Review: Leaving Home - Jodi Picoult

Published: January 12, 2011
Publisher: Laura Gross Literary Agency
Author's Website: Jodi Picoult
Format: E-book
Source: Amazon
Challenge: 2011 E-book Challenge & 100 Books in a Year
Purchase Here

Jodi Picoult has the remarkable ability to portray an event's key moments and feelings in a potent narration that tugs at the heartstrings.  Leaving Home's three emotionally charged stories deal with a gaunt of pain, regret, unconditional love, memory, motherhood, and friendship that the author renders almost palpably.  Fans will find that Leaving Home offers another shining example of Picoult's skill as a storyteller.  those new to her work will find this a magnificent introduction. - Shirley Hong (From Goodreads)

First Sentence 

"The loudest sound in the world is the absence of a child."

My Thoughts

I am a HUGE Jodi Picoult fans.  I love that in the beginning she writes the readers a letter saying that she knows the waiting from year to year can be just awful (which is SO true), so she's given us a little taste of her fantastic writing with these three short stories.  These short stories were incredible, and it makes me want to go back and read all of her books over again, just because she is such an amazing storyteller. 

The first story is about a husband and wife that have lost their daughter, and the struggle to survive without her.  Throughout the entire story you can feel the pain that the family is going through.

The second short is a letter to a son leaving for college.  Also, such an emotional roller coaster!  You could just feel the love pouring out in each word, but you could also hear the heartache.  The author goes on to describe how parents know that their job is to raise a child so that they can send them off into the world, but once you actually get to that point it is so much harder to let go then you could have ever imagined.

The last story is about a family dealing with the mother running away.  She just needs a break from all of the housework and everything else that is involved in being a mother, and I can't say I blame her.  This too was a heart warming story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Favorite Quotes

"How many idealistic discussions had she and Abe had about religion being akin to brain-washing."

"This planet is smaller than you think. I don't just mean that environmentally - an area where you've taught me, instead of the other way around.  I mean that there will be plenty of people who don't think the way you do - whether that's in class at college, in the workplace, in your country.  Don't judge someone just because their opinions are different - lest they do the same to you."

"Expect to cry.  Real life isn't fair."

"Be history, instead of just watching it happen from the sidelines.  Try something new, even if it scares you to death.  Learn because you're being tested.  Don't whine - there is always someone who's having a worse day than you are.  Be honest with yourself, and you'll never have anything to hide."

"Just like I used to believe that my kindergarten teacher slept underneath her desk..."

"You can't force a wind to blow the way you want it to, Jenna.  You have to hope it gets there on its own."

"Even if an exotic destination has dazzling culture, stunning scenery, spectacular hotels, there's something it can never be: your home."

 My Ratings

Cover: 5/5

Characters: 5/5

Writing Style: 5/5

Plot: 5/5

Ending: 5/5

Overall: 5/5 

Happy Reading!