Book Review - The Pact by Jodi Picoult

Title: The Pact: A Love Story
Author: Jodi Picoult
Year: 1998
Page: 512
Genre: Fiction

New to me author? No
Read this author again? Maybe
Tearjerker? No
Where did it take place? US
FTC Disclosure: Borrowed from the library

Summary (from goodreads.com):
When a so-called "suicide pact" between their teenage children goes awry--leaving only one child dead--the parents, who have been friends fo...more When a so-called "suicide pact" between their teenage children goes awry--leaving only one child dead--the parents, who have been friends for 18 years, find themselves caught up in an anguished courtroom drama.
 

First Sentence:
There was nothing left to say.

 
Why did I pick this book?
I'd read My Sister's Keeper and really enjoyed it (liked the ending as well). I know Picoult is very popular so had always wanted to read another one of her books. The Pact had a good rating, so I thought I'd try it out.

My thoughts:

• What a major disappointment. Not gripping and kinda predictable even though the premise sounded very promising. It is a very delicate / sensitive topic and yet I didn't feel emotionally attached to the characters at all. Didn't really like any of them either. I thought the main protagonist's younger sister will play a bigger role - yet it's almost a character that could have been eliminated

• Could have been shorter!

• What's with all the repeated names? Both the cheerleader and jewelery shopkeeper were called Donna. Both the art therapist and cellmate were called Vernon (last name). I thought there were some twists that perhaps these minor characters were related, but nope. 

• Apart from the book length and repeated names, the book could use a bit more editing - I think there were at least 2 mistakes, if I remember right, at first it said Chris is 6 months older than Emily, then later it said 3 months. There was something else but I don't remember now since I was too tired to write it down. Nothing major to the story but just made you go, huh, I thought you said earlier it was ___?

• I have to say at least  her books are easy read, and make you think what you'd do if you're in the same situation. For this reason I gave this book 2 stars instead of 1.

• Would I read another Picoult? Maybe... I heard Salem Falls and Perfect Match are not bad - anyone read them?

Quote:

A good criminal defense lawyer did not think about the truth, and focused instead on what a jury was going to hear (p195)

Being a mother gives you a singular sort of vision, a prism through which you can see your child with many different faces all at once. It is the reason you can watch him shatter a ceramic lamp, and still remember him as an angel. Or hold him as he cries, but imagine his smile. Or watch him walk toward you, the size of a man, and see the dimpled skin of an infant. (p237)

 

 
Rating: 2 Stars

 

Have you read this book? 
If you have, I would love to hear what you think! I'll link your review here if you wish!

Challenges:
100+ Reading