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 a break ...
thingywhatsit 02.01.2007 (03.01.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
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
Advantages: Thrilling book about a murder in an Amish town Disadvantages: May be upsetting
...them! This is about the Plain Truth.
The Book
***********
I must be a Christian child
Gentle, patient, meek and mild;
Must be honest, simple, true
In my words and actions too….
Must remember, God can view
All I think, and all I do.
After the acknowledgements the book starts with this Amish school verse. The story itself begins with 18year old Katie Fisher dreaming of her little sister Hannah who had died previously , when suddenly she wakes ... ...very fast moving story. The Plain Truth is a book about some people in Pennsylvania’s Amish country, people who call themselves “Plain”.
On the back cover we are told “A shocking murder shatters the picturesque calm of Pennsylvania’s Amish country – and tests the heart and soul of the lawyer who steps in to defend the young woman at the centre of the storm…”
We meet the Fisher family, Sarah who is the mother, Aaron the father, Elam who is the granddad, ...
jo145 12.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Cracking read. Disadvantages: I had to put it down to cook dinner.
Firstly, I would like to than Belfin, who recommended this book in an earlier review. I had this book marked as one to look out for at the library when I had chance.
Boy am I glad I did.
Now I will have to back through my favourites list to check what else I have book marked to read, because if even half of them turn out to be as entertaining as this book, I will be one happy bunny.
I am reviewing 'Plain Truth', which is written by Jodi Picoult.
... ...is centered around two main female characters. Firstly we meet Katie. She is an 18 year old girl who lives in Paradise Pennsylvania and she is Amish.
Next we meet Ellie, a defence attorney from Philadelphia who is disillusioned with both her career and her love life and decides to take a trip to see her Aunt 'Leda' in Paradise to re-evaluate her life.
Their fates collide when Katie is accused of neonaticide (killing her newborn baby).Leda, who ...
loopymum65 11.12.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Well written Disadvantages: a bit boring, predictable
One of my best findings late last year was Jodi Picoult. So far I have read four of her novels: "My Sister's Keeper", "The Pact", "Salem Falls" and lastly "Plain Truth". I find all her books extremely well written and well researched. However, "Plain Truth" didn't live up to my expectations, perhaps because once you read many books by one author one begins to know their style, how their heads work and what the plot is going to be like. Therefore, ... ...it was a bit dull having to read more than half the book knowing what the ending would be. "Plain Truth" is about an Amish girl that has a baby outside the wedlock. For the Amish, this is not something well accepted. In fact, for the Amish a lot that modern society accepts as common, the Amish strongly deny. They live up to their beliefs. They dress simply, they allow no appliances in their houses (including phones), electricity, cars, etc. They ...
lazuli77 16.03.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: A real court room drama with all the required twists and turns Disadvantages: I am still left wondering at the end....
i loved this book and it kept me hooked to the very last word!
The story is shared between two central characters - Katie Fisher the Amish girl whose baby has been found dead, and Ellie the city lawyer who accidentally ends up taking on the case and having to fully immerse herself in Amish life.
While we discover how Katie has come to find herself in a situation of being 18, unmarried and having had a child we also uncover the deeper workings of ... ...her to this point.
As the drama twists and turns through the legal process and various "psycological" and "psychiatric" people have their chance to look at the case you find yourself wondering just whose side you are on, whilst always feeling sympathy for the clash of the Amish and so-called "English" world.
I did not see the twist coming at the end - although some of my friends did - and it was something i just wanted to talk about and ask them ...
vikkislade 04.07.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Keeps you reading and learning about the Amish lifestyle. Disadvantages: None that I can think of right now!
Plain Truth to me was a compelling story that kept me reading at every page.
When I started the book, I knew of the Amish lifestyle but didn't know it to great detail and what you learn while reading the book is fascinating.
The book is about a young amish teenager, who throughout the pregnancy kept it a secret, gives birth to a baby that after dies. This then goes to a courtroom drama trying to reveal the truth - who killed the baby?
At first ... ...goes on, and the implications of Amish life mixed in with being a normal teenager are crossed and the struggles that go along with it all, make you keep reading.
I recommend this book as it is a very interesting read and does keep you thinking and asking questions.
A very good book. ...
cattyd 18.11.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Great story, informative and entertaining Disadvantages: None
This was the fifth Jodi Picoult book I read, it was bought for me by my mum at Christmas, and I am so glad that she did! This was yet another Jodi Picoult gem that I love, and that is why I have decided to review it for you.
The storyline centres on the lifestyle and community of the Amish people in America. I have had not previously read much about the Amish religion before, but I found the information Picoult had included in her book was plenty ... ...the Amish people, without being patronising in any way.
The book concentrates on the life of one person in particular, Katie. She is a young Amish girl whose life is thrown into turmoil when she is accused of murdering a newborn baby she denys ever giving birth to, or indeed knowing about its existence, even though the evidence proves Katie was pregnant.
A young attorney is thrown into the Amish lifestyle and culture when she agrees to live with ...
mummy2harry 27.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
Advantages: Compelling read that tugs at the heart strings Disadvantages: very typical Jodi Picoult
In Plain Truth, Jodi Picoult takes the somewhat unfamiliar world of the Amish community and pulls it into the 21st Century with her usual flavour of mystery and courtroom drama.
If you have read Jodi Picoult books before, you will be familiar with her style and, in some ways, it does follow the same kind of pattern as her other books, but nonetheless, Plain Truth is a great read and it takes you on the expected emotional rollercoaster.
Using the ... ...and gave a whole new insight into their way of life, whilst highlighting the clashes in society over morals and beliefs. It really did encourage the reader to evaluate their thoughts on some of the pressing topics in the novel, such as betrayal, honesty, murder and judement.
I would recommend it to both people who are Picoult fans and those who have not read her books before, because although some of the sequences are similar to her other books, ...
EllieBelle 27.11.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Plain Truth - Jodi Picoult
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