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The look that you take at Amish life is a pretty good one, and the sameness of these simple people who are known as 'Plain' makes sense, given the fact that it is not the individual that counts but the combination of individuals that make the society what it is, gives it its' strengths ... Read review
Advantages: Superb look at life from another perspective. Disadvantages: Perhaps a little weak at the end
I like a book that makes me think, although when I bought this book, I didn't know how much it would expect of me as a reader, let alone what I expected of the author. It sounded tempting when I read reviews on it, although I was surprised at the impact it made on me, and how it set the psychological processes into trying to make sense of the morality of the events that the book brings out. Having never read this author before, I knew that the subject ... ...me about the Amish people, since seeing a documentary about them many years ago. I like their values, appreciate that whilst they are different from me, their society is based on humility and the appeal that this has to me is much more than society that thinks nothing of values.
The story is about a young Amish girl, called Katie Fisher, who is accused of the murder of her newborn child. Coincidentally, a lawyer (Ellie Hathaway), taking ... more
I like a book that makes me think, although when I bought this book, I didn't know how much it would expect of me as a reader, let alone what I expected of the author. It sounded tempting when I read reviews on it, although I was surprised at the impact it made on me, and how it set the psychological processes into trying to make sense of the morality of the events that the book brings out. Having never read this author before, I knew that the subject matter interested me, as I have something inside that fascinates me about the Amish people, since seeing a documentary about them many years ago. I like their values, appreciate that whilst they are different from me, their society is based on humility and the appeal that this has to me is much more than society that thinks nothing of values.
The story is about a young Amish girl, called Katie Fisher, who is accused of the murder of her newborn child. Coincidentally, a lawyer (Ellie Hathaway), taking a break away from her life in Philidelphia and staying with her aunt Leda in Lancaster County is persuaded to take up the case and in effort to procure bail for Katie, offers to live in Katie's home until the trial. It's an interesting story, and takes you through the doors of Amish life and the simplicity of it, balanced against the legal system in the United States. From the cover itself, we glean that what the story offers is a balancing act between two cultures, and it certainly lives up to its' promise. Not only does the child deny giving birth, even though all the scientific evidence says that she has, she also denies vehemently that she killed her child.
I took a week to read this story, and enjoyed every page. The characters are well developed and believeable but it was more than that to me. The story unfolded questions that a reader feels involved in, and at the end of the book, there was a section of questions poised in the story for study purposes, and I really did ask many of the questions before reading this section, because of the complexity of the story. For example, is trying an Amish person the same as trying an American since their way of life and the beliefs are so different, even from an early age. Humility is the key to the Amish life, and putting the importance of others before ones self. Over and over during the course of the story, you go through highs and lows, think you know how the story will unfold, but are surprised because it really is not a clear cut case at all.
The look that you take at Amish life is a pretty good one, and the sameness of these simple people who are known as 'Plain' makes sense, given the fact that it is not the individual that counts but the combination of individuals that make the society what it is, gives it its' strengths and perhaps through this story, its weaknesses too. I realise that this is fiction, though it is exceptionally well thought out fiction that would appeal to a wide spectrum of readers. In carrying out the exercises at the end of the book, I felt that my understanding of the differences between Amish 'right' and American 'right' was wide, and it wasn't until you understood the make up of the complex characters that make the story, that you are able to appreciate the complexity of the issues posed.
Described on the cover as a drama, I felt that the book deserved a better description, and to me it was more of an awakening than a drama, putting my thoughts about how different races of people interact, what happens when they do, and how very narrow minded people can be about other races beliefs and the way in which they react to given circumstance.
Jodi Picoult not only gave a good story in words, she conjured up scenes that I could actually imagine, and saw in pictures within my minds' eye. I loved the backdrop, the way of life, and the description of the pace of life that Ellie Hathaway discovered when she went to live with the Amish people. It actually felt quite familiar to me, as my life is slower than most UK lives, here tucked away from it all, though it doesn't mean that values are any less, or that people who chose a different mode of life have less worth or intelligence. It just means that they are different.
I was interested in the fact that Jodi Picoult chose the characters of her jury to be non Amish, and could just imagine this to be the case, and wondered if any case like this had been tried and whether in fact it was fair for a jury that knew very little of Amish ways to judge a girl whose whole life revolved around her belief. It gave a good insight into the growing up of Amish people, and how it differed from other upbringings in the same country and I really do believe that the book goes out of its way to make the picture it portrays as clear as possible, and succeeds.
The portrait of Katies family was extensive. As a reader, you could almost see her mother, and her father, and imagine the unbendable belief that her father portrayed. Giving away much more than this would ruin the book for a potential reader, though I hope I gave enough to tempt, as I certainly would recommend both the style of the writer and the content, the delicate weave of words that paint a story worthy of telling. It's one book that I shall be keeping, and I shall be reading more of this lady's work because I believe she deals with moral issues, thinks out her stories in such detail as to be capable of painting a wide screen image of the characters that make the story work.
Meeting the people that are part of Katie's everyday life is enlightening, and I liked very much the character of Samuel Stolzfus, or Katie's intended, his generosity of soul and genuine love for the girl that doesn't let circumstance sway his emotions for her, though most would bend given the same situation. He was almost like a great friend from youth that was always there, no matter what Katie did, and could be relied upon and friendships like that are rare, and perhaps since I have known that kind of friendship, could understand it and recognise that kind of love that doesn't impose conditions.
When a book makes me question my own morality, what I believe balanced against what others believe, it really is worth the read, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it as one of my favourite books to date.
Incidentally, at the back of the book are tasters for other works by the author, as well as an extract from another of her books, and I thought this was very well thought out on the part of the publishers and has tempted me to buy more of Jodi Picoult's work.
A bargain new at Amazon for 5.49 GBP, and certainly worth doing what I did, and buying two books at once, making a further saving on postal costs.Paperback: 480 pages Publisher: Flame (31 Oct 2004) Language English ISBN-10: 0340835478 ISBN-13: 978-0340835470
Advantages: Captivating insight into the Amish world Disadvantages: none
...work.
***The Story***
Plain Truth is set on a farm in the heart of the Amish community. A dead baby is found in the Fisher's barn one morning and the decision to call the police in is made by the family. They are then shocked and dismayed by the investigation and events that follow.
When it is discovered that their eighteen-year-old, unmarried daughter has had this baby, the family are completely devastated. The mother's sister has been shunned ... ...and adapting to their very plain way of life. She finds herself becoming emotionally involved with the family and begins to understand why they live they way they do.
Katie Fisher is the young woman who has gone through her pregnancy in secret, fearful of the upset and consequences to her family if it is discovered. She insists to start with that she was never pregnant, that she didn't have a baby and most of all that she couldn't kill another human ...
belfin 27.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Enjoyable read, insight into the Amish life Disadvantages: None that I found
...school.
The women wear plain dresses with long sleeves and covered with an apron, they do not cut their hair and do not wear jewellery. Men and boys wear dark coloured suits, one-colour shirts and straw hats. They grow beards after they marry. They believe their clothing encourages humility and sets them apart from the rest of the world.
They live a private life, apart from the world but together as a community. ...
AJ26 18.07.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Fascinating subject, great ethical debate, Ellie Disadvantages: Other characters aren't so great, scrappy in places
...- and this shows in Plain Truth. Whilst it isn't her best novel, it's extremely thought-provoking and a pleasure to read. As with her other fiction, Plain Truth explores the ethics surrounding a situation where a person has been accused of a crime. Unlike any of her other novels (so far, anyway), this is a violent crime where the accused is Amish.
For those who don't know, the Amish community lives in Pennsylvania and its people are also known (incorrectly) ... ...of interesting ethical questions. Unfortunately, Plain Truth is a bit 'scrappy' in places and the ending didn't seem to fit. There are, as always, several twists, but these weren't always executed as expertly as Picoult manages in some of her other novels. Don't get me wrong: Plain Truth is a good book and a joy to read - it just doesn't represent Picoult's best work.
The characters are very flawed and very human; Katie is especially frustrating ...
DoubleFantasy11 29.01.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
...just as in telling the plain truth. Also though, as the Amish people are also called 'Plain' it really means that this is about what these people see as the truth!
So, do I recommend this book? Of course I do - it's a totally brilliant read, and a book I just didn't want to end I was so engrossed in it. There are also some books which at times are hard to pick up, but with 'Plain Truth', it was the reverse - I just didn't want to put it down! It's ...
kingfisher111 17.08.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Interesting setting, great characterisation, tremendous beginning Disadvantages: Repetition of a major section of the book, disappointing end
The pastel-dominated twee jackets of the Jodi Picoult books I had seen in the shops really turned me off reading anything by the author. I know the old adage about judging a book but I take little notice of it. I did know however that Jodi Picoult is one of the most popular novelists around at the moment so when I had the chance of acquiring one of her novels (which I would then list on e-bay) I jumped at the chance. It was when I was writing a summary ... ...to give it a go. Since the book was on a seven day listing and I'd offered a "Buy it Now", I'd have to get on with it. As it turned out, I needed no encouragement to get it read, I was captivated from the start and finished in about two days, such is the dramatic power of "Plain Truth".
THE PLOT
Defence lawyer Ellie Hathaway decides she has had enough of defending guilty and corrupt businessmen and seeks sanctuary at the home of her Aunt Leda. ...
fizzytom 07.04.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
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Advantages: Highly addictive well written story. Disadvantages: Couldn't put it down so didn't get anything done.
even more addictive. I think the idea of bringing the both into this one novel works really well and their relocations are described really convincingly.
This is unbelievably the ninth book by JodiPicoult that I have read and I have to say that I?m looking forward to reading the others. If you haven?t read any of this author?s books yet then I urge you to go out and get this one. It really is one that will keep you reading right to the last word.
***JodiPicoult?s Other Books***
PlainTruth
My Sister?s Keeper
Vanishing Acts
Salem Falls
The Pact
Perfect Match
Keeping Faith
The Tenth Circle
Mercy
These ones will be out in the UK soon.
Second Glance
Songs Of The Humpback Whale
Harvesting The Heart
Picture Perfect
***Price and Availability***
This hardback book is available for the publishing price of £14 ...
Advantages: Thought provoking, well written. Disadvantages: Not a very happy story.
will have you putting yourself in every characters place, trying to come up with an answer. You will see there is no easy solution.
More info:
Pages: 422
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd
The book is available in paperback, hardback and as an e-book.
The paperback version of the book has a RRP of £6.99, which it will probably be in most bookshops, but it can currently be found on Amazon for £3.99, Play.com - £5.49 and cheapest of all Tesco.com at £3.89.
Other titles by JodiPicoult: PlainTruth, Vanishing Acts, The Pact, Mercy, Salem Falls, Second Glance, Keeping Faith, Picture Perfect, Harvesting the Heart, Songs of the Humpback Whale.
For more information about the author and her work check out her website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/ ...
Advantages: Compelling legal thriller, mystery and romance all in one book. Disadvantages: Written in American English.
The picture at the front of this book may give you the wrong impression. The author, JodiPicoult, does have male fans, but I think she would have even more if, from the front covers, it were more obvious that they could appeal to both sexes. I have noticed from Amazon that PlainTruth by this author does appear to have a unisex type cover.
This JodiPicoult novel includes a lot of drama, including the relationship between the eldest children of two very close families. By very close I mean geographically, as they live next door to each other, as well as being good friends.
Do not dismiss this as "chick lit" unless that is how you regard Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.
Unlike Romeo and Juliet appears now, this is a very contemporary story. Like Romeo and Juliet, what is expected of these offspring, by their parents ...
