Plain Truth

Excellent tale starring Amish

She turned her back on love two decades ago because she needed to prove to herself that she could do it alone by climbing to the top of a prestigious law firm. Philadelphia attorney Ellie Hathaway obtains an acquittal for her client, which earns her a job offer from one of the legal elite firms. However, instead of elation, Ellie feels guilty for gaining freedom for a pediophile who molested at least six children. Ellie walks out on her lover of eight years, seeking sanctuary with her aunt in the heart of Amish Country East Paradise, Lancaster County.

Shortly after her arrival, Ellie is asked to take on the case of eighteen-year-old Amish woman Katie Fisher, accused of killing her newborn child. Katie hid her pregnancy before she went to the family barn to give birth by herself. She wrapped her baby in a shirt and fell asleep. When the teen awakened, the infant was gone. Later the dead child was found and Katie accused of smothering the baby. Ellie agrees to take on an ¿Old Order¿ client that the lawyer thinks is guilty in an English court.

Judy Picoult is a gifted storyteller whose compelling works profoundly impact her audience. Anyone who wants a glimpse at the Amish culture will want to read PLAIN TRUTH. The complex charcaters appear more like multi-dimensional people who capture a niche in the reader¿s heart. If justice is served, Ms. Pisault will become a best-selling author for this warm insightful novel.

Harriet Klausner

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Freakin awesome

I loved this book! It sounds like a weird topic, but it is so interesing. You never know whats coming next, and it is hard to put down!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Read this!!!!

Jodi has done it again! This drew me in right away, and I literally had a hard time putting this down, even to eat and sleep. Done in a day! And that doesn't mean it's a "Costco sampler" book. This book is a full- meal deal, from compelling characters, to moral dilemmas. If Picoult ever reads these reviews, (well, a girl can dream, can't she?), sequels would be great. I'd love to find out what happens to Katie and Ellie as they continue on. I've read so many books this year already, but this is one, so far, that really "ranks". A book to keep!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Not worth the paper it's written on

I would have given it negative stars if I could. It was so simply written I thought maybe a 10 year old wrote it. There was no research done at all about the law, the Amish, or anything. It's like the author just sat down one day and said, 'I think I'll write a book where an attorney (note to self - look up what an attorney does) defends an Amish person (note to self - look up what the Amish are). Ok, that was harsh, but really, anyone could have written this book. If you're a simple minded person who likes to be able to guess the end of the book by the first few pages and then be right at the end - you'll love this book.

2 out of 16 people found this review helpful.

thought I'd hate it but the opposite happened

I am a Picoult fan but when I first purchased this book, I was skeptical. The Amish...really? In a Picoult book? It was AWESOME and I found myself not being able to put the book down. I love books like that!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Must Read!!!

This is one of my favorite books by Jodi Picoult and I think that it's a great book for young women. I highly recommend this book for book clubs as its very open for opioins an so forth. Again-it's a must read and am sure everyone will enjoy it!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Good Read

I have read a few books by Jodi Picoult. She is a good writer and this is a good read. Sometimes some of the references she makes are unnecessary in the story and even boring; for instance in this story there are references to ghost hunters(the story totally didn't need this. There's not an obscene amount, but enough to make you wonder if it is going to become an important part of the storyline at some point), but overall-she is talented at telling the stories of us, humans. If you like novels about life, people, and the things we do-she is a good author for that. Your money will not be wasted.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

excellent

The Amish aren't known for violence, yet in "The Plain Truth", a peaceful Amish girl is charged with murdering her baby. I will admit that I did anticipate the twist in the end that the book was leading up to, but Jodi's style kept me engrossed in the story. She always has strong characters with depth and makes me, the reader, actually care about what happens to them. (If I remember correctly, I bawled while reading "My Sister's Keeper"...)

I always learn from Jodi, too. I had no idea about 1/2 of what she wrote about the Amish. People have these preconceived notions that aren't true at all. For example, did you know that during their teen years, their parents allow them to get a taste of the Englisch world? They run around in gangs and their parents are more lenient, though fervently hope that the teen decides to be baptized in the Amish faith when the time comes. She also had a character who was a ghost-hunter, who made a good point about ghosts; physics states that energy cannot be destroyed, so when someone dies, where does their energy go?

Jodi makes me think. Which is why I love her. She has never disappointed me, and I love how she seems to pick her topics straight out of the headlines of the news. (Read "19 Minutes"...talk about a different perspective...) Keep writin' 'em, Jodi, and I'll keep readin' 'em!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Buy the book

Buy the book...reading it on the Nook is difficult. There are so many typos in the Nook version, it distracts from the book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Plain Truth, Plain Good

An interesting premise--dead newborn baby, Amish dairy farm and an eighteen year old girl who can't remember what happened. Learned a few things about the Amish, like they don't shun using things us Englishers take for granted, lighting, bathrooms, things like that. I don't think this is my favorite Jodi Picoult book, so far My Sister's Keeper still holds that spot,although I will add to my library of keepers. This book lack Picoult's usual shocking twist, was not quite as surprised at this ending. Characters are well developed, some the readers will love individuals in the story more than others. A good read all in all.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Why I love this Book

This is probably my all time favorite books. Jodi Picoult has an amazing writing talent, and continues to amaze me with each book of hers that I read. Plain Truth is a mystery, love story, and inspirational book all in one. You are constantly on the edge of your seat waiting for what is going to happen next. If you are not thinking about the many family and relationship lessons that can be learned from reading this book, you are rethinking your opinion of what you think is going to happen.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

jodi picoult

The first book I ever read of Picoult's was My Sister's Keeper and it was a must read. I couldn't put it down. I haven't felt that same way about any of her other books, I found them hard to get in to. I just read the Plain Truth and, finally, I feel like I'm reading a book just as compelling as My Sister's Keeper. I never thought a book set in Lancaster county could be so interesting. Clearly, Picoult is a master at her craft, and I'm glad to have found a second book in her collection to feel so strongly about.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

OK book, poor ending

I love Jodi Picoult's books, but this wasn't her best. The story was interesting enough, I suppose, but I already knew exactly how it was going to end. Maybe I've read too many of her books and know how she usually ends things, but this one was just way too obvious. I definitely liked My Sister's Keeper and Vanishing Acts better.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Strong Characters Weak Ending

My wife, whose mind I adore, first turned me on to Picoult a few years ago. Ever since, I have read numerous books by said author. But Plain Truth wasn't my favorite. Although, Picoult has a flair for character development by bringing the reader inside the psyche of most of Plain Truth's characters, she falls short on her presentation of conflict resolution and character consistency. Her characters are flawed and we love them for that they are believeable. In reading Picoult's presentation of character relations (e.g. Katie and Adam Ellie and Coop) we can't help but notice our own relationships therfore, the catharsis is the thing wherein she catches the conscience of the . . . reader. The plot clips along carefully giving the reader enough questions to require luminous midnight page-turning sessions. I simply couldn't put the novel down at times, and I love when that happens. However, the denoucement, although a classic Picoult twist, is anything but satisfactory. The reader discovers small character inconsistencies in hindsight, and this becomes discrediting. The story's characters still reverberate in my mind, however. And as Martha Stewart would say, 'That's a good thing.' Salem Falls, Second Glance, and Keeping Faith still remain my favorite Picoult works. I am, however, still plowing the casm of the Picoult canon.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Corny & Predictable

I didn't struggle to get through this book, but found it rather 'simple' and some of the dialouge to be flat our corny. I know nothing about the Amish, nor do I know anything about the law, or being a Lawyer, but I can tell you that from the perspective of just plain common sense, it seemed highly unethical for an Attorney to use her lover as an expert witness, and put him on the stand. The term 'Conflict of Interest' comes to mind. To summarize, it was mildly entertaining, and seemed to drag on in places, but it wasn't a complete disappointment - Just a little unrealistic and unbelievable at times.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Plain Goodness

What a book! I couldn't put it down. Ms. Picoult's style of writing flows so easily. The characters are so descript, by the end of the book you'll think you where friends. Ms. Ellie Hathaway is lovable and hatable as you watch her personality in action. Her brilliance shines through as an attorney and the twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is one book where you'll figure out the ending at the true end. A delight to read. I can't wait to read the rest of Ms. Picoult's books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Cale Fox

But anyway... I woulded just get so close to you and throw you away... thats just mean!!!!!!!!! IM WAY ABOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Luna Marie

Oh your talking about dee! I was talking about my brother. Sorry

Very well written.

Very well written.

Yes

Picult does it again! Loved this book....and the ending was a jaw dropper