Review - Perfect Match May 2, 2008
Posted by Heather in books.Tags: fiction, family
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Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult
From the back cover -
In the course of her everyday work, career-driven assistant district attorney Nina Frost prosecutes child molesters and works determinedly to ensure that a legal system with too many loopholes keeps these criminals behind bars. But when her own five-year-old son, Nathaniel, is traumatized by a sexual assault, Nina and her husband, Caleb, a quiet and methodical stone mason, are shattered, ripped apart by an enraging sense of helplessness in the face of a futile justice system that Nina knows all too well. In a heartbeat, Nina’s absolute truths and convictions are turned upside down, and she hurtles toward a plan to exact her own justice for her son - no matter the consequences, whatever the sacrifice.
My thoughts -
Here’s the thing about Picoult books. They’re not incredibly “literary”, they’re not super well written, and they are actually kind of predictable. But they always have layered, complex, very real characters, and interesting plots that make you think about your own beliefs while reading. Also, I am very addicted to these books. I know that I probably have books on my shelves that are better and that I may enjoy more, but I can’t help picking up a Picoult if I have one sitting on my TBR pile. Anyways. On to this particular story.
This novel did satisfy me. Recently I have read a few of hers that I haven’t been as excited about, but Perfect Match was pretty enjoyable. I appreciated and liked most of the characters (Caleb didn’t really do it for me, but he’s not too major of a player in the novel), and there was enough suspense to keep me interested until the very last page. One thing I was happy about in this book is that there were several plot twists that I didn’t see coming. At least twice throughout the book, I was sure I knew how the rest of the book would turn out, only to have a shocker stuck in there that completely flipped around my ideas about what would happen. Overall, one of her better novels, in my opinion, and I’m glad I read it, but I am starting to get a little tired of reading her books, I think Natasha is kind of right when she says they are pretty formulaic (I think it was Natasha that said that… maybe not. Now I can’t remember).
(Don’t worry, I’ll soon be reading and reviewing the other two Picoult books I have on my shelf anyway… I really can’t seem to stay away, I simply gravitate toward them.)
8 stars.
I feel the same way that you do about Picoult’s books. There is just something about them that draws you in. Also like you not all of her books have thrilled me. I used to post on her website forum until I got attacked a few times because I didn’t say glowing things about every book she wrote. Its nice to know that I’m not the only one out there who finds her a bit formulaic.
via Weekly Geeks
I completely agree w/ your assessment of Picoult’s writing — and with Irish’s comment. I wonder what it is about Picoult’s fans that encourages fierce loyalty to the point that dissenting opinions or qualified criticism is not allowed? Interesting…
To me, Picoult is like chocolate — so good going down, a bit of an addiction, yet I usually feel a bit let down or disappointed at the end (I think she struggles with endings — they tend to get a little hokey at times).
Anyway, thank you for daring to write a discerning review!
This is one of the few Picoult books that I haven’t read, I may pick it up! What ones are in your TBR pile?
I have some catching up to do on her books…I am so far behind!
The Pact is by far her best, IMHO. Don’t bother with Nineteen Minutes. Read We Need to Talk About Kevin instead.