The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult is a powerful and emotional novel that weaves together the lives of Sage, a baker and granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, Josef, a former SS officer seeking forgiveness, and Minka, Sage's grandmother who is a Holocaust survivor. Through multiple timelines and perspectives, the book explores themes of forgiveness, justice, moral dilemmas, and the impact of the Holocaust on individuals' lives. The writing style is described as gripping, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking, with intricate storytelling that keeps readers engaged until the very end.

Characters:

Characters are multi-dimensional, including Sage, who grapples with her scars, Josef, a complex figure seeking redemption, and Minka, who embodies the historical trauma of the Holocaust.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by emotional and thought-provoking prose, effectively blending multiple perspectives with vivid imagery.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot weaves a multifaceted narrative that combines the experiences of a Holocaust survivor, her granddaughter, and an elderly ex-Nazi, delving into themes like guilt and forgiveness.

Setting:

The setting alternates between contemporary New Hampshire and the historical backdrop of World War II, primarily in Poland and Auschwitz.

Pacing:

Pacing varies, slowing during Minka's extensive backstory while maintaining a quicker tempo in the present, effectively mirroring emotional shifts.

It’s just past 3:00 p.m., and most of us are still filling our paper cups with bad coffee. I’ve brought a plate of baked goods—last week, Stuart told me that the reason he keeps coming to Helping Hand...

Notes:

The Storyteller is a book within a book, with multiple narratives including a Holocaust survivor's story.

Jodi Picoult raises complex moral questions about forgiveness, guilt, and the nature of evil.

The main character, Sage Singer, struggles with her identity as a Jew given her family's past and her own personal scars.

The plot includes a request for assisted suicide from Josef, a former Nazi SS officer, causing ethical dilemmas for Sage.

Minka, Sage's grandmother, shares her harrowing experiences during the Holocaust, adding depth to the narrative.

The book explores whether one can forgive actions taken by someone else, particularly in the context of the Holocaust.

Picoult uses allegory through Minka's fictional story about a vampire to illustrate themes of evil and survival.

The novel intertwines the present with historical events, showing how the past continues to affect the present.

Critics noted that the mix of humorous moments and serious themes sometimes detracted from the gravity of the subject matter.

The Storyteller was a nominee for the Goodreads Choice Fiction award in 2013.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include graphic depictions of violence during the Holocaust, assisted suicide, and themes of grief and trauma.

Has Romance?

The narrative contains elements of romance, particularly through Sage and Leo's relationship.

From The Publisher:

An astonishing novel about redemption and forgiveness from the "amazingly talented writer" (HuffPost) and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult.

Some stories live forever...

Sage Singer is a baker. She works through the night, preparing the day's breads and pastries, trying to escape a reality of loneliness, bad memories, and the shadow of her mother's death. When Josef Weber, an elderly man in Sage's grief support group, begins stopping by the bakery, they strike up an unlikely friendship. Despite their differences, they see in each other the hidden scars that others can't.

Everything changes on the day that Josef confesses a long-buried and shame-ful secret and asks Sage for an extraordinary favor. If she says yes, she faces not only moral repercussions, but potentially legal ones as well. With the integrity of the closest friend she's ever had clouded, Sage begins to question the assumptions and expectations she's made about her life and her family. In this searingly honest novel, Jodi Picoult gracefully explores the lengths to which we will go in order to keep the past from dictating the future.

Ratings (19)

Incredible (8)
Loved It (7)
Liked It (1)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (29):

Read It (20)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (3)

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About the Author:

Jodi Picoult received an AB in creative writing from Princeton and a master's degree in education from Harvard. The recipient of the 2003 New England Book Award for her entire body of work, she is the author of twenty-seven novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers House Rules, Handle With Care, Change of Heart, and My Sister's Keeper, for which she received the American Library Association's Margaret Alexander Edwards Award. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children. Visit her website at JodiPicoult.com.

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The Storyteller

Jodi Picoult