In nineteen minutes, you can get revenge.
Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens -- until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.
Nineteen Minutes is New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult's most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straightforward style for which she has become known, it asks simple questions that have no easy answers: Can your own child become a mystery to you? What does it mean to be different in our society? Is it ever okay for a victim to strike back? And who -- if anyone -- has the right to judge someone else?
This book has been on my shelf for a while, I’ve been hesitant to read it because of the subject matter but recently Mistress Mood put it front and centre and I’m glad she did. This was a gripping story that put me in a reading slump for a couple days when I finished.
With Jodi Picoult I knew it would be an emotional read, that it would have controversy and maybe a few unexpected things jumping off the pages. It comes in at 440 pages, which isn’t a small read, and at times I felt maybe it could’ve been a tad shorter. Were there times I set it aside until the next day? Yes there were.
Nineteen Minutes is a story of a school shooting. It is seen from many angles - the shooter‘s mom, the shooter’s himself, his lawyer, the judge, investigating detective and a few more. It was a vivid insight into what they were thinking, what led up to what happened and the fallout. It tackles subjects of bullying, PTSD and friendships. It would make a great book club read though I can imagine all the different discussions which could get intense. It is realistic, which makes it all the more heartbreaking.
Sterling is a small, ordinary New Hampshire town where nothing ever happens -- until the day its complacency is shattered by a shocking act of violence. In the aftermath, the town's residents must not only seek justice in order to begin healing but also come to terms with the role they played in the tragedy. For them, the lines between truth and fiction, right and wrong, insider and outsider have been obscured forever. Josie Cormier, the teenage daughter of the judge sitting on the case, could be the state's best witness, but she can't remember what happened in front of her own eyes. And as the trial progresses, fault lines between the high school and the adult community begin to show, destroying the closest of friendships and families.
Nineteen Minutes is New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult's most raw, honest, and important novel yet. Told with the straightforward style for which she has become known, it asks simple questions that have no easy answers: Can your own child become a mystery to you? What does it mean to be different in our society? Is it ever okay for a victim to strike back? And who -- if anyone -- has the right to judge someone else?
Hardcover, 440 pages
Published March 5, 2007
by Atria
4.5/5 stars
there are so many things you can do in 19 minutes …
With Jodi Picoult I knew it would be an emotional read, that it would have controversy and maybe a few unexpected things jumping off the pages. It comes in at 440 pages, which isn’t a small read, and at times I felt maybe it could’ve been a tad shorter. Were there times I set it aside until the next day? Yes there were.
Nineteen Minutes is a story of a school shooting. It is seen from many angles - the shooter‘s mom, the shooter’s himself, his lawyer, the judge, investigating detective and a few more. It was a vivid insight into what they were thinking, what led up to what happened and the fallout. It tackles subjects of bullying, PTSD and friendships. It would make a great book club read though I can imagine all the different discussions which could get intense. It is realistic, which makes it all the more heartbreaking.
I am glad that I finally read this, though I had to read something happy and sweet for a bit, talk about a book hangover.
This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book # 22.
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