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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
This book was hard to read at times. It was unexpected.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another Picoult novel that pits the American justice system against true justice. In this story, a young boy named Nathaniel is raped by someone he knows. His mother, Nina, is a prosecutor for the state of Maine that works to convict child molesters and rapists and knows the criminal justice system from front to back - including how it often takes advantage of the young and weak. Knowing this, and faced with the fact that this time it's her child on the witness stand, she decides to take matters into her own hand. Nina shoots the man she believes did this to her son.returnreturnThe story then spirals into a role reversal. Nina, used to being the prosecutor, is now the defendant. How does she and her legal team prove that she did this out of undying and unstoppable love for son? And does this even justify the act of murdering a man? And how does this affect those around her? Her husband, her best friends, her own child... Especially when Picoult throws in twist after twist. And once again, leaves her reader thinking about themselves in that situation.returnreturnAt times, the roads Picoult took seemed a tad outlandish and thrown in for drama's sake, but it was still a very enjoyable read. Good for anyone interested in the legal system and ethical dilemmas.
dark
emotional
slow-paced
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Usually her books are a 5/5 but this felt predictable and repetitive so wasn’t a huge fan
This would’ve been horrifying to read at any point in life, but as a mother, this was absolutely gut wrenching and terrifying. And 100% made me question what I might be capable of if tested.
Aside from all that, Picoult has a way of writing characters and plots that suck you in from the first word. I got completely lost in what was happening, to the point that I was having physical reactions for what the characters were going through. I will forever read any and everything she writes, for that reason alone.
Wow! I just have to catch my breath. This is the first story I've read by Picoult that has truly captured me since My Sister's Keeper. It was painful to read at times as it involves the sexual abuse against a 5-year-old boy, but it was revealing in many ways. I just couldn't stop reading it.
Although the story did not involve the court case I expected (it was a murder trial instead of a child abuse one...you'll understand when you read it), I was still able to anticipate the curveballs that are typical of Picoult's book. Nonetheless, this story was touching yet heartbreaking, frustrating yet rewarding, honest yet manipulative.
True to her nature, Picoult did her research before writing this book. She provided twist plots that wouldn't have been made possible without her extensive research about specific laws, DNA research, etc. She never fails to baffle me with the amount of work she puts into each book, well beyond just writing a story.
If you have enjoyed other Jodi Picoult books in the past but haven't yet read this one, I recommend getting on it now! It is so powerful it will blow you away!
Although the story did not involve the court case I expected (it was a murder trial instead of a child abuse one...you'll understand when you read it), I was still able to anticipate the curveballs that are typical of Picoult's book. Nonetheless, this story was touching yet heartbreaking, frustrating yet rewarding, honest yet manipulative.
True to her nature, Picoult did her research before writing this book. She provided twist plots that wouldn't have been made possible without her extensive research about specific laws, DNA research, etc. She never fails to baffle me with the amount of work she puts into each book, well beyond just writing a story.
If you have enjoyed other Jodi Picoult books in the past but haven't yet read this one, I recommend getting on it now! It is so powerful it will blow you away!
I have two young sons, so this book was very hard for me to read. You'll see why if you read it. It deals with a little boy being molested at his church. The story of the mother and the police officer is a great one. It's a good read...but the subject is hard to handle.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
With this author I have stopped reading book descriptions before starting to read the book because I know I’ll never be let down by her writing or choice of topic. That did mean that I was utterly shocked by the dark and heartbreaking nature of the story. It’s a story that anyone can see the disgusting side of but as a parent it really hits hard. I think every parent would agree that they would do absolutely anything for their child and this book is testing the limits of that casual statement so many of us have used.