Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37554 in Books
• Published on: 2002-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

Customer Reviews

Not A Picture Perfect Life!
The fifth Picoult novel I have read and certainly not the best. It was first published in 1995 so I assume one of her early ones. I think that her writing has improved a lot since the, as this lacks the depth of her more recent novels.

Even back then she was already writing in what appears to have become her trademark style about very controversial subjects. In this one the protagonist Cassie is the victim of abuse at the hands of her beloved husband Alex. It takes her the four years that this story covers to actually be brave enough to confront her situation.
The novel starts with Cassie being rescued form a cemetery suffering from amnesia by Will, a half Sioux Red Indian working as a policeman. It turns out that she is the wife of Hollywood superstar Alex Rivers who takes her home to her wonderful mansion and helps her recall her life.
Will seems to have a Sioux instinct that her life is not as `Picture Perfect' as it seems on the surface, promising to help her if she ever needs it in the future. Just as well as gradually memories of Alex's repetitive abuse return.
At one time he tells her "If he could have found a way to turn the red rage into himself instead of toward her, he would have done it in a heartbeat". Not true as not once during their marriage did he ever try to seek outside help. The problems within the relationship were always kept a secret, even after she finally left him; he lied about what was happening.
The contrasting lifestyle of Cassie and Alex compared with those of the Native American Indians make an interesting link expanding the story beyond straightforward abuse.

OK book
"To the outside world, they seemed to have it all. Cassie Barrett, a renowned anthropologist, and Alex Rivers, one of Hollywood's hottest actors, met on the set of a motion picture in Africa. They shared childhood tales, toasted the future, and declared their love in a fairy-tale wedding. But when they returned to California, something altered the picture or their perfect marriage. A frightening pattern took shape - a cycle of hurt, denial and promises, thinly veiled by glamour. Torn between fear and something that resembled love, Cassie wrestled with questions she never dreamed she would face: How could she leave? Then again, how could she stay?"

The sypnosis doesn't really give you a clue about the book.

It opens with Cassie, injured and found in a graveyard. She doesn't remeber who she is. The book to start with is about how she rediscovers herself. Then rediscovers the secrets of her homelife.

I have only read 2 Picoult books now, and while this book was ok, I did think of shutting it and moving on about half way through. I'm glad i stuck with it though. There were many times i wanted to scream at the main character of cassie, tell her not to do this, or do do that. But the good thing about this book, it is not predictable, so she ended up doing the things I didn't want her to.

It took a frustratingly long time for Cassie to see the light, but I can appreciate that in situations like this, it's not as simple as walking away.

The characters were well detailed, and you got under the skin of them all, understanding the reasoning behind what happens in this story.

I would give this book a 7 out of 10.

Not her best book
As a massive fan of Jodi Picoult's book, I was over the moon to find an American copy of this in a UK charity shop a few weeks ago. I was, however, a little disappointed with it.

Having read most of Picoult's other books, I was expecting much more tension, plot twists and greater development of the characters which didn't emerge. By the end of the book, I didn't particularly care what happened to the characters, whereas Picoult's other books have left me screaming for a 'sequal' so I know what happens next.

Obviously a must for completists, but don't expect another My Sister's Keeper or The Pact.