Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult is the story of Katie, a young Amish girl, who awakes in the middle of the night, goes out to the barn, quietly gives birth to a baby boy and then falls asleep. When she awakes the baby is gone and her prayers are answered. She simply goes back to bed. The baby is found the next morning smothered and Katie finds herself being charged with murder, which in the Amish community who are known to be a peaceful, loving, and non-violent is unheard of.
Meanwhile, Ellie, a Philadelphia defense attorney, finds herself unhappy with her career and love relationship. She escapes to the quiet town of Paradise, Pennsylvania to visit her aunt to sort it all out. Her peace doesn’t last long as she finds herself not only defending Katie, but also acting as her guardian by living with her 24/7 on the family dairy farm.
Taking on this case is a challenge. Ellie finds herself defending a client who doesn’t want to be be defended. The Amish ways of justice are very different and Katie and Ellie have a rough go of it. Katie can’t remember what happened and whenever she does, it’s just incriminating. Ellie finds that preparing a court case on a dairy farm isn’t easy especially when she is without electricity, laptop or a phone.
Plain Truth is a love story, psychological drama, and courtroom suspense. This being the fourth Jodi Picoult book that I’ve read in the last year further solidifies my thoughts that Picoult has found a formula that obviously works well for her. I did feel as though everything that happened in Plain Truth has happened before. We have the troubled teenager, crime, courtroom drama, medical mystery, woman lawyer, her love interest. I felt any character could have easily been any character from another book. I did pick up on the twist ending, as there was one sentence about two thirds of the way through the book where I realized “whodunit.”
As a mother, Plain Truth wasn’t fun to read. We are talking about somebody who smothers a newborn. But I was engrossed and kept turning the pages for more. I was never at a loss for interest. I enjoyed exploring the Amish culture and the questions that she raised about forgiveness, peace, and justice. Everybody at my neighborhood book club did enjoy it a lot more than I did however. I think if I hadn’t read any of her other books I would have enjoyed it more. Does that make sense?
I still want to read My Sister’s Keeper, which I understand is a must read. And it sits here staring at me from my bookshelf right now. Other books I’ve reviewed are Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart, and Tenth Circle. Jodi Picoult’s next book Handle With Care will be released on March 3rd. I hope to attend a book signing at Kings English Bookshop on March 25th to hear her give a reading. Visit Jodi Picoult’s website to see if she’s on tour near you.
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Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: book club, courtroom drama, M-P Author, M-P Title, neighborhood book club
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I like Jodi Picoult’s work, but haven’t read this one. I know her books are formulaic, but sometimes that’s comforting.
on February 6th, 2009 at 10:45 amHey.. I read Second Glance by Picoult a while ago and loved it.. It was my first picoult book. I have heard so much about Plain truth and I definitely want to pick it up sometime.. your review has made me bump it up on my wishlist! thanks!
on February 6th, 2009 at 10:45 amMost of Piccoult’s books are gut-wrenching for mothers. Seriously, The Pact made my blood run cold. Terrifying as they are, we still read them!
on February 6th, 2009 at 11:24 amI’ll be reading this for bookclub next month. I would comment more, but it seems my cat has just figured out how to open the drawers in my kitchen! Time to get out the childproof latches again!
on February 6th, 2009 at 11:46 amI really liked My Sisters Keeper, but I didn’t like The Pact. I think I’m going to read Vanishing Acts next.
on February 6th, 2009 at 11:50 amI really liked this book when I read it. It was gut-wrenching to read as a mother, but maybe it’s like Sandy said. Maybe all her books are gut-wrenching for mothers. I really liked the book and didn’t realize “whodunit” until closer to the end. I had read Vanishing Acts before and loved it. I also have My Sister’s Keeper on my book shelf. Thanks for the review.
on February 6th, 2009 at 12:28 pmMy Sister’s Keeper is my favorite of Picoult’s work or at least what I’ve read of her stuff. It’s also being made into a movie. I would definitely recommend it.
on February 6th, 2009 at 12:28 pmI think if I hadn’t read any of her other books I would have enjoyed it more. Does that make sense?
i think that applies to me too. i had heard so many good things about Plain Truth and having loved so many others of Picoult’s books already, i think my expectations of Plain Truth were too high. while i did enjoy it, i think it’s in the bottom half if i were to rank all the Picoult books i’ve read. (i’ve read almost all of them to date and am looking forward to Handle with Care.)
on February 6th, 2009 at 1:34 pmI liked Plain Truth, but my favorite was My Sister’s Keeper. I just finished Mercy this week (not bad but not her best).
on February 6th, 2009 at 2:26 pmI have heard such mixed reviews of Picoults’ books. Seems like most people liked My sister’s Keeper. I dont know. I dont feel like reading a “gut wrenching” story. But your review has pique my interest.
on February 6th, 2009 at 3:24 pmI think if I hadn’t read any of her other books I would have enjoyed it more. Does that make sense?
I totally agree with you – except Plain Truth was the first Picoult I read. After finishing it I immediately read Keeping Faith – but I was disappointed. I think that Picoult is too formulaic. I can’t exactly pinpoint it – maybe her voice doesn’t vary much? Her characters are all the same? (I also read Change of Heart and was disappointed) – again.
on February 6th, 2009 at 5:57 pmHonestly I can’t read Picoult because she’s so powerful. Her books always puts me in a reading slump that can last for almost a month so I tend to avoid them. Love the widget btw!
on February 6th, 2009 at 6:17 pmI would love to attend a book signing of hers!! I’ve truly enjoyed all of her books but if I had to choose a least favorite it would be The Tenth Circle for me.
on February 6th, 2009 at 8:22 pmI liked The Pact when I read it, though it was so long ago that I can’t remember why. This one sounds really good and your review of it is excellent. After The Pact I have not yet managed to read another of Piccoult’s books, although I have My Sister’s Keeper in my collection.
on February 7th, 2009 at 5:39 amI read this one in my pre-blogging days. I think it’s the only Picoult novel I’ve read. Anyway, I found it pretty nerve-wracking, too, and I’m not sure I’m up for that in a novel.
I wanted to say thanks for commenting on my Hattie Big Sky post. I found your interview helpful. Thanks for linking it!
on February 7th, 2009 at 7:25 amI have read this one and My Sister’s Keeper, and I hear you on the formula thing. I think that she is an excellent writer, but it does seem like the plots contain similar elements. I still liked this book, and I still liked My Sister’s Keeper, but I wasn’t motivated to pick up more of her books.
on February 7th, 2009 at 8:19 amThere was a made-for-TV movie version of this book, starring Mariska Hargitay. It was pretty good. I didn’t realize it was a Picoult novel when I watched it. (The Tenth Circle was also a TV movie, starring Kelly Preston.)
on February 7th, 2009 at 10:31 amI really enjoyed Plain Truth although I do understand what you mean by maybe not liking this one as much because you’ve read some of her others. I’ve seen the movie and it was really quite good. My Sister’s Keeper is definitely a good one!
on February 8th, 2009 at 2:41 pmKathy – My book group said that they all don’t follow that formula. I’ve yet to read one that doesn’t. But hey, if it works why change it?!
Ramya – I haven’t read Second Glance. I’m sure you’ll like this one.
Sandy – I haven’t read The Pact and passed up a copy at my book club for it. I need to read My Sister’s Keeper first before I acquire any more!
Alyce – LOL
Tricia – Haven’t read Vanishing Acts although I do own it.
Tina – I think they are all gut wrenching. She takes a lot of popular topics and really makes you think about them.
Janet – I had heard My Sister’s Keeper was being made into a movie. With Dakota Fanning? Must read before it comes out.
alisonwonderland – Are you going to go to her book signing when she comes to SLC? If you do, I’d love to meet up with you there.
Diane – Mercy. I don’t think I own that one.
Laura H. – It’s worth a try.
Tricia – Well, like I said in my review. I do think they are formulaic.
Ladytink_534 – I do admit that once I start her books, I do have to finish it. I can’t pick up anything else until it’s done.
Staci – Tenth Circle was my least favorite as well.
Nicole – It seems like we all have My Sister’s Keeper in our piles.
Amy – You’re welcome. I can’t wait to read your interview. Kirby really is the best!
Kim L – If my book club hadn’t read this, I probably wouldn’t have read it. I didn’t mind that I did though.
Karina – I really do want to see the movie for this one. I wonder if I could find it on DVD anywhere.
Darlene – Glad you liked the movie. I’m going to have to track a copy down.
on February 8th, 2009 at 7:04 pmI haven’t read any Picoult but I understand that My Sister’s Keeper is a must read as well. Thanks for this review!
on February 8th, 2009 at 7:48 pmI’ve only read My Sister’s Keeper and thought it was pretty good but it hasn’t tempted me to pick up any others yet. I do know that they are pretty formulaic and always concern controversial subjects. I will be interested to hear what you think about My Sister’s Keeper.
on February 9th, 2009 at 12:38 pmS. Krishna – You’re welcome!
Kim – I’ve had My Sister’s Keeper on my shelf for about six months. One of these days I’m just going to sit down and read it. Maybe before she comes to SLC for her signing.
on February 9th, 2009 at 7:40 pmMy Sister’s Keeper is glaring at me from my bookshelf too. It seems to keep getting shoved further back. I’ve seen several Jodi Picoult books when looking through bookstores and I’ve been intrigued. My husband says no more books right now
It’s only library for me
on February 10th, 2009 at 10:54 pmThis is definitely my least favorite Picoult book (I think I’ve read 7? but haven’t picked one up in almost a year). My Sister’s Keeper is definitely my favorite. So yes–I definitely know what you mean about if you hadn’t read anything by Picoult you would have enjoyed it more.
on February 21st, 2009 at 5:44 pm