The Book of Two Ways: A Novel
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 Book of Two Ways," Jodi Picoult delves into the complexities of human relationships, identity, and the enduring power of love. Centered around Dawn Edelstein, a talented artist grappling with the loss of her husband to cancer, the novel explores the depths of her grief and the transformative journey she embarks on to find solace and renewal.
As Dawn navigates her newfound reality, she discovers an ancient Egyptian manuscript known as "The Book of Two Ways." This enigmatic text guides the deceased through the underworld, offering profound insights into the afterlife and the possibility of reunion with loved ones. Compelled by its wisdom, Dawn embarks on a quest to Egypt, seeking answers to her questions about life, death, and the enduring bonds that transcend physical existence.
Throughout her travels, Dawn encounters a diverse cast of characters who challenge her perspectives and deepen her understanding of the human experience. She meets Evelyn Cortes, a brilliant Egyptologist who aids her in deciphering the ancient manuscript, and Kit Lowell, a charming and enigmatic tour guide who becomes her unexpected companion on this journey of self-discovery.
As Dawn delves deeper into the mysteries of the afterlife, she must confront her own fears, insecurities, and unresolved issues. Through introspection and meaningful conversations, she begins to heal her emotional wounds and finds the strength to move forward. "The Book of Two Ways" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of loss, love, and the resilience of the human spirit.
With her signature blend of compassion and insight, Jodi Picoult weaves a captivating tale that invites readers to contemplate the nature of existence, the fragility of life, and the enduring power of love that transcends the boundaries of time and space.
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