2017 Jun 9
Sometimes finding your own voice
is a matter of listening to the heart….
For years, Jane Jones has lived in the shadow of her husband, renowned San Diego oceanographer Oliver Jones. But during an escalating argument, Jane turns on him with an alarming volatility. In anger and fear, Jane leaves with their teenage daughter, Rebecca, for a cross-country odyssey charted by letters from her brother Joley, guiding them to his Massachusetts apple farm, where surprising self-discoveries await. Now Oliver, an expert at tracking humpback whales across vast oceans, will search for his wife across a continent — and find a new way to see the world, his family, and himself: through her eyes.
‘Songs of the Humpback Whale’ was Picoult’s first published novel. Told from the point of view of five protagonists, with a backwards timeline, avid Picoult fans will be familiar with her style. Nevertheless, this book has all the trademarks of an inexperienced first-time novelist, since the time jumps can be quite confusing and the inner monologue of each character may feel slightly messy. Although the character development is well depicted and realistic, this novel may feel repetitive in comparison with Picoult’s later works.
In spite of the less-polished aspects of this novel, it is definitely a story worth reading. The story begins with a rocky marriage which culminates in a final fight, breaking the family apart. The introspective nature of the novel is compelling, and although you might struggle to finish it, you’ll be glad that you did! For Picoult’s fans, this is an interesting read, since it depicts the beginning of her career and illustrates her development as an author.
Rating: 3/5
