Jaclyn’s Review: The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

The Tenth Circle
written by Jodi Picoult
published by Atria Books, 2006

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Did I enjoy this book? After reading and enjoying Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult, I decided to read all the books my library has of hers. I made it to The Tenth Circle and stopped. While I enjoy complex stories told from multiple points of view, this one felt forced. The plot itself was interesting and relevant, but the twists throughout seemed to force it to go in an unnatural direction. Since this is the third book I have read by this author, I think I can now say that this book seems consistent with her writing style. Unfortunately, since this seems almost formulaic, I just don’t think I can read any more of her books. This book again brought up questions on legality and morality, but instead of coming across as thought provoking, it now seems like a gimmick. Maybe I would have liked this book better if I had read it first, instead of My Sister’s Keeper and Vanishing Acts. Maybe not.

Would I recommend it? This author appears consistent, so if you have read her other books and liked them, you will likely enjoy this one as well. If you have never read one of her books, this would be a great introduction (with fewer tears than My Sister’s Keeper). If you’ve read her books and are on the fence like I was, I would skip this one. There are better books out there.
 

 

About the book – from Goodreads: Fourteen-year-old Trixie Stone is in love for the first time. She’s also the light of her father, Daniel’s life — a straight-A student; a pretty, popular freshman in high school; a girl who’s always seen her father as a hero. That is, until her world is turned upside down with a single act of violence. Suddenly everything Trixie has believed about her family — and herself — seems to be a lie. Could the boyfriend who once made Trixie wild with happiness have been the one to end her childhood forever? She says that he is, and that is all it takes to make Daniel, a seemingly mild-mannered comic book artist with a secret tumultuous past he has hidden even from his family, venture to hell and back to protect his daughter.

With The Tenth Circle, Jodi Picoult offers her most powerful chronicle yet as she explores the unbreakable bond between parent and child, and questions whether you can reinvent yourself in the course of a lifetime — or if your mistakes are carried forever.

 

 

 

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** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on November 18, 2019.