By: Veronica B.
Jodi Picoult is a famous author from New England. She's written over twenty novels including The Tenth Circle, Vanishing Acts, and My Sister's Keeper, which has been transformed into a major motion picture. Most of Picoult's novels take place in cities or small towns in New England, with Nineteen Minutes being no exception. Nineteen Minutes is a heart throbbing story about a school shooting which poses the question, do we ever really know someone? Jodi Picoult usually writes realistic fiction novels that are impossible to put down.
Nineteen Minutes shines light on a school shooting that takes place in Sterling, New Hampshire. Peter Houghton has endured years and years of physical, emotional, and verbal abuse from his classmates at Sterling High School. Josie Cormier, his best friend from a lifetime ago, has fallen victim to peer pressure and now is a part of the group of kids who instigate the harassment towards Peter the most. Peter, hurt and confused, decides to act upon his classmates after one final incident of bullying. He enters the school one day and starts firing his father's gun, wounding or killing multiple students.
The aftermath of the violent incident effect those who were not even in the building that day, especially Alex Cormier, the superior court judge assigned to Peter's case and Josie's mother. Josie was a direct eyewitness of Peter's rampage but is now claiming to forget everything that happened, and everything she saw. Alex is then faced with the decision of choosing to tackle the biggest case of her career, or being there for her emotional scarred daughter. The outcome of the trial and the story in general is one that is shocking and a shame to miss. Picoult wrapped everything up with a nice little bow and left the reader satisfied.
It is obvious the Picoult has a craft for writing. The book flows seamlessly and addresses all the correct issues. Picoult chooses to jump from each character's perspective, which held my interest and allowed me to devote myself to the story. However, as times, it was confusing because I was unsure if I was reading from the current character's point of view, or someone entirely different. Picoult also transitions from current day to past events, which is necessary in the contents of the book and another thing that is unique to the novel. The characters and plot are well developed and although there is a lot going on, with a love story on the side and deep societal issues, it is easy to focus on each one individually.
Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes addresses many bigger questions in life, such as how well we really know someone, and who has the right to judge a person or situation, and for that reason I would recommend this story to anyone. It takes the reader on a journey through a small town that must face the hardships of a heartbreaking act of violence while continuing to keep their hopes high. This novel has topped the chart of bestseller's lists and can be found in bookstores around the country.
Nineteen Minutes, by Jodi Picoult, Washington Square Press, February 2008, 455 pages
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