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Summary: I am so impressed.
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't wait to get home from work to read more. The author did a great job of showing what it is like to actually be Amish instead of what we see from the outside. The relationships between the charachters were so real and intense. This was the first book of hers I have read, but I will definitely read more.
Rating: 
Summary: Enthusiastically recommend!
Review: "Plain Truth" was thoroughly enjoyed by all members of the Monadnock Area Book Group! We enthusiastically agreed that it is a unique, complex, accurately detailed story with well developed characters and an intriguing plot. Many interesting details, connections, and nuances within the story were discovered during our group discussion. One of these was the relationship between Katie's mother and father. While most members initially thought of Aaron as controlling, further discussion brought up the possibility that Aaron's motivation may have been to protect Sarah (and Katie), rather than control.The story led to an easy, natural discussion of many issues that affect all of our lives, including children, husbands, biological clocks, careers, and religion. Although we agreed that it would be hard for us, as 'English' women, to adapt to the Amish way of life, many of us were envious of the peace, harmony, and selflessness evident in the 'Plain' way of life. We wholeheartedly recommend 'Plain Truth'!
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Summary: cliche-ridden legal potboiler betrays Picoult's abilities
Review: Jodi Picoult's "Plain Truth" trots out every conceivable convention in its surprisingly unaffecting treatment of neonaticide. Despite the highly unusual occurrence of having the accused be a devout member of the Amish community, the novel scarcely scratches beneath the surface of the important issues it pretends to analyze. Unidimensional characters respond with unerring predictability; the keen, compassionate insights Ms. Picoult demonstrated in "The Pact" give way to cliched dialogue and monochromatic characterizations in "Plain Truth." The author seems either to muddy or simplify practically every significant theme or conflict in the novel. Characterizations border on stereotypes with distressing regularity. Her portrait of the Fisher household, a seemingly model Amish family, conveniently contains a stern, silent and orthodox father, a banished intellectual son, a repressed but demurely defiant wife, and a conflicted but angelic daughter who happens to hide her pregnancy, give noiseless birth in a barn and remonstrate that she has no knowledge of that fact even when she is confronted with the fact that her infant son is later discovered dead within hours of his birth. The urbane, career-consumed and conveniently unmarried and childless defense lawyer, Ellie Hathaway, discovers not only the truth of the case but how sterile her life is without love. The love interests in the novel, and they abound, are cookie-cutter models of whatever virtue or vice the author deems necessary for moving the plot. Jodi Picoult should know better. Her other works are masterful treatments of the ambiguities of faith and the terribly complicated world of the courtroom when murder is the charge. Ms. Picoult has an abiding faith in the human condition, and her previous novels encourage readers to share in that optimism, but only after an ordeal, whether it be in faith, knowledge, or the law, has been surmounted. In earlier novels, she created marvelous characters whose humanity was tested by wrongful accusation or psychological torment. The plain truth about "Plain Truth" is that it is a false novel -- cloying, saccharine and manipulative.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent -- Psychological and Legal Drama
Review: Plain Truth refers to finding and acknowledging the truth with regard to the death of an infant, amongst the Plain -- or Amish -- people. The book is spellbinding, half psychological and half legal detective work, prosecution, mainly defense, and trial workings. I learned a lot about the Amish. I'm afaid Katie is set for a life of quiet desperation, almost as much so as her mother Sarah. It's a great book. See what you think.
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Summary: SIMPLY AWESOME
Review: Go out and buy this book NOW! One of the BEST I have ever read. If you like books that involve different religions, cultures and ways of living, this book is for you! I made my husband read it, and he loved it too. Jodi is a very talented author, and she really brings the characters and situations to life!
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Summary: Mavelous book!
Review: Ms. Picoult is an excellent writer! I cannot wait to read another of her books. "Plain Truth" was informative, compelling and full of suspense. When I felt I knew where the story was going, Ms. Picoult took it to another level. The courtroom drama was riveting - superbly written. When I got to the end I was completely surprised. I can imagine the author having fun as she wrote this story because she had me. I enjoyed the book immensely.
Rating:
Summary: Unpredictable
Review: This book was amazing. I could not put it down. It just holds your attention until the last page. The story line is unpredictable. I would recommed it to anyone.
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Summary: Makes me want to read ALL of Jodi Picoult's other books
Review: This is the first Jodi Picoult that I have read. I intend to read the rest as soon as possible! The slow unfolding of events left me on the edge of my seat and surprised me every step of the way. An impressive depiction of the Amish way of life with wonderfully detailed characters, and a heartwarming story of family, love and loyalty.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating, dramatic page-turner
Review: Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Jodi Picoult's books, she is one of those writers who, to choose one book over another as my favorite is like choosing a favorite among one's children. But if I had to choose, "Plain Truth" would probably be at the top of my list. How likely is it for a 16-year old Amish girl to have a baby out of wedlock, let alone be charged for murdering that baby at childbirth? Ms. Picoult uses a beautiful, and I might add, well-researched backdrop of the Amish people -- their traditions, their private feelings and emotions, as well as secrets and personal shame to tell a most intriguing story that hooks you from the first page to the very last paragraph. You'll definitely need some uninterrupted time to read this one.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Jodi Picoult is one of the best writers out there. She writes with so much conviction, compassion and talent. This book was amazing. I was sad to see it end. The characters are so compelling, and the insight into the Amish community is fascinating. The ending was so unpredictable, and the emotional levels and different stories happening simultaneously to different characters made this book a gripping read. Picoult cannot write fast enough!
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