Leaving Time

A Novel

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman, Abigail Revasch, Kathe Mazur, Mark Deakins

Throughout her blockbuster career, number-one New York Times best-selling author Jodi Picoult has seamlessly blended nuanced characters, riveting plots, and rich prose, brilliantly creating stories that "not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us" (The Boston Globe). Now, in her highly anticipated new book, she has delivered her most affecting novel yet - and one unlike anything she's written before.

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice's old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.

Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons - only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they'll have to face even harder answers.

As Jenna's memories dovetail with the events in her mother's journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent pause-resister, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers.

©2014 Jodi Picoult (P)2014 Random House Audio

You just have to keep listening

The Storyteller was my first encounter with JP and I thoroughly enjoyed that book. After reading the reviews of this book, I decided to give it a chance and I am completely delighted that I did. I intentionally planned to hit freeways with lots of traffic so that I would have extra time to continue listening. Other reviewers have mentioned the plot twist and it's a doozy. I enjoyed replaying the scene the same way I like replaying key scenes from favorite movies.
This book is a treat to listen to and like any good book you just wish the story would go on.

It has it all

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, great writing and great reading of a touching story.

What other book might you compare Leaving Time to and why?

No comparison

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Feelings

Any additional comments?

Best book in a long time, maybe ever!

The best Jodi Picoult book I've read

What made the experience of listening to Leaving Time the most enjoyable?

I used to read Jodi Picoult all the time but her writing started feeling sophomoric and I found myself getting bored with her work. I almost didn't buy this book except that another commenter noted that she also felt that Picoult was sophomoric and that this book really exceeded her expectations. I have to admit, it exceeded mine as well. I loved it. I thought about it when I wasn't listening and looked forward to my commute to have time to listen to it. I feel like this guided review would force me to reveal too much about the plot so I will just say that it's a fantastic book. It's the best book I've read by Picoult. I loved it. I loved every second of it.

Broke my heart

I very rarely leave a review though I am very rarely without an audio book playing in my ear. This book took alot out of me. This book broke my heart.
If you love elephants, if you lost a loved one, if you are a human living this life - listen to this book. It will not leave you

Loved it!

I had a little trouble in the beginning of the audio book keeping track of who was who, but finally got it. Did not see the twists at the end coming at all...bring on the tissues! Just loved it.

Hard to read because so much sadness....

but overall, triumphant. I really like this author's willingness to take us where we don't want to go, and help us grow in spite of ourselves

Bittersweet, perfect ending

This is by far my favorite book in a long, long time. I laughed, I cried, and I couldn't stop listening! I can't wait to go listen to more books by this author.

Buckle up!

You are in for a good cry out of this beautifully written and narrated book!

Amazing Book

Any additional comments?

I have read over 1,200 books on audible and this is one of my all time favorites

Exceeded my Expectations!

I have not read Jodi Picolult before and was blown away by this book. The narration is fantastic and the two combined pull you in from the start.

Highly Recommend.