The Storyteller

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Mozhan Marno, Jennifer Ikeda, Edoardo Ballerini, Suzanne Toren, Fred Berman

Jodi Picoult's poignant number one New York Times best-selling novels about family and love tackle hot-button issues head on. In The Storyteller, Sage Singer befriends Josef Weber, a beloved Little League coach and retired teacher. But then Josef asks Sage for a favor she never could have imagined - to kill him. After Josef reveals the heinous act he committed, Sage feels he may deserve that fate. But would his death be murder or justice?

©2013 Jodi Picoult (P)2013 Recorded Books

Funny, bleak, enlightening, unputdownable

Jodi Picoult IS indeed THE Storyteller of our time. All her books grab you at the start, envelope you in intriguing plots and then trash the rest of your life until the inevitable ending, which you put off by reading the last chapter, very, very slowly.

Being a lapsed Jew myself, who has assiduously avoided all things Holocaust (as my Sunday and Hebrew schools filled me to a lifetime capacity of the atrocities,) I've got to admit, Picoult, skillfully brought that dark period of time to life in a way I'd never read before. Admittedly interminable at times, her tale flew by due to the empathy she illicits by drawing such complex, fallible, intelligent characters. The examination of forgiveness was quite fascinating as well. Her dialogue just gets better and better with each novel. Not sure how she manages to elicit a chuckle in the same paragraph that grips your gut.

Since Picoult is such a studious researcher, with each book I learn so much and am of course amply entertained by her excellent dose of low self-esteem female, estranged to men, finding love with the policeman, detective, lawyer or loner. Love the way she weaves in a well crafted mystery, amidst the squabbling siblings and small town eccentrics.

It's interesting to me that another favorite author, Alice Hoffman, also just re-examined the Jewish culture she shed in her youth in a very fine, albeit somber re-telling of the Masada massacre in 70 CE. (hmm…. in The Storyteller the main character, Sage, finds on the bedstead in the apartment of the ex-Nazi "an Alice Hoffman novel.")

Why, in reexamining ones religious roots, would one goes to horrendous genocides instead of looking at the religion itself? Remember, I'm a Jew as well, but still don't see the point of going over and over how we over-came being victims in the past. Where are the novels examining what the Israeli Jews are doing to the Palestinians, and why?

OK, done being a kvetch. Do read The Story Teller because it is indeed an excellent listen and damn fine historical novel as well. (And then answer my question, please?)

This book is a reason to have Audbile

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

Yes, it's an incredible story and worthy of all the high praise it receives and then some.

What other book might you compare The Storyteller to and why?

The subject matter isn't unfamiliar but the way the story plays out is original so it's hard to compare it to anything.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

The grandmother....

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The training and killing done by SS Officers from their perspective.

Any additional comments?

This would make a very powerful movie or mini-series, and hopefully someone will do that.

She finally left the courtroom!

The Storyteller brought me back to what I loved about Jodi Picoult...depth of character, careful attention to both sides of the social debate, and in the end, a book that stays in your head and in your heart. This is reminiscent of Mercy, Picture Perfect, and Keeping Faith. It is profound and well written, and offers a view into the horror that was WW2 Germany.

Excellent story

Where does The Storyteller rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of the best ones

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

yes...the characters were very interesting

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

the different voices for different characters were spot on

Highly Recommend!!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Storyteller to be better than the print version?

I never read the print version so I can't compare it with the audio edition. However, I have to say that I enjoyed this book tremendously. The voices were outstanding, the story was beyond compare. I learned a lot from this book as well.

What other book might you compare The Storyteller to and why?

No comparisons.

Which scene was your favorite?

The way they tied up all the loose ends at the end of the book was perfect.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't laugh or cry just....ahhhh

Any additional comments?

Don't miss out on this one!!

It's Pretty Good.

I have read many of Jodi Picoult's novels. This one ranked not as good as her first novel but certainly better than many given the difficult subject matter. As a story, I thought it was pretty good and held my interest but did get a bit fantastical. As a Holocaust study, I would say that it was a good way for a teen-ager to learn about the atrocities and magnitude of the crimes against mankind which took place in WWII. Also, the novel presented some important questions and food for thought about justice and forgiveness in an interesting manner. Overall, it held my interest but might be better suited for a teenage audience.

Stay focused...it's great!

Another story that can't be enjoyed without your concentration, but worth the effort. This is not a subject matter I would normally chose, but after having enjoyed MOST of Jodi Picoult's books, I gave this book a whole-hearted listen. I was not disappointed! It was thoughtful & heartfelt, as with all her books.

Good, but at some times hard to understand.

Very interesting. I learned a lot about the German side of the war, and how evil it was! With the race riots America has now, the rioters should be taught about what the Jewish people had to go through under Hitler. America isn't so bad.

didn't disappoint

spellbinding in a way that only Jodi Picoult can be... couldn't stop listening. I found myself thinking about it when I couldn't listen. It has every range of emotion one can muster and you really live with the characters.

Outstanding story!

This book surprised me. I love long books and usually get into every emotion as if it were my own. This one wasn’t that way though. I enjoyed Sage’s character and relationship with her grandmother, Minka. Her grandmother’s story which took up at least 1/4 of the book drew me in and I felt that for the first time I had “lived” what the Holocaust victims had endured. Obviously I can’t truly imagine their pain, but the performers and their performances drew me completely in. Some parts were a little predictable, but there were some shockers too. Overall this was an extremely enjoyable read!!!