16th out of 22 books
—
1,099 voters
Picture Perfect
by
Jodi Picoult (Goodreads Author)
To the outside world, they seem to have it all. Cassie Barrett, a renowned anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they return to California, something alters the picture of their perfect marria...more
Paperback, 369 pages
Published
July 2nd 2002
by Berkley Trade
(first published March 21st 1995)
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Alas, I always tout Picoult as an authur of "good reads" but this one is BADD....It can be compared to the paperback grocery store "bodice-busters". The story idea is OK, but the writing is? ? ? Where was the editor? The only good part was when the Native Americans were in the read. Don't go for this one. Sorry Ms. Picoult.
this book was absolutely my favourite of jodi picoult's, something opposite from the other readers. even though the indian folklore were pretty boring, the exposure of marital physical abuse is more than real. it may be a "perfect fairy tale" type of story, but maybe that's because i'm one of those younger readers.
Sep 06, 2011
Sara
rated it
2 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Sara by:
Marilyn, (my mom)
Shelves:
audiobook
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The fifth Picoult novel I have read and certainly not the best. It was first published in 1995 so I assume one of her early ones. I think that her writing has improved a lot since the, as this lacks the depth of her more recent novels.
Even back then she was already writing in what appears to have become her trademark style about very controversial subjects. In this one the protagonist Cassie is the victim of abuse at the hands of her beloved husband Alex. It takes her the four years that this s...more
Even back then she was already writing in what appears to have become her trademark style about very controversial subjects. In this one the protagonist Cassie is the victim of abuse at the hands of her beloved husband Alex. It takes her the four years that this s...more
I finished this book a few days ago. As every Jodi Picoult book I've read, I couldn't help but feel immersed in the story, unable to put it down for most of the time, wanting to read just one more chapter so I could learn what was happening or had happened to certain characters. It was the first book by this author I've read that had no lawyer or courthouse events, which was a bit of a breath of fresh air, but it did touch on a delicate situation: abuse and violence, a subject matter that's trul...more
"Before you decide what you want to be,... know where you want to be."
"[He] let himself fall into her, grasping at her words and the electric feel of her skin against his. He did not know what to say to her; He never knew what to say... He wished he'd learned long ago how to put into words the feeling that if she was gone, if she ever left, he would cease to exist."
"...the sky overhead was the color blue the world had been invented for."
"His eyes started slowly at the hairline and traveled down...more
"[He] let himself fall into her, grasping at her words and the electric feel of her skin against his. He did not know what to say to her; He never knew what to say... He wished he'd learned long ago how to put into words the feeling that if she was gone, if she ever left, he would cease to exist."
"...the sky overhead was the color blue the world had been invented for."
"His eyes started slowly at the hairline and traveled down...more
Picture Perfect, by Jodi Picoult, tells the story of Cassie, an anthropologist who’s married to the famous Alex Rivers, a movie star as talented as Daniel Day Lewis, as desired as George Clooney, and as handsome as both of those guys put together. However, things are not as great as they seem, because soon Alex begins to beat Cassie. Of course, there are reasons why he beats her (he suffered abuse as a child, his parents never loved him) and reasons why she puts up with it (she had an alcoholic...more
This was, by far, the WORST book I ever read. Like many, I have this stupid rule about finishing every book I start, otherwise I would have put this book down after the first chapter. I had a hard time getting into the previous Jodi Picoult book I read but after I got into it I enjoyed it. I kept thinking to myself, maybe the next chapter will be better--it never was.
The story line was extremely slow and in the beginning bounced back and forth between present day with Cassie's amnesia to her pat...more
The story line was extremely slow and in the beginning bounced back and forth between present day with Cassie's amnesia to her pat...more
It's a page turner, thats for sure. this was my first Jodi Picoult,and it came highly recomended.
Although I would have loved for the description of characters and places to be in depth-i couldnt actually visualise them.
How plain is Cassie Barret, how dead gorgeous is Alex Rivers excatly. and Will, I just cant see him - and maybe that just me.
The indain tales were good, the first person narrative in the second part is a good tease. I recomend.
although, i would still want to find a book that wil...more
Although I would have loved for the description of characters and places to be in depth-i couldnt actually visualise them.
How plain is Cassie Barret, how dead gorgeous is Alex Rivers excatly. and Will, I just cant see him - and maybe that just me.
The indain tales were good, the first person narrative in the second part is a good tease. I recomend.
although, i would still want to find a book that wil...more
This book was not like others of Jodi's. I think that is what I like about her, nothing is ever the same, she is not predictable in her style of writing.
In this one, I really wondered where the ending was going as I know that Jodi sometimes puts in little twists. I was almost expecting the worst! It was a satisfactory ending though.
The only thing that bugged me about the book was the second part of the story being told to someone else, not the actual events as in the first part. It was a little...more
In this one, I really wondered where the ending was going as I know that Jodi sometimes puts in little twists. I was almost expecting the worst! It was a satisfactory ending though.
The only thing that bugged me about the book was the second part of the story being told to someone else, not the actual events as in the first part. It was a little...more
Aug 02, 2011
Deborah
added it
So...A little slow to start in my opinion. It was a good book and I liked the ending. It was a different type of book by Picoult, with no courtroom scenes. This was my 8th Picoult novel and the first I've read with no courtroom drama. The story is very well developed and the characters, even Alex, are easily sympathized with. While I have never in an abusive relationship as portrayed in this book, I imagine this is very close to real life. I used to wonder why women would stay in such blatently...more
Cassie is found with no memory in a graveyard by Will, a half breed. As she slowly recovers her memory Cassie discovers she is a physical anthropologist and married to Alex Rivers, the movie star every female is in love with. Her life is not picture perfect, Cassie and Alex love each other but Alex is filled with rage and frequently it is directed towards her.
Their life from initial meeting to present day is told. Cassie has been suffering abuse a long time. Will she have the strength to leave a...more
Their life from initial meeting to present day is told. Cassie has been suffering abuse a long time. Will she have the strength to leave a...more
I tried really hard to like this book. I usually love Picoult’s books but I had a hard time getting through this one.
I did like her use of Indian folklore as a background but I felt like it could have been explored more, that Will’s life was more interesting.
Like all Picoult books, I did manage to find quite a few quotes I liked.
“How come people don’t do things like that nowadays? You group around in the back of a sedan in high school and you think you’re in love. Nobody gets swept off their fe...more
I did like her use of Indian folklore as a background but I felt like it could have been explored more, that Will’s life was more interesting.
Like all Picoult books, I did manage to find quite a few quotes I liked.
“How come people don’t do things like that nowadays? You group around in the back of a sedan in high school and you think you’re in love. Nobody gets swept off their fe...more
Picture Perfect is an older book (1995) and some of the details that worked then are dated now, Everyone would have a cellphone, for instance, making it much harder to disappear, and the airport scenes would be very different, post 9-11.
Nonetheless, the book blew me away. I was not expecting it to be a story about dysfunctional families, true love, and domestic violence (with a bit of native American mythos woven in as well).
Cassie Barrett begins the book with amnesia. (Yeah, I know, that premis...more
Nonetheless, the book blew me away. I was not expecting it to be a story about dysfunctional families, true love, and domestic violence (with a bit of native American mythos woven in as well).
Cassie Barrett begins the book with amnesia. (Yeah, I know, that premis...more
Jan 03, 2013
Marieanne Fabiano
added it
Picoult is usually hit or miss for me, but I wanted to give her another try and this book did not disappoint. While it was a bit long-winded (there were parts of the story that just seemed drawn out and unnecessary), the story was captivating and I found that I was unable to put the book down! This is the story of Cassandra Barrett, an anthropologist and Alex Rivers, an A list movie star. We meet Cassie at the start of the story, suffering from amnesia, which we later learn came from a blown to...more
As always, Jodi Picoult excels in pitching unusual but easily relatable scenarios to her readers. In this particular story, the reader follows the charmed life of an anthropologist who winds up married to Hollywood's shining star after working on the set as the actors' guide. The reader is introduced to the girl as suffering from amnesia, and as she regains her memory, she slowly realizes that she is Hollywood's First Lady, living out every girl's fantasy. And yet, to the chagrin of readers who...more
Picture Perfect is an older book (1995) and some of the details that worked then are dated now, Everyone would have a cellphone, for instance, making it much harder to disappear, and the airport scenes would be very different, post 9-11.
Nonetheless, the book blew me away. I was not expecting it to be a story about dysfunctional families, true love, and domestic violence (with a bit of native American mythos woven in as well).
Cassie Barrett begins the book with amnesia. (Yeah, I know, that premis...more
Nonetheless, the book blew me away. I was not expecting it to be a story about dysfunctional families, true love, and domestic violence (with a bit of native American mythos woven in as well).
Cassie Barrett begins the book with amnesia. (Yeah, I know, that premis...more
Let me start by saying, I'm a huge Jodi Piccoult fan! As in, can't wait to break in the binding as soon as it's released from the publisher. This book failed to impress in everyway possible!!!
In the first third of the book, there are essentially two main characters, Cassie who has amnesia, and Will Flying Horse a police officer who has just arrived in LA to start his new job. Will and Cassie are equally profiled in the first third of the book, but then in the second third it's all about Cassie a...more
In the first third of the book, there are essentially two main characters, Cassie who has amnesia, and Will Flying Horse a police officer who has just arrived in LA to start his new job. Will and Cassie are equally profiled in the first third of the book, but then in the second third it's all about Cassie a...more
I enjoyed the book "Picture Perfect" by Jodi Picoult for two reasons the first being that the outline of the book was very creative, I also enjoyed the concept of the book it was quite interesting. The book starts off by introducing a woman from L.A., suffering from amnesia, who was found by a police officer wandering around a graveyard. Finally days later her husband who turns out to be Alex Rivers, a well known actor in Hollywood. Cassie, the main character, is so stunned to realize that she i...more
I have only read a few Jodi Picoult books but they never cease to please me. This was a thrift store score that I hadn't heard of and didn't know what it was about, and it did a great job keeping me guessing.
The story centers on Cassie and Alex, an intelligent but naive anthropology professor and a Hollywood star, and their "fairy tale" love and marriage. They seem perfect and say they are "made for each other" but in reality have a troubled and abusive relationship that no one would believe if...more
The story centers on Cassie and Alex, an intelligent but naive anthropology professor and a Hollywood star, and their "fairy tale" love and marriage. They seem perfect and say they are "made for each other" but in reality have a troubled and abusive relationship that no one would believe if...more
Narrated by Sandra Burr and Bruce Reizen
Unabridged 14 hr, 19 min
A policeman from the reservation moves to LA. He discovers a woman who has lost her memory. Turns out she is an anthropologist married to a well known Hollywood star. The couple looks "picture perfect". But all is not perfect. Her husband sometimes goes off and becomes abusive. She stays with him. Why does he suddenly become violent when he loves her? Why does she stay with him? Why does she leave him? Why...so many 'whys'. I fear s...more
Unabridged 14 hr, 19 min
A policeman from the reservation moves to LA. He discovers a woman who has lost her memory. Turns out she is an anthropologist married to a well known Hollywood star. The couple looks "picture perfect". But all is not perfect. Her husband sometimes goes off and becomes abusive. She stays with him. Why does he suddenly become violent when he loves her? Why does she stay with him? Why does she leave him? Why...so many 'whys'. I fear s...more
I have just finished this book, and my golly what a treat it was!
Picture perfect is all about a women (Cassie) who was rescued by a police officer. She is taken to the police station and to her surprise (remembering nothing) her husband shows up to collect her, and he is a famous movie star. Cassie had lost her memory and couldn't think or remember of who he is!
Eventually she gathers her thoughts together and had some treasured moments in her life with Alex (her husband) but Cassie feels that th...more
Picture perfect is all about a women (Cassie) who was rescued by a police officer. She is taken to the police station and to her surprise (remembering nothing) her husband shows up to collect her, and he is a famous movie star. Cassie had lost her memory and couldn't think or remember of who he is!
Eventually she gathers her thoughts together and had some treasured moments in her life with Alex (her husband) but Cassie feels that th...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
This book's theme focuses on domestic abuse and what fuels the mental and emotional gears of it. In this book we're introduced to Cassie, a noted anthropologist whose married to Alex Rivers, a well-known and loved actor. From the outside their relationship seems "picture perfect" but as we delve into Cassie's memories we learn the disturbing, sad truth.
Jodi Picoult does an awesome job of evenly portraying both sides of this dysfunctional relationship. She showed how a sweet, unloved little boy g...more
Jodi Picoult does an awesome job of evenly portraying both sides of this dysfunctional relationship. She showed how a sweet, unloved little boy g...more
Jan 09, 2011
Hayley Leonard-Paige
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Any Picoult fan
Shelves:
read-2011
Whenever I have bought a Jodi Picoult book, I have been burning with excitement and passion before I even read the first page; her books are always so articulately written, creatively woven, wonderfully researched, deep and emotional. However, I think it was precisely this expectation and my past experiences of Picoult's writing that left me disappointed in this instance.
Of course, not every piece of work can be a masterpiece, and there always has to be one that is the 'worst of the bunch'. For...more
Of course, not every piece of work can be a masterpiece, and there always has to be one that is the 'worst of the bunch'. For...more
Some popular writers can be relied upon to produce consistently good (or bad) quality fiction, and other cannot. Jodi Picoult falls into the latter category. While most of her novels that I've read have been compelling, topical and intelligent, Salem Falls and Picture Perfect could not be more cliched. Picture Perfect tells of the marriage between an anthropologist and America's most popular matinee idol. The book opens during the immediate aftermath of an unspecified incident that leaves the wi...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A story about a woman archeologist professor at Standford who is hired by a producing company to be the archeology expert on the set of an upcoming Hollywood movie. She ends up falling in love with the famous, dreamy lead actor. They get married and seem to lead the most perfect Hollywood romance until influences from the past lead the actor to take on the role of his characters and beat his wife. She becomes pregnant and in order to protect her baby tries to run away. In her first attempt she i...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
A memorable and entertaining ride,written with great skill and
rich detail.Describes the phases of her life from childhood to motherhood,a complex relation with her husband,very popular actor,talented,loyal yet so human when it came to a flaw.Although both shared pains from the past,their childhood.
A para that describes the complex relationship,
"To act the role of the son would mean
bringing even more anger to the surface. To work through the confrontational
scenes would mean facing his own rage. A...more
rich detail.Describes the phases of her life from childhood to motherhood,a complex relation with her husband,very popular actor,talented,loyal yet so human when it came to a flaw.Although both shared pains from the past,their childhood.
A para that describes the complex relationship,
"To act the role of the son would mean
bringing even more anger to the surface. To work through the confrontational
scenes would mean facing his own rage. A...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture perfect | 10 | 105 | Feb 16, 2013 05:31pm | |
| Jodi Picoult Book...: Picture Perfect | 3 | 41 | Feb 04, 2013 08:02pm | |
| Open discussion of the theme of the book Domestic Violence | 5 | 31 | Dec 30, 2012 02:31pm |
Picoult was born and raised in Nesconset on Long Island, New York. Her first story, at age 5 was "The Lobster Which Misunderstood." She studied writing at Princeton University, graduating in 1987, and had two short stories published by Seventeen magazine while still in college. Immediately after graduation, she took on a series of miscellaneous jobs, from editing at a textbook publishing company t...more
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“Torn between fear and something that resembled love, she wrestled with questions she never dreamed she would face: How could she leave? Then again, how could she stay?”
—
134 people liked it
“There are millions of people in the world, and the spirits will see that most of them you never have to meet. But there are one or two you are tied to, and the spirits will cross you back and forth, threading so many knots until they catch and you finally get it right.”
—
123 people liked it
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Jan 30, 2013 08:12pm
Feb 11, 2013 06:42am