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This one was a little difficult to get into, especially at this time of year because I am a teacher getting ready to go back to school in a couple of weeks. I’m sure most teachers (especially in the US have this fear, at least to some level or degree, in the back of their mind. But, school shootings are a big concern in the United States. Picoult tackles this in one of her newer novels: Nineteen Minutes. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was how it tackled the subject of a school shooting from so many different angles. It didn’t just focus on the obvious victims (the ones killed or injured) but also on the ripple effect it had on families, friends, and the broader community. The storyline about the mother who took her own life was heartbreaking, and it really shows how far-reaching the tragedy was. I thought the author’s acknowledgment that the people shot aren’t the only victims was one of the most poignant points in the novel.
The structure of the book also worked for me. I’m usually not a fan of non-chronological storytelling because it can feel disjointed, but here it was done in a way that didn’t cause whiplash. The shifts in time felt purposeful, helping to layer the story rather than fragment it. As always, Jodi Picoult’s writing is beautiful. Sometimes her similes can feel a little overused or even elementary, but they’re so vivid and unexpected that I find myself forgiving her for it. They pack an emotional punch, and that’s what matters. However, a lot of people don’t agree with me because it is THE most banned book in the United States, with 98 district bans?! Of course, I know banning books isn’t based on how well the author writes, but still lol. I’m not a fan of banned books, but I get the argument. I was also a little unsettled by how much the narrative seemed to sympathize with Peter, the shooter. But in true Picoult fashion, she balanced that empathy with complexity. She gives every character, no matter how flawed or morally gray, a fair shake. This is something she’s talked about in interviews and social media posts, and it really shows in her work. That’s actually where I discovered this book. One of her social media posts came up and discussed the book. I was going to embed it in this video so you can see… but she just posts so much and I put it on my TBR list so long ago that I can’t find it. So you’re going to have to take my word on it lol. So far, I’ve read three of her litigation-based novels (My Sister’s Keeper, Small Great Things, and now this one), and I’ve enjoyed them all. Maybe it’s little-me tapping into my younger dream of becoming a criminal lawyer, but the courtroom elements always draw me in without feeling overwhelming. It never feels like she is talking above your head, but allows you to feel like you’re right there a part of the action. Spoiler Warning: Plot Details Ahead Where the book really lost me was the ending. Josie going to jail felt abrupt—almost like a throwaway line. It was predictable that she was the person with the missing fingerprint on the gun, but I expected more care in handling that revelation. They just say she went to jail for manslaughter, and that’s that. This felt especially jarring because Peter’s entire trial was framed around the concept of a battered woman… and Josie was a battered woman. It deserved more exploration. I was also conflicted about Alex “starting over” with a new child. Yes, her internal monologue tells us that’s not what’s happening, but it sort of is. I did like the parallel between her thought that “this baby may save them all” and Lucy’s earlier view of Peter… though knowing how Lucy’s hope turned out made it a bittersweet echo. Overall, I guess I would give it a 4 out of 5. It kept me interested the whole way, even though the fate of all of the primary characters were pretty predictable. Like I said, they lost me at the end, but it was pretty much the last 5 pages where that happened so I’m not terribly upset, but Picoult is just such a great writer, that I assumed the bow would have more intentionally tied. And maybe it was and I’m just not getting it? But, I guess I won’t know unless I actually talk to her about it.
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