April 18, 2010
Nicole Cady
Monaco 1-2
“Plain Truth” by Jodi Picoult- 4th Q Letter Essay
I recently read “Plain Truth” by Jodi Picoult. I rated it a 9 out of 10. A few parts in this book were almost action-less, so I said 9 points. I really enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to reading and seeing the movie “My Sister’s Keeper.” I believe that Jodi Picoult is a great author.
One thing that confused me was Ellie’s relationship with Coop. The author never mentions why or what happened to make them split up. They seem perfect for each other but an issue form the past drives them apart every time they rekindle their relationship. Later, it mentions a lie Ellie told Coop that apparently crushed him and led Ellie to move on. Coop never moved on though.
A big thing that got me interested in this book is the dramatic serious tragedy, but with a touch of denial and romance on the part of both of the main characters. For Katie it is her relationship with Adam, a non- Amish Paranormal major Grad student. For Ellie it is way more complicated. She is in a relationship for 8 years then goes to the Amish town and ends it but rekindles the love of an old flame.
One of the characters, Katie, has messed up her life in this book. Katie is an eighteen year- old Amish girl who is in line for baptism. Her brother, Jacob, decided to continue his education and he went to a state college. Aaron, Katie and Jacob’s father, was furious with Jacob for ‘turning his back on his religion” and so he was also furious that Katie had a child out of wedlock. In the Amish church it is considered a sin to have a child out of wedlock, among man others such as using electricity extensively and continuing education at a non - Amish school or college, which are very scarce. If you break the rules, you are put under a ban and forbidden to eat with others and speak to peers until they repent and the ban is lifted.
One thing I thought was really cool about the book is how the author put in flashbacks of the memories Katie had blocked out. I also loved how she put into the dialog, little pieces of the native or old Amish language, Pennsylvania Dutch. I thought that was a great idea and it helped challenge the readers to use context clues.
There were a lot of really great passages that the author included in this book but one in particular that really spoke to me. It tells that, when faced with a hard choice or life- altering event, some people don’t lose sight of there true self under lies that cover their mistake or actions.
*Excerpt, Page 269 Chapter 12, Ellie’s Opening Statement*
“The judge will explain to you that to convict Katie, you have to believe the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt. By the time this trial’s over, you’ll have more than a reasonable doubt, you’ll have a wagon full of them. You will see that there is no way to prove that Katie killed her own baby. They have no physical witnesses to the fact. They have nothing but speculations and dubious evidence.
“On the other hand, I’m going to show you that there were a number of ways that baby might have died.” I [Ellie] walked toward Katie, so that the jury would be staring at her as well as me. “I’m going to show you why the Amish don’t commit murder. And most importantly,” I finished, “I’m going to let Katie Fisher tell you the truth.”
If I had to pick a theme for this book I would say that there are many. Friendship, for one example. The friendship between Ellie and Katie. There was such a bond there that Ellie was a mother-figure to Katie and Katie was a daughter- figure to Ellie. Another big theme is Love. Katie loves her family, she loved her baby, and she and Adam loved each other. Ellie loved Coop a long time ago and that love sparks again. Sarah loves Katie so she takes her baby and hides it. There is an unlimited amount of love and friendship in this book, but there is also truth, as well as lies. Katie insists on telling the truth about her baby. Sarah lies about sending Katie to her brother’s dorm. Katie brings back the memories she suppressed so she doesn’t really lie about not knowing of what happened the day of the tragedy.
I really enjoyed this book and I hope you will read it and enjoy it just as much as I did. This book was a perfect mix of tragedy, heartbreak, love, friendship, truth, lies, betrayal, beliefs, and family. I hope to read many of the other books by Jodi Picoult including My Sister’s Keeper, House Rules, Handle with Care, and Sing You Home.
Sincerely,
Nicole Cady
