54 pages • 1 hour read
The Storyteller
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Book Brief
461
Novel • Fiction
New Hampshire • Contemporary
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult interweaves the narratives of Sage Singer, a young, scarred woman burdened by past traumas, and Josef Weber, a 95-year-old former SS officer who seeks Sage’s forgiveness and assistance in ending his own life. The novel explores themes of morality, forgiveness, and the weight of history as Sage, dealing with her own turmoil, navigates Josef’s shocking revelations and her grandmother Minka’s Holocaust experiences. Includes depictions of assisted death by suicide, self-harm, and distressing violence related to the Holocaust.
Emotional
Dark
Mysterious
Melancholic
Contemplative
Reviews & Readership
294,901 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Jodi Picoult's The Storyteller captivates with its compelling narrative and well-researched historical context. Readers appreciated the complex characters and moral dilemmas. Some found the plot twists predictable, while others felt the pacing dragged at times. Overall, a thought-provoking read with emotional depth that resonates.
Who Should Read The Storyteller?
A reader who enjoys compelling, emotionally rich narratives with moral complexity will find The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult engaging. Fans of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale and Markus Zusak's The Book Thief, which also delve into human resilience and ethical dilemmas during World War II, will appreciate Picoult's intricate storytelling.
294,901 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Josef Weber / Franz Hartmann
Josef Weber / Franz Hartmann
An elderly man Sage meets at a grief therapy group who reveals a hidden past as a former Nazi, complicating themes of morality and forgiveness.
Reiner Hartmann
Reiner Hartmann
A character whose identity is assumed by Josef; known for being cruel and desensitized to violence during his time at Auschwitz.
Leo Stein
Leo Stein
A dedicated Nazi hunter working for the Justice Department who pursues war criminals with firm convictions about justice and morality.
Minka Singer
Minka Singer
Sage’s grandmother and a Holocaust survivor whose stories play a pivotal role in her survival and in confirming key details about Josef and Reiner.
461
Novel • Fiction
New Hampshire • Contemporary
2013
Adult
18+ years
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