Plain Truth (secular novel) - discuss

By Jodi Picoult. What did you think?
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Platinum Member Joined: Aug 01 2005 Posts: 16943

LOVED IT. the shocking twist at the end was mind boggling. Plus I have a fascination for the Amish andt his was a great look into their world.
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I enjoyed comparing their world to lehavdil ours. We're much stricter about boys and girls! And about the teen years.

You were shocked, seriously? Even after we learned what happened in order to make the dumplings and noodle soup? I suspected even before that, from the very beginning. "What's that noise outside?" "Oh, nothing." And the person who said nothing goes to sleep without bothering to investigate, but we don't know that about the person who asked the question.

Well written!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4656

I also loved it and enjoy learning about Amish culture - I have been to Amish town in Lancaster, PA several times and enjoy it each time.

Do you think we love it davka becsue we're frum?

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 24 2008 Posts: 6528

I was wondering how much of the book is true. I based a lot of what I know about Amish on what I read in there But when were recently in Lancaster I was asking questions based on my understanding from the book and the answers were differnet then I expected. So either they hide the truth, or things really are different.
I enjoyed the book very much.

Senior Member Joined: Nov 09 2010 Posts: 243

I grew up on a farm and my family was very close to a number of Amish families - they made our harness and carriages...we used to communicate to them in Yiddish and they would answer in German! I read it to see how she portrayed the Amish (when I was younger I was fascinated by novels about the Amish and read a lot of Lurlene McDaniel which was basically trash). I saw the ending coming from the beginning, as did my mother who read it right after me. But all in all it was fairly well written and kept me pulled in however predictable.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48155

I have read most of her books, on recommendation but I don't care much for her style. I wouldn't read those type of books otherwise, so I guess I gained from them.

Didn't care for the ending of the Amish one.

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4656

Removed, as it was a spoiler.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13196

[quote:]

Well, I guess I won't be reading this...
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I started but didn't finish it. Maybe I'll try again. I find Jodi Piccault is one of those patchy writers where some of her books are good, some are not.

And in general I find her writing style irritating.

Senior Member Joined: Dec 15 2008 Posts: 180

I adore Jodi Picoult,all her books...

Is there a way we can put information in spoiler boxes, so that it isn't visible unless the reader clicks on it? I've seen those on other message boards.

Moderator Joined: Mar 29 2005 Posts: 18304

Yes, there are spoiler boxes.
Honestly, I can't accept that the fictitious writing about Amish is exactly how things are done. When I read secular books about Orthodox Jews, you can bet I find a gazillion inconsistencies and mistruths. So I take what I read about other cultures with a grain of salt.
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Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4656

Oh gosh, I'm sorry if I disclosed anything. The book has been out for so many years already I didn't realize that I had to be careful.

This was one of my favorite of her books...generally I don't like her. But this one seemed true and logical.
While the woman did commit a horrible crime it seemed in character with her nature and her love of her children etc. That doesn't make it right, but it made sense from her eye-view.
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Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13196

[quote"]Oh gosh, I'm sorry if I disclosed anything. The book has been out for so many years already I didn't realize that I had to be careful.[/quote]

It's ok. By the time I get around to reading it I can almost guarantee I'll have forgotten.

Platinum Member Joined: Aug 01 2005 Posts: 16943

Tova... I was able to buy that the mother did that. she knew she would lose her daughter. she had already lost her son, her one daughter, and she would lose Kate.she had no feeling/connection for that unwanted grandchild. Sometimes desperation can take over...

Many killers dont do it out of premeditated malice but for momentary circumstances and despair.

Platinum Member Joined: Jan 01 2006 Posts: 48155

There is a school of thought that a person SHOULD read the endings first, then the beginning to see how the author develops the story.

Platinum Member Joined: Mar 12 2009 Posts: 13196