Every so often when I’m reading a book I will come across a sentence or paragraph that is so good I need to highlight it.
With Plain Truth, by Jodi Picoult, much of the book would have been neon orange by the end. She has such a beautiful turn of phrase that feels so natural but at the same time makes you stop and think “wow”.
This isn’t a new book – first published in paperback in 2001 – but it was among my Kindle suggested reads for 99p and I thought “why not?”.
I purchased it at completely the wrong time though because I couldn’t put it down and I really had other things, like blogging, I needed to do.
Here’s the blurb:
Katie Fisher is Amish. For eighteen years, she has grown up in a community set apart from the modern world by lifestyle and belief. It is a community fiercely protective of its way of life.To turn your back on it is to lose everything – your church, your home, and your family.
So in the middle of the night when the baby comes, Katie does the only thing she knows how to do in times of stress: she prays.
Exhausted, she falls asleep. When she wakes, the child is gone. Her prayer has been answered.
But faith alone cannot help when the baby’s body is found.
I admit it was the Amish element that pulled me in. I like the idea of people who adopt simple living and shun many modern technologies – and while I know it is a work of fiction, I figured Picoult must know a fair amount to be confident in writing about the subject. And it certainly seemed that way.
She weaves this knowledge seamlessly into the book, which features original and well thought out characters – from teenagers upwards – and scenes so wonderfully descriptive it feels like you are there.
The plot is meticulously planned, although I felt like some of the information she had already told us was repeated in the court scenes and I skimmed a bit then.
The ending (my goodness, The Ending!) still has me thinking about it long after I’ve finished. I won’t give anything away, just in case you haven’t read it, but I had an idea this was what might happen, especially as it felt like a few more hints started to be dropped. She keeps you guessing right until the final pages though and at one point I even told myself: “Nah, you’re just being suspicious.” Turns out I was right to be suspicious.
I’ve been left with many questions – and no one to talk to about them – and I can’t tell if that’s the sign of a good book or not but, from reading up on it, I think that’s the way Picoult usually does things.
I’d certainly read more of her extensive catalogue of work as a result.
My rating: Three and a half stars.
Have you read it? I really want to talk to someone about the ending.
After The Rain 
Ooh sorry no, never read any of Jodi Picoult books. How about commenting on some of the more recent reader reviews on Amazon, that might get a conversation going? I know what you mean, when you read an exceptionally good book you start to feel like you’ve become part of their lives.
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That’s a good idea, thank you. I still feel a real need to discuss it 🙂
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I LOVE her books…this is one of my favourites, similar to you I was drawn by the idea of a ‘simple life’ tale. Although it was a while ago I last read it. I have read most of her books, they are all like this…brilliant and really though provoking. I wish I could write like her. You’d have to remind me of the exact ending…you can DM me on Twitter @FillingGlass, love to find a fellow fan and chat. Xx
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Hooraaay! A fellow fan. I really wish I could write like her too. I’ll DM you 🙂
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I love Jodi Picoult, I’ll have to read this one next! Also the Amish are fascinating, I’ve been to an Amish village and it’s like going back in time. Xx
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I’ve seen Amish on the road (in America) but that was the extent of my knowledge really. It is a fabulous book and you won’t be as shocked by the ending, if you’re already a fan. I need to get another one now 🙂
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I have ordered it on my kindle so that’s the next book for me – then we can exchange opinions! Amish are definitely fascinating, it seems so odd that a group of people would just decide to stop modernising, but it seems to work for them somehow! There have been some interesting documentaries out there too which I really enjoyed.
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Oooh brilliant. I think they are fascinating too. I think you’ll like the book. It presents a very interesting picture.
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I am on it, it’s tonight’s bed time book!
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I hope you don’t have to work tomorrow, you’ll be up all night 😀
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You were not wrong about this book…second late night in a row! Oops!
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Oh no! It will be worth it 🙂
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I love Jodi Picoult, the Amish element would fascinate me too, it seems like such a gentle existence. I have missed this one, I will have to order a copy and let you know when I have finished it. Im reading the Girl on The Train at the moment and it is gripping xx
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Ooh please do Lisa. I’ve almost bought Girl on The Train twice now but something keeps holding me back. I’m going to have another look now.
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Not read it, bit I want to now! Try GoodReads for bookish chat
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I’m just deciding what to read next. Ok, thanks for the tip, I’ll have a look.
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Hiya new reader , Girl On The Train is really good .I would recommend it.
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Hello! Thanks for reading. Funnily enough I read the Kindle preview of Girl on The Train recently and was tempted but it’s £6.99 (and I was looking for something a bit cheery, which it didn’t seem like it was) so I’m going to order it from the library. Thanks for the recommendation, always appreciated.
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