What's the Story in Dalamory » Jodi Picoult

Picture Perfect

freda — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:07:35 +0000

Picture Perfect is one of Jodi Picoult’s earlier novels, originally published in America in 1995 and now published by Hodder and Stoughton in the UK.

It’s always hard with her books to tell much of the story because then the twists and turns are spoiled, so I shall content myself with quoting from the flyleaf.

A woman wakes to find herself lying in a graveyard, hurt and bleeding, her memory wiped clean. She doesn’t know what she’s doing there – or even who she is. She is rescued by a police officer, himself a newcomer to Los Angeles. After days of waiting, she is taken by complete surprise when she is finally identified by Alex Rivers, Hollywood’s biggest movie star – and her husband.

If, like me you like mysteries, then this is the book for you. As a slight spoiler, I shall just say that I enjoyed learning more about Native American culture. It doesn’t merit a 10 because of the slowish start, but is definitely an 8. Let me know if you have read it.

House Rules (0)
Writer’s Review (2)

House Rules

freda — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 11:11:28 +0000

Reading a new Jodi Picoult novel is a totally absorbing experience. It is often harrowing, because of the subjects she chooses; it invariably challenges the reader to think outside of the box, and you cannot wait to finish it, yet do not want it to end.

Her latest book, House Rules, (2010 Hodder & Stoughton) is no exception. It tackles the world of Jacob, an 18yr old young man who lives with Asperger’s Syndrome, and also the world views of his parents and brother. Jodi Picoult achieves this by moving the story forward with the use of fast-paced shortish chapters in the voices of the main characters. It becomes so real that the reader enters into the minds and motives of those involved, almost so as to become a part of the unfolding story. It is one where it is impossible to remain a disinterested observer or bystander.

As always, Picoult uses an evolving and revelatory plot as part of her literary device to heighten the tension, that’s what makes for a page-turner. The flyleaf in speaking of Jacob’s young mentor says this: ….When his tutor is found dead, all the hallmark behaviours of Jacob’s syndrome – not looking someone in the eye, odd movements, inappropriate actions – start looking a lot like guilt to the police. And Jacob’s mother must ask herself the hardest question in the world: is her child capable of murder?

Hooked? I was, right from the start. If you like being challenged, thinking laterally and are prepared to be taken to the limit in terms of emotion……… then this is a book for you. In any case, it gets a 9.5 out of 10.00 for me. If you read it, you can ask why I docked it a half point! Till then it is a secret on the grounds it could spoil the plot.

Writer’s Review

freda — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:09:24 +0000

The Creative Writing course advocates being an avid reader. Of course this sits well with my sedentary lifestyle at present. The student is also encouraged to write a review of each book read. In particular, reviewing the books with a writer’s eye. Perhaps that should be nose. I have to say that this makes reading even more enjoyable and does have the advantage of making me remember the stories for long enough to carry out the review. A new writer I have found recently is Jodi Picoult - she has a particular formula for success (crime committed that is not all it seems, flashbacks to set out what led to the crime, court scenes bringing all to a conclusion – often with a twist.) Usually, I find court-room dramas on TV rather boring. Shades of too much Ironside in my youth. But Picoult seems to get under my skin. She makes the reader think outside of the box. As my box is the four walls of the house just now, it is a welcome relief.

Oh yes – the recent read was “Nineteen Minutes” – Hodder & Stoughton 2007.

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What's the Story in Dalamory » Jodi Picoult

Picture Perfect

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