Nineteen Minutes
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Can we just discuss the major themes/controversies in the book?
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I believe its a combination of nature and nurture. I don't think you can isolate either. They way we are raised can affect our opinions on life but genetics must play a part too. Maybe evil can be just as much a part of our genes as alcoholism or depression?
I personally believe that every parent should read this book.
Alex's relationship with Josie isn't always the most honest because Alex does care about how she appears to be. Since she is so invested in her image, Alex's ability to be genuine with her daughter may be restricted.
This book had so many "issues" in it that I was not sure sometimes who to be mad at or who to cry over.Josie - I think, normal teen girl with insecurities and the lack of guidance.
Peter - Although he didn't handle things right. He was still a kid that was lost, confused and abused for years. How much could someone so young deal with before breaking?
Alex - A single mom focused on her career and making a good life for her and her daughter and oblivious to the fact that she is neglecting the real issues with her daughter.
Lacy - Did she really not know what her son was going through? What could she have done to change this? Was it a good idea to baby him through every event in life?
Josie-Was selfish, insecure, materialistic. Left a true friend, Peter, to get into the 'popular group'. Has some major insecurity issues. Peter-The only true friend he had abandoned her and didn't care when he was humiliated in public. It's true that his mother loved him a lot but she was unable to understand how an abused teenage mind works. He was repeatedly taunted and embarrassed. But no matter what he had to deal with makes it right to murder humans.
Alex-Too good at everything. Her daughter instead of regarding her as a role model became covetous of her qualities.
Lacy-She loved her son dearly. When Peter grew up she still treated him like a child which led to embarrassment. She should have been the person that Peter should turn to in difficult times but instead of confiding in her he kept his sufferings to himself.
I think that this book represents how bullying at schools is downplayed. Its not only the characters at home or when they interact with each other, but also the school environment. In this book, it is apathetic and teens like Peter are always trivialized or not taken seriously. Its crap like bullying that manifests into something serious if not dealt with. In this case, murder.
I read this book shortly before yet another school shooting incident. Powerful book -- issues that are present in many schools unfortunately.
The main theme of IN THE FIRST NINETEEN MINUTES is bullying. That is a big part of what's happening in schools and school administrations do nothing about it. School administrators and teachers are also part of why bullying keeps happening.
What specifically about bullying? I feel like bullying is merely a thematic element. What is the message which Picoult portrays about bullying?
The message, is simple that bullying affects the victim's sense of self and how he/she interacts with people. She's also conveying the psychological effects of bullying. Because even though Peter is unafraid of being himself, he is clearly misunderstood by others. Plus years of being taunted at and ridiculed has resulted him having built-up anger-to the point that he couldn't handle it anymore, therefore he murdered all those kids.
Peter's father and brother were not discussed. They also had their contributions. Because Peter says that his older brother used to tease/bully him when surrounded by his friends. As for the father, he loved the older brother more than Peter and couldn't get over/deal with his death.
Peter's father and brother were not discussed. They also had their contributions. Because Peter says that his older brother used to tease/bully him when surrounded by his friends. As for the father, he loved the older brother more than Peter and couldn't get over/deal with his death.
Is it necessarily that the dad loved Peter's older brother more, or that he was so overwhelmed by grief that he wasn't in the emotional state to help Peter?
Aliyah wrote: "I think that this book represents how bullying at schools is downplayed. Its not only the characters at home or when they interact with each other, but also the school environment. In this book, it..."I agree about bullying being downplayed, though it is getting marginally better in schools with awareness.
My own son was rather bullied in elementary school, but thankfully he always felt safe enough to let me know what was going on and I always dealt with it.
Court wrote: "Is it necessarily that the dad loved Peter's older brother more, or that he was so overwhelmed by grief that he wasn't in the emotional state to help Peter?"A bit of both I think. He admits that he loved the other son more than Peter, because he admits to Lacy that he wised that Peter died instead of the other son. Peter in turn tells the lawyer guy (Jordan) that his father loved his older brother more than him.
As a girl in secondary school, or 'high school' as Americans put it, I can totally understand why Josie 'ditched' Peter for the popular crowd. I mean, being higher up the social ladder helps you no end, with confidence, friends, looks, everything. I'm kind of in the middle so I can see both ends, and I see popular kids ditch their less popular friends all the time. I don't think Josie is majorly to blame here - sure, she could have been a little more gentle and gracious about it, but I'm sure Josie would have been happy enough to reconcile with Peter. It was just her friends who weren't remotely tolerant.
all discussions on this book
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*Peter: Reasons why he carried out his crime
*Alex: Relationship with Josie
*Lacy: In what way(s) (if any) is she responsible? Are people born bad, or are they raised in such a way that will determine their ways of life in the future?