Author: Jodi Picoult

Many years ago, my wife tried showing me this book and  recommend I give it a try. It had some graphic novel elements, mixed with a backdrop of The Divine Comedy (Dante’s Inferno to be specific) — how could I not love it?

Like the good partner I am, I promptly ignored her until years later when someone else also recommended this to me even though she hasn’t steered me wrong yet in book choices. I suppose there was a mental block about picking up an author whose books some have dubbed elongated Grey’s Anatomy episodes. 

Let it be known I seriously judged this book by its cover (metaphorically speaking) and am pleased to have endured the roller coaster of emotions it took me through. Given the current climate of brave women speaking out in the #MeToo movement, the story of this book is quite timely and appropriate. 

It felt like it was written in response to the world today, but digging deeper, you realize the initial conflict has been topical for ages.  The difference for today is it’s actually coming out into the open.

A young girl gets sexually assaulted, but the details surrounding the event call into question whether her testimony is actually true. Even the reader is left in a state of uncertainty as each chapter unfolds.

The slow pace at which details were revealed kept me hooked as I dug through each chapter, only to get smacked in the face with some serious plot twists. 

At first I thought, “Okay Ms. Picoult, how are you going to write yourself out of this one?”

Then she did and I suppose my lack of interest in medical dramas to prepare me for such hairpin turns kept my jaw hung open until the very last page.

Yeah, it was great and I’m in for another. 

Yet again, my wife wins.