Salem Falls

another good one from Jodi

As always I can not put her books down until the end. She has interesting characters and great writing style. I felt this story was probably not very realistic in many ways but made for an interesting story to make a point. The only problem I have with this author is that the story gets a little long about 3/4 of the way thru and could be a little shorter. I think there is too much repetition of conversations toward the end.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Best Book I Ever Read

This is my all-time favorite book. Definately one of Jodi Piccoult's best, and I have read many of hers. This novel will have you re-thinking your opinions and impressions of people, a true tale of a modern-day witch-hunt. The ending shocked me to the point where I gasped aloud. You will love this book!!!!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Excellent!

While this one started off slow, it really picked up the pace about a third of the way in. After that, I could not put it down. The characters are complex and I am always amazed at how well the author researches topics and writes so effortlessly about them. While the ending was a tad predictable, the whole story was amazing!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Love it!

Could not put this book down. I fell in love with Jack. Looking forward to reading her other books.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

One of my Faves!

This has to be one of my favorites so far by Jodi Picoult. I did not want to put this book down, I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happens! I was so absorbed in Jack's character and the struggles he went through being wrongfully accused of something. This was a great book that kept the pages turning while revealing unexpecting circumstances. She peels back the layers throughout the whole book until you are left at the end with an unexpected twist.especially in this one! Picoult chooses great topics for her books and intertwines crime, truth, and romance all at once. She does a wonderful job writing and I would recommend this book to anyone!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great read

I was hooked within the first chapter.. kept me intrigued and guessing the whole way through. This book had my attention in the first chapter and kept it until the last, where as "My Sisters Keeper" and "The Pact" (both amazing books) took awhile to get into and to understand the characters.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good Book Packed with Exciting Events and Lessons to Think About

This is the first book I've read by Jodi Picoult. I have to say...I feel she's a good writer, and based on this book I'm compelled to read a few more of her novels.

Salem Falls was good, not GREAT where I can't stop thinking about it, but good. There were a couple of events that happened where you think, "You've got to be kidding me!! No one could be that unlucky!" or "Seriously Jack, as innocent as it seems, what were you thinking?!" But you just have to look past those head bangers to understand the story.

The book is a loose translation/modern version of The Crucible, which involves a witch hunt of some sort. Jack St. Bride is the main character of the story, and I did come to feel compassion for him. The story kicks off with him being released from prison where he served a sentence for statutory rape. A crime that unfortunately he didn't commit. He goes to Salem Falls to seize a fresh start. Through forces outside of his control, that just doesn't happen. Jack is targeted by the folks of Salem Falls for the events of his past, and they want him out of their town and are willing to go to extreme measures to see it happen.

Why did I take away one star? Two reasons (1) the head bangers I referred to above and (2) the story is unfolded through a series of flashbacks. Flashbacks in storytelling are always difficult for me because I like a steady stream of chronological information. However, I have to admit it does serve its purpose in this story because with every flashback, there was a clear example of Jack¿s regard for women based on events, experiences and people in his life.

The book makes you think about several things, such as whether or not you are really able to reinvent yourself and put your past behind you, the effect that lies have on people and how they can harm and destroy lives, and lastly IMO the influence the others have in your life and how they shape your decisions.

Good book, definitely worth the investment of time and attention.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was not nearly as good as her other books. Took a long time to try to get into "it". Turns out there was no " it". Usually really like her books though.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

highly recommend

What a book, this was the first book that I have read by Jodi Picoult and I wondered why it took me so long to read her books. She keeps you on your toes, up late reading because the read is too good to put down, I have ordered three more books by this author because her writing is so spellbinding, she is a new favorite.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great novel predictable at times

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Addicting, couldn't put down...

This was the first book by Picoult that I have ever read and it was this book that convinced me that Jodi Picoult was my new favorite author. I have bought many other of her books since reading this one and I still feel as though this was my favorite so far.

The characters are interesting and convincing. The plot will make you want to keep reading even after you know you should cut yourself off and turn out the lights to get some sleep before getting up to rush off to work. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good mysterious mind bending plot. It will keep you guessing until the end.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Review of Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Jack St. Bride goes on a unexcuseable journey through the justice system on hopes of exposing the truth. After coming out of a 8 month setence, Jack starts anew in Salem Falls where love is unexpectedly exposed. But once again Jack's past follows him. As Jack goes through his own personal struggle, the reader gets absorbed. This book, like most books by Jodi Picoult, is a joy to read. The reader becomes absorbed in crime, scandal, romance, and truth. This book is a great page turner that goes in-depth to expose unexpected circumstances. I highly recommend this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

I love this book!! Like all her other books this is shocking and hard too put down. I love how she picks crazy topics that everyone else is too scared to even get near. Her books are really something and I would tell anyone too read this

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jodi Picoult = Amazing

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan, so I suppose I'm a bit biased, but this was a very good book! It kept me guessing and had me reading whenever I could. This was the book I stayed up until 4 in the morning to finish, just because I HAD to know. I'm not a huge fan of the way the narration switches between characters so frequently, but it's easy to forgive once you get into it. The plot is very well-developed, and the motivation behind the characters is true to real life. I don't know of many people who would start reading this book (or any other Picoult book, for that matter!) and not finish it! Definately reccommended :)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

great book!

wow! jodi picoult writes amazing literature. her books are so complex and posess many different layers....her books are like an onion, and you have to peel back the layers and see what is really at the core. i couldnt put this book down! it was great i would recommend it to anyone. if you love the story of someone wronged put to justice with romance and intrigue this would be the book for you!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic

My husband gave me this book a few years ago before Ms. Picoult became such a hit. I was immediately caught by the story and have gone on to read all her books. I bought this copy to give as a gift and to introduce another reader to her.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

waste of time

I was so excited to read this book, being that I own 3 of her others... but it wasn't what I expected at all. It was so slow, I ended up just bringing it back half read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

If you’re looking for a Picoult novel minus the emotional

If you’re looking for a Picoult novel minus the emotional tears you’ve found a contender. Like most of her plots this one comes with it’s own twists and turns. You know that until the final page there’s always room for a plot point you never saw coming. Picoult plays the reader by revealing critical information so slowly you’re dying to have the whole picture. Right. Now.

I’ll admit this book starts a little slower than I expected. It definitly took about 50 to 70 pages (till the first twist happens) to really get hooked. What keeps you glued to the story is the need to find out if Jack really did it. I swear there were several points where I wanted to throw the book against a wall…

“He couldn’t have done it!!! Could he??? Ahh!”

Mind you, my frustration was exacerbated by the fact that my assistant had just read the book…She knew the ending! You have no idea how badly I wanted to get the ending from her; how many times I begged for her to tell me if Jack did it! She’s a woman of strength though, and managed to restrain herself from spilling the beans.

I have a special place in my heart for the Salem Witch Trials. They were the focus of my minor in Women’s Studies. Some really cray cray stuff. I loved the way Picoult picked and chose which parts of the historical situation she pulled out exact and which she remixed in a new way. The choice to include an actual Wiccian Coven in the book was very cool. The part they played; remixed and interesting.

As much as I enjoyed the book a few parts didn’t do it for me. It was actually the fact that she was a little grandiose in her characterization and motivations that the plot fell a bit flat. Some of the conversations were so dramatic as to feel forced. Like it was trying too hard; stressing too much. Plus the real bad guy never gets his due.

3.5/5 Worth the addictive read…even if it doesn’t work perfectly.

Great

Loved it....the ending was a shocker.....great book

Enjoyed Salem Falls

I enjoyed this book and it was hard to put down. I didn't like the writing style in the beginning, but got the hang of it after a while. The ending was a surprise. Good book.