Review - PLAIN TRUTHS BY JODI PICOULT

REVIEW: PLAIN TRUTHS BY JODI PICOULT

Synopsis: (From Goodreads)

Picoult now explores the complex choices of the heart for a young Amish woman -- the compelling journey of discovery for an urban lawyer who befriends and protects her. The small town of Paradise, Pennsylvania, is a jewel in Lancaster County -- known for its picture-postcard landscapes and bucolic lifestyle. But that peace is shattered by the discovery of a dead infant in the barn of an Amish farmer. A police investigation quickly leads to two startling disclosures: the new-born’s mother is an unmarried Amish woman, eighteen-year-old Katie Fisher. And the infant did not die of natural causes. Although Katie denies the medical proof that she gave birth to the child, circumstantial evidence leads to her arrest for the murder of her baby.

One hundred miles away, Philadelphia defense attorney Ellie Hathaway has achieved an enviable, high-profile career. But her latest court "victory" has set the sands shifting beneath her. Single at thirty-nine and unsatisfied with her relationship, Ellie doesn't look back when she turns down her chance to make partner and takes off for an open-ended stay at her great-aunt's home in Paradise.

Fate brings her to Katie Fisher. Suddenly, Ellie sees the chance to defend a client who truly needs her, not just one who can afford her. But taking on this case challenges Ellie in more ways than one. She finds herself not only in a clash of wills with a client who does not want to be defended but also in a clash of cultures with a people whose channels of justice are markedly different from her own.

Immersing herself in Katie Fisher's life -- and in a world founded on faith, humility, duty, and honesty -- Ellie begins to understand the pressures and sacrifices of those who to live "plain." As she peels away the layers of fact and fantasy, Ellie calls on an old friend for guidance. Now, just as this man from Ellie's past re-enters her life, she must uncover the truth about a complex case, a tragic loss, the bonds of love -- and her own deepest fears and desires.

Moving seamlessly from psychological drama to courtroom suspense, "Plain Truth" is a triumph of contemporary storytelling. Jodi Picoult presents a fascinating portrait of Amish life rarely witnessed by those outside the faith -- and discovers a place where circumstances are not always what they seem, where love meets falsehood, and where relationships grow strong enough to span two worlds.

I've become quite a fan of Jodi Picoult in the last year. Thus to my surprise this gem was available at my local library.

The story starts off with a murder of a new born, but the twist comes when you realise that the murder has taken place in an Amish community. Now for those of you who have not watched “Breaking Amish” or ever heard of such a community, the Amish are highly religious people who would never think of hurting the proverbial fly, let alone kill a baby. Thus this murder that has been committed is an utter mystery, and who ever does know the truth isn't speaking about it.

The synopsis pretty much gives you a great idea of what the book is about. I’d like to tell you how this book gripped me, how I couldn't put it down and finished it in two days. The facts in the book are not some boring reading material that you just want to skip, no, everything in this book makes you more intrigued with the story.

You get to know this Amish Family, how they work and how their religion isn't only part of their lives, but part of their being. You get to see how Ellie evolves from a bit of a cold lawyer to a warm cousin wanting to support her family. She grows on you, you know? At first I didn't really like her, she seemed a bit fridget. When she volunteered to live with Katie and her family I really thought this would be the end of the story, there would be no way for the Author to save it now, but she did, she made Ellie seem more human by her interaction with Katie. You also get to learn how strong these Amish women really are. Yes sure, in their religion they seem to be submissive to their husbands, but they each have a strong will and fight for them in their own silent way.

The story also shows you the love of a father and mother towards their child, even when they know that this child is guilty, and what lengths they will go to, to protect this child. Katie’s father becomes more human as the book progresses and I even found myself feeling sorry for him. He’s a hardworking farmer. He’s already lost his youngest daughter to death and his son to shunning. I started imagining what that must feel like for a parent, and then your only “surviving” child is committed of murder. How he deals with it is tremendous. Unlikely to feel sorry for him, but I dare you not to by the end of the book.

The book was really an eye opener to what goes on in these communities that we don’t know much about.

Great read, I would recommend this one to all my followers.

I rate it 4 stars.