#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light comes a “powerful” (The Washington Post) novel about the choices that alter the course of our lives. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY MARIE CLAIRE Everything changes in a single moment for Dawn Edelstein. She’s on a plane when the flight attendant makes an announcement: Prepare for a crash landing. She braces herself as thoughts flash through her mind. The shocking thing is, the thoughts are not of her husband but of a man she last saw fifteen years ago: Wyatt Armstrong.
Dawn, miraculously, survives the crash, but so do all the doubts that have suddenly been raised. She has led a good life. Back in Boston, there is her husband, Brian, their beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, in which she helps ease the transition between life and death for her clients.
But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a career Dawn once studied for but was forced to abandon when life suddenly intervened. And now, when it seems that fate is offering her second chances, she is not as sure of the choice she once made.
After the crash landing, the airline ensures that the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation to wherever they want to go. The obvious destination is to fly home, but she could take another path: return to the archaeological site she left years before, reconnect with Wyatt and their unresolved history, and maybe even complete her research on The Book of Two Ways—the first known map of the afterlife.
As the story unfolds, Dawn’s two possible futures unspool side by side, as do the secrets and doubts long buried with them. Dawn must confront the questions she’s never truly asked: What does a life well lived look like? When we leave this earth, what do we leave behind? Do we make choices . . . or do our choices make us? And who would you be if you hadn’t turned out to be the person you are right now?
In the captivating novel "The Book of Two Ways" by Jodi Picoult, the boundaries between life and death, love and loss, and fate and destiny are explored with profound sensitivity and thought-provoking insights. At the heart of the story is Dawn Edelstein, a young woman grappling with the devastating loss of her husband, Brian. As Dawn struggles to come to terms with her grief, she finds solace in an ancient Egyptian manuscript known as The Book of Two Ways, which guides the souls of the deceased on their journey through the afterlife.
As Dawn delves deeper into the teachings of The Book of Two Ways, she embarks on a transformative quest that takes her from the bustling streets of Cairo to the ancient tombs of Luxor. Along the way, she encounters a diverse cast of characters, including a mysterious Egyptologist, a soulful boat captain, and a wise old woman who possesses knowledge of ancient rituals and spiritual practices. Through her interactions with these individuals, Dawn begins to unravel the secrets of The Book of Two Ways and discovers its profound implications for her own life.
With each step Dawn takes, she is forced to confront her deepest fears, question her beliefs, and ultimately embrace the possibility of healing and renewal. The novel delves into themes of love, loss, the nature of grief, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Picoult's masterful storytelling and evocative prose create a rich and immersive world that captivates readers from beginning to end.
"The Book of Two Ways" is more than just a novel; it is an exploration of the human journey and the universal search for meaning in the face of adversity. Jodi Picoult's latest masterpiece is a poignant and thought-provoking tale that will resonate with readers long after they have finished the final page.
