The Storyteller

By: Jodi Picoult

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

Length: 18 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

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

Does not disappoint.

The story has a great a great plot, and the characters are well-developed. Each step in the story is very believable and enjoyable. The use of different narrators made this book even more engaging. A+

There are stories within a story

I like the way Picoult presents her stories from different angles. Here in this difficult subject matter which we expect from Picoult, is the story of the Holocaust. The narrative is emotional and graphic but not overwhelming. Picoult presents it from the perspective of three people:

1. The granddaughter, Sage, a non-practicing and non-religious believer of Judaism, is a baker that works nights to avoid contact with the outside world after a car accident disfigured her face. She is a young woman that has been attending a grief counseling group since the death of her mother 3 years prior.

2. Here she meets 95 yr. old Josef Weber, a retired and beloved teacher, who she will soon find out is a former German SS guard.

3. Later we meet a Holocaust survivor, Minka, the grandmother of Sage who never speaks of her time in Poland during WWII.

Sage does not give much thought to her grandmother's past or her own heritage until she befriends Josef Weber. As Sage and Josef become closer the story unfolds.

The short stories written by her grandmother, as a young girl, remind me of the Ann Frank’s Diaries but Minka’s were stories based on when she and other Jews were forced to live in “the Ghetto” and Auschwitz. Writing these stories give the grandmother a reason to go on.

To say more about how "the Storyteller" unfolds and the many side stories would be to reveal too much of the plot. I do not believe that I have done so thus far. Instead, I'd recommend you grab a copy of this book that includes love, friendship, unrequited love, hate, fear, jealousy and more. I love how Picoult ties so many things together.

I knew from Picoult’s other books there is always a twist at the end and there was in this one.

You won't be disappointed!

Much different storry than what I had expected. I listened to this with some (actually alot) of coaxing from my wife on our long trip back and forth from Cleveland to South Carolina. I ended up being the one to enjoy it the most. Found the grandmother's 'story' to be most spell-binding - wanting to hear more despite the awful occurrences as one would expect during the holocaust. As another reviewer mentioned, my wife disliked the made up story by the grandmother. However, I rather enjoyed it and really the story was essential to the grandmother's survival. The analogies with in, regarding her current conditions, I did rather enjoy altho sometimes being a little corny(like from a vampire harlequin novel)
I did find the ending predictable altho my wife kept disbelieving my guess til the very end. I still enjoyed the ending despite this as the 'obvious' path would have been a little less gratifying(would have missed the greater conflict of emotions). I've never listened to the author's My Sister's Keeper but I am inclined to now.
Excellent narration by all as well. Overall highly recommend!

Brilliant!

Loved it..... The best Jodi Piccoult book I have read thus far. The narration was excellent as well. Beautiful gripping story indeed.

Hard truths, worth knowing

This is one of hundreds if grim ( how can it be anything but) holocaust novels that i have poured over, mourned the lost souls and had to take breaks from they are so accurate and brilliantly written. This one however , is also fascinating in an unusual direction leading us into the “what happens “when you actually capture these very human monsters. Are they any less in need of punishment by law due to the timeline? Well done with great quirky likeable characters that add relief when needed. An honest view.

Spectacular story!

There were so many twists and turns I never saw coming! The narrators were perfect weaving in and out of the dialog and it made it all come to life. I've fallen in love with these character and can't wait to listen to it again!

Great Story

Heartbreaking in the retelling of the horrors for the victims and survivors of such a heinous war. Loved the characters their passions and flaws, unconditional love and acceptance.

Narration by all was outstanding!!

Human Resilience

Enjoyed this story very much. Minka was a wonderful character. Her depiction of WW11 horror was emotionally riveting. Difficult to listen to so often. Her ultimate desire to live was so incredible.

10/10

This has been the best book I have ever read (/listened to). The narrators were great. Once I got past the intro portion of the story I could not stop listening. It was an emotional journey & I learned some history along the way. This was the 3rd book by Jodi Picoult I've listened to & have loved them all. She does a great job at twisting the plot in ways I never expected.

Enthralling!

Powerful story telling, and those narrators couldn’t have been more perfect. This author’s work (genre, too) is new to me, I’m hooked! I listen to and from work. I’ve gotta say I couldn’t wait to get back to the story.