Thank you so very much to Jodi Picoult, the publisher, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for granting my wish for an early ARC of this 'can't wait to read' book.

This book brought to light a few things that I had never heard of before, such as a death doula. However, after reading about the career that Dawn has and the patience she has with the clients who are dying as well as for their family, truly sheds some intense respect for people who do this day in and out.

I also had no clue what the Book to Two Ways was, and to know that it is the first known map of the afterlife, and the pictures that were drawn inside the coffins in Egypt that represent this is quite amazing, and to know that Jodi's son studies this is quite extraordinaire.

I resonated with Dawn and the not knowing of what her other life would have been had she of stayed in Egypt and worked on her The Book of Two Ways, and have her life there. I loved how Jodi went back and forth between Dawn's life today, and in the past and how Dawn felt within each part of her journey.

I also enjoyed that Jodi put in a smaller background story of the daughter and how her weight was affecting her (as we see this in today's society a lot). The secret that we learn towards the end of the book with Dawn and her daughter, really snuck up on me, but it was a pleasant surprise.

My only thought is that I would have liked a definitive ending, especially after being invested throughout Dawns journey. Thank you so much again for allowing me an early read of this next best seller.

A fun read, especially if you are a closet archeologist. You will learn a lot besides being wrapped up in a love triangle.

There are no two ways about this – I didn’t enjoy this like I did with many other Picoult’s books. I was expecting this to be like her previous books which stories seemed to be picked from headlines. I never skimmed her books. This one though, I skimmed quite a lot, and like some reviewers have mentioned, felt so textbook-driven filled with research about Egyptology, quantum mechanics, neurology, and even art.

This story goes back and forth in time and place – Dawn in Egypt, Dawn in Boston. Before marrying Brian and settling in Boston, Dawn was studying to be an Egyptologist alongside someone she initially hated, Wyatt. But like all love stories, they fell in love with each other. But, like all love stories too, happily ever after don’t happen in the beginning, no, not without some fight or obstacle. This came in the form of a phone call from home with bad news – her mom was dying. She had to go home to care for her and her brother. So bye bye Wyatt.

Throughout the course of caring for her dying mom, she met Brian and fell for him. He became her knight in shining armor – he was there when she was desperate and exhausted, he was there to cushion her every fall, to make things right. So bye bye Wyatt, hello Brian! They got married and had Meret, their daughter. Fifteen years into their marriage, she suspected Brian of having an affair, while she couldn’t keep her mind off of Wyatt.

When she survived a plane crash with 36 other passengers, she realized she had been given a second chance to live. And upon crashing, all she could think of was Wyatt. Now in the hospital, she kept thinking what would she do? Go back to her ex-lover whom she left 15 years ago, or go back to her old life?

Fifteen years into their marriage, she felt she had had enough of doing things for others. It was time to do things for herself, to get her hands dirty again in those Egyptian tombs, to be in Egypt, but most of all, to be with her captivating, charming, blue-eyed boy, Wyatt. Her Re. She, his Sakhmet.

The title of this book came from The Book of Two Ways, a detailed graphical composition of the Coffin Texts found on a few coffins from the Middle Egyptian necropolis of Deir el Bersha. “It showed two roads snaking through Osiris’s realm of the dead: a land route, black and a water route, blue, which are separated by a lake of fire.” It is thus, one of the main themes of the story – the afterlife, how do we prepare ourselves for it? How should we live our ‘today’? Do we let our choices define us, or us them?

Watching Win, one of Dawn’s clients who had less than a month to live as she made her last wishes, made Dawn contemplate on her life and the choices she had made. Is this how she wants to live her life? As a death doula? As a mother to Meret? A wife to Brian? What about her aspirations to earn her doctorate? What if she goes back to Wyatt? Back to her passion? Would she be happier?

I found my attention wavered every time I read loooong paragraphs of explanations, theories, and findings and researches, not only on Egyptology but also quantum mechanics. It felt like everything was just dumped into one paragraph each time an idea or a theme is explored. In my humble opinion and with utmost respect to the author, for a subject like Egyptology which is rich in imagery, I find, is best ‘told’ with the help of images and colors, not just words.

Also I found it so hard to like Dawn. She was like two different people with Wyatt and Brian – so smart and all gungho with Wyatt, ‘a lioness’ and a ‘goddess’ as Wyatt called her, but with Brian, she was so ‘needy’, always expecting him to be whomever she wanted him to be.

This is my take, should Dawn or Win pick their ex-lovers, they’d still contemplate on ‘what-if’ they’d made the other decision. There would be many what-ifs, no matter what decision we make in life. One will never be fully happy or contented in life. Something will always be amiss. It’s human nature to want more, or to want something different. The point is to stick to our choices, and to make the best of our current situation, or there’d be no end to it.

And why the open ending in the story? I usually like open-endings but not in this case, with Dawn. After all her searching and contemplation, she owes us an ending, a closing, and not leave us hanging.

This book felt like watching a Discovery Channel program with a love story from Hallmark thrown in. If you like the sound of it AND you have an interest in Egyptology, this one’s definitely for you. I’m just not the audience for this. I know readers of love stories will love this, and some of Picoult’s fans will too, just not me.

That said, I'd still recommend it to readers, but selected ones and I'm still a fan of Picoult's as long as she keeps writing books like the ones before this. I'm looking forward to reading her next book!

Thank you so much Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a free eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

I'm a fan of Jodi's and have read almost every book - But this one failed to keep my attention. I may try again, but after the first couple of chapters, the chemistry just wasn't there.

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan, but I could not get into this book. While I appreciate learning about history and different cultures while I am reading a fiction novel, I felt it all to be too much. It was overwhelming at times.

I think everyone had wondered the “ what if’s “ a time of two. But Dawn does more than wonder she actively searches !
I liked this book , but it was very heavy on Egyptology... some I found fascinating, bit some I struggled to get through. The premise of the book is what kept me going!

I absolutely loved this book. I am a huge fan of Jodi Picoult. Her books always stay with me long after I am done and I can tell this will be no exception.

The story is beautifully written and the story was captivating. I devoured this book as soon as I got my advanced readers copy and was sad when it was over.

I cannot wait to revisit this book.

I just couldn’t get into this book. I have read every single one of Jodi’s books. If you are a history buff , this is for you. I really Was looking for a summer beach read. I will continue to look forward to her next novel.

Classic Jodi Picoult. Pick this novel up...you will not be disappointed. A fabulous story, believable and very real. Read it on your front porch or back deck this season. Five stars.

Jodi Picoult writes intelligent books. Sometimes they are not easy to read but they are always challenging. Tbis one is no exception. It is chock full of Egyptology terms and one can almost see the Pharohs in their time. It is also a love story while at the same time a look at death and dying. None of which would seem to go together but do!
You will think about the book long after you finish it. Another winner for Picoult!

Moving and heartbreaking book about a woman in crisis and the two alternative lives she could choose to lead.

This book has some absolutely gripping and unusual concepts. The first one hides in the title; while "The Book of Two Ways" is the very thing Dawn was researching with Wyatt in Egypt, namely archaeological coffin texts, it also depicts the function of this very novel: unfolding two drastically different life scenarios based on the two choices Dawn faced following the crash. Furthermore, we have a startling dichotomy of Dawn's past and present: living a wild wife, doing archaeological research in Egypt then, and living a family life, working as a death doula at a hospice now. Both of these jobs have a higher transitory meaning between life and death, past and present. Both are also very unique, making Dawn's two alternative choices all the more fascinating.

At the same time, this novel is packed with historical and scientific details. The author doesn't hold back from listing loads of information on ancient Egypt as well as quantum physics, both of which overall carry a highly symbolic meaning. However, individual bits of information, if read with full attention, can certainly become a burden for a reader looking for a regular contemporary fiction novel. The sheer volume of such details was a bit of an overkill, so I personally decided to skim through them in order to immerse myself in the story instead.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this “Sliding Doors” novel - but found it very confusing at times to which timeline was which.

I love author Jodi Picoult's writing style. Her stories are so unique and complex, and "The Book of Two Ways" did not disappoint! At its heart, this is the story of the choices that we make and the loves that we follow, yet it's woven so beautifully with quantum physics theories and multiverses and parallel timelines and Egyptian stories of life and death and the guides that help us through the darkness. I loved this! Definitely recommend!

I received this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I am always happy to give! My thanks to #NetGalley, the author and publisher for this opportunity, #TheBookOfTwoWays

Jodi Picoult is so very talented. THE BOOK OF TWO WAYS is fascinating, awesome and overwrought. There’s parts that are really just about the best that Picoult has written, and that is saying a lot, she is a first caliber writer. She addresses paths not taken, love, life, death and all manner of emotions in between. She carves a great story about a marriage coming undone and partners less-than-honest in their lives. And then she layers on text book level details about Egypt and Pharaohs and their death beliefs and whole sections are lost in too much detail. Even the physics info of one of the characters is borderline obsessive. When does fiction get too close to obsessive detail in nonfiction? This book may offer a primer on the answer. Ultimately the tale can be enjoyed anyway but I suspect that is not what Picoult intended. It’s still a really good book. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I really wanted to like this book more than I did as I love Jodi Picoult's books and the premise is so interesting: Dawn is on a plane that makes an emergency crash landing and after medical attention is offered a flight anywhere she needs to go. And instead of going home, she travels to Egypt to visit the site (and ex-flame) where she studied years ago. This is where it became problematic for me as it became extremely clinical in explaining Egyptian history through The Book of Two Ways which is a map of the afterlife. Of course this becomes a "roadmap" of sorts as Dawn must determine where her life will take her--back to Wyatt and Egypt or back to her husband and daughter. As she wrestles with these decisions, secrets long buried come to light as Dawn must rediscover her purpose and live with the difficult choices she makes.

Popular novelist Picoult' s newest book is suffused with death, as is the protagonist, a death doula who abruptly quit her post at an important archaeological dig still largely unexplored in the Egyptian desert. Fifteen years later, a close call with her own mortality spies her to return to the dog, and to the colleagues and lover she left behind. Once rivals for the top of the narrow pyramid of experts in their field, Dawn is compelled as much by the passion for her work, for the thrill of discovery, as she is for Wyatt, who's now the site director and whose approval she needs to take up the unfinished work. Left behind this time are the husband and daughter she deeply loves and a special dying client who's counting on her to stay with her to the end.
All of the characters are deftly and fully realized, but it's the plethora of detail about an ancient civilization and the rites, rituals and relics revealed in the pages of the book, complete with hieroglyphics that together tell the story in the book of the title that make this a fascinating read. Unlike the author's earlier novels, it doesn't focus on contemporar themes, social problems or trends and relationships among affluent people.As a result, it's a richer, stronger book.

Wow. If you are a Picoult fan this will not disappoint! I wasn't sure at first but I am glad I gave this a chance. There is a lot of Egyptian history in here and it is incredibly interesting! There was a lot of research put into this and it is well worth reading!

A masterful storyteller, Ms. Picoult tests her reader with (almost) too much knowledge in this highly anticipated tale of love and loss among archaeological digs, hieroglyphics and Egyptology. Her knowledge is astounding, well-researched and thorough. Her characters are interesting, smart and somewhat likable. Anyone who enjoys the subtlety of a long, drawn-out, scientific experiment to unearth artifacts from centuries previous, will no doubt enjoy this book. The rest of us may find the perfectly detailed facts just a bit tedious. As with most of Ms. Picoult's books, there will be a huge audience for "The Book of Two Ways". but unfortunately it was not for me.

I have reviewed this book for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted the evening before the release date.

"The Book of Two Ways" by Jodi Picoult
Ballantine Books
September 22, 2020
10-198481835X
Contemporary Women's Fiction
432 Pages


What would you do if you were in a plane crash, but managed to survive? Being so close to death, it's only logical anyone would reassess their life. Almost forty years old, Dawn Edelstein is fortunate to she did not lose her life like so many others, but what happens now? Does she return to Boston to her husband Brian and her teenage daughter Meret, or does she resolve to pursue the dream career and Wyatt Armstrong, the man she loved 15 years prior?

Researching the history of Egypt always fascinated Dawn, and as a Yale archeology graduate student, she worked at excavating tombs with Wyatt. They labored unceasingly, uncovering the secrets of "The Book of Two Ways," which were ancient coffin writings designed to give the deceased guidance on how to pass into the afterlife to be with their god, Osiris.

With only a short time left to complete her studies, Dawn receives news her mother is dying, so she heads back to Boston. She copes with her mom's transition to death, with expectations of returning to Egypt. However, time has a way of passing quickly and other matters in life take over. Heartbroken over her loss and needing to raise her younger brother, Kieran, Dawn relinquishes her passion, finding solace in Brian Edelstein. She soon gives birth to a daughter, and a year later marries Brian, and is employed by a hospice, but then finds her second calling as a "death Doula." What exactly is a death doula? Dawn explains:

"After almost a decade of hospice work, I heard about a course called Intro to Death Midwifery. It made sense to me—just as we have birth midwives for the transition from the state of being a single person to becoming a mother, why not have death midwives for the transition from the state of life to that of death?

"From the very first words of the instructor—that death doulas harken back to a time when people didn't die alone—I was enthralled. "Doula" is Greek for ‘woman who serves’—and just as birth doulas know that there's discomfort and pain that can be managed during labor, death doulas do the same at the other end of the life spectrum. . . .

"doulas don't perform medical tasks—I’m not covered by liability malpractice insurance. I work in homes, nursing homes, inpatient hospices, assisted living facilities. Whereas the hospice model is a team, the Doula works solo, doing all but the medical care."

When people ask why Dawn became a death doula, she replies:

"I have told this story to many people who ask me how I can possible work with those who are dying. . . . There is a beauty and grace at the end, I tell them, even for babies like Felicity. She never experienced war, heartbreak, or pain. She never struggled to make ends meet. She didn't get bullied in school or find out she had been passed over for a promotion or get left at the altar. She knew nothing in her short life but love."

And love is something Dawn shares with the terminally ill patients in her care—an intense profession that can be both depressing as well as satisfying. Dawn handles everything the patient and/or their family requires to prepare all concerned for the patient's passing.

With her latest patient, Winifred, she experiences a close bond as they share tales of their past. Win begs her to go to England to deliver a letter to a man she once loved, a man she lost many years before. Dawn complies, but after witnessing this man with his family, this is a request she finds impossible to do. She decides not to head home and instead she heads to Egypt. Confused about where she belongs—especially after believing Brian has been unfaithful—she questions how she wants to live the rest of her life. Is fate offering her another chance to continue her dream from long ago? Egypt and its history lure her to return, as well as Wyatt—the good-looking, yet brash British guy who was her first love—and the work she valued as a grad student. Her heart persuades her to finish what she and Wyatt started. With her misgivings about Brian, will she decide she is meant to be with Wyatt, or will she go back to Brian?

Dawn and Wyatt once had common likes and a powerful closeness, and now he is surprised to see her after so long. She pleads with him to allow her to work on the site with him, though because she is no longer a Yale student through which this program is founded, by offering visas to students once they are investigated by the Egyptian government, he states he cannot hire her. But using his charisma, Dawn learns she can remain. Through their efforts working together and reuniting with Wyatt, she discovers the feelings and connection she felt for him is as strong as ever, and surprisingly he shares her feelings.

For those who love in-depth and descriptive prose, this novel has it all. Picoult goes into comprehensive detail regarding Quantum Physics, Brian's forte, the history of Egypt and hieroglyphics—including pictures and explanations of the writing—as well as the duties and concerns of a death doula. Intense and at times confusing, the prose tends to be overwhelming and tedious, making this a substantial read.

In actuality, this could comprise three novels: one of past passions and love compared to the reality of where life takes one; another giving insight into ancient burial tombs and how the Egyptians idolized their gods and beliefs; and finally, the unpleasant subject of death, which many do not want to confront, but which is written herein with total respect and knowledge; it eliminates some fear many may have.

It is easy to agonize over Dawn's feelings and determination to be her true self. Her life offers many facets. Though she scoffed at her mother who lived and died dedicated to believing many superstitions, she finds herself referring to them constantly. She feels obligated to her younger brother Kieran, whom she raised after her mother's death, then later to Brian, her husband of 15 years as well as to her beloved daughter. Her memories which she shared in her conversations with Winifred who also communicated the regrets of her past, and a newfound revelation concerning Wyatt takes her back to Egypt. In her travels she hopes to find what she genuinely wants and what she is meant to do with her life.

This tale commences with Dawn suffering the tragedy of being involved in a horrendous plane crash, then segues back and forth between Dawn's life in Boston and her time spend in Egypt, making the story line somewhat unclear. Along with the comprehensive description of many subject matters—some of these topics which may not be one's forte—this book provides education in matters unknown to many as well as offering a great deal of food for thought about human relationships.

I love Jodi Picoult books and I feel the subject matter continually progresses in maturity with each new book. This one was full of tense and not ideal situations which for me make it a compelling read. Sometimes the uncomfortable is more interesting. I did find myself glossing over a lot of the Egyptian historical stuff. I did find some of it to be fascinating but i think the point could have come across better with a less is more philosophy. Some of the Egyptian history took away from the overall story. I am also not sure how I feel about the ending although I understand why Ms. Picoult went the direction she did with it, if left me feeling a little unsatisfied. Besides those two things it was an interesting story that I enjoyed reading.