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Search - The Pact: A Love Story
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The Pact: A Love Story Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback
Book Description:
Friendship, loyalty, lifelong love -- and teenage suicide. A riveting, timely, and terrifying novel from an acclaimed writer who skillfully intertwines the intimate perceptions of Anne Tyler with the dramatic tension of John Grisham
The Golds and the Hartes, neighbors for eighteen years, have always been inseparable. So have their children -- and it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. But the bonds of family, friendship, and passion -- which had seemed so indestructible -- suddenly threaten to unravel in the wake of unexpected tragedy.
When midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the truth. Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot wound to the head. There's a single unspent bullet in the gun that Chris pilfered from his father's cabinet -- a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. But a local detective has doubts about the suicide pact that Chris describes.
This extraordinary, heart-rending novel asks questions that every parent faces: How much do we know about our children? Our friends?
What if...? As its chapters unfold, alternating between an idyllic past and an unthinkable present, The Pact paints an indelible portrait of families in anguish... and creates an astonishingly suspenseful courtroom drama, as Chris finds himself on trial for murder.
It's rare to find a writer who combines Alice Hoffman's gift for evoking everyday life in pellucid prose with a remarkable ability to create a legal page-turner that will keep you up all night reading, but this is such a book. The Pact rings true: wonderfully observed, truly moving, frightening, and utterly impossible to put down.
The Golds and the Hartes, neighbors for eighteen years, have always been inseparable. So have their children -- and it's no surprise that in high school Chris and Emily's friendship blossoms into something more. But the bonds of family, friendship, and passion -- which had seemed so indestructible -- suddenly threaten to unravel in the wake of unexpected tragedy.
When midnight calls from the hospital come in, no one is ready for the truth. Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot wound to the head. There's a single unspent bullet in the gun that Chris pilfered from his father's cabinet -- a bullet that Chris tells police he intended for himself. But a local detective has doubts about the suicide pact that Chris describes.
This extraordinary, heart-rending novel asks questions that every parent faces: How much do we know about our children? Our friends?
What if...? As its chapters unfold, alternating between an idyllic past and an unthinkable present, The Pact paints an indelible portrait of families in anguish... and creates an astonishingly suspenseful courtroom drama, as Chris finds himself on trial for murder.
It's rare to find a writer who combines Alice Hoffman's gift for evoking everyday life in pellucid prose with a remarkable ability to create a legal page-turner that will keep you up all night reading, but this is such a book. The Pact rings true: wonderfully observed, truly moving, frightening, and utterly impossible to put down.
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Top Member Book Reviews
Pat M. (
5 member(s) found this review helpful.
I tried to remember being 17 years old, but there are only bits and pieces buried in my memory. As I read this story, the feelings came back and I knew that being 17 is like being on another,scary planet. Picoult resurrects the intensity of feeling, the immaturity of judgement, and applies the "what if" as she knows how to do so well, to produce a gripping and frightening picture of adolescence. Parents, listen to your children, and then read between the lines!
Candy B. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is probably my 2nd favorite Picoult. It's well written and gripping. I read the book a while back, but grabbed the audio when I saw it on sale. The audio is fabulous, the narration is perfectly executed.
My previous thoughts from early last year:
How well do you know your child? How many parents knew their child was suicidal before they killed themselves? As parents, we like to believe we know our children, that we are close to them and that they tell us everything. Those of that remember being teenagers ourselves, know that isn't actually true ;)
I was up until 3am finishing this book. I could not put it down. In typical Picoult style, there's the "shocking twist", but the deeper levels of the book - how much you really know about your kids - is what kept me interested. I have a 4 and 6 year old. The fact that they will one day be teenagers scares the heck out of me.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I love Jodi Picoult, and this is one of her best! The story grabbed me from the very first page. I often found myself thinking, " I wish I didn't have to do X, so that I could just sit here and keep reading this book." This is a book you could easily get lost in, just as many of her books are.
Krista
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
The Pact was, once again a great novel by Jodi! She does a great job developing characters and courtroom settings. I would have to say that so far my fave is definately My Sisters Keeper, then Perfect Match...with this book being my 3rd fave between them. Focusing around life long friends, turned lovers, ending tragically in what looks like a suicide pact, the book develops well and all, but i guess i expected a more climactic ending that i fould typical of Jodi. Thats all i will say as to not discourage one to expect disappointment...NOT AT ALL.... i think any Picoult fan would agree that you become "conditioned" to almost sub-conciously anticipate a gut-wrenching twist!!! But nontheless, this book was EXCELLENT! Highly Recommended!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
What a powerful book. You were right along with these two families as they went through this gut wrenching time with their children. An intense read. But well worth it.
Megan (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Simply stated it's a love story to the nth degree between two childhood sweethearts. This is the first Jodi Picoult book that i have read. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once i did i could not put it down. The ending is surprising. A great first novel by her. I have added all her other books to my wish list.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Another amazing book by Jodi Picoult. The ending is truly a surprise, I promise you won't be able to put this one down!!!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
What a great read. Very thought provoking. She is an amazing author.
CRYSTAL W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I hated the book. I thought the ending was a complete copout. Come on there is no way in real life the story would have ended the way it did. The writer wrote herself into a corner and couldn't get out. Total crap.
Dee H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I couldnt ever get into this book... Picoult jumps from THEN to NOW every several pages. It is hard to follow with all the characters and their LONG back stories... but the story line was good. I think if I had just read the THEN portion, then I could have finished it. haha
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Excellent book. Interesting plot development. Proves once again that the FACTS may mislead one into what is not true.
Compelling story. Not a page turner but it engages you throughout so you're not just scanning it to see how it turns out.
This was a very good book. I don't like the endings of her books. I have only read 2 this one and my sisters keeper. I like how she has the 2 friends become one. vary touching.
I love reading her books. I had this one done in a matter of a day and a half.
Kristie O. (What a wonderful book. I love a book that makes you "feel". This book was so hard to put down as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next. I like how Picoult handles these life topics in way she does. A great book for teens and adults. It is easy to fall in love with both the teens in this book but at the same time be very upset with them and the choices they made. A definate tear jerker, but well worth the tears! I highly recommend this book!
Crystal O. (Jodi Picoult has just become one of my favorite authors. This book was awesome, just as great as I thought it would be! I loved the concept of the book where she went back and forth from the past to present and present to past as she told the story. She described the relationship that the couple in the book had, where you could almost actually feel the emotions that the characters were feeling. She got the characters right on! I can't even say which Jodi Picoult book, out of the three that I've read so far, would be the best. They've all been awesome! She's a terrific writer!!
This is a book that I would not put down. It is a gripping story and is well told and will keep you on the edge of your seat.
i love jodi picoult. I have had a hard time finding an author that i can pick up one of their books and not worry about disappointment. This is another. a great book in picoult style. keeps you not wanting to put it down. show a bond of true love in its most rare form.
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