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Summary: From Tenderness to Torment: The Story of Two Teenage Lovers
Review: From Tenderness to Torment: The Story of Two Teenage Lovers Pregnancy, suicide, strained parental relationships- these were only some of the painful issues that teenage sweethearts Emily Gold and Chris Harte were dealing with in Jodi Picoult's, The Pact. The mystery surrounding Emily's supposed suicide unravels as Chris is accused of murdering Emily, his friend and lover. Although this novel was not in chronological order, the life history of each character was explained in depth. So when Emily expressed sexual apprehensions, the novel flashed back to when she was raped in a restaurant bathroom, clueing the reader in on the source of her fears. Although the character depth provided was beneficial, the novel excluded some crucial information regarding the suicide itself. For example, when Emily asked Chris to provide the gun for her suicide, Chris brought two bullets. Whether the second bullet was for Chris to shoot Emily if the first bullet failed or for him to kill himself with was never spelled out, leaving the reader with unclear conceptions of his personality (328). Similar to suicide, the novel touched on many other crises facing teens today but failed to go into any depth. The issues ranged from teen pregnancy to strained marital relationships and gun control, which could not possibly be fully developed in only one novel. Though even if not fully developed, the constant sense of death and strife made way for a depressing overall tone. For example, Emily's death was described in painful detail up until her last moments when Emily "pressed his hand, and it squeezed on the trigger" (373). Overall, The Pact is a novel for a romantic with the patience follow all the conflicts that develop in two families after the death of a child.
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Summary: On the list of Top 5 Books Ever.
Review: I just finished reading this last night. It is quite possibly one of the best books I have ever had the privilege of reading. Often it was so disturbing that I had to put it down for a bit. That is not a bad thing. Any author that can bring you to the point of emotional devastation with the stroke of a pen is truly gifted. I feel for these characters in a way I have never felt before. What a wonderful, horrific, painful, real story.
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Summary: I Loved This Book!
Review: This is by far one of the very best books I have ever read. It made me cry many times. It made me think about love and loss and friendship. I couldn't put it down. It took me less than a week to read, now I am sad that I am finished.
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Summary: BEST BOOK
Review: That I Have read since Pilot's Wife. This book is so well written!!! It will lead you and others into countless conversations about life. A MUST READ!!!
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Summary: The Pact - The best read of my year
Review: I just completed The Pact and am still reeling from it. Jodi Picoult has once again amazed me with a novel with completely believable and likable characters and gripping storyline. Normally it is difficult for me to read books that have such heavy disturbing drama but she made those characters real and of concern to the reader - people you might actually know. It made me think but didn't bring me down. It takes a great writer to achieve that balance. Read this book when you have quiet time with no distractions!!
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Summary: A horrible tragedy tears two families apart.
Review: Jodi Picoult's "The Pact" is reminiscent of Rosellen Brown's novel "Before and After". In both books, the authors portray happy families before and after tragedy strikes. In "The Pact," Chris and Emily are two teenagers who have been best friends for many years and they are inseparable. When tragedy strikes, the lives of Chris and Emily, as well as those of their families, are irrevocably changed. Picoult starts the book well. We get a sense of how the two families (the Golds and the Hartes) interact, and we see in flashback how Chris and Emily grew up together. However, the book falters when Picoult discusses the tragedy that is the centerpiece of the book. Without being too specific (for the sake of not giving away any secrets), there are some important plot points converning Chris's behavior that weaken the book's believability. Chris and Emily's characters should have been developed with more care. In addition, the book has too many melodramatic touches. "The Pact" lacked dramatic resonance for me, and I found it too contrived to be truly involving.
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Summary: I loved it!
Review: I thought it was one of the best books I've ever read. The flasbacks are appropiatley placed and gives us a deeper look as to how Chris and Em evolved from friends to lovers. It is definatley a page turner and the ending both surprised and pleased me.
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Summary: Very shallow
Review: Because this book is so 'readable', people are claiming it's art. But try and look a little below the surface (and this book is all surface) and see that it's really unbelievable and very shallow. The characters are so thinly drawn, that they have only one characteristic each (Gus is forthright, James is reserved. And what about Kate? Was she anything more than a plot device that popped in and out as needed to forward the story?) The telling monents, such as Emily grabbing Chris's hand immediately after she is born is so contrived it's cringe-inducing. I know a lot of pople will tell me I'm heartless for not being affected by this story. But when something is this blatantly manipulative without offering any genuine insight, I can't fall for it. But obviously, there are plenty of people who like to be emotionally manipulated. Is it entertaining? Yes. Is it well written? Absolutely not.
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Summary: Riveting book, Couldn't put it down
Review: Since I read so many books, I am always looking for ones that will keep my interest. There are so many books out there that follow the same old plot. But this book really did the job well. I was entertained and entranced til the very end. Excellent job, Ms. Picoult!! Should be one of Oprah's pick!!
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Summary: The Pact
Review: As a high school teacher, I thought this book might be interesting. Instead of just a teenagers' novel, I found a book I couldn't put down! The characters are believable, the story line riveting, and the ending a shock. As an adult, you will be reminded of your childhood and teenage years. As a teenager, you can get a feeling of what it might be like to be the living member of a suicide pact. A must read for teenagers, teachers, and parents of teenagers
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