Plain Truth

Plain Truth

Moving seamlessly from psychological drama to courtroom suspense, Plain Truth is a triumph of contemporary storytelling. Jodi Picoult presents a fascinating portrait of Amish life rarely witnessed by those outside the faith -- and discovers a place where circumstances are not always what they seem, where love meets lies, and where relationships grow so strong they can transcend death.

When Ellie Hathaway decides to defend Katie Fisher against the charge of murder, the urban-savvy D.A. finds herself caught in a clash of cultures with a people whose channels of justice are markedly different from her own. Plain Truth is the extraordinary story of two unforgettable women -- and what happens when their disparate worlds collide.


Customer Review: A Rich, Well-Written Drama

This was a great book, rich in detail and drama. Katie Fisher, a young unmarried Amish woman, gives birth in secret and the infant's body is found dead in her family's barn. Her distant cousin, Ellie Hathaway becomes involved and ends up representing Katie in a controversial court-room drama. In preparation for the trial, Ellie lives with the Fishers on their farm and learns the customs of the Amish.



Picoult delivers a very emotional story narrated alternately in third person and first person from Ellie's perspective. Katie's character is often frustrating as her testimony changes, but she is also very sympathetic due to the constraints of her religion and community. Ellie is a tough lawyer who faces the challenges of being thrust into an unfamiliar society, governed by its own rules and practices. Other supporting players like Katie's shunned brother Jacob, Ellie's former beau Coop, and Katie's parents contribute to this multi-layered narrative. At times, Plain Truth was mildly predictable, but still delivered great insight on the Amish way of life, a great courtroom battle, and the occasional dramatic twist.



Customer Review: Anyone remember 'Agnes of God'?

That was a play about a young nun who supposedly murders her newborn. A female shrink appears to determine if she is sane and/or guilty. Very similar! Especially in the early chapters, I couldn't get past the similarities. The Amish girl keeps denying she was even pregnant altho she was taken to the ER for post-delivery complications.



This continuing denial makes no sense in the story. The girl is not portrayed as insane or mentally deficient. She lives on a dairy farm and knows more about childbirth than most people. I assume the author is using this device to "keep us in suspense" about the girl's true nature, but to me it's just annoying. In the end, the girl tells the truth and a mystery remains, one that would have been far more intriguing and believable than the stupid denials.



As a Lancaster native, I believe the author has captured some of the elements of Amish life. It truly is another world. The girl's simple goodness changes the lawyer's life (which certainly needed changing!). What I wish the author would have done more of, is to contrast the two environments: Amish farm and worldy courtroom. To do that by adjusting what she writes about and how she writes it would have been fascinating. Too often, the story breaks down into just a young career woman trying to succeed and find love at the same time.



The twist ending comes so abruptly, the shock value is minimal. The story could have been much stronger as pure suspense, without the true romances sidetrips.

As always just click the cover image or the title for more information and easy purchase/download!