I can't believe the high ratings that other readers have given this book. I must be the weirdo.

First of all, I didn't have a particular liking or identification with any of the characters. We're supposed to root for Jack, who has been falsely accused twice. However, we are shown what a horrible person he was when he was younger. He engaged in the exact same egregious behavior that emotionally scarred the woman he now supposedly loves. Pretty much all of the girls were brats, and most of the men were creeps.

Jack, a high school teacher, thinks it's okay to let his students run around practically naked to get them interested in history? A girl's bra just happens to fall off on the football field during this "lesson," and he takes it HOME with him? What on earth was he thinking? And then he DRIVES the same girl to another town to get birth control pills? I can't comprehend any of this.

Selena, a very intelligent and educated 38-year-old woman, didn't know what "wicca" meant and had to Google it?

Why tell us about Gillian cutting the bottom of her feet? It never came up again.

When Addie heard from Jay that Jack was busy every night at 7:00 pm, she didn't automatically think: "Jeopardy!" I did. And for Pete's sake, why didn't Jack have a VCR? Did he miss parent-teacher conferences because he had to watch "Jeopardy!"? And I kept thinking that all of that trivia was there for a reason, that somehow it was going to figure in his defense. But no. No reason.

Why did Jack's mother turn on him? Did I miss something crucial? We saw why she went from being a snob to being a caring woman, but did she turn against Jack later because she believed that women who claimed to have been raped were 100% right, and the men they accused were 100% horrible?

I thought early on that something creepy was going on with Gillian and her father. I guess we should assume that was his semen on her thigh, from an earlier encounter. There was talk of related DNA, but I thought it was implied that the semen might have come from a relative of the attacker. So they suspected it might be the relative of the victim? That didn't raise any red flags? And why didn't they just get a semen sample from Jack? And the book ends with Amos getting away with rape, incest, and molestation?

And seriously, can a witness bring muffins into a courtroom and pass them out to the jury et al.?

Overall, I was very disappointed in this book. I had previously read "My Sister's Keeper," which I thought was pretty good, but I probably won't spend the time on another Picoult.

P.S. She gets an extra point for the literary references. But maybe that credit should go to Arthur Miller, anyway.

This book truly had me completely captivated from start to finish.

We have a handsome young soccer coach who finds himself accused of raping one of his star players. The question that lingers throughout is: did he or did he not commit this heinous crime?

The suspense steadily builds with each passing chapter, as one event after another unfolds, and revelation after revelation comes to light.

Jodi Picoult, in her usual masterful way, explores topics that are of great concern in most countries and cultures. Accusations of sexual abuse by a teacher or coach have the power to polarize people, causing them to form strong opinions either for or against the accused.

In this particular case, a trial takes up the third part of the book, adding yet another layer of drama and tension.

If you have a penchant for reading about criminal trials being judged by a jury, then you are sure to enjoy Salem Falls. It is a thrilling and thought-provoking read that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

A most frustrating book indeed.

It seems to be written following a formula that is perfect for Lifetime TV for women. Clearly, it is intended to be an issue-oriented novel, focusing on the abuse of Megan's law and false accusations. The subject matter is not an easy one to handle, yet the execution leaves much to be desired.

I didn't like the graphic sex scenes or the use of bad language. The choppy style of jumping from one point of view to another without a proper transition made it extremely difficult to follow. Although the author seemingly aimed for a sensational surprise at the ending, it was completely predictable. The only thing that slightly surprised me was the revelation of who the guilty party was in the unreported rape of one of the main characters. However, I was disappointed that when this revelation came, both the author and the character were content with just an apology. The guilty party should have taken responsibility by turning himself in to the law and accepting the punishment he deserved. In the small town of Salem Falls, the real continuing perpetrator should have been exposed in a way that would end his criminal behavior. What was truly surprising was that everyone, both the innocent and the guilty, somehow managed to avoid the consequences of their actions.

On the other hand, I did read the whole thing because I was curious to see how it all turned out. But overall, this book was a major letdown.

The only other book I have ever read by Jodi Picoult was My Sister's Keeper. It wasn't great; it wasn't all that good. It was 'ok' at best.

That book was leaps and bounds better than Salem's Falls. This is an awful, awful book. It stinks. Also, I didn't like it.

*beware: here there be major spoilers*

I may have gotten some minor details wrong and left some stuff out, but this is basically what happens:

Jack, a sensitive drifter with a past, wanders into a New England town. He quickly and easily lands a job washing dishes at the local diner.

But Jack is not your run-of-the-mill drifter. Oh no. He is a former teacher and soccer coach. He was recently released from prison following a wrongful conviction for statutory rape. A student, Catherine, had such a bad crush on him that she kept a fake diary of their 'romance'. Her father found it and assumed it was real.

Anyway, Jack is very handsome. He is also good at guessing the answers on Jeopardy! This is very important. His skill at Jeopardy! even saved him from prison rape. Sorta.

Did I mention he is handsome?

Because he is.

Handsome.

Addie, that's the diner's owner, has her own problems. Her daughter Chloe has died, but she continues to talk about her as if she were alive. She even makes her lunches. At some point, it also comes out that Chloe was conceived as a result of rape, because a dead kid just isn't *dramatic* enough. Addie's daddy is also a lush.

Jack humors Addie about her dead daughter. This, combined with his dazzling handsomeness and prowess at Jeopardy!, makes Addie fall in love with him.

Then the word gets out that Jack is a convicted sex offender. Addie and Jack's romance keeps on going after she learns about his conviction because he says he didn't do it. Other people in town don't take the news so well. They try to drive him out of town. Set a fire, beat him up. You know, the usual.

On top of all that, there is a group of teenage girls who practice Wicca. That's right, Salem Falls has witches.

Gillian, who is basically the lead 'witch', has the hots for Jack. This is all on account of his excessive handsomeness and because her daddy tells her to stay away from him. Gillian has some big ol' daddy issues. By the end, it is strongly implied that her father is sleeping with her. (Don't complain. I told you there would be spoilers!)

Meanwhile, since things are going so well with Addie, Jack decides it's time to fuck things up. He packs up Chloe's room without consulting Addie. Addie freaks out. Jack gets drunk at a local bar with Addie's lush of a father. Then he stumbles off through the woods where he happens upon the local teenage witches performing some kind of teenage witchery. Naked teenage witchery. Gillian throws herself at Jack. He manfully resists and stumbles on back to Addie's house.

Addie forgives him for packing up Chloe's things and lets him back in. The next morning, the cops break in and arrest Jack for raping Gillian in the woods. Addie isn't quite so sure if she trusts Jack anymore.

Jack gets a lawyer who thinks he is guilty, then decides Jack is innocent, but changes his mind again, and again.

Some more information about the girl's naked witchery comes out, and the fact that they were high comes as well.

Addie decides to visit Catherine, the first girl who accused Jack of rape. Addie realizes Jack is innocent because the time Catherine said she met Jack was when Jeopardy! was on. She knows that Jack wouldn't miss Jeopardy! ever. Not even for sex. Addie gets Catherine to admit to her that Jack is innocent, but she refuses to come forward in court.

At some point, I forget exactly when, one of the guys who raped Addie decides to apologize to her, and she accepts, just like that. No big whoop.

More boring trial stuff happens, and then suddenly Catherine dramatically shows up in court and admits she never had sex with Jack.

Jack is acquitted of raping Gillian. He is only guilty of being handsome and good at Jeopardy!

Gillian was so pissed that Jack wouldn't have sex with her that she accuses him of rape for funsies. Girls will be girls.

Addie and Jack decide to leave town together because people there will never ever, not ever, accept Jack.

Excessive handsomeness ruins people's lives, Ya'll!

Addie's drunken father takes over the diner.

Happily ever after.

The end.

Except the last scene is Gillian's father telling her that he is the only one for her and kissing her on the mouth. Ugh.

I hate this book. I really, really hate this book.

My Opinion in Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Ddd...

In this video, I will share my thoughts and opinions on a particular topic.

It's important to note that everyone has their own perspective, and this is just mine.

I'll be discussing various aspects related to the subject matter, providing examples and explanations along the way.

Through this video, I hope to offer some valuable insights and maybe even spark some discussion among the viewers.

Whether you agree or disagree with my观点, I encourage you to leave a comment and share your own thoughts.

Let's have a healthy and respectful conversation about this topic.

So, without further ado, let's dive into the video and explore my opinion together.

Schuldig oder doch eher Unschuldig?

In the book "The Salem Falls" by Jodi Picoult, the story revolves around Jack St. Bride. He was recently in prison due to a sexual offense that he committed. Additionally, it also involves Addie Peabody, who owns a café in Salem Falls and where Jack St. Bride suddenly starts working as a helper because he is looking for a job.

And it also concerns Gillian Duncan and her friends Meg, Chelsea, and Whitney, who secretly practice black magic. After approximately two months, Jack St. Bride is suspected of raping Gillian Duncan in the forest. Everything points to him as the culprit, but whether he really is or not, everyone has to read for themselves.

My opinion:

I liked the story. At the beginning, I had a bit of a problem with the story because I didn't find it that exciting, but as I read more pages, the story became more and more exciting. I liked the idea of the court process, as it generally proceeds. The characters all had depth and acted understandably. Moreover, the writing style was流畅 and all the technical terms were well explained. Even though I had guessed the solution at the end, it was still exciting to find out how it came to that solution. I would describe the book as a mixture of a novel and a thriller.

Conclusion:

I will read more by Jodi Picoult. The book excited me and I can only recommend it.

As expected, another wonderful book by the author. It was a great pleasure to read.

Once I got more deeply involved in the story, it was difficult to put it down and pay attention to anything else. And needless to say about sleep at night, when speculating about what would happen next.

So, an intriguing plot, vivid characters, complex questions raised, the exploration of the gray zones of life, the narration of history through the stories of many characters - this is what can be found in the author's works.

This time, the theme under consideration is sexual coercion, the life stories of both sides, the reasons, the impact, and what is right and what is a lie.

The truth is not always as simple and clear as on the palm of your hand. And not always do you want to believe it.

Reviewed for THC Reviews

Salem Falls was my introduction to Jodi Picoult's work, and it truly was a captivating experience. This multi-faceted story, inspired by The Crucible, delves deep into the secrets and lies that fester in a small town. The author's aim to update the classic tale and explore how lies can spread like wildfire and overshadow the truth was achieved masterfully. I, like many readers, found myself questioning my own beliefs and prejudices as I followed the story.

The character of Jack St. Bride is central to the narrative. A once-respected teacher, his life is turned upside down by a false accusation of statutory rape. Released from prison after eight months, he attempts to start anew in a small town, working as a dishwasher. Jack is a complex and sympathetic character, with his intelligence and charm adding to his appeal. The author uses flashbacks to gradually reveal his life story, adding depth and layers to his character.

Addie Peabody, Jack's boss and love interest, is another well-developed character. She has endured her own share of tragedies and initially has doubts about Jack's innocence when he is accused of rape a second time. However, her loyalty and determination to seek the truth lead her to become Jack's strongest advocate. Their relationship is a key element of the story, and it is heartwarming to see how they help each other heal and grow.

The ensemble cast of characters in Salem Falls is diverse and engaging. The four girls who bring the second rape allegation against Jack, led by Gillian, are particularly interesting. Gillian is a complex and troubled character, and her actions have far-reaching consequences. The defense attorney, Jordan, and the prosecutor, Matt, also add depth to the story, as they each strive to achieve justice in their own way.

In conclusion, Salem Falls is a thought-provoking and intense drama that kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Jodi Picoult's writing is细腻 and engaging, and she does an excellent job of exploring complex themes such as truth, justice, and redemption. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery or drama, and I can't wait to explore more of Picoult's work.

Now that I have an abundance of free time to engage in reading, I have a strong desire to reignite my passion for Jodi Picoult and her remarkable books.

I had previously read Salem Falls, but upon rereading it this time, I found that I had forgotten many of the details. I am extremely glad that this was the first book of hers that I chose to read after my hiatus.

This book is quite lengthy, consisting of 434 pages, yet I managed to finish it within 5 days. This clearly demonstrates how incredibly easy it was to read and how difficult it was to put down.

Salem Falls was written in 2001, and even more than 10 years later, every aspect of it remains highly relevant. By incorporating elements such as criminal activity, a small town, witchcraft, and a complex web of relationships, Jodi Picoult has crafted a truly captivating story.

Thanks to Jodi for providing such a great, great read that has once again reminded me of the magic of her writing.

I could not bring myself to finish this book.

The lead character seemed to me to be an utter idiot, and the portrayal of the teenage girls in the story was simply awful.

This is, so far anyway, the only Picoult book that I have not liked.

She has written more than enough books, so do yourself a favor and just skip this one.

There are so many other great books out there by her that are worth your time and attention.

Don't waste your precious reading hours on this particular one that fails to engage and disappoints.

Move on to another of her works and I'm sure you'll find a much more enjoyable and fulfilling reading experience.

I have yet to come across a Jodi Picoult book that I didn't have an immense love for, nor one that I didn't rate with a full 5 stars. And "Salem Falls" is most definitely no exception.

What I cherish the most about Picoult's books is the fact that she delves deep into the nitty-gritty subjects that no one else seems willing to write about. These are the topics that are more controversial than any others, and that's precisely what attracts me to her works. This remarkable lady truly knows how to tug at your heartstrings, there's no doubt about it.

The characters in her books are such powerful and intense individuals, with stories that are so engaging that you simply don't want to stop reading. I found myself in a state of utter turmoil while reading, as I witnessed the situations unfolding. I felt helpless and had an overwhelming urge to put a stop to the madness.

Overall, "Salem Falls" is without a doubt one of the best books that I had the pleasure of reading in 2019. It's a captivating and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

If I could bestow 10 stars upon this book, I most certainly would. This marks the second literary work I've delved into by Picoult, and she is rapidly ascending the ranks to become one of my all-time favorite authors. She is an immensely talented wordsmith, possessing the rare ability to captivate the reader right from the very first page and hold their attention firmly until long after the last page has been turned.

She crafts her tales with such exquisite delicacy and intricate detail that you find yourself completely忘却 that you're reading a fictional novel and instead feel as if you're an integral part of the small town where the story unfolds. I can easily envision several so-called "authors" who would benefit greatly from taking a masterclass from her on the art of effectively penning a good story.

What I adored most about this novel was its ending. I shall refrain from revealing any spoilers, save to say that I have a penchant for open endings. Especially those that cause you to do a complete volte-face regarding a character. The conclusion of this book didn't entirely catch me off guard (I had my suspicions), but I did struggle to fall asleep afterwards as I was so deeply stirred by the unexpected turn of events in the final few paragraphs.

If I could dedicate the remainder of my life to devouring books by Jodi Picoult, I firmly believe I could find profound happiness.