Wish You Were Here

Wish You Were Here

Adult fiction
Diana, protagonist of Jodi Picoult's Wish You Were Here, is one
of those people who chart a life plan and follow it relentlessly.
Professionally she's doing just fine in the dog eat dog world of art
auctions, rising in the ranks at no less than Sotheby's. She's sure
her boyfriend, Finn, is about to pop the question that will lead to
marriage, exactly two kids, and a perfect house in a prime location.
After all he's hiding a ring in his underwear drawer. And they're
about to go on a dream vacation in the Galapagos--the perfect location
to pop the question. What could possibly go wrong?
Well the year is 2020. Finn is a surgical resident at a New
York hospital. A new virus has arrived from China. Although there
have only been a few cases in New York City the hospital he works at
goes all hands on deck.
Finn encourages Diana to go by herself. It would reassure him
of her safety. He wouldn't have to worry about what work acquired
germs he'd be exposing her to.
Only even in the Galapagos Diana can't get away from the
ramifications of the new pandemic. The island isolates itself from
the rest of the world just as she arrives. The hotel she has
reservations at is in the process of shutting down. Her luggage has
been lost. She only gets food and shelter through the kindness of
island residents with whom she develops a relationship.
To say that the Internet is spotty would be charitable. But
when it actually works she gets anguished emails from Finn. He's
working inhumanely long shifts, up against a foe that defies all that
he's been taught in medical school. He's losing patients right and
left with no idea when or even if things will get better.
Is this something Diana can go back to, especially since she's
been furloughed from her job? With nothing but time for the first
time in ages she's critically examining her relationship, life
trajectory, and values.
Where Picoult has asthma she took shelter in place "very
seriously". Anxiety left her initially unable to focus enough to
write or even read. When she was able to start a novel she kept
thinking "...How are we going to chronicle this pandemic? Who will do
it? How do we tell the tale of how the world shut down, and why, and
what we learned."
Wish You Were Here is her masterful tackling of these
questions. As it challenges readers to think of the insights we're
gained, it validates our wide range of very human and understandable
reactions to a truly crappy situation. It encourages us to treat
ourselves and each other with compassion and kindness.
So I'd recommend the book to all adults living through this
evolving pandemic. It's a must read for book clubs in person or online.
On a purrrsonal note, even though today was a quiet Christmas it was
an unexpectedly joyous one. Tobago woke Eugene and me up early.
While we ate a fast breakfast she kept trying to open the gifts under
the tree. Don't tell me she didn't know what day it was. We opened
the presents. I lay around near the tree reading and eating candy
with Christmas music playing in the background. In the afternoon
Eugene and I went to visit his mom and sister. I had a special
seasonal mask. During the day I was able to talk on the phone to all
my children. I wanted to post this review as my holiday gift to you,
my readers. Then I'll change into warm pajamas and go back to
reading. (Jules)
Santa came while I was sleeping. I got cat treats. YASSS!!! I knew
I was on the nice list. (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to our family.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway




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