their dreams alone。 She does。 She arrives in the Galapagos only to find the island is closing for two weeks because of Covid。 She rashly decides to stay。 What happens next， in New York and the Galapagos Islands， will change her life。That’s all that can be said without spoilers。 Read this book。 It’s the most beautiful， haunting story that will make you think about what is really important in life。 The characters， especially Diana， Gabriel and Beatriz， are unforgettable。 This is Jodi Picoult at her best。 Look forward to seeing it at the top of the best seller list。 All the stars in the sky or 5 because that’s all I can give。Thank you to NetGalley， Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Jodi Picoult for this ARC。 。。。more
Ally Van Schilt
，
Really， really difficult to write a concise review of my thoughts without spoilers - the plot twist that occurs in the middle of the book is monumental and will surely colour readers’ impressions one way or the other。 But I thought it was a really beautiful exploration of the world’s shared experience， and how we look at things differently after trauma。
Sally Nimmo
，
I've been a long time reader of Jodi Picoult。 Some efforts I love， others not so much。 However you feel about this author， you can be damn sure she's done her research。Is this a book about Covid？ Yes。 Are we tired of talking about this awful experience？ Yes。 But， having a good writer help us experience a medical staff's anguish and fatigue is worth our attention。 There is certainly more to the story than a rehash of the disease。 I read interesting explanations of how different species， including I've been a long time reader of Jodi Picoult。 Some efforts I love， others not so much。 However you feel about this author， you can be damn sure she's done her research。Is this a book about Covid？ Yes。 Are we tired of talking about this awful experience？ Yes。 But， having a good writer help us experience a medical staff's anguish and fatigue is worth our attention。 There is certainly more to the story than a rehash of the disease。 I read interesting explanations of how different species， including humans， adapt to their environment。 I was amazed to learn stories of coma patients who have lucid dreams in which they experience a totally different life。 I related to Diana's loneliness and the sense of loss we all felt during the pandemic。You can make lists and plan your life to the nth degree， but there's always going to be a curveball or two thrown your way。 Life changes， and we must change with it。 Diana's road to self-discovery was an adventurous and worthwhile ride。Thanks NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the opportunity to read and review。 。。。more
Jude
，
Thanks to Netgalley， Ballantine Books and mosty to Jodi Picoult for this E-copy of Wish You Were Here。 To Start， I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could。 What a courageous project to take on。 Covid has affected everyone and for many， it's not over。 Jodi took it on with the story of one woman and managed to include honest and human perspectives of our health care heros， those isolated in hospitals and nursing homes and the uncertainty， loss and fear， we all experienced。 All this witho Thanks to Netgalley， Ballantine Books and mosty to Jodi Picoult for this E-copy of Wish You Were Here。 To Start， I would give this book more than 5 stars if I could。 What a courageous project to take on。 Covid has affected everyone and for many， it's not over。 Jodi took it on with the story of one woman and managed to include honest and human perspectives of our health care heros， those isolated in hospitals and nursing homes and the uncertainty， loss and fear， we all experienced。 All this without politics。 I am so glad she wrote this book and thankful that I had the chance to read it。 The book was expertly researched and beautifully human。 Diana， and her partner Finn are New Yoirkers with big dreams for their future together; marriage， children， a house in the burbs。 Timing can be the devil and the Covid Pandemic hits as they are ready for a needed vacation at the Golapegos Islands。 Leave it to Jodi Picoult to give her readers and outstanding tour and experience of this primitive volcanic island， full of wildlife and raw nature， as Diana discovers it。 This beautifully written book with characters that can only be described as real was a fast page turner。 I would absolutly recommend Wish You Were Here and am so thankful to have read it。 I Wish You Were Here truly reflected the experiences， emotions， anxiety and how the Pandemic changed us。 Most importantly， it gives reason to hope。 。。。more
Cara
，
I have no idea how I'm going to give my opinions on this without spoilers but I'm gonna try for y'all。 Diana and Finn are a young couple in NYC who are looking forward to a trip to the Galapagos Islands。。。in March of 2020。 Finn is a resident at a hospital and when positive cases start to climb， he encourages Diana to take the trip alone so they don't lose the money。 Diana reluctantly goes but becomes stranded when the island shuts down， leaving her at the mercy of （fortunately） sweet and helpful I have no idea how I'm going to give my opinions on this without spoilers but I'm gonna try for y'all。 Diana and Finn are a young couple in NYC who are looking forward to a trip to the Galapagos Islands。。。in March of 2020。 Finn is a resident at a hospital and when positive cases start to climb， he encourages Diana to take the trip alone so they don't lose the money。 Diana reluctantly goes but becomes stranded when the island shuts down， leaving her at the mercy of （fortunately） sweet and helpful locals。 Aaaaand that's where I need to stop my summary。 Because that's what the story is about， but that's also not what it's about。 Halfway through I literally yelled an expletive out loud in my room。 Non-spoiler details: Side characters were delightful。 I will never get tired of toilet paper jokes。 Diana's relationship with her mother made me emotional in a good way。 I know people are more than weary of reading fiction based on the nightmare that was 2020， but if I had to dive head-first into my first one， I'm glad it was by Jodi。 I swear she's the author love of my life， and she will never let me down。 Her dedication to deeply researching any and all subject matter for her novels never fail to astound me。 I can't wait for the public at large to read this。 Thanks， NetGalley！ 。。。more
Diane
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WOW！ This book was incredible！ I have been a HUGE Jodi Picoult fan for a long time， but have kind of taken a break from her。 This book was incredible！ I was a bit leery about reading a book about the Pandemic since it is really not a great memory in my own mind， however， it hooked me in immediately。 The story in part one was written so well。 Part two was where it got harder to read， but it was written with such purpose。 I loved the characters in the book， the letters and postcards that were writ WOW！ This book was incredible！ I have been a HUGE Jodi Picoult fan for a long time， but have kind of taken a break from her。 This book was incredible！ I was a bit leery about reading a book about the Pandemic since it is really not a great memory in my own mind， however， it hooked me in immediately。 The story in part one was written so well。 Part two was where it got harder to read， but it was written with such purpose。 I loved the characters in the book， the letters and postcards that were written， and the story in general。 Picoult has hit it out of the park this time。 I think I read this in about 48 hours。。。and was sad when it was over。 The author's message at the end was personal， and give a little insight into her life and how she lived， and what she valued during her isolation time。 Very well written and I highly recommend it。 Thank you to Random House Publishing， Jodi Picoult， and Netgalley。com for this ARC of this book in trade for my honest opinion。 。。。more
Alexandra
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Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。I have just had a wonderful afternoon reading and finishing this book in one sitting。 The backdrop of this book is NYC during spring 2020 when we were learning about COVID-19。 Some of that is still uncomfortable to read。 The book is， in part， about a Dr who worked in a NYC hospital during the early days of the height of the pandemic， and what medical staff and severely ill patients went through （which can be triggering and difficul Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review。I have just had a wonderful afternoon reading and finishing this book in one sitting。 The backdrop of this book is NYC during spring 2020 when we were learning about COVID-19。 Some of that is still uncomfortable to read。 The book is， in part， about a Dr who worked in a NYC hospital during the early days of the height of the pandemic， and what medical staff and severely ill patients went through （which can be triggering and difficult to read about， especially if you have had family members go through this。）There is another， intersecting and predominate story line to this book， about the Dr's girlfriend who has her own experiences during the Spring of 2020。 This part of the story was interesting， and the twist （slight spoiler） was partly surprising， but also been well used。 It should not deter anyone from reading the book。 。。。more
Stacy Dibble
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No Spoilers Here！I received an ARC of this novel from Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for my review。 I have read all of Jodi Picoult's novels and I'm always excited to see what her newest novel is about as she is a fantastic researcher and always picks topics for her books that I can learn more about。 At first when I determined that this book was about the early days of Covid， I was really unsure if I wanted to do a deep dive into a subject I felt I knew plenty about having lost my un No Spoilers Here！I received an ARC of this novel from Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for my review。 I have read all of Jodi Picoult's novels and I'm always excited to see what her newest novel is about as she is a fantastic researcher and always picks topics for her books that I can learn more about。 At first when I determined that this book was about the early days of Covid， I was really unsure if I wanted to do a deep dive into a subject I felt I knew plenty about having lost my uncle to this dreadful virus， but leave it to Jodi Picoult to put her spin on the story that I found it unputdownable！I'm going to choose to not talk specifically about the plot of this novel as there are too many places where I could spoil the story so I'm just going to say that it was a hugely compelling story。 It would be perfect for book clubs because when you read it， you are going to want to talk about it。 I think it may be triggering for some people who have suffered greatly during the pandemic， With that being said， I think it is a must read book！ 。。。more
Rachael Hall
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This is one of the most difficult review to write， because I loved this books so much I am almost speechless。 Is this the book I needed right now？ Yes I think so。 I feel so incredibly lucky to have managed to receive an e-galley of this wonderful work of art。 Jodi Picoult is the author of some of my favorite books， including Leaving Time and The Book of Two Ways。 Wish You Were Here has topped them all I believe。 It is an incredible story of love， self-discovery， and the human condition。 I think This is one of the most difficult review to write， because I loved this books so much I am almost speechless。 Is this the book I needed right now？ Yes I think so。 I feel so incredibly lucky to have managed to receive an e-galley of this wonderful work of art。 Jodi Picoult is the author of some of my favorite books， including Leaving Time and The Book of Two Ways。 Wish You Were Here has topped them all I believe。 It is an incredible story of love， self-discovery， and the human condition。 I think we all have unique stories of what going through the pandemic was like。 As a health care worker myself， I really felt such empathy for the doctors， nurses， therapists， and other caretakers in this book， as well as of course， the patients。 I spent the latter half of the book alternating between crying and laughing， such is the genius of Jodi Picoult's ability to capture human emotion with words。 The first half of the book was both much needed escapism （including learning a lot about the Galapagos islands and art history）， but also a lens through which to examine my own life and priorities。 The characters， the story， and the general vibe of this book are all 100%。 Highly， Highly Recommend。 Please everyone buy and read this book。 The only thing I will say is if you are still feeling the trauma of your own pandemic experience， just know this may have to wait。 BUT NOT FOREVER。 If you can handle it emotionally， please， please do。 。。。more
Gina
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Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle。What a great story about the outbreak of COVID-19， and the stories of people who went through this tragedy。 The "surprise" of what was going on with the main character was page turning。 The only negative aspect I have and will always have with books that continue to use profanity， there's no need to use the "gd" or "f" words！ Thanks to NetGalley for the ecopy for my Kindle。What a great story about the outbreak of COVID-19， and the stories of people who went through this tragedy。 The "surprise" of what was going on with the main character was page turning。 The only negative aspect I have and will always have with books that continue to use profanity， there's no need to use the "gd" or "f" words！ 。。。more
PinkAmy loves books， cats and naps
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 ***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of WISH YOU WERE HERE by Jodi Picoult in exchange for my honest review。****Possible vague spoilers Writing a spoiler free review for WISH YOU WERE HERE is extremely difficult， because I can’t talk about the whys without discussing part two， so I tagged the review on Goodreads so people can avoid my review if they want。3。5 STARS Sometimes the start of COVID-19， when we didn’t know what we didn’t know， seems a lifetime ago。 WISH YOU WERE ***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of WISH YOU WERE HERE by Jodi Picoult in exchange for my honest review。****Possible vague spoilers Writing a spoiler free review for WISH YOU WERE HERE is extremely difficult， because I can’t talk about the whys without discussing part two， so I tagged the review on Goodreads so people can avoid my review if they want。3。5 STARS Sometimes the start of COVID-19， when we didn’t know what we didn’t know， seems a lifetime ago。 WISH YOU WERE HERE begins at the beginning of the pandemic， when NYC only had nineteen cases。 Diana’s almost-fiancé， Finn， a surgical resident， can’t take their planned vacation to the Galapagos， though he urges Diana to go alone。 Once in South America， the area shuts down and Diana develops relationships including with a man。SPOILERExcept Diana never went on vacation， she was in a medically induced coma with COVID。 Her entire trip and the relationships were dreams/hallucinations though they feel very real to Diana。 Because I’m a psychologist， I know more about hallucinations and psychosis than most readers。 I understand that the mind creates this sights， sounds and smells from experiences， memories， desires， fears and people。 Diana was missing a lot in her life from her mom’s abandonment so she was ripe for addressing those pieces in a fantasy world。Picoult creates complex characters with flaws that don’t always make them likable。 I’ve read all her books and can’t think of a main character I liked less than Diana。 Intellectually， I felt empathy for her and understood her， but those thoughts never reached me emotionally。 To be fair， I’ve been around a lot of ill people and their caregivers during the pandemic， though not ill with COVID and my empathy was with Finn， her closest loved one。 People don’t always understand the suffering of those watching their favorite person on the brink of death。WISH YOU WERE HERE is， as are all Picoult’s books， beautifully written and complex。 I’m not sure everyone will want to read a book with so much COVID in the plot。 Jodi Picoult is the only writer who could interest with a pandemic story。 In many ways WISH YOU WERE HERE is reminiscent of my favorite Picoult books， the older ones like MY SISTER’S KEEPER， THE PACT and NINETEEN MINUTES， straight forward stories without an educational component。 I believe WISH YOU WERE HERE is a better book than my enjoyment of it。 I hope people find this book， even if they’re reluctant to read a story with a COVID component。 The parts I didn’t enjoy were unique to me more than flaws in the story。 。。。more
Jennifer
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Hard book to write a non-spoilery review， but I'll give it a whirl。 For me， this was a pretty great， timely book （which I liked much more than Picout's last one）。 It's a 4。5 for me。 While we are indeed still in the pandemic， this book does a great job of capturing the early history of that pandemic's arrival in America。It quickly brought back all of those deep feelings and does a great job of painting a picture of how odd， sudden， alarming， and scary that time was。 I also learned some FASCINATIN Hard book to write a non-spoilery review， but I'll give it a whirl。 For me， this was a pretty great， timely book （which I liked much more than Picout's last one）。 It's a 4。5 for me。 While we are indeed still in the pandemic， this book does a great job of capturing the early history of that pandemic's arrival in America。It quickly brought back all of those deep feelings and does a great job of painting a picture of how odd， sudden， alarming， and scary that time was。 I also learned some FASCINATING stuff about Covid from this book。。。that I can't talk about with anyone who hasn't read it。 （Which sucks， cause I'm dying to chat about it。）My beef with some of Picoult's books is that they can start to feel book report-y in tone。 She is clearly a crackerjack researcher， but （as was the case with Egyptology） can sometimes can go so far down the rabbit hole in explaining stuff to you， that it becomes a bit of a slog to read。 This wasn't a factor in this book as much because we all went though a common experience in Covid。 Yes， you may learn more than maybe you wanted to know about Toulouse-Lautrec or iguanas in this book， but it really didn't bother me。 In the context of the story， that info felt appropriate。 I can't really say much more than that。 Overall， I thought this book was a winner （and holy moly does this woman write books fast。） I felt a wee little bit like the last quarter of the book dragged。 But that was more of a personal， artistic quibble （Picoult exploring an idea for her conclusion that I was less jazzed about than where I thought she was going） than a true fault of the book。 I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Alicia
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Written at just the right time。 Jodi Picoult has taken the covid pandemic and turned it into what could be a memoir。 She addresses the viewpoints of the drs and nurses as seen through several people， but mainly through her partners eyes。 She examines the effect covid， being on a ventilator and ha it all effected her， mentally， physically and emotionally。 She comes to see how her views of life and happiness have changed and no longer fit into a life plan she had。 The author has made this novel s Written at just the right time。 Jodi Picoult has taken the covid pandemic and turned it into what could be a memoir。 She addresses the viewpoints of the drs and nurses as seen through several people， but mainly through her partners eyes。 She examines the effect covid， being on a ventilator and ha it all effected her， mentally， physically and emotionally。 She comes to see how her views of life and happiness have changed and no longer fit into a life plan she had。 The author has made this novel so realistic in all aspects of Diana’s journey and those she meets along the way and those who were around her priest to her covid diagnosis。 She also address the effect isolation and quarantine and other aspects of the pandemic have had I so many。 Jodi Picoult has taken the covid pandemic and brought forth so much that is very realistic （if not some areas that may be true）。 She has written strong characters who bring out the deepest parts of the pandemic from several points of view and doesn’’t miss a beat or any aspect the pandemic has had on many。 Rating: 4。9🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟** I read an advanced copy of this novel。 All thoughts and everything written in this review are all mine 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Wish You Were Here
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Wish You Were Here&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft
The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Wish You Were Here&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0