has ALL you need!

A community for book lovers to create their own bookshelves, share and explore books.

Google Preview

• .

  • 

  • 
    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 appea ... Continue

    
    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.

    

    Is this helpful?

• ― Lindyloumac said on Oct 19, 2009 | Add your feedback

• .

  • 

  • 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 th ... Continue

    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 of 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?

    

    Is this helpful?

• ― meganzing said on Feb 27, 2009 | Add your feedback

Picoult's novels have been hailed as "engrossing" ("People") and "addictively readable" ("Entertainment Weekly"). Now, the author of "Salem Falls" and "Plain Truth" examines the fault lines of a troubled marriage in "Picture Perfect"--an "unfailingly intelligent . . . undeniably literary psychological drama"("Booklist"). [예스24 제공]

Groups with this in collection

Jodi Picoult Books (53)

50 Book Challenge! (449)

Eclectic Book Club (239)

• 2009Books I Want to ReadownreadContemporary LiteratureContemporary litChick LitMy favorites