Leaving Time

A Novel

By: Jodi Picoult

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

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Alice’s narrator wasn’t hard to listen to...

Pretty good story I really liked it, didn’t love it though. If the narrator for Alice has more than two tones to her voice it would have made it a lot better. Love the premise however and I do recommend it overall but only 4 stars

Talks a lot about elephants

I usually don't like This Type of narrating mode where it switches between characters and time but the author does a good job that I don't lose the context.
This is very educational, and might be a little too much on that side.
Ending was alright with the twist. I liked the beginning of the book more.

Best book I've listened to for a long time

Would you consider the audio edition of Leaving Time to be better than the print version?

I listen to only audio books and the narrator makes or breaks the story.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the suspense. The story unraveled slowly and kept me guessing the entire time.

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

The narrators make the book great or just ok. The narrators for this book made it great. I almost felt like the characters were real.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I listen to my audiobooks in the car on my way to and from work. I wanted to hear more of the story so I would bring my ipod into the office so I could listen at my desk. The story was so intriguing.

Any additional comments?

I've already recommended this book to my friends who like to read. I just loved the story, it was the best book I've listened to in a long time.

Created a new obsession

Any additional comments?

I am usually not a fan of the paranormal, as I have never believed in it. I do think though that it added an interesting spin on the story. However, what I really loved about this book was the incredible stories of elephants and their similarities to humans. Jodi Picoult put extensive amounts of research into this subject and it shines through in her ability to paint a story. I have always liked elephants. I am now OBSESSED with elephants. The other characters are typical to a Jodi Picoult story. Each character is flawed. Each story comes together perfectly. The book was well written and the narrators were excellent in their performances. Definitely a must listen/read!

anonymous

I loved it!! The characters were rich, although the Alice character and motherhood seemed undeveloped at times. The twist at the end was unforseen, which was a nice change from many books. It k ept me thinkingveven while I wasn't listening to it!

Wonderful, sad, eye opening

This is a wonderful story as much about elephants as it is about life. and ir has mystery entwined into the fabric. This is one of the best novels I have read in long time. your heart cannot but open up to the amazing world of elephants,and the plight they are facing, to grieving, to loss and to share with u how we never lose those we love. Highly recommend this. The reading is top notch as well.

Entertaining

I liked this book, didn’t love it. Very sad information about how elephants grieve. I mean LOTS of sad, heartbreaking, grieving elephant stories.

A Long Road

I’ve listened to a few of Jodi Picoult’s Novels and although her stories are amazing I have one criticism. (Now I know I really have no place to criticize) She takes the long road to the climax. Once you get there (no pun intended) it is a great twist worth the wait.

Very good

A very moving and emotional story, I cried at the end. I felt like the reading was a little over acted at times, but the writing itself was very good. Love Jodi Picoult.

loved it!

Excellent story that kept me on the seat of my chair, as usual for Ms. Picoult.