From the bestselling author of My Sister's Keeper comes the riveting story of a murder that shatters the picturesque calm of Amish countr... read full description
reviews
Nov 18, 2007
Jami
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I really enjoyed this book. In fact, I could hardly put it down from the minute I started reading it. I think Picoult has a genuine talent for writing and coming up with unique story ideas.
SPOILER AHEAD!
There were a couple of things that bothered me at the end, though. I had pretty much figured out halfway through the book that Sarah had been aware of her daughter's pregnancy and was the one who had hidden the dead infant. I really felt, though, that it wa More...
SPOILER AHEAD!
There were a couple of things that bothered me at the end, though. I had pretty much figured out halfway through the book that Sarah had been aware of her daughter's pregnancy and was the one who had hidden the dead infant. I really felt, though, that it wa More...
19 comments
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Jan 16, 2008
Anemone
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I thought this book was pretty crummy even though it was a page-turner. I really wanted to know what happens to Katie, and what happened to the baby so I kept reading, but I didn't really enjoy the experience--I won't be reading again. Too much filler, not enough book.
Specifically:
* It's set among the Amish. However, I get the feeling the author doesn't really understand them, she just thought it'd be a cool setting. That irritates me.
* It's full of overused elements, More...
Specifically:
* It's set among the Amish. However, I get the feeling the author doesn't really understand them, she just thought it'd be a cool setting. That irritates me.
* It's full of overused elements, More...
Aug 06, 2008
Jann
rated it: 
Far be it for me to ruin anything for anyone who has yet to read this, but I really hated the end. I really, really hated it. This book had five stars in my head until I read the ending, if that gives you any indication how much I hated the ending.
Now, that being said: the rest of this book was great. The characters, for the most part, had depth and were questioning various aspects of their own morality. I have to admit that the main character, Ellie, fell a little flat. Okay, More...
Now, that being said: the rest of this book was great. The characters, for the most part, had depth and were questioning various aspects of their own morality. I have to admit that the main character, Ellie, fell a little flat. Okay, More...
6 comments
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Apr 06, 2011
MJ
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My interview with the fêted author, taken from Real Bewks Magazine (June 2010):
Tell us about your latest book, My Crazy Family.
It is a tale of families, I suppose. Families and how they screw us up! Ha-ha-ha! In my last book, Auntie Janet’s Gallstone, I drew heavily from my experiences with my Auntie Janet. She is such a brave woman and I felt I had to tell her story, you know? I didn’t even think about it, I just wrote it down. In this book, I took a different approach. More...
Tell us about your latest book, My Crazy Family.
It is a tale of families, I suppose. Families and how they screw us up! Ha-ha-ha! In my last book, Auntie Janet’s Gallstone, I drew heavily from my experiences with my Auntie Janet. She is such a brave woman and I felt I had to tell her story, you know? I didn’t even think about it, I just wrote it down. In this book, I took a different approach. More...
2 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Jun 13, 2008
Angeld01
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 12, 2008
Kipi
rated it:
My daughter mentioned to me that she had read several of Jodi Picoult's books and said that she thought I should read one. I have to admit that I had seen the books before, but they just didn't appeal to me; however, on Haylee's recommendation I gave this one a try. Wow. I literally could not put it down. I read until 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning several days in a row, only stopping when I could not keep my eyes open any longer. Ms. Picoult is a brilliant writer who can draw her reader into
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Jul 30, 2007
Khaya
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Well, I have to say this -- Jodi Picoult writes a gripping story. The book had its flaws -- there were aspects which were difficult to believe and/or could have been better written, and I wasn't 100% sure she got the Amish thing right, even though she claims to have received affirmation to that effect from formerly Amish individuals. However, I give her credit for selecting an original topic and setting, and maintaining my consistently high level of interest for 400-some pages (even though I d
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 23, 2008
Maria
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I have read many of Jodi Picoult's books and I have to say this one sucked. I was not intrigued by Katie, I was annoyed and exasperated with her.
The dialogue was cheesy in many areas, and the whole thing with Hannah’s ghost was just stupid. I mean, it really does seem that the only reason the ghost was added was so that the author could explain Katie’s attraction to Adam. Oh look, he’s a ghost hunter and I see a ghost—hmmm, it must be meant to be: we should have sex. Blah.
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The dialogue was cheesy in many areas, and the whole thing with Hannah’s ghost was just stupid. I mean, it really does seem that the only reason the ghost was added was so that the author could explain Katie’s attraction to Adam. Oh look, he’s a ghost hunter and I see a ghost—hmmm, it must be meant to be: we should have sex. Blah.
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(7 people liked it)
Feb 22, 2009
Sara
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What a beautifully written story with twists and turns and an engaging plot throughout! The writing was clever, the organization was fun, and the multi-character points of view were rewarding. The story, the case, and the mystery were all so very well presented. I enjoyed being in on some secrets and guessing on others.
I liked how the book dealt with and showed many sides to a sensitive, ethical issue. It made me think about what I would do or how I would react in those situations. More...
I liked how the book dealt with and showed many sides to a sensitive, ethical issue. It made me think about what I would do or how I would react in those situations. More...
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Sep 21, 2008
Annette
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Wow. I think I just found a new favorite contemporary author. I'll have to read more of Picoult.
2 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Mar 21, 2009
Dannika
rated it:
I had resisted reading a book by this author for a long time, without any valid reason, just because I saw her all over on the shelves at Target, or something. Boy am I sorry I did. I really liked listening to this book even though the voices of the narrators bothered me. The characters and the story were compelling even though they were mildly predictable, but not in a take your intelligence for granted kind of way. I now look forward to reading other books by Jodi Picoult and am glad that I jo
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Nov 17, 2010
Julie
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This was a great book, rich in detail and drama. Katie Fisher, a young unmarried Amish woman, gives birth in secret and the infant's body is found dead in her family's barn. Her distant cousin, Ellie Hathaway becomes involved and ends up representing Katie in a controversial court-room drama. In preparation for the trial, Ellie lives with the Fishers on their farm and learns the customs of the Amish.
Picoult delivers a very emotional story narrated alternately in third person and fir More...
Picoult delivers a very emotional story narrated alternately in third person and fir More...
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(2 people liked it)
Jul 09, 2009
Terri Ann
rated it:
This is a difficult book to rate in a similar, though less extreme, fashion as was The DaVinci Code. Compelling story, poor writing. I selected this book from the paperback table in Maui because of Ms. Picoult's pedigree, Yale and Princeton, an interest in the story line, and an attraction to her, that should we crosspaths we'd become quick coffee friends.
She's also written 14 novels and been given awards for her entire body of work. Thus, I was shocked by the writing style, which w More...
She's also written 14 novels and been given awards for her entire body of work. Thus, I was shocked by the writing style, which w More...
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Dec 16, 2007
Barbara
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I finished this at about 1 am this morning! That and the excessive amount of snow outside are why I am not at church. Well, that and the fact that I am going to a Christmas party this afternoon as well as grocery shopping and that’s enough time to leave Peggy Sue at home alone. But I digress.
I loved this book. One of Picoult’s strengths is her character development and cd was outstanding in this book. She clearly does good research too. I’ve read quite a lot of fiction about the Amis More...
I loved this book. One of Picoult’s strengths is her character development and cd was outstanding in this book. She clearly does good research too. I’ve read quite a lot of fiction about the Amis More...
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 04, 2008
L
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 01, 2007
Maggie
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Dear Miss Richard,
The book I’m currently reading is called Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. It’s about an Amish baby that’s found dead in a barn who might have been killed by its own mother, an eighteen-year-old Amish girl named Katie Fisher. Ellie Hathaway ends up becoming Katie’s attorney for the case after she arrives at her aunt’s house for a visit. There’s one huge snag in this case: Katie won’t admit she had the baby. She denies giving birth over and over and OVER! This is just making t More...
The book I’m currently reading is called Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult. It’s about an Amish baby that’s found dead in a barn who might have been killed by its own mother, an eighteen-year-old Amish girl named Katie Fisher. Ellie Hathaway ends up becoming Katie’s attorney for the case after she arrives at her aunt’s house for a visit. There’s one huge snag in this case: Katie won’t admit she had the baby. She denies giving birth over and over and OVER! This is just making t More...
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Aug 29, 2008
Dawn Michelle
rated it:
This was an interesting book. Having read "My Sister's Keeper" (and loving it), I was excited to get into another Jodi Picoult book (and to get away from Jane Eyre for awhile).
I was somewhat surprised at the language, but otherwise, the book was really good.
This is the story of Katie, an Amish girl who wakes up one morning and finds that she is standing accused of murdering her newborn son. Trouble is, she doesn't remember being pregnant and doesn't remember giving birth. I More...
I was somewhat surprised at the language, but otherwise, the book was really good.
This is the story of Katie, an Amish girl who wakes up one morning and finds that she is standing accused of murdering her newborn son. Trouble is, she doesn't remember being pregnant and doesn't remember giving birth. I More...
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Mar 13, 2008
Carol
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Nov 25, 2007
Jenny
rated it:
This is the second Jodi Picoult book I have read and there seems to be a common theme...the twist at the end. I will not give it away, but there definately was one in here. The twist might make you a little mad, just like it did in the other Picoult book, My Sister's Keeper.
I thought I knew about the Amish before reading this book, but really I had no clue. Much of their culture is explained in the book and it's very interesting. The author did a ton of research on the "plain" More...
I thought I knew about the Amish before reading this book, but really I had no clue. Much of their culture is explained in the book and it's very interesting. The author did a ton of research on the "plain" More...
May 02, 2009
Leslie
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jan 13, 2009
Emily
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This is the first Jodi Picoult novel that I've read and I have got to be honest- I'm not too impressed.
"Plain Truth" is about an Amish girl who secretly had a baby and is being accused of killing it and a big shot girl-power lawyer who tries to defend her. The story line itself is interesting and is what compelled me to finish. I like the court setting, the mystery, and I also liked learning a bit about the Amish- but this book should have been much shorter than it was. There we More...
"Plain Truth" is about an Amish girl who secretly had a baby and is being accused of killing it and a big shot girl-power lawyer who tries to defend her. The story line itself is interesting and is what compelled me to finish. I like the court setting, the mystery, and I also liked learning a bit about the Amish- but this book should have been much shorter than it was. There we More...
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May 04, 2007
Becca
rated it:
I have always been fascinated with the Amish, so this was a fascinating read. For all I know, it is a very realistic portrayal of how a conservative Amish family would react to a serious crime in their neighborhood. I had no idea that the ending would turn out the way it did-a huge surprise! This book is a little more uplifting than some of the others, because Picoult shows you so much of the peace and love that the Amish share.
The What-If:
What if a terrible crime occurred More...
The What-If:
What if a terrible crime occurred More...
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Sep 18, 2011
To be honest this is a great book to read, just for readings sake it's not something that brings up any raw emotions in me, maybe it's because I'm not a mother or the book is just incapable of inflicting any emotion on it's reader. Halfway through the book I stopped caring about how killed the baby and more about Ellie and Coop, Samuel, Katie and Adam
SPOLIER ALERT!!!
I didn't really get the ending bit about Sarah hiding the scissors because that doesn't show that she killed the ba More...
SPOLIER ALERT!!!
I didn't really get the ending bit about Sarah hiding the scissors because that doesn't show that she killed the ba More...
Aug 30, 2011
Maria
rated it:
I really liked the idea of this book, I wanted it to be better than it was.... but the writing was so formulaic. My criticisms are as follows (spoilers included):
* it seems that poor editing or unfinished writing left awkward, unfinished, or contradictory elements throughout the book. For example: in the initial pages Ellie gets into a fight with Stephen about having a child and she tells him although he would not get vasectomy reversal there are other ways they could have had a baby. Yet later More...
* it seems that poor editing or unfinished writing left awkward, unfinished, or contradictory elements throughout the book. For example: in the initial pages Ellie gets into a fight with Stephen about having a child and she tells him although he would not get vasectomy reversal there are other ways they could have had a baby. Yet later More...
Dec 07, 2010
[these comments are taken from a mailing list discussion and contain spoilers]
[about the amish]
Ellie's two problems were charging her laptop battery and her mobile phone battery. Mine would be identical. My computer and internet connection are the two biggest things I rely on electricity for and I'd be there running a generator to charge them up too.
I think the fridge is probably my next favourite electric item and the Amish had those running on gas so there would be no problem there. I like
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Mar 06, 2010
Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult starts off on that note of simple sadness, that occurs, once in everyone's life. Ellie Hathaway, leave her big city life, her big city job as a attorney and visits her favorite Aunt in Paradise, PA. Ellie desperately wants to find her old self, before she lost hope in the good...
While staying with her aunt, she learns that her cousin, Katie, has been convicted of murdering her newborn child. Katie, is Amish. Ellie falls into the process of defending Katie, More...
While staying with her aunt, she learns that her cousin, Katie, has been convicted of murdering her newborn child. Katie, is Amish. Ellie falls into the process of defending Katie, More...
Jan 01, 2009
Angel
rated it:
To me, a good work of fiction is one that informs, entertains, and makes you learn something about yourself along the way. This book did all of these things for me. I was invested in this book, and felt for the characters, both anger and sadness.
Plain Truth is set in Amish country in Pennsylvania. Like most readers, I have limited experience with the Amish. This book fascinated me with the tidbits it gave me about day to day life. I am intrigued, and it left me desiring to know more More...
Plain Truth is set in Amish country in Pennsylvania. Like most readers, I have limited experience with the Amish. This book fascinated me with the tidbits it gave me about day to day life. I am intrigued, and it left me desiring to know more More...
Sep 25, 2011
Lisa
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Sep 16, 2011
Tess
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Jodi picoult is one of my favourite author's and she DEFFINATELY didn't fail me when she wrote Plain Truth. I have always been completely facinated by the Armish lifestyle and even though this book has a murder case in it the information on Armish life is very factual and interesting.
When an Armish girl is accused of murdering her own child her life is torn a part and the truth is hard to find: is the main gist of the story and of course did she really do it?
I found pla More...
When an Armish girl is accused of murdering her own child her life is torn a part and the truth is hard to find: is the main gist of the story and of course did she really do it?
I found pla More...
Aug 22, 2011
Patty
rated it:
Okay, I get that Picoult has a formula...and that's why I can only read her once a year or so. I really admire the way she takes a provocative issue and digs deep, deep, deep into all angles, refusing to allow the reader to get away with a black-or-white viewpoint. That said, her side stories--particularly the romances--are shockingly trite and immature. Sometimes, it's like there are two different writers at work. "Vanishing Acts"--intriguing plot about an adult woman who discovers th
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