Plain Truth

by Jodi Picoult

book data

10427 ratings, 3.95 average rating, 1599 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		27%
4		42%
3		24%
2		4%
1		0%

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published

April 3rd 2001 by Washington Square Press

binding

Paperback, 432 pages

isbn

0671776134 (isbn13: 9780671776138)

description

A shocking murder shatters the picturesque calm of Pennsylvania's Amish country -- and tests the heart and soul of the lawyer who steps in to defend the young woman at the center of the storm....<...more

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Jami rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

11/18/07

Read in November, 2007

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 was inconsistent of Sarah ...more

Like this review? yes (7 people liked it)

6 comments

Jann rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

08/06/08

Read in August, 2008

recommended to Jann by: Jill Stewart

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, a lot fl...more 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, a lot flat. What is it with Jodi Picoult and these emotionally incompentent ambitious female attorneys who meet a kind, gentle male and then question their career plans and fear of commitment? It's getting a little old and it's only the second book of hers I've read. I'm kind of hoping it isn't a theme, because I've had several friends promise that other stories of hers are worth reading. I'm not sure I can stand one more two-dimensional character with a brash personality.

The rest of the characters were much better. From the simple and adoring farmboy-suitor, Samuel, who is the Plain match for Katie (our accused) all the way through the stoic and suffering father who is racked with guilt at how his family's lives have turned out, the Amish characters are engrossing. But they seem truly Amish in this: not a single one is more likeable or unlikeable as the next. There isn't a single one who stands out. Even Katie, as a central character, really blends in with those around her.

The underlying themes of disassociation with painful subjects, how to be true to yourself and your beliefs when no one believes you, accepting responsiblity for both appearances and your actions, and ultimately how a lie is okay as long as it makes everything better for those around you (that might be snide, because I don't think that's what the author was trying to convey--did I mention I hated the ending?) will resonate with readers for a long time after the book is closed. I'm not sure it's enough to keep me going back for more, though....less

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2 comments

Anemone rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

01/16/08

Read in January, 2008

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, such "city...more

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1 comment

Kipi rated it:

(review of isbn 0671776126)

01/12/08

bookshelves: fiction

Read in September, 2007

recommended to Kipi by: Haylee

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 ...more

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Khaya rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

07/30/07

bookshelves: bookclub, mysteriesthrillers

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...more

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9 comments

Angeld01 rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

06/13/08

Read in June, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

This book was so good - but as I have come to expect from Jodi Picoult.

I have ready reviews that classify her a pulp, or in the same class as a John Grisham novel...and I think that's really unfair. Jodi is always good...even when she's just okay (as in Sister's Keeper). And while a lot of her themes come from headlines (she's like the novel versions of Law and Order) they always have a different twist that takes a lot of sensitivity and creativity.

The Plain Truth was no exception. Al...more

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Terri Ann rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

03/20/08

bookshelves: reviewed

Read in March, 2008

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 frieds.

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 was overly...more 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 frieds.

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 was overly expository and suggested to me a screenplay, rather than a novel. Rather than generating ideas of what the main characters would look like, I rather quickly cast Laura Linney and Oliver Platt in my mind's eye. So many of the passages suggested stage direction rather than supporting the storyline.

The writing also suggested Ms. Picoult was very proud of her research into the Amish (Plain people), and neonatricide. The material wasn't well integrated into the story. It felt as though a narrator would occasionally step out on stage and read from a written page, some notes on one of Ms. Picoult's research topics. Having some knowledge of the Amish, which I assume is an average amount for a relatively well-read America, I found the Amishness of the book far too elementary, so much as to explain that there are Amish people in Pennsylvania, they drive buggies, and where plain clothing. Rumspringa seems even to have entered into common cultural understanding. The constant use of some Dietsch (Amish German dialect) words, noted in italics, in the midst of "translated" Dietch conversations was trite and annoying.

On the other hand, the story of neonatricide (murdering one's one newly born child) was novel, and I enjoy any fiction to do with the Amish.

Oh, and the resolution of court case was dissappointing.

On a side note, we should have all realized how atrocious the writing in The DaVinci Code was going to be from the title. Properly, it should be The Leonardo Code. The selected title means "The From Vinci Code". Da Vinci is not a last name.

So, great beach read, somewhat of a page turner, not nearly as cloying as The From Vinci Code, but it was no Tom Robbins....less

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Barbara rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

12/16/07

bookshelves: 2008

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in December, 2007

recommends it for: anyone interested in good character development

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 Amish ...more

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L rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

02/04/08

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in February, 2008

recommends it for: Picoult fans and those always meaning to try one

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Maggie rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

11/01/07

Read in November, 2007

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 jus...more

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Dawn rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

08/29/08

Read in November, 2007

recommended to Dawn by: Kelly Maister
recommends it for: Anyone who is interested in Amish life and isn't bothered by language

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. It is als...more

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3 comments

Carol rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

03/13/08

Read in March, 2008

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

Like this review? yes (1 person liked it)

1 comment

Jenny rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

11/25/07

Read in November, 2007

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

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Becca rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

05/04/07

bookshelves: conversation-starters

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 in Amish co...more

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Anna rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

12/02/08

bookshelves: 2008

Read in November, 2008

I had never read any Picoult before, and I borrowed this one from my friend Kim, who loves Picoult. I really liked it--it reminded me a bit of Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres (although that could just be the pastoral setting), but with Amish people. I loved the way she contrasted Amish social theory (community-centered) with mainstream American social theory (self-centered, in the sense that the emphasis is on individual accomplishments and "being yourself"), showing how it permeated ev...more

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Jack rated it:

(review of isbn 0340835478)

05/24/07

bookshelves: jackrecommends

Read in July, 2006

recommends it for: A great book to hook someone who hasn't yet read any Jodi Picoult

Picoult offers a powerfully written novel of an unmarried Amish girl, secretly pregnant, who gives birth in her family's barn and then allegedly murders her newborn infant. A story that twists and binds like a hemp rope, keeps the reader guessing until the very end. Picoult's masterful ability to create empathetic characters complete with the warts we all wear whether we choose to see our own or not, is evident here once again.

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Sarah rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

06/25/07

Read in June, 2007

Ok so I read this last week because I have an Amish fetish and I had never read anything by Jodi Picoult before. With that said, I'm not incredibly impressed with her writing but she can spin a yarn. It reads exactly like it was: A Lifetime movie. That's not to say I don't love Lifetime movies, but I don't watch them to feel incredibly enriched. Same thought here. I may read some more of her books, who knows.

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Erin rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

01/23/08

Read in January, 2008

This book was great. Honestly, Jodi Picoult has a way of getting the reader to truly feel for the characters. I loved the characters in this book.
She explains the Amish life fantastically and with great poise.
It makes you think about babies a lot. Your want or unwant of them.
Very quick read.

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Natalya rated it:

(review of isbn 0743275012)

09/11/08

this one I really enjoyed because I am fascinated by religion, and especially the very strict and fundamentalist ones, which the Amish definitely are!

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Nancy rated it:

(review of isbn 1741140374)

08/20/07

Read in July, 2007

I'm definitely a Picoult fan. I was hooked from the first one I read (My Sister's Keeper). I love her style and am currently reading another of hers.

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