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zephyrusne 's review for:
The Pact: A Love Story
by Jodi Picoult
(read this version in epub)
i have mixed feelings about this book.
when it started off, i was intrigued. it has been about 6 years since i've read my sister's keeper (the only thing i've read by picoult until now), but nonetheless i was immediately pulled back. picoult's style hasn't changed, and it was interesting to remember something i've forgotten.
however, i think i didn't really enjoy it so much now, as i did then.
first of all, i didn't like the switchbacks from then to now. when i got to parts II and III, i read first the "thens", then the "nows" so as not to get too irritated at the ends of the chapters.
secondly, i think the book is unnecessarily long, especially in the "nows". we could have done without much of the flashbacks prolonging the book. also, i was barely able to read chris' time in jail - much of it felt superfluous. furthermore, there were too many switchbacks within the individual chapters as well. too many metaphors that didn't fit in, trying to get emotions out of readers. these introduced a blend of writing styles that didn't necessarily overlap gracefully.
the teen characters also felt too mature for their age, too calculating, too resolute, too profound. the relationship between em and chris also felt toxic and unhealthy at times, i had a difficult time reading it.
sometimes even supporting characters seemed off. it was like picoult was trying too hard. not every character has to have their own hidden issues and profound revelations.
i'm also not sure how to interpret chris' essay on abortion within picoult's own standpoint and that made me a bit weary.
the cross-examination was her forte, and it kind of redeemed the novel for me. it went by fast and was interesting to read, creating the suspense and drawing the novel to a good close.
all in all, the read was just okay for me; i expected something different.
i have mixed feelings about this book.
when it started off, i was intrigued. it has been about 6 years since i've read my sister's keeper (the only thing i've read by picoult until now), but nonetheless i was immediately pulled back. picoult's style hasn't changed, and it was interesting to remember something i've forgotten.
however, i think i didn't really enjoy it so much now, as i did then.
first of all, i didn't like the switchbacks from then to now. when i got to parts II and III, i read first the "thens", then the "nows" so as not to get too irritated at the ends of the chapters.
secondly, i think the book is unnecessarily long, especially in the "nows". we could have done without much of the flashbacks prolonging the book. also, i was barely able to read chris' time in jail - much of it felt superfluous. furthermore, there were too many switchbacks within the individual chapters as well. too many metaphors that didn't fit in, trying to get emotions out of readers. these introduced a blend of writing styles that didn't necessarily overlap gracefully.
the teen characters also felt too mature for their age, too calculating, too resolute, too profound. the relationship between em and chris also felt toxic and unhealthy at times, i had a difficult time reading it.
sometimes even supporting characters seemed off. it was like picoult was trying too hard. not every character has to have their own hidden issues and profound revelations.
i'm also not sure how to interpret chris' essay on abortion within picoult's own standpoint and that made me a bit weary.
the cross-examination was her forte, and it kind of redeemed the novel for me. it went by fast and was interesting to read, creating the suspense and drawing the novel to a good close.
all in all, the read was just okay for me; i expected something different.