Plain Truth, Packaging may vary

The story was a well written, in depth,depiction of Amish life. The ending changed about 3 or 4 times as the story unfolded. Very entertaining Jodi , well done.

This was another book recommended to me by a friend as something I might enjoy reading while on holidays. Ally, my girlfriend, has been telling me for a while that Picoult is a terrific author and if Plain Truth is anything to go by, Alison is right. This is well-crafted tale, gripping and moving, set mainly in the Pennsylvannia, in the Amish community of Paradise, where, one morning, a dead baby is found in a barn. No-one knows how it came to be there and no-one lays claim to the babe. Police are called in and quickly identify not only the young mother, but the shocking possibility the infant was murdered. In another part of the country, lawyer, Ellie Hathaway, is confused about her relationship and her professional life. As a defense attorney, she’s often called upon to defend the indefensible and, when her last very high-profile case finishes, she needs time out to recoup and rethink all aspects of her life. She feels like her ethics, sense of self and what she wants from life have been compromised. She escapes to her Aunt’s house near Paradise and finds herself drawn into the case surrounding the murder of the baby. Working pro-bono, she reluctantly becomes more involved than she ever intended when she takes responsibility for the suspected murderer, a young Amish woman, Katie Fisher, who is unmarried and maintains, despite all evidence to the contrary, that she never had a baby. Confounded by this teen, as well as by the Amish way of life, which stresses others over the self and work over leisure, she calls in an old friend to help – what she doesn’t yet understand is that the young Amish woman isn’t the only one needing aid. This book like so many good ones, draws upon a range of genres to tell its tale. I mistakenly thought it was going to be a crime novel and, while a crime does take place, and a portion is reserved for the fascinating unfolding of the case in the courtroom, it isn’t only these things, but so much more. It’s about human relationships, family, the bonds that unite and tear us apart. It’s about choices, love, loss, about humility, community and faith. It’s about the way the modern world makes us selfish and afraid, but also how denial can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s also a novel about generational difference and the power of female friendship and trust. At the centre of the story are two women – both strong and remarkable but for the moment, lost. The question is, will they let themselves be found? Looking for a wonderful tale to lose yourself in? This might be it. Thanks Ally!

I like Jodi Picoult’s novels more than I can say. Plain Truth might be my favorite of hers, but how does one choose? I nearly held my breath while reading it. Picoult is sublime in the way she characterizes the people she has dancing in her head and onto the page. I marvel at her plots, am appreciative of the atmospheric environments she creates. Her plots are complex and layered. I could go on and on but suffice to say Plain Truth is outstanding, teaching the reader about the Amish way of life. I learn from all her books. I don’t like how some reviewers go deep into plot detail. Those elements can be found elsewhere. So when I write a review I spare anyone who reads it from What Happens. This novel is superb and while I won’t go into any form of literary criticism, it is certainly worthy of that kind of attention. If you are a fan of her fiction, you will want to read all she’s had published. And she has a new novel coming out in, I think, August of this year. I have already preordered it!

This book took me a little while to get in into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. I never suspected who had hidden the baby, until I was at the end of the book and I was totally surprised to learn who had actually done it. Jodi Picoult is indeed a great author.

An informative story that shows the differences between plain people and the English. Yet too it is a story with love and mystery. It’s one to enjoy.

Very interesting book with realistic characters. You will learn a lot about Amish people, how they live and their beliefs.

A dead baby is found in an Amish farmer's barn, and his 18-year-old a daughter Katie is obviously postpartum but insists she hasn't had a baby. When the girl is charged with first-degree murder, the country watches in morbid fascination. What if you were the attorney charged with Katie's defense? This book looks at neonaticide from a diamond's worth of separate facets. It exposes the raw emotion and the gentle community of Old-Order Amish.

This was my first Jodi Picoult novel, and I bought it because I am a big fan of Diane Chamberlain and was forever coming across comparisons between the two writers, so I thought I'd better see for myself. My conclusion is that they are both excellent storytellers, but for me they each have their own strengths and talents, and I would prefer to value them as the individuals they are, rather than constantly read comments comparing them. In `Plain Truth', Jodi Picoult has woven a very detailed mystery around things I knew little about, namely the Amish community, and the ins and outs of women who murder there own newborn babies. The pace never flags throughout this dramatic tale and the writing is truly beautiful. The carefully woven plot raises many moral and legal issues, which no doubt each reader will have their own feelings about. I know I certainly do, and this added to my enjoyment of the book. The author's ability to write brilliantly about sensitive subjects is something she is rightfully accaimed for if `Plain Truth' is anything to go by. Although there is a lot of heartache involved as events unfold, the way Ms Picoult writes incorporates a wry and clever sense of humour. I found myself thinking "Ill try to remember that one"on several occasions. My one complaint is that some of the descriptions, especially during the trial, are over complicated, as is some of the dialogue, but hey I'm being picky here. I had to keep reading to see what happened, there were several possibilities right up to the end, and I was glad I had the time to not put it down for the last hundred or so pages. I'm sure, like me, most readers will think they know what really happened. See if you are right. To sum up, this book for me has been an education, a compulsive read, a mystery to get the grey cells dancing, and above all a pleasure. I was sorry to get to the end, and glad there is more out there by the same author to read in the future.

Boek ziet er netjes uit, wel een andere cover dan de afbeelding die ik besteld heb.

自動車に乗らず、電気も電話も最低限しか使わない。まるで村全体が『修道院』かと思うような、タイムスリップした世界に生きるアーミッシュの人々。彼らは自分を「簡素な人」と呼ぶ。ところが、このアーミッシュの村で、新生児殺しの事件が起きる。容疑者は未成年の少女。 弁護を依頼されたのが、先ごろ、教え子に性的虐待を繰り返した聖アンブローズ学園の小学校長に無罪判決を勝ち取った、売り出し中の凄腕若手弁護士。彼女がこの本の主人公だ。金銭的世俗的な成功の戸口に立った主人公は「でも私はこんな弁護士になるはずではなかった」という思いに駆られ、同時に私生活でも疑問を持ち、恋人の家を出て休暇を過ごすはずだった。 有罪の人間にも無罪を勝ち取ってきた敏腕女弁護士も、「子殺し」だけは許せない。それなのに意に反して、ほとんどボランティアで弁護を引き受ける羽目に。 アーミッシュの村という現代から隔絶した世界を舞台にすることで、かえって現代社会の苦悩や問題が浮き彫りにされていくという手法は、際もの的舞台設定のようだが、やはり楽しめる。また、主人公の弁護士の心の成長物語でもある（といっても、今時の中年ギリギリの成長物語）というのが現代的。 ミステリーとか殺人事件としてよりは、人間の物語として、小説を気楽に楽しめると思う。あまり生々しい犯罪現場の描写もないので、スプラッターは嫌いな方にもおすすめ。推理自体を楽しむ本ではないが。 プレーン：簡素な：人の真相は、普通の社会なら、実はプレーン：わかりやす過ぎるくらいのもの。どこか牧歌的な味わいの中に隠された真相は・・・ 最後の結末がどうこうよりも、これから主人公がどういう弁護士、どういう女性として生きていくのかということに興味がある。だから続編が読みたいようでもあり、絶対に読みたくないようでもあり。でも、この作者の小説を遡って読みたいという気持ちになった。 英語は、比較的読みやすいと思う。

Good book

La autora sin duda hace una buena investigación para el libro. Generará diferentes emociones y permite buenos temas para analizar y discutir. La última página será eje de controversias sin duda!