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Summary: The Crucible in reverse.
Review: Piccoult's new novel is another page-turner with plenty of twists and an old friend. Jordan McAfee has returned to us from THE PACT to direct the legal drama that ensues after a group of teenage girls accuse Jack St. Bride of a crime that is so damming to him, that at times I had to put the novel down because the injustice was not to be tolerated. Salem Falls is a sleepy little town in New Hampshire that is about to be awakened by a group of teen-age girls who have formed a wiccan coven of witches and decided to prey on the innocent, or not so innocent. That is the question and you will be left wondering till the end. There is a line up of vivid and amusing characters to support the accused, all with stories of their own neatly entwined within the main plot. This is what I enjoy the most about this author's books. Not so much that she does it, but how she does it, making her books a mad, page turning frenzy till the end, at which point I sit back with a smile, knowing I have read another great book. Kelsana 5/07/01
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Although the writing is beautiful and the book a good read, I expected more than the trite and predictable plot twists. There are NO surprises here; the book has the feel of a "wanna-be" Oprah book. This author can, and has, done so much better.
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Summary: Up-all-night reading from a can't-put-down author
Review: I just loved this book and can't recommend it highly enough. It's a beautifully written exploration of small town life, grief and recovery, and the healing power of love. It's also a first-rate page-turner filled with explosive secrets and unexpected twists. Perfect for solo reading and endless book discussion--don't miss it!
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting subject, but sloooooow!
Review: I rarely set aside a book without finishing it, but I am sorely tempted to stop reading this one. The writing is so-so (significantly more telling than showing), the plot fairly predictable, and the characters shallow. Worse still, it is boring. Perhaps it would be good for a leisurely vacation read. I realize that I am staking my review next to the Amazon's #1 reviewer(!!), but I wanted to give other readers an alternate opinion.
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Summary: Picoult Does It Again!
Review: Another great read by Jodi Picoult! Picoult captures the reader's attention right at the start. We are introduced to Jack St. Bride as he is finishing his term at 'The Farm'. Secondly, we are acquainted with Addie, a vulnerable woman of many losses. The reader will eagerly be turning the pages to find out what happens to each of these people as their paths intertwine. The story is set in the quiet and ordinary town of Salem Falls. For Jack St. Bride, Salem Falls means a new beginning and for Addie it means stability and the bridge to the past. Could history repeat itself? For Jack St. Bride it sure did. Accused for the same crime twice ~ it will be Jordan McAffee that assists Jack during his trial. Some may remember Jordan as the lawyer from Picoults previous novel, 'The Pact'. Picoult is the master of creating suspensful stories that immediately capture the reader until the very last page is turned. As in true Picoult style, there are many surprises and twists along the way. I guarantee if you read this novel, you'll be hooked and looking for more!
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Summary: This is By Far Jodi Picoult's Best!
Review: I want to write this review without giving any details of the story. The book held my attention and kept me at the edge of my seat for 4 days, I stayed up until 1am last night finishing the last 90 pages. The ending was quite a surprise to me, and although I kept believing the main character Jack St. Bride was innocent it was very hard not to feel that perhaps he was guilty. After you have read this book, you must go back and read "Plain Truth" by Jodi Picoult, another terrific book! What a great book!
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Summary: A work that brings strenth into the reader's soul
Review: In Loyal, New Hampshire, teacher Jack St. Bride cared so much about his students, he tried to be there for them. However, good intentions and deeds do not go unpunished as Jack learns when he is arrested, tried, and convicted for sex with a minor. Jack insisted he was innocent and so did his victim, Catherine Marsh, whose diary hung Jack. After eight months behind bars, Jack settles in Salem Falls where his Ph.D. in history makes him qualified to wash dishes at the local diner owned by Addie Peabody. Jack reports to Detective Saxton as required by state law of any sex offender. Over time, Jack and Addie begin to fall in love, but lightning strikes again. Four teens accuse Jack of raping Gilly Duncan, daughter of the town icon. With his past and the evidence against him very solid, Jack appears to be heading for his second pediophile conviction even if it seems more like a modern day witch-hunt. SALEM FALLS is an exciting legal thriller that focuses on whether an accused person with a previous conviction for the same crime can receive a fair trial. The story line is fast-paced, as Jack seems like an ordinary person caught in maelstrom of his own making or just bad luck (read the book if you want to know). Addie is a great heroine, but three of the accusers sans Gilly fail to come across as genuine. Still, Jodi Picoult provides her audience with a well-written tale that leaves the audience thinking about the varying degrees of justice. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Good Read but Not Her Best
Review: I picked up this novel for two reasons. 1) I have previously really enjoyed Piccoult's novels and 2) I am Pagan.
In terms of rating this book against Piccoult's others, I found it to be in the middle. Her characters were interesting, though the young teens engaged themselves in somewhat unrealistic behavior and language. I found there to be many cheesy cliches and dialog that left some to be desired.
However, the end of the book was riveting. For the last 50 pages or so, I could not put it down. It was not that I did not know what would happen, I was just waiting for the "Piccoult-style" WAY for it to happen. She is a master at building her plot and twisting endings. I have never read a book before where the last sentence completely changes the entire novel. So if you are one of those people that like to read the last page- don't! It will hit you from left field.
From a Pagan perspective, I found some of the information right-on accurate but also found some to be somewhat stereotypical. The "witch" who works for the Wiccan Rede that stands trial is absolutely ridiculous. Her "protection spell" she casts in the witness stand is stereotypical and frankly unnecessary. Any protection spell she may have felt she needed would have been cast in the privacy of her own home- not performed like a weird seance in front of hundreds of people. That was outlandish.
Overall, this is why I give the book a 3/5. Whether Piccoult meant to or not, she fed into some of the stereotypes of Wicca and did not tap into the beauty of the earth-based religion at all. However, I enjoyed the building of her story line and also the way she explored sexual abuse/rape and recovery.
Rating:
Summary: very good read
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I'm only 16 but I still thought it was good for an adult book. I just started reading adult books and i thought this was a fast paced page turner.
Rating:
Summary: A winner!
Review: SALEM FALLS by Jodi Picoult Jodi Picoult does it again with SALEM FALLS, a story about a man who is falsely accused of rape. Jack St. Bride was a teacher and soccer coach at a small town high school, when he is accused of rape and is sentenced to 8 months in prison. When he is released, he finds his way to another small town, Salem Falls, to start a new life, hoping that anonymity will give him the peace he is looking for. The wheels of fate start turning when he has to report in to the local police department and let them know he is a sex-offender. In this small town, gossip spreads fast, and soon the entire town learns who Jack really is. Only two people feel that he is innocent of the crime he was accused of back home: Addie Peabody, who owns the "Do-or-Diner" and her father, Roy Peabody. Both of them are dealing with losses that have greatly affected their current life, and in some way they can relate to Jack as he struggles to escape from his past. At the heart of this story is the theme of "the witch hunt", as the towns people watch Jack closely with condemning eyes as they wait for him to make his first mistake. He is then accused of yet another rape, this time accused by the only daughter of the richest man in Salem Falls. Jodi Picoult keeps the reader guessing, as even the reader isn't sure whether Jack is guilty or not. As with KEEPING FAITH and THE PACT, this book ends in the courtroom, and it is anyone's guess what the final verdict will be. This is yet another Jodi Picoult book that I enjoyed a lot. Although it took me a while to get into the story, as I had a hard time relating to the teens who practiced witchcraft, it all came together in the end. Highly recommended, I am giving this book five stars.
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