Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Hodder Paperbacks (2008), 512 pages
Description
Fiction. Literature. HTML:This breathtaking novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult asks: Do we love across time, or in spite of it? "Sometimes I wonder....Can a ghost find you, if she wants to?" An intricate tale of love, haunting memories, and renewal, Second Glance begins in current-day Vermont, where an old man puts a piece of land up for sale and unintentionally raises protest from the local Abenaki Indian tribe, who insist it's a burial ground. When odd, supernatural events plague the town of Comtosook, a ghost hunter is hired by the developer to help convince the residents that there's nothing spiritual about the property. Enter Ross Wakeman, a suicidal drifter who has put himself in mortal danger time and again. He's driven his car off a bridge into a lake. He's been mugged in New York City and struck by lightning in a calm country field. Yet despite his best efforts, life clings to him and pulls him ever deeper into the empty existence he cannot bear since his fianc�e's death in a car crash eight years ago. Ross now lives only for the moment he might once again encounter the woman he loves. But in Comtosook, the only discovery Ross can lay claim to is that of Lia Beaumont, a skittish, mysterious woman who, like Ross, is on a search for something beyond the boundary separating life and death. Thus begins Jodi Picoult's enthralling and ultimately astonishing story of love, fate, and a crime of passion. Hailed by critics as a "master" storyteller (The Washington Post), Picoult once again "pushes herself, and consequently the reader, to think about the unthinkable" (Denver Post). Second Glance, her eeriest and most engrossing work yet, delves into a virtually unknown chapter of American history�Vermont's eugenics project of the 1920s and 30s�to provide a compelling study of the things that come back to haunt us�literally and figuratively. Do we love across time, or in spite of it?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member libmhleigh
A developer intends to build on a plot of land when an elderly Native American begins a protest, claiming that it is a burial ground for his people. As construction gets underway, the whole town begins experiencing odd phenomena: rose petals that fall like raindrops, dramatic temperature changes,
Quote: “Just as Ross knew that in eight hours the sun would come up- just as he knew he’d have to go through the motions of another day- he also knew he couldn’t die, in spite of the fact that it was what he wanted, more than anything.”
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would- paranormal ghost hunting . . . eh. But the story line was interesting and enjoyable. To be sure, the level of suspended disbelief necessary to read it is huge (and I’m not just talking about buying into the ghost part, it is the degree to which the characters intertwine at every turn. While I am used to this in Jodi Picoult novels, sometimes I wanted to say ‘Oh, come on!’ But I got over it). If you can take it all, even if just for the sake of the story, it’s a good read.
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ground frozen solid in the middle of the summer, a house that will not stay destroyed. The developer calls in a ghost hunter, Ross Wakeman, destroyed by his past, who tries to discover what spirit is restless, while searching for his own ghosts. As usual in Picoult’s novels, paths intertwine, shocking connections are made, twists occur, and individuals are drawn together.Quote: “Just as Ross knew that in eight hours the sun would come up- just as he knew he’d have to go through the motions of another day- he also knew he couldn’t die, in spite of the fact that it was what he wanted, more than anything.”
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would- paranormal ghost hunting . . . eh. But the story line was interesting and enjoyable. To be sure, the level of suspended disbelief necessary to read it is huge (and I’m not just talking about buying into the ghost part, it is the degree to which the characters intertwine at every turn. While I am used to this in Jodi Picoult novels, sometimes I wanted to say ‘Oh, come on!’ But I got over it). If you can take it all, even if just for the sake of the story, it’s a good read.
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LibraryThing member stephaniechase
I loved this book -- Corey Sifter is a likeable, believable character, and the story of the rise and fall of a local powerful family and a politician running for President was fascinating. Canin moves back and forth between the past and the present in a way that is never confusing, but rather gives
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credence to the central theme of the book: the we are often in the dark, even about those closest to us. Show Less
LibraryThing member seka760
A bit different from the other Picoult books I have read, I did like it, although not as much. From what I remember (actually I think this was the first Picoult book I read), this book is about a man who sees ghosts. The storyline was interesting, but not quite my taste.
LibraryThing member carmarie
I love Jodi Picoult! And although this wasn't one of my favorite of hers, I still have to give it to her!
LibraryThing member jennstarr12
absolutely my favorite Picoult book! it had me sucked in straight from the beginning til the end!
LibraryThing member MrsHillReads
I love most of Picoult's work; this book was a disappointment. I wanted to like it; but I just couldn't. It just didn't seem possible.
LibraryThing member branchhead
A love story, a ghost story, a time travel story...
Ms. Picoult's use of simple language to express profound thoughts never ceases to amaze me. Yes, you have to suspend your disbelief in the paranormal, and travel along to an "all tied together ending", but what a joy getting there.
Ms. Picoult's use of simple language to express profound thoughts never ceases to amaze me. Yes, you have to suspend your disbelief in the paranormal, and travel along to an "all tied together ending", but what a joy getting there.
LibraryThing member JGoto
*warning - spoilers* Jodi Picoult is not a great writer. Her stories have countless plot flaws, too many moments of unbelievable coincidences, and endings in which every knot is neatly tied and everyone remains happy ever after. Second Glance is no exception. The ghosts are not the unbelievable
So what is it that makes me repeatedly pick up Picoult's books? I think it is that she includes fascinating topics in her stories, topics that have no easy answers. Her novels touch on subjects that include mercy killing and sibling organ donors, to name a couple. In Second Glance, the field of Eugenics is the topic that is explored. The forced sterilization of Native Americans in the 1930's to rid society of traits like "mental feebleness" was horrific and likened to the subsequent policies of Hitler. Genetic manipulation to ensure that genes carrying diseases such as Sickle Cell or Hemophelia die out is not as clear cut an issue. The inclusion of the character Ethan, who has the rare XP disorder adds to the contraversy. Had his mother undergone genetic testing and decided to abort her imperfect fetus, this wonderful child would never have existed. Jodi Picoult includes some important and thought provoking themes in her novels; I always feel that her books have the potential to be great, but just don't make it.
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part of this story. It is other elements that need to be thought through just a little better. For example, Ross is shocked when he meets Meredith, because she looks exactly like (the ghost of) her dead grandmother. Yet Meredith's daughter, who has been plagued with visits from that same Grandmother's ghost, doesn't notice any resemblance to her mother, whom she sees daily. It doesn't make a lot of sense. Ross coming back to life in time for a tidy ending was a little too hard for me to swallow, as well. I keep finding myself wishing that the author would give her readers credit for more intelligence than she does. She can afford to be more subtle and the stories would still work. Better.So what is it that makes me repeatedly pick up Picoult's books? I think it is that she includes fascinating topics in her stories, topics that have no easy answers. Her novels touch on subjects that include mercy killing and sibling organ donors, to name a couple. In Second Glance, the field of Eugenics is the topic that is explored. The forced sterilization of Native Americans in the 1930's to rid society of traits like "mental feebleness" was horrific and likened to the subsequent policies of Hitler. Genetic manipulation to ensure that genes carrying diseases such as Sickle Cell or Hemophelia die out is not as clear cut an issue. The inclusion of the character Ethan, who has the rare XP disorder adds to the contraversy. Had his mother undergone genetic testing and decided to abort her imperfect fetus, this wonderful child would never have existed. Jodi Picoult includes some important and thought provoking themes in her novels; I always feel that her books have the potential to be great, but just don't make it.
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LibraryThing member englishgeek
WOW! One of the best books I've read in a long time. Read from cover to cover in less than 24 hours. The story captivated me from the beginning...several mysteries...just had to know so I had to keep reading. If you love ghost stories, you gotta read this!!!
LibraryThing member Deesirings
It seems that many of the readers of this book distinguish it from Picoult's other works, marking it as a significant departure from her usual fare. For some, this means it is their favourite Picoult book, for others, their least favourite. On my end, it is my first Picoult read.
I was really
I think this will be a book where the more I look back on it, the more I appreciate it. I suspect the characters will have much more staying power than many others.
The plot as well, was cunningly crafted, coming together in the end in a way that tied everyone together in a manner that, by then, wasn't completely unexpected but that had been cleverly worked pu to instead of seeming to be pre-determined from page one.
I was really
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impressed with Picoult's use of language, and the ease and frequency with which she switches her perspective from character to character. I think this will be a book where the more I look back on it, the more I appreciate it. I suspect the characters will have much more staying power than many others.
The plot as well, was cunningly crafted, coming together in the end in a way that tied everyone together in a manner that, by then, wasn't completely unexpected but that had been cleverly worked pu to instead of seeming to be pre-determined from page one.
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LibraryThing member wareaglern633
Jodi can really tie a story together in the most interesting and obscure ways. It's amazing how she weaves characters together and this story is a page turner and becomes even more amazing as the characters come together.
LibraryThing member trinityM82
It gets to be unrealistic in the end. Everyone gets a happy ending and that is just not how it goes. Otherwise, it is really interesting, especially the part about eugenics and how to hunt ghosts.
LibraryThing member vertigo3l
I just can't stop raving about this book-it was amazing! When an old man puts a piece of land up for sale in a little town in Vermont a local group of Abenaki Indians are furious, claiming that it is an ancient burial ground. The grumpy old man insists that it is not. Soon, strange things start to
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happen in the town-like rainstorms of rose petals and the letters falling off pages of books. But this is only a piece of Jodi Picoult's amazing tale. Though this book has fanciful, supernatural edges, it is really an important statement about the history of eugenics in America. Highly, highly recommended. Show Less
LibraryThing member ajewell
This is probably my favorite Picoult to date because of how intense it had to have been to research. It was full of suspense and information that we as Americans should definitely know about! I cared about all of the characters and couldn't get enough of them.
LibraryThing member MegsB
Jodi Picoult took many different topics in our society today and made these topicsones that we could relate to. It's a great mix of mystery and drama that keeps you turning the page. She researched topics such as Xeroderma Pigmentosum, the Abenaki Indians, and life in the 1930's. She took time and
In this novel, Picoult took many lives of ordinary people and intertwined them to conect to one another. Throughout the novel, little pieces start to fall in to place as you try to figure out this murder mystery and the connection with all the characters. Trust me, it will give you the chills as dramatic irony continues to pile on top of you.
There isn't just one main character. You have Ross, who lost his loved one and now is a ghost hunter searching for her. There's Ethan, the boy with XP who wishes he could be a normal kid and get to play outside and go to school like all the other kids on his block. Then there's Cecilia, who died in 1932 but is searching for something that has been missing her whole life, with the help of Ross Wakeman. This story draws you in to a life you didn't think was possible, with suspense and puzzlement that only makes you want to finish the book.
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effort to make this book into something that showed us things we would never even think about.In this novel, Picoult took many lives of ordinary people and intertwined them to conect to one another. Throughout the novel, little pieces start to fall in to place as you try to figure out this murder mystery and the connection with all the characters. Trust me, it will give you the chills as dramatic irony continues to pile on top of you.
There isn't just one main character. You have Ross, who lost his loved one and now is a ghost hunter searching for her. There's Ethan, the boy with XP who wishes he could be a normal kid and get to play outside and go to school like all the other kids on his block. Then there's Cecilia, who died in 1932 but is searching for something that has been missing her whole life, with the help of Ross Wakeman. This story draws you in to a life you didn't think was possible, with suspense and puzzlement that only makes you want to finish the book.
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LibraryThing member tkanz79
This was yet another great novel of Jodi Picoults!
LibraryThing member robinelmore43
Great book. I loved all the characters in the book. One that stuck out the most was Ross. I could relate to him, because I too have tried to leave the life I had and thought that it wasn't worth living. I'm glad he had a second chance to see if something will go with Meridith. I loved the ghost
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part where your sould doesn't move on to the next life if things are not settled, I wonder if it happens in real life? Show Less
LibraryThing member Berly
Second Glance, by Jodi Picoult, was a satisfying, light summer read. This book explores the disturbing history of eugenics in a small town in Vermont; it is also a ghost story and a love story, not that the latter two are mutually exclusive as you will see if you dare (goosebumps and shivers here)
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to read this book! Fun. Show Less
LibraryThing member pricelessreads
I made the mistake of asking the friend from whom I borrowed the book what it was about, which skewed the first half of the book for me. I still enjoyed the whole book, even slipping away on Thanksgiving to read it.
Review:
Written in three parts, present-past-present, Picoult works her magic in
Review:
Written in three parts, present-past-present, Picoult works her magic in
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weaving the stories of many characters into one tale. This story spans over a hundred years of one family’s hidden history while tackling the issues of eugenics and genetics. I’m a sucker for books, movies, anything where I get to make the connections and put together the details into a completed puzzle. Without spoiling the novel, I can tell you that this is the story of lonely people finding something worth living for. The book was long, and bordered on the fine line between overboard and tying up the loose ends. After finishing it, I did appreciate Picoult’s attention to detail and the fact that no questions were left unanswered. I would recommend this book to someone who wants to curl up with a blanket on a cold weekend and enjoy reading something a little magical, a little sad, and a lot about love. Show Less
LibraryThing member bookwormteri
Very compelling and very moving. Ross lost his true love in a car accident years ago. Ever since he has been searching for proof of life after death and chasing death himself. While staying with his sister, he gets the proof he wants but not from the person he wants it from.
A wonderfully human cast
Excellent!
A wonderfully human cast
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of characters, a compelling story entwining the past and present, and loads to think about. What makes us who we are? What traits are desirable and who decides that? Is life worth living even if it isn't what you though it would be? Excellent!
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LibraryThing member mariacfox
This is Picoult's third novel that I have read and she still leaves me impressed. I absolutely loved the story. Picoult's research into the eugenics movement was wonderfully done and beautifully integrated into the plot. The descriptions of odd occurrences attributed to the ghosts were haunting and
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incredibly evocative. This novel does not disappoint--I will definitely be reading more of her! Show Less
LibraryThing member mollywynne
While I typically find Picoult's novels immediately engrossing, I simply could not get into this book. To be honest, I only made it through the first 100 pages before I put it aside. I wanted to like it, but I found these characters hard to connect to.
LibraryThing member neverlistless
I was really excited about this one because it features a ghost hunter and she acknowledges Grant Wilson and Jason Hawes and The Atlantic Paranormal Society for teaching her about ghost hunting - score! But I do have to say that of the three of hers that I've read, this one was the least
Even though there are ghosts peeking around every corner, they're not there to scare - neither the other characters nor the reader - so don't let that put you off. This is perfect for a relaxing summer read, so definitely check it out!
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attention-catching. It was a fun mystery - there's all sorts of characters in the beginning and you can't exactly figure out how they all fit together right away. Slowly the reader can begin connecting dots and it's awful fun trying to figure out who goes where in this puzzle. Even though there are ghosts peeking around every corner, they're not there to scare - neither the other characters nor the reader - so don't let that put you off. This is perfect for a relaxing summer read, so definitely check it out!
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LibraryThing member KyleDC
Every once in a while you will come across a book that will make you think “this is the best book I ever read”! And if you are like me you read a lot and you tend to think that every time you read a good book. But at this point in time it IS the best book I have ever read.
At the center of the
The developer turns to a local ghost hunter who is driven by his desire to reunite with his tragically lost love. The search leads to a presumed murder on the property in the 1930s and a connection to a local eugenics movement that existed around the same time.
What makes the story more fascinating is that the eugenics movement is based on an actual movement in Vermont during that time period which had been forgotten and rediscovered in the form of state records which includes genealogy charts of degenerate families. Picoult compares and contrasts eugenics with modern day genetic diagnostician’s work in helping parents who have trouble conceiving healthy children.
Second Glance is as much of a love story as it is a ghost story, murder suspense or a history lesson. Just when you think you have the story figured out you are hit with unexpected and unpredictable turn of events.
At the center of the
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story lies a property dispute between a local native group, the Abenaki, who claim the land is a native burial ground and a developer who is purchasing the land for commercial development. Things get a little complicated and mysterious when seemingly supernatural events begin to occur on the property and surrounding area. The developer turns to a local ghost hunter who is driven by his desire to reunite with his tragically lost love. The search leads to a presumed murder on the property in the 1930s and a connection to a local eugenics movement that existed around the same time.
What makes the story more fascinating is that the eugenics movement is based on an actual movement in Vermont during that time period which had been forgotten and rediscovered in the form of state records which includes genealogy charts of degenerate families. Picoult compares and contrasts eugenics with modern day genetic diagnostician’s work in helping parents who have trouble conceiving healthy children.
Second Glance is as much of a love story as it is a ghost story, murder suspense or a history lesson. Just when you think you have the story figured out you are hit with unexpected and unpredictable turn of events.
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LibraryThing member angelswing
I have yet to read a Picoult book that I did not like! And this one is great. I esp. like how Jodi herself uses some of her own ghostly encounters in the novel and frankly I'm surprised that this practice of uegenics went on in this country, in 33 states. Tha's shocking and appalling.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2003
Physical description
512 p.; 6.18 inches
ISBN
0340897260 / 9780340897263