From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Small Great Things and A Spark of Light comes a riveting novel about the choices that change the course of our lives. 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 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, her beloved daughter, and her work as a death doula, where she helps ease the transition between life and death for patients in hospice.
But somewhere in Egypt is Wyatt Armstrong, who works as an archaeologist unearthing ancient burial sites, a job she 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 the survivors are seen by a doctor, then offers transportation wherever they want to go. The obvious option for Dawn is to continue down the path she is on and go home to her family. The other is to 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 beside 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?
Book Title: The Book of Two Ways
Author: Jodi Picoult
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Literary Fiction, Family Drama
Synopsis:
In the captivating novel "The Book of Two Ways" by Jodi Picoult, we embark on a poignant and introspective journey that delves into the complexities of family, love, loss, and the profound choices we make in life. The story revolves around Dawn Edelstein, a woman grappling with the impending death of her husband, Bruce, who is suffering from a terminal illness.
As Dawn navigates the emotional turmoil and overwhelming grief that accompanies her husband's impending demise, she finds solace and guidance in an ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, given to her by her grandmother. This enigmatic book contains profound wisdom and insights into the afterlife, offering her a glimmer of hope and comfort amidst her despair.
As Dawn delves deeper into the mysteries of the book, she embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of her own family's past, particularly the enigmatic circumstances surrounding her grandmother's death. Along the way, she encounters unexpected connections and revelations that challenge her beliefs and force her to confront the decisions that have shaped her life.
Written with Jodi Picoult's signature blend of emotional depth and thought-provoking storytelling, "The Book of Two Ways" explores the profound impact of our choices, the fragility of life, and the enduring power of love. It is a poignant and ultimately uplifting tale that reminds us of the importance of embracing life's uncertainties and finding meaning in both the joys and sorrows that come our way.
