Plain Truth

Well worth the read may be her best

Plain Truth is the poignant story of a young Amish girl, who is accused of murdering her infant son. She is defended by a high-powered Philadelphia lawyer, who had recently won a case involving a child molester. Ellie knew that her client was guilty, but like all good defense lawyers, she had to put her emotions aside and mount a good defense. As the result of this victory, Ellie questioned her chosen profession.When she impulsively agreed to sign on as Katie's attorney, Ellie was able to secure bail for her client if she promised to monitor her until the trial began. Before she had a chance to consider the ramifications of her decision, Ellie found herself living as Katie's roommate on an Amish farm. Not only was she Katie's monitor, but she was also expected to contribute to the household.Ellie was quickly thrown into a world about which she knew little. Besides the inconveniences of having no electricity, riding in slow buggies, eating huge meals three times a day, she was initiated into Amish farm life. Soon the city woman was gathering eggs, taking care of animals and, all the while, attempting to put together a defense for a client who refused to discuss even the birth of the baby.Jodi Picoult had obviously done extensive research into the ways of the Amish, where life revolved around family and church. In the world of the Plain people, church law trumped the English legal system. Those who sinned in the eyes of the church were forced to confess their wrongdoing and, if found guilty, were shunned for a period of time and then welcomed back into the fold with open arms. There was no concept of imprisonment, and Ellie fought an uphill battle in her efforts to explain to Katie and her family that, if found guilty in an English court, she might be imprisoned for life.I learned much about the Amish in Plain Truth. Much has been written about the inability to keep young people down on the farm, and fears have been expressed that the Plain people might be a dying breed. Katie's brother, for example, refused to quit school after the eighth grade, as is expected of Amish children. His education meant so much to him that he was banned by the church and his father to attend Penn State. Amish teens have been arrested on drug charges and frequently imbibe in alcohol. Katie had premarital sex and concealed her pregnancy from everyone.Plain Truth gave me much to think about. The book was well written, the characters were well developed and the story was interesting. For those who like Jodi Picoult, Plain Truth was a winner. In fact, I bet she won over some new fans.

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've read a few books by this author. They tend to fall into two categories; "excellent" and "formulaic". This fell into the latter category. The depiction of Amish life was very well done and engaging, but the "twist" was obvious from the start (it was baffling that no character picked up on it). Huge hints and clues were dropped and I was left wondering why nobody was addressing them.There was a slightly supernatural quality to this book which was glossed over and didn't add anything to the storyline.It was OK, a very easy read, but nothing too ground breaking.

PLAIN TRUTHA) The pace never lets up. Many stories seem to have additional padding. But this one doesn't. The story is relentless.B)My sudden stab of regret, as I finished the last page. Knowing that I would have to say goodbye to the characters. Knowing that I would no longer be `living` on an Amish Farm. It surprised me (I enjoy usually, hard bitten crime thrillers) just how much I had entered into the story. The Amish way of life. The personal battle that, Ellie, the Attorney, has to become part of that life. A far cry from her own, hard paced, hectic worldy way of living. And for wondering how could any person, and this applies to all the Amish family as potrayed in this story, seemingly bury their heads, to the real fact, that their daughter, Katie could very well go to prison for supposedly murdering her baby. As I say, it was with regret that I closed the book and said my farewell to them all. A fair comment on just how much I enjoyed this novel, by (and I have not read any of her other books, ) author Jodi Picoult Five stars my review. In fact four and a half. I thought the ending was very appropriate. Yet I would have liked it to have been played out on a bigger canvass, ie inside the Courtroom itself. Or am I just been nit- picky. Whatever it was a very engrossing read, and in every way the term `page turner` so adequately sums up this novel.

Another fantastic read from Jodie Picoult beautifully sculpted that sends your emotions and sympathies between the characters as the story unfolds. Beautiful characters and a very emotive and poinient view of life, law, obligations, sin and forgiveness. A wonderful book, so truly interesting regarding Amish life and law and how perspective and respect for differences colour our understanding and choices

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 whomurder 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.

Stunning, Stunning, Stunning.I may be biased - Jodi Picoult is my favourite writer in the entire world, but this was sheer genius. Not only did this give us an incredibly interesting insight into the Amish lifestyle but we had the pleasure of experiencing another one of Jodi's famous court cases.Eighteen year old Katie is Amish. In the middle of the night she gives birth to a baby boy in her family's barn. Katie passes out and the baby is found dead and concealed beneath the hay the next morning. This becomes a huge, controversial murder case. Did this young and innocent Amish girl with STRONG religious beliefs kill her own child?This was sensational. The metaphors flowed beautifully, the writing was pure magic and the ending was flawless. Jodi Picoult educated us on the Amish lifestyle with such grace and intelligence at the same time as making us question just what desperation can lead us to. Brilliant.