Leaving Home brings together three, previously published short pieces, each dealing with a variation on the theme of leaving home. The first, “Weights and Measures,” deals with the tragic loss of a child; the second is a non-fiction letter Picoult wrote to her eldest son as he left for college; and, “Ritz” tells the story of a mother who takes the vacation all mothers need sometime.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Jodi Picoult has the remarkable ability to portray an event's key moments and feelings in a potent narration that tugs at the heartstrings. Leaving Home's three emotionally charged stories deal with a gamut of pain, regret, unconditional love, memory, motherhood, and friendship that the author renders almost palpably. Fans will find that Leaving Home offers another shining example of Picoult's skill as a storyteller. Those new to her work will find this a magnificent introduction. --Shirley Hong
About the Author
Author Jodi Picoult has published 17 novels to date, including #1 New York Times bestsellers House Rules, My Sister’s Keeper, Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart and Handle with Care. Her latest book, Sing You Home, is due out in March 2011. Picoult lives in New Hampshire, with her husband and three children.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
198 of 205 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was an interesting book for me to read. I'm a fan of Picoult's books, although I consider them fairly light. They deal with heavier subjects, but the writing rarely gets deep into character study or anything like that. When I saw there were some new "short" stories to read out by her, I grabbed them and immediate read them.
They are fairly short. On Kindle, it's less than 800 locations for all three stories. I thought this would be enough for the author to get her point across, but I was both disappointed and elated at the same time.
The first story is a story about the loss of a child. Something that I consider the absolute worst thing that can happen to a parent. I cannot pretend to understand what they go through. The fact that she tackled this difficult subject, I think, is commendable. I think she lost me a bit in some of the symbolism. I got it, but I think it was unneeded. I think this may have been a bit of an experiment for her. I don't think it failed, but for what she was doing, it needed more length (even though it took up the first half of this short story collection).
The second piece is a letter she wrote to her son as he left for college. I will admit this chocked me up a bit. What a beautiful letter to prepare for your child that tells them so much. I'm sure as a mother, she must be so proud and I loved her voice here, the "cheering on" without a lot of preaching was really well done. I think I'll just xerox this to give to my kids when they go off into the world (they are still in Elementary school)... I'll just cross out her name and put mine there. *laughing* Seriously, this was very well done and I loved getting a look into her "real" life.... Read more ›
They are fairly short. On Kindle, it's less than 800 locations for all three stories. I thought this would be enough for the author to get her point across, but I was both disappointed and elated at the same time.
The first story is a story about the loss of a child. Something that I consider the absolute worst thing that can happen to a parent. I cannot pretend to understand what they go through. The fact that she tackled this difficult subject, I think, is commendable. I think she lost me a bit in some of the symbolism. I got it, but I think it was unneeded. I think this may have been a bit of an experiment for her. I don't think it failed, but for what she was doing, it needed more length (even though it took up the first half of this short story collection).
The second piece is a letter she wrote to her son as he left for college. I will admit this chocked me up a bit. What a beautiful letter to prepare for your child that tells them so much. I'm sure as a mother, she must be so proud and I loved her voice here, the "cheering on" without a lot of preaching was really well done. I think I'll just xerox this to give to my kids when they go off into the world (they are still in Elementary school)... I'll just cross out her name and put mine there. *laughing* Seriously, this was very well done and I loved getting a look into her "real" life.... Read more ›
46 of 49 people found the following review helpful
By Michelle R
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I love the Kindle Single idea, and this is the first one I'll be reviewing. I look forward to reading more of them as I'm a big fan of short stories, novellas, and opinion pieces.
I selected this because I like Picoult. I'm not nearly as big of a fan as a lot of people are, but the audio book of My Sister's Keeper helped get me through a badly wrenched back that made any move pretty painful. I tend to like her plot ideas more than the actual writing, to be honest.
This was no exception. The first story was about the loss of a child and the concept of the way it can make a parent grow or make them diminish and a lot is done with that symbolism. Obviously, a very serious topic and some really quality lines and moments, but I have to say that most of it -- other than those moments and the aforementioned metaphors about growth/loss/shrinking -- felt a little too familiar. I imagine that it would touch a parent more than it might be, but it's certainly a topic capable of moving anyone with a heart.
The next piece was a letter Picoult wrote to her son as he embarked on his college life. I thought it was rather lovely and I was glad to have read it.
"Now as you bend down to embrace me, as you say goodbye, I think of all the things I've taken for granted."
I love the simple beauty of that line in a piece that begins and ends with her remembering him as a baby. He is her child, but he is a man too, and he must bend to embrace her now, and he's moving on. Just love how much is packed into that line.
The last piece is told from the point of view of a teen girl who finds out her mother has left home for an indeterminate time.... Read more ›
I selected this because I like Picoult. I'm not nearly as big of a fan as a lot of people are, but the audio book of My Sister's Keeper helped get me through a badly wrenched back that made any move pretty painful. I tend to like her plot ideas more than the actual writing, to be honest.
This was no exception. The first story was about the loss of a child and the concept of the way it can make a parent grow or make them diminish and a lot is done with that symbolism. Obviously, a very serious topic and some really quality lines and moments, but I have to say that most of it -- other than those moments and the aforementioned metaphors about growth/loss/shrinking -- felt a little too familiar. I imagine that it would touch a parent more than it might be, but it's certainly a topic capable of moving anyone with a heart.
The next piece was a letter Picoult wrote to her son as he embarked on his college life. I thought it was rather lovely and I was glad to have read it.
"Now as you bend down to embrace me, as you say goodbye, I think of all the things I've taken for granted."
I love the simple beauty of that line in a piece that begins and ends with her remembering him as a baby. He is her child, but he is a man too, and he must bend to embrace her now, and he's moving on. Just love how much is packed into that line.
The last piece is told from the point of view of a teen girl who finds out her mother has left home for an indeterminate time.... Read more ›
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is my first kindle single and my first time reading anything by this author. Each short piece was written exquisitely. The first piece is heart-wrenchingly sad and so vivid. The letter in the second piece is not merely written for her son, but for all the world as a message to follow our hearts and dreams and live our lives to the fullest.I personally took alot from this short powerful letter. The third piece was written from the view of a child, which makes it very unique and while reading, you become this child searching for the answers to explain her mother's behavior. Great stuff here, and even thought it is quite short, I found it to be a good deal because of the thoughts you are left with after you have finished. I am going to LOAN this to my mother!! I am confident a mother would appreciate this work.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Kindle Edition
This series of short essays are amazing. Picoult has managed, particularly in the letter to her son as he leaves home for college to put her finger on the in depth feelings so many mothers experience as we leave our children to their next adventure. I have reommended this reading to everyone I know
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've read plenty of Jodi Picoult's books and have been a fairly true fan. I was a little disappointed with this set of very short stories though.
First of all, I know they are called Short Pieces but they are really short -- about 30 minutes of reading at the most. Second, the first story was heartbreaking but really just briefly skimmed the surface of a very difficult topic. Since it was a story about losing a daughter, the same age as mine, I was somewhat relieved that it wasn't longer because I had a lot of trouble getting through what was there - it was just too close to home.
The letter to her son was nice, probably echoed the thoughts of many mothers but again, was very short which gave the impression of not being very deep (with no offense to the obvious love that was present within the words of the letter).
The third story was what so many mother's wish they could do, run off to a hotel (on the other side of the country though?) to prove to their family that they are being taken for granted. Again, the story was so short and the theme really needed a longer, deeper telling.
Overall, they are good ideas but just too short to give them justice.
First of all, I know they are called Short Pieces but they are really short -- about 30 minutes of reading at the most. Second, the first story was heartbreaking but really just briefly skimmed the surface of a very difficult topic. Since it was a story about losing a daughter, the same age as mine, I was somewhat relieved that it wasn't longer because I had a lot of trouble getting through what was there - it was just too close to home.
The letter to her son was nice, probably echoed the thoughts of many mothers but again, was very short which gave the impression of not being very deep (with no offense to the obvious love that was present within the words of the letter).
The third story was what so many mother's wish they could do, run off to a hotel (on the other side of the country though?) to prove to their family that they are being taken for granted. Again, the story was so short and the theme really needed a longer, deeper telling.
Overall, they are good ideas but just too short to give them justice.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Leaving home
Quick read I love Jodi luckily books they keep my attention and when you only have a few minutes to read you can still understand what is going on.
Published 5 days ago by Mary Beth DeLuzio
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's Okay....but would not purchase it
Would read it if given to me by a friend, but not Picoult standard page-turner. Typical Kindle Single - stick with her novels
Published 11 days ago by lovetoread
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leaving Home.Short Pieces
Another have to read by Jodi Picoult. Each of the three short pieces captivated in their own way. The letter to her son made me realise there are so many things I should have told... Read more
Published 12 days ago by verina thirlwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick read, tear jerked.
Great book, love short stories when I don't have much time! Well written! She writes with ease about things anyone can relate too.
Published 21 days ago by keri janda
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written, but very sad.
Jodi Picoult is brilliant. Point. These stories are however very sad, so not for everyone. They deal about the death of children and similar themes, and some might find this too... Read more
Published 22 days ago by Cecile van Aswegen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very poignant
These are very lovely and poignant short stories. More short stories please Jodi. You are living in the real world.
Published 1 month ago by Toni Rogers
3.0 out of 5 stars
short pieces
it comes very short of what i am used to read from this author but i like her researches normally
Published 1 month ago by jake
3.0 out of 5 stars
Different
Easy reading but a very different read to other books of Jodi's I have read. Would recommend this book but would not rave about it.
Published 2 months ago by Judy Hamilton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Leaving home
Leaving home
It was a great book. I recommended it to many of my friends.especially those who had a gay child.
It was a great book. I recommended it to many of my friends.especially those who had a gay child.
Published 2 months ago by john welch
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
Interesting stories, though I do wish that the story's were just a little bit longer. It seemed you were just getting into it and it was the end of the story.
Published 2 months ago by Tracy L VanNess
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More About the Author
I grew up on Long Island with my parents and my little brother, the product of a ridiculously happy childhood. My mom says I've been writing as long as she remembers - my first masterpiece was "The Lobster That Was Misunderstood," at age 5. I honed my writing skills beyond that, one hopes, before I headed off to Princeton, where I wanted to work with living, breathing authors in their creative writing program. Mary Morris was my teacher/mentor, and I really do believe I wouldn't be where I am today if not for her guidance and expertise. I had two short stories published in SEVENTEEN magazine when I was in college. However, when I graduated, a desire to not eat ramen noodles exclusively and to be able to pay my rent led me to take a job on Wall Street (not a great idea, since I can't even balance my checkbook). When the stock market crashed in 1987, I moved to Massachusetts and over the course of two years, worked at a textbook publishing company, taught creative writing at a private school, became an ad copywriter, got a master's in education at Harvard, got married, taught at a public school, and had a baby. My first novel was published shortly after my son was born, and I've always said that the reason I kept writing is because it's so much easier than teaching English.
In fourteen years, I've published thirteen novels: Songs of the Humpback Whale, Harvesting the Heart, Picture Perfect, Mercy, The Pact, Keeping Faith, Plain Truth, Salem Falls, Perfect Match, Second Glance, My Sister's Keeper, Vanishing Acts, and the upcoming The Tenth Circle, this March. Two of my books (Plain Truth and The Pact) were made into Lifetime TV movies; Keeping Faith will be another. My Sister's Keeper is in development at New Line Cinema to be a feature film. And there isn't a single day that I don't stop and marvel at the fact that when I go to work, I get to do what I love the most.
My husband Tim and I live in Hanover, NH with our three kids, a dog, a rabbit, and the occasional donkey or cow.
In fourteen years, I've published thirteen novels: Songs of the Humpback Whale, Harvesting the Heart, Picture Perfect, Mercy, The Pact, Keeping Faith, Plain Truth, Salem Falls, Perfect Match, Second Glance, My Sister's Keeper, Vanishing Acts, and the upcoming The Tenth Circle, this March. Two of my books (Plain Truth and The Pact) were made into Lifetime TV movies; Keeping Faith will be another. My Sister's Keeper is in development at New Line Cinema to be a feature film. And there isn't a single day that I don't stop and marvel at the fact that when I go to work, I get to do what I love the most.
My husband Tim and I live in Hanover, NH with our three kids, a dog, a rabbit, and the occasional donkey or cow.
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