"Lone Wolf" Book Review

"Lone Wolf" is an incredible story about a devastating accident and the family dealing with the aftermath. Jodi Picoult marvelously shows us each characters perspective to truly explain each persons motive for their actions, whether it be love, hate, guilt, or all of the above.

The title, "Lone Wolf" refers to the most important character; Luke Warren. He and 17 year daughter, Cara, are in a terrible car accident during an icy New Hampshire winter, leaving Lucas in a coma. Before that fateful night, Luke studied wolf behavior. We're given glimpses of a time he spent living with wolves in the Canadian wild, where he truly became a pack member. Like something of fantasy, Luke lives, sleeps, eats, and even fights with these wolves he loves so much. He's torn between his love for his family and the love for his wolf pack. He is a lone wolf because he isolates himself in such a way that he no longer fits in with the human world nor wolf world.

After returning from his 2 year adventure with these wolves, he works at a reserve where he once again is welcomed by a pack of wolves, only this time they live in enclosures instead of the wild. Over time, and for many different reasons, his marriage deteriorates, he becomes estranged from his adult son Edward, and his daughter Cara chooses to live with him instead of their mother, Georgie. She has moved on and remarried and has young twins with her new husband.

It's at this time that the story begins. Cara has lived with her father for 4 years and understands his love for his wolves. She shares his curiosity and fascination. When the two are in a car accident, she is wracked with guilt and is forced to dig deep to fight for the life of her father when the decision of terminating life support hangs between her and her older brother.

Edward has been estranged from his entire family for 6 years for reasons unknown, at first. He had a troubled relationship with his father and holds much resentment towards him. He wants to let Luke die, which isn't easy to do when his little sister does everything she can- even taking legal measures against it.

"Lone Wolf" is a tale of ethical responsibility. Both characters are torn by their own feelings and guilt and resentments. They have to question what their father would have wanted. Brother and sister are put against each other as they fight for what they both believe is the right thing to do, but through opposite actions.

The story comes alive with it's honest and gritty family drama. It is a definite must read and a wonderful book.