THE PACT by Jodi Picoult
This is an engrossing, fast-paced, well-structured novel about a suicide pact made–or not made?–between two teenagers. I love the way Picoult shifts between past and present, or as she refers to it, “then” and “now.” It’s seamless, never jarring. She’s also an author whose quality writing never gets in the way of her story. The only thing that bothered me is the rapid shifting of point of view–and that only bothered me because I’m fanatical about it. I don’t think the average reader would even notice, and as I always say, you can do what ever you like when you write as long as it works. Picoult writes the type of story I like to write: ordinary people caught up in extraordinary situations. THE PACT is one of her best. 
Never have read Jodi P. but have heard lots of good things from others…glad your back home Diane. Now that your back I’ll tell you something…a close friend of my mother’s is ill and rather than give her flowers she wanted to buy her some books to take her mind off cemo…mom bought her THE BAY AT MIDNIGHT and she read it straight thru, in 2 days! She LOVED your writing so mom is going to find your other books for her to keep her mind off other things. She tried to find CEECEE for her but all the bookstores were ‘sold out’ so we’re going to order it for her from Amazon. Once again your have touched someone and given ‘Charlene’ something to look forward to with your other novels.
Please thank your Mom for thinking of my books. I’m so pleased Charlene enjoyed BAY and is able to concentrate on reading. I hope her recovery is smooth and complete.
Charlene has a positive outlook and tells her friends that she feels great…I know that reading is a passion of hers so mom gave her the best gift ever, a book of yours! We’re not sure how she’ll feel in the weeks to come but right now she claims she is fine and wants as many new books as she can get her hands on…she is in for a special treat when my mother gives her others by you!
This book was a television movie also…quite touching.
I really like My Sister’s Keeper by this author…
And just a note-have you guys read LOVELY BONES (Can’t remember the author) written from a very different viewpoint??? Read it several years ago.
Am home studying for comps-no school today…
Take care
Margo, I hope you friend does well. With the mess this country is in, prayers are still answered. Look at the two little boys found last week. I am concerned today about a fire in Huntington, WV, about 20 miles from me-where many of my former students are students at Marshall University’s main campus-am awaiting news now…
Diane-Is the book not coming out in 2007 now? I am not sure I have misunderstood something I read-or if the April deadline is a thing of the past-I have so much on my mind that I probably missed something in one of your blogs….
Thank you Brenda…she is mom’s close friend and luckily they live in the same retirement village where they keep close tabs on each other. I hadn’t heard about the fire in WV so will check on the news in a little bit…the story about the 2 boys being found last week was remarkable as was the lady being found after missing 5 weeks on a camping trip. Miracles do happen.
Brenda, April 2007 is my deadline, but the book won’t be out until April 2008(!) I doubt I’ll make my deadline because of some necessary family stuff, but my editor is cool with me taking longer. Still, I HATE missing deadlines and am working hard.
Brenda, is Huntington WV the location of Juniata College? That’s where my little brother, Rob, went to school. I hope no one’s hurt and the fire is brought under control quickly. Writing about a fire has given me a whole new perspective on what goes into fighting one.
I didn’t know THE PACT was a TV movie. I am so behind in working my way through my to-be-read pile that the books I’m reading are old! I read THE LOVELY BONES a long time ago. I liked it until the end, but I’m wondering if I misunderstood what was happening. That’s not a good sign–it’s on my TBRR (to be re-read) stack.
I have never heard of that college, and I was born in this area-returned after 30 plus years. It is a small area…Lovely Bones is in intriguing but not one I kept or reread… I believe the woman with the dark hair that played on a sitcom, WILL AND GRACE was the mother of the girl in THE PACT movie…but I am not sure…
I think that your readers are willing to wait on your books…after all we know you are diligent…I hope things work out for you…I was confused that I had missed something…
That college is in Pa. (Huntingdon I believe)
I live in WV now…used to live in Ohio and South Carolina…
I live between Huntington and Charleston, WV
You’re right. I checked with Rob and it’s PA, not WV.
I know i’m a few weeks later than everyone else in this post but i thought i’d share that Alice Sebold wrote the “Lovely Bones” (loved it almost as much as one of Diane’s books…almost :P) And that I’ve read all of the books Jodi Picoult has written.. and if you’re looking for a good read while waiting for a Diane release, she’s a great author. Try “Second Glance” for a look at Wiccan religion and a mistaken truth (so to speak) or “Plain Truth” to see what happens when a murder suspect is none other than a teenage Amish girl.
Thanks for the recommendations, Ashley. I haven’t read either of them.
omg i love the pact it made me want to laugh, break down in tears, stop reading, or just stop and think about my own life… i loved it i absolutly love books with emotion and feeling and think books really gets at your heart
I think it’s my favorite Picoult.