Lone Wolf

I think of Jodi Picoult as a guilty pleasure. For those not familiar with her, she writes high-drama, fast paced novels that usually contain some kind of courtroom trial two-thirds of the way into the book. Her books are very plot-driven, but unlike most plot-driven novels she actually has round characters that don't fall flat--and she is meticulous with her research and tends to tackle heavy issues. As soon as I saw she had a new book out, Lone Wolf, I placed it on hold and devoured it in several days, as is the case with her books. (They pull you in so much; you're turning pages like a madwoman, neglecting everything that needs to be done until you've reached the last page.)

Lone Wolf is about a family, the father (a famous wolf biologist) gets in a serious car accident and is in a vegetative state. His son Edward left the family (and the country) six years earlier, but returns home when he hears the news. Younger sister Cara was in the car accident too and carries more hope for her father's outcome than her brother does. The novel weaves in stories of wolves (such fascinating animals!) to tell this tale of what a family ultimately provides--not only love, but protection and strength. I think fans of Picoult won't be disappointed with her latest, but if you haven't read any of her books, I don't think this is the novel to start with. I'd suggest perhaps My Sister's Keeper for the uninitiated.