Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult

Why do I always hate Picoult's mothers so much? I've read exactly eight of her books, and I have yet to find a mother figure that I really like.

I had a major problem with this because once I'd figured out that Rebecca's chapters hadn't happened yet, the ending held no surprises for me because I knew what had to happen. Rebecca's POV begins at the end and works backwards. Instead of progressing chronologically like the other four 'voices', Miss. It took me at least half of the book to figure out that what Rebbeca was talking about hadn't happened yet, and I didn't know exactly what was up with Rebbeca's chapters until I read the Q&A with the author at the back of the book. News flash! Confusing time skips, where you've got four POVs telling the story chronologically and one telling it backwards, are confusing AND annoying. Sorry, Jodi, but you get one star for this book and one star only. This book is offensive and poorly researched! I don't know that I'll read another book by this author. I've officially lost interest in this book. Where I'm from, this is statuatory rape - and I'm done. Next we come the the part where 15-year-old Rebecca gets down to bed business with Hadley, who is 10 years her senior. WHAT? When was the last time you went for a swim in the lake, or for that matter, met anyone who was heading out for a day on the beach? Also, she fails to mention the stench or the annoying bugs that surround this lake! (I've ridden my bike around Antelope Island - probably a more popular tourist attraction than the fine swimming!)

As they arrive at the lake she mentions all the people swimming. Then, they take a ride to the Great Salt Lake with the polygamist doctor and his wives, which also happen to be heading there for a swim. The mom faints in the post office and awakens to a polygamist doctor and his three wives, one of which is a nurse. She says the religion is stifling - no description as to why. Next, when the mom and daughter arrive in Salt Lake she gives an AWFUL description of the people and the main attraction - the Great Salt Lake. The book is written from five different perspectives - which would be fine but she doesn't go in chronological order and she doesn't consistenly date the entries. Jodi Picoult has written too many books too quickly - she's lacking a good story and apparently doesn't research her material.

Songs of the Humpback Whale by Jodi Picoult