"In nineteen minutes, you can mow the front lawn, color your hair, watch a third of a hockey game. In nineteen minutes, you can order a pizza and get delivered. You can read a story to a child or have your oil changed. You can walk a mile. You can sew a hem. In nineteen minutes, you can stop the world, or you can just jump off it. In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge."
If these words don't catch your attention then god knows what will. Recommended by a book club fellow- as her best book by Jodi Picoult, it was one of my most searched book. Similar to my last read by the writer (My sister's keeper), I was so engrossed in the story and the resonance of thoughts afterwards - it took me ages to pen down my review. The plot is completely different from the famous "My Sister's Keeper" but the writing style screams "Picoult" through and through.
"When you begin a journey of revenge start by digging two graves
One for your enemy, and one for yourself" - Chinese Proverb
A disaster strikes in Sterling High, New Hampshire - a rare, blood curdling school shoot out resulting in death of 10 students and injuring many. Patrick, a detective, discovers the many victims of the massacre along with 17 year old high school student Peter Houghton- the suspected killer. Josie Cormier, a school student, is an important witness but she couldn't remember the last minute details. She is also a daughter of judge Alex Cormier who is torn between either being part of the biggest case of her career or supporting her daughter in this fragile state. Finally she gives up the case to support her daughter.
As the story unfolds; Peter, a computer enthusiast, is recognized as a victim of severe bullying through out his school life. Josie was his only best friend but she succumbs to peer pressure and leaves him to hang out with the cool gang who bullies Peter and weak students like him. But Peter is loyal to Josie and when he finds out Matt Royson, (Josie's boyfriend and major jock) harasses Josie verbally and physically, he sends Josie a propose email. But the mail is intercepted by Josie's 'cool gang' friend Courtney.
That mail becomes another reason of his humiliation in front of all the students in the school cafeteria. That acts as a final trigger factor of the massacre . The prosecution is carried out, many faults of school authorities and parents are bought to attention. Finally Josie remembers the missing pieces of the story and judgement is done. Or is it?
I loved the way how different characters had their say in the story. Its painful to hear Lacy Houghton's (Peter's mother) thoughts. No mother gives birth to a murderer. It hurts... really. But I missed the thoughts of Peter himself. The story would have more gravitas if some parts of the story like the main event itself was written in Peter's point of view (the pain, the angst, the deep exasperation he felt that forced him to vex his anger by stealing someone's life).
The plot haunts you deeply, provoking questions with no easy answers. There is no pure white or black. Bullying and the mental/physical stress endured by its sufferers is a common yet less talked about subject. Jodi Picoult has given a brilliant account of its effects without being judgmental and leaving the readers to make their own opinion on this topic.
A good read. Happy reading.
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