Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

 

“There were many moments during the writing of this book when I thought that elephants may be even more evolved than humans—when I studied their grieving habits, and their mothering skills, and their memories. If you take away anything from this novel, I hope it is an awareness of the cognitive and emotional intelligence of these beautiful animals—and the understanding that it is up to us to protect them.”-Jodi Picoult

 Out of the four books I’ve read by Jodi Picoult, Leaving Time is my favorite. If you love a good mystery and are eager to explore the emotional and cognitive intelligence of elephants and understand the unique individuals they are, you will appreciate this novel.

 Leaving Time is the most suspenseful book I’ve read this year. Connecting with the realities of the elephants is a compelling aspect of the book, and I have to admit that the immoral choices of many of the human characters make the read somewhat annoying.

 It is impossible to imagine the ending of the story. There is no way to guess, but I embrace the layer of mysticism it presents. It is hard not to shed a few tears at the end. I think it is a bit odd that the readers are not warned about the fact that this novel has a touch of magical realism.

 Leaving Time is about the timelessness of love between a mother and her child. It makes you reflect on the precious bond that transcends time and space and how that love connects to our present. It made me think of the moments in which I dreamed of a loved one who had passed away. Yet the energy that connects me to that person lives on in thoughts and actions of strength and hope in ways that escape the realm of words.

  There is something I did not like. The perpetrators of the two acts of violence made me uncomfortable because I did not find them credible. Yet I know it can happen in extremely rare cases… The revelation was to me the monster of social misogyny poking its ugly head into the reader’s mind and a product of the author’s unconscious bias... I will not elaborate further on this. (Jodi, will you ever give mothers a break?).

 Alice Metcalf is Jenna's mother. She is an elephant researcher who left behind a journal with several entries about her personal life and her observations of elephants. Jenna wonders why Alice left her behind. Is Alice dead or alive?

  Be prepared to be taken on an adventure into the world of troubled human characters, and learn about the emotional lives of elephants, both in the wild and on a sanctuary. You will learn about empathy, grief, family bonds and so much more. The novel is informative and thought-provoking. Have you ever thought about empathy and what it implies? Here’s an interesting passage from page 134:

“When I was in Pilanesburg, I watched an elephant come across a rhino calf that was stuck in the mud of a watering hole. The rhinos were distressed, and that in turn upset the elephant, which stood around trumpeting and rumbling. Somehow, she managed to convince the rhinos that she had practice doing this, and to just get out of the way and let her take over. Now, in the great ecological sphere of things, it was not beneficial to the elephant to rescue a rhino baby. And yet she went in and lifted the baby with her trunk, even though the rhino mother charged her each time she tried. She risked her own life for the offspring of another species. Likewise, in Botswana, I saw a matriarch come upon a lioness that was stretched out beside an elephant path while her cubs played in the middle of it. Normally, if an elephant sees a lion it will charge—it recognizes the animal as a threat. But this matriarch waited very patiently for the lioness to collect her cubs and move away. True, the cubs were no threat to the elephant, but one day they would be. Right then, however, they were just someone’s babies.”

 Leaving Time is a riveting read with intriguing characters. My favorite human character is Serenity, a “psychic” who befriends Jenna, a thirteen-year-old teenager in her quest to find her mother, who disappeared ten years ago. Then there is Virgil, an alcoholic retired detective who is determined to help Jenna find her mother. The trio captivated me from the beginning… and I liked the elephants.

 The story of these humans is fiction but the ones about the elephants are as real as their plight. There are many forces decimating the population of these compassionate, intelligent beings. Elephants die in the hands of poachers. There is a criminal network responsible for poaching African elephants to benefit from the trade of ivory. The network smuggles ivory from Africa to China. A wealthy middle class in China fuels the demand for ivory products. Corruption in Africa is part of the puzzle that enables the slaughter and trafficking of ivory. Trafficking of ivory is also used to fund terrorism.

  Before the publication of Jodi Picoult’s book forty-one elephants were killed in Zimbabwe because their water hole was poisoned with cyanide. The purpose was to obtain ivory to profit from it, so don’t purchase ivory or anything made of ivory.

  The illegal trafficking of ivory is still happening. This report was published last week by Homeland Security Investigations.

 The slaughter and abduction of elephants lead to trauma, disruption of complex relationships and aggressive elephant behavior in the wild. Elephants are captured for elephant-back safaris, zoos and circuses, where they endure brutal, cruel treatment and endless suffering. In circuses elephants are forced to perform tricks through deprivation of food, water and rest, and by physical restraint, pain and fear. Max Brandett, a former circus worker reveals the details of the horrifying treatment of animals in circuses, so I encourage you to read his report. The elephants are even chained in cages. You can read it from the link I offer. I will not share the information here because it is traumatizing to even write about it. 

 It is disgusting to learn how cruel humans are to these amazing animals. Please, avoid supporting circuses and do everything you can to help stop this cruelty from taking place by educating others on the issue. Avoid paying for elephant-back safaris and make sure that zoos provide the right conditions for elephants and that they don’t capture any more elephants from the wild. In captivity elephants live a life of misery.

 Last but not least, climate change is affecting the survival of elephants in multiple ways. For example, climate change causes prolonged droughts in the African savanna. Also, older elephants are more prone to die as a result of extreme high temperatures, and the loss of the older elephants has a serious impact on the survival of the herds. Supporting regulations that address climate change is also necessary for human survival… and how can anybody oppose regulations that protect the quality of water and air? Let’s make it clear and concise: the regulations that help curb climate change also protect the quality of air and water, so what is not to like about that?

 Climate change also leads to water and food shortage, and the situation worsens the conflicts between humans and elephants and creates tensions that make humanity more prone to start wars and new conflicts. Peaceful coexistence requires a kind of holistic approach to the crisis. 

 There are various organizations working to give assistance to elephants. The elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, which inspired some of Jodi Picoult’s writing, has been helping rescued elephants by providing them with individualized care, the companionship of a herd, and a setting that supports their health and wellbeing. The organization also supports elephants by educating the public. You can also visit the Global Sanctuary for Elephants website. This organization helps to establish elephant sanctuaries worldwide:

 www.globalelephants.org

 

You can learn more about elephants in the wild and the dangers they face by visiting the following sites:

www.elephantvoices.org

https://www.ifaw.org/journal/what-is-ivory

www.tusk.org

www.savethelephants.org

 Here's more information about the link between terrorism and the exploitation of wildlife:

https://editorials.voa.gov/a/stopping-terrorists-from-trafficking-in-natural-resources/6803286.html

I wrote about The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony a while ago. If you haven’t read it yet, feel free to check my post.

The photos of elephants are from unsplash.com: the second photo is by Mylon Ollila; the first photo is by Mathew Spiteri .

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult

 

“You can take dead trees in an orchard, and bring them back to life.”

  I thought this novel would be about humpback whales, but humpback whales do not take center stage here. After having a strong argument with her spouse, Jane Jones packed up and left California with her fourteen-year-old daughter, to drive across America and reach Massachusetts. The odyssey was made even more incredible by Jane’s poor sense of direction. Her brother, Joley, helped guide her through letters.

  Bear in mind the story took place in 1990, when GPS devices were not common. Her brother, Joley, knew how to make the journey more exciting for her while she escaped from her concerned husband, Oliver Jones, a famous researcher with a passion for studying the singing of humpback whales. As you may know, it is hard to put Jodi Picoult’s books down.  

 What hooked me to this peculiar story straight away was the bond between Joley and Jane. Her brother’s genuine interest in helping her, their loyal relationship and the mysterious adventure Jane embarked upon piqued my curiosity. To make the read even more lively, Jodi Picoult unfolds the secrets of each character slowly, enhancing the motivation to learn about their personalities and life trials as we embrace the uncertainty of Jane’s journey throughout the landscapes of America.

 The novel has a dash of Kate Chopin’s The Awakening and a dash of Romeo and Juliet. There are alternating chapters written from the points of view of different characters, a literary strategy that has the potential to elicit empathy in the readers.

   Jodi Picoult’s books are addictive. This one is not an exception.

    While wondering whether Oliver would find them, I enjoyed reading about the relationship between Rebecca and Jane as they roved the roads and highways of America, discovering places that I will probably never visit myself. I liked how the suspense of the story soars, even though I was a bit irked by the lack of chronological order… Rebecca’s narrative starts from the end, whereas the other characters’ narratives are presented in chronological order.

  I appreciated the bond between mother and daughter. Sometimes I was struck by the special moments they shared, conversations that seemed to promise new dimensions of understanding between mother and daughter. Therefore, I was disconcerted and disappointed by Jane’s unexpected reaction to Rebecca’s love interest while they spent time in Massachusetts. When Rebecca fell in love, Jane behaved in an irrational, selfish way that was not consistent with the way she normally interacted with her daughter. I did not expect that sort of response from Jane. It was puzzling to me. It made me pause and reflect. I wondered if Jane would have behaved differently if Rebecca had been a teenage boy. The adverse situation led to a tragedy that could have been avoided. I did not like that a young person died in this novel. The dramatic outcome could have been fleshed out more. I still have questions about it.

  Jodi Picoult’s interest in family relationships becomes clear in her novels, and is one of the reasons why I enjoy reading her books.

 Like the male character who researched wolves in Jodi Picoult’s Lone Wolf, Oliver Jones had neglected his family and had also been unfaithful to his wife a few times, but Jane’s escape appeared to be life transforming for him: Oliver is ready to change because he loves his wife and does not want to lose her. At least this is the hint Picoult offers the readers. On the other hand, his own attitude toward his previous infidelities is not something that ignites remorse in him. He seems to accept his past infidelities as a normal part of his cultural landscape.  

 Oliver Jones was passionate about his research, just like the wolf lover in Lone Wolf, but what about Jane Jones? She was a speech pathologist, but I did not get a deep sense of her love for her career. How did she feel about her career and hobbies? Jodi Picoult could have dug deeper into this aspect of her as a human being. Are women not expected to devote time and motivation to their own passions? Or do they need to follow the motions of the novel to satisfy the plot? Hence, I would not describe this novel as a journey of self-discovery because there are important branches from Jane’s personal tree of life that appear to be missing here. Is a woman’s identity only defined by her family relationships?

  I don’t think so.

   With poetical language Jodi Picoult throws us into the world of her characters, imbuing situations with vibrant sensations, displaying vivid settings and painting memorable experiences. This novel conveys the expression of different forms of love and how relationships change over time. Picoult uses humor to dilute the tension, but she also reveals pain and the simplicity of everyday life while weaving into it intrigue and mystery, twists and surprises about the characters and their intimate experiences. There is a lot I would like to write about here, but I will refrain from doing so lest I spoil the story for my audience. Go ahead and enjoy this one. I can’t wait to read more of Jodi Picoult’s books!

  I would like to add a special comment for Jodi Picoult here. Dear Jodi Picoult, please avoid using the word “pig” as an insult in your characters’ conversations. Pigs are compassionate, complex, intelligent beings who deserve to be treated better. Thank you.

 Songs of the Humpback Whale made me muse and reflect on the future of the  characters. It is a good choice for a book club. I don’t belong to any book club myself, but I know this novel may spark controversy and fiery arguments and discussions. It is what thought-provoking books do, so let’s keep the waters of literature flowing. Enjoy the stream of reflections and emotions that can well up from Picoult’s novel. Let the bumpy ride make you uncomfortable. Good literature does that.

  I wrote about two other books by Jodi Picoult:

The Storyteller

Lone Wolf

 

Here’s an interesting article on relationships between siblings:

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2024/04/27/1246380504/siblings-happiness-relationship-family-age

 

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

 

  Have you ever considered what you would prefer your loved ones to do if you were hooked to a ventilator, in a vegetative state, with less than one percent chance to recover your consciousness and get back to your normal life? Would you prefer to stay hooked to the machines, unconscious, letting your loved ones hope that one day you would wake up? Or would you prefer your loved ones to make the decision to disconnect everything and let you die?

   Luke Warren took many risks living in the wild with the wolves, and he thought about the possibility of ending up in such a dire situation. Ironically, the wolves had nothing to do with his outcome. It was a car accident what caused a severe traumatic brain injury from which he would never recover.

    Luke Warren’s family was stuck with a difficult decision: to disconnect the life support system and allow him to die or to let him hooked to that system indefinitely. Luke had expressed his desire to donate his organs; he did not like the idea of lying unconscious in a hospital bed. That was not the kind of life he would accept, but the decision to interrupt his life support was not an easy one to make.

  Luke’s daughter, Cara, knew how much her father valued life. She had witnessed how his dad had gone out of his way to save the life of a wolf puppy. She had seen how he had managed to save the lives of wolves in the most unexpected and hopeless situations, so how could she do that to her own father?  On the other hand, Edward, Luke’s only son, was ready to honor his father’s wishes… but was that his true motivation? Edward had left America to live in Thailand for six years after a serious argument he’d had with his father. The shocking secret of their conflict is revealed close to the end of the novel.

   The first chapter of the novel caught my attention in a way that felt magical and incredible. A guy released the animals of a circus… I knew I had to get to know that guy. The book was irresistible from the beginning. The suspense of the story never dwindles, and I appreciate the reading journey to get to know each character’s thoughts and actions.  Picoult crafts a gripping story with unexpected twists and turns.

    Luke Warren loved his family but the wolves pulled him in a direction that eventually led to the demise of his marriage. The relationship between Luke Warren and the wolves is based on the experiences of Shaun Ellis, author of The Man who lives with Wolves, a book that I am adding to my reading list.

   Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult contains the points of view of all the characters involved. The chapters are “written” by the characters of the novel. This clever technique exposes the perspectives and perceptions of the same situations by the different characters, facilitating a deeper understanding of their emotions, behaviors and attitudes.

    Picoult's literary strategy helps to illuminate the complexity of the family relationships and the unique circumstances that shaped those relationships and behaviors. The interactions between the siblings--Cara and Edward-- is an example of this, and it gave me a lot to think about.

 I have mixed feelings toward this novel…

 One of the strengths of Lone Wolf is that it offers the readers a window into a situation that nobody wants to imagine, and, for this reason, it can spark conversations about what to do when the options to stay alive are limited to being in a vegetative state. I know there are different perspectives and views on the matter. It is necessary to acknowledge that the views and decisions taken will be influenced by culture and the details and knowledge about each individual case. This story can help to have serious conversations about difficult topics. (I can tell you I had some honest conversations with my own family after reading Picoult’s book). However, there are also several features about the novel that disappointed me deeply.

 Lone Wolf could have been a unique opportunity to foster a sense of empathy for wildlife, to offer a path of new perceptions and understandings in this field, but it did just the opposite in some ways. When I completed half of the book I was ready to award the book five stars, but as I continued reading I changed my mind. I will avoid spoilers here, but I will be clear about the flaws and caveats of this novel.

  

 The chapters that are written by Luke Warren are mostly about wolves. We don’t learn much about his personal life. Sometimes he provides snippets of incorrect information. For example, he states that wolves don’t grieve. Wolves do grieve, just like other non-human animals. Wolves are not the exception. I wrote about wolves before here, and I have read enough books about animals to know that non-human animals do grieve. If you don’t believe me, you can read the works of ethologists like Marc Bekoff, Jane Goodall and scientists who dedicate their lives to study animal behavior.

     There is a chapter in which Luke Warren shares the experience of being saved by a wolf. Luke could have been killed by a lion mountain, but the wolf did something that prevented Luke from being caught. Yet Luke’s clumsy conclusion about the experience was that the only reason the wolf had protected him from the predator was that the wolf considered Luke a “useful” member of the pack. According to Luke’s warped view, the wolf’s action was not about love or empathy. It was only a matter of convenience.

 Again, I have read enough books about non-human animals to know that empathy and consideration for others is not something that only belongs to human beings. Through the words of this so-called "expert" who might have been projecting his own character traits on the situation, Jodi Picoult perpetuates biases against non-human animals, and I found it frustrating.

  Last but not least, I was disappointed to learn the dark secrets about Luke Warren’s past. If Jodi Picoult wanted to taint the character's reputation by shocking the reader, she accomplished that. I surmise this is done in an attempt to sell more books, but those unexpected revelations did not feel credible. I expected an enlightening read—not a shallow “American Beauty movie”. I sensed those dreadful secrets were there to upset and shock the readers—not to help to understand Luke Warren. Luke warren genuinely cared about the wolves, and while it is true that he somehow neglected his duties toward his family at some point, this could have been fleshed out to understand his actions from his own perspective.  At least she could have given Luke a voice that would have revealed more about this dark facet of his life to make his flaws more credible. Considering this aspect of the novel, I feel cheated.

  Picoult seems to imply that Luke Warren cared too much about wolves and not enough about human life, a contradiction that can be used by skeptics to ignore the consequences of human actions on the planet and the burden that we create for other living beings. All living beings are interconnected and everything plays a role in the web of life to which we all belong. Yet Picoult appears to create a sort of delusional false dichotomy in the minds of the readers. It is misleading and disturbing. I also got tired of people blaming wolves for Luke Warren’s messy personal life. Enough!

 The novel is riveting, but it contains biases and misconceptions, so keep an open mind and be prepared to challenge those mixed messages.

 Another outdated snippet of information is given by the neurosurgeon who said that nerve cells cannot regenerate. This has been debunked by science. I am not trying to say that this information has anything to do with the outcome of Luke Warren's situation, but it is still important to make it clear.

  Lone Wolf gave me a lot to think about. It led to meaningful discussions with my family, and I am happy I had the chance to read it. It highlights how wolves care deeply about their pack. An interesting quality that humans can learn from wolves is how they value the wisdom that may come with years of life experience. On the other hand, we human beings should examine and eradicate the ageist stereotypes and attitudes that contaminate our modern societies. Ageism has become an issue that needs to be addressed. It is horrifying to witness it these days. I can hardly believe the lack of respect and consideration for the treasure that experience and knowledge can afford.  

 A pack of wolves has the wisdom to value the experience of those who are older. How about that? And they do whatever it takes to protect all the members of their pack.

 Lone Wolf is also a reminder to live the present to its fullest potential because we don’t know what the future has in store for us. We only have the present.

 Carpe diem!

 

Supplementary reading material:

 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2023/03/cover-new-concept-of-aging

The Wisdom of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher

https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/12/style/lyn-slater-accidental-icon-how-to-be-old/index.html

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

 

   A fragile friendship bloomed between Sage Singer and Joseph Weber in New Hampshire in the year 2013. After losing her mother in a car accident that she survived, Sage, a twenty-five- year-old lonely baker, joined a grief support group where she met Joseph, a ninety-five-year-old man who had lost his wife. Their intimacy eventually led Joseph to reveal something dark about his past: he had been an Auschwitz guard for the Nazi regime. Sage, on the other hand, was the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor. Joseph had a special, desperate request for Sage.  It was an unethical kind of request, and, by the end of the novel, Sage found herself in a snare.

 The revelation about Joseph’s past prompted Sage to learn about her grandmother’s life story, one that Minka had kept hidden from her.

  Minka, her Jewish grandmother, had dreamed of being a writer, and during the time she was in a concentration camp her talent for storytelling saved her life. The way this happened is carefully revealed throughout the novel, so I will not disclose more information about this aspect of the story.

 The atrocities and horrifying situations Minka witnessed and experienced become vivid in the narrative she shares with all sorts of details. (I would not be able to watch a movie of this book because it would be traumatizing).

 The different chapters are written from the point of view of the main characters: Sage, Minka, Joseph and Leo. This feature of the novel helps to gain a deeper understanding of the plot and characters.

 There is suspense, romance, humor and various turns and surprises that enhance the reader’s interest. Philosophical reflections and ethical issues shake the reader to the core. It is not easy to put this novel down. Jodi Picoult is a remarkable storyteller. I appreciate the way she develops her characters and how their relationships unfold. She knows how to evoke the undertones and challenges of those relationships with graceful artistry and precision.  This novel was an emotional rollercoaster and it made me think about issues I had never paused to consider.

 In the early 1940s Minka’s father had been a baker who had the habit of making a special roll for her. The core of the delicious roll contained chocolate and cinnamon, but the main ingredient he used was love. The art of baking is interwoven into the story in a way that delights the senses and boosts the reader’s interest. 

 Sage had a true vocation for baking; her great-grandfather’s abilities and passion for this art resuscitate in Sage Singer’s talent and work.

 I highly recommend The Storyteller. It is the perfect book for a book club because it offers various topics for discussion.  The worst and the best of humanity are in full display in this shocking novel. The love for family and the sacrifices attached to it are only some of the themes that run through the story; there are many more. I would like to write about this novel for hours, but this is not possible because I must avoid spoilers here.

  I also think it is important to learn about the Holocaust. After reading The Storyteller I realize that there is so much about the Holocaust that I did not know… Even though this is a fictional story, the experience of witnessing hate crimes, being forced to live in a ghetto and living in  concentration camps was real to millions of Jews. Starvation, executions, torture and the separation of families were real. Antisemitism was the excuse underpinning these crimes against humanity, but Jewish people were not the only ones persecuted. Gypsies, dissidents, homosexuals and people with disabilities were also executed. 

 The context of the novel is very well-researched. I appreciate the work Jodi Picoult did to elaborate this riveting story.  She provides the references she used to craft The Storyteller. Jodi Picoult's book has educational value. 

 I like to compare this novel with a yarn ball made of several pieces of yarn tied together to complete the ball.

At the end of the novel all the parts come together like the pieces of a puzzle. The final chapter, however, has two shocking surprises. I had to read it a few times to convince myself of the outcome...

 All in all, this is a novel that will leave you with questions and reflections. It has the potential to kindle insightful discussions and conversations, and the characters are memorable. I look forward to reading more books by Jodi Picoult.

 Here's an interview with Jodi Picoult in which she shares her experience interviewing Holocaust survivors for her book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMD5pLTjKHk