Definitely the best Picoult. ( )

This book captured my attention right away. The characters were likable & the story mostly believable. There were some parts where I had to suspend belief or stretch my own boundaries of realism, but overall the story was heartbreaking and addicting. I had a really hard time putting the book down.

The twist at the end was unexpected and I felt a bit corny, and I really wanted to know more about the diary. I kind of hate that Picoult mentioned a diary and never let the characters learn about this piece of evidence. I was half expecting Melanie to finally admit she read Emily's own words and maybe exonerate Chris. And the whole part about Emily being abused in that bathroom - it would have been better, in my opinion, if Picoult would have let that come out too.

I'm told there's a movie based on this book. I'm going to go in search of it now so I can relive some of this book. ( )

The ending of the book felt like a cliffhanger, and given how different the characters were, it was hard to believe that they all stuck to their pact. ( )

This is a tale of obsession, loss, tragedy, and all the seemingly numerous varieties of guilt. It begins with a failed suicide pact between two teenagers. Emily Gold dies, but the precise reasons behind her death remain obscure. Who pulled the trigger? Her boyfriend, Chris Harte, survives because of having fainted before he could also take his own life, either can't or is unwilling to offer any explanation. The story now shifts back and forth across time and traces the growth of the long, and complex relationship between Emily and Chris. The two families first settled down next to each other...they seemed to be the perfect neighbors and friends. Both families are upper-class New Englanders; both the husbands are doctors; both the wives are pregnant at that time so in a sense the pairing of Chris and Emily happened even before they were born. They slept in the same bassinet, they go on to develop a secret language just for the two of them, they are always together...everywhere. As adolescents they are drawn into a fevered romance. It seems inconceivable that Chris could have killed Emily, but a preponderance of forensic evidence suggests that that just might be the case. On his 18th birthday, Chris is arrested. Of course, the perfect harmony between the families instantly dissolves. Melanie Gold, unable to accept the notion that her perfect daughter could have been suicidal and focuses all her anger on the "murderer" next door. Instead of standing by Chris, his father, James, disinherits his son who he now considers a liability to his prestigious career. Chris himself, gets saddled with a hot-shot lawyer who is much more interested in building a case than in hearing or finding the truth. Chris sinks into despair. The trial alternates between rapid-fire testimony with flashbacks to the actual suicide. These are particularly powerful, and what Chris finally says when he takes the stand comes as a BIG surprise. Overall...it's a moving story, mixed with elements of mystery and a sensitive exploration of a tragic subject. ( )

After reading My Sister's Keeper I didn't connect with this story. Might have been the timing but I didn't think the plot or characters were quite as compelling. ( )