Jodi Picoult has once again crafted an outstanding novel that delves deep into the complex web of family relationships, friendships, courtroom drama, a captivating love story, and the profound topic of suicide, among many other elements.

This book is truly a page turner, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. It has all the makings of a great bookclub selection, as it offers丰富的讨论话题.

Picoult's novels are known for being emotionally draining, and this one is no exception. She has a remarkable ability to skillfully write about the real problems that exist in society, making readers confront difficult emotions and think deeply about the issues at hand.

Overall, this is a four-star novel that is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers. It is a must-read for fans of Picoult's work and anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and engaging story.

How did three of my friends end up reviewing this book on the same day? It's quite a mystery, especially when at least two of them didn't read it that recently.

Did I miss a review contest or something? I have no idea.

Anyway, I couldn't resist adding my opinion to the pile. This was my first Jodi Picoult book, and as I delved into it, I was completely captivated.

She has a knack for choosing good topics, and her writing truly pulls you in. At the time, reading her can feel intellectually stimulating as her books raise interesting psychological questions.

However, there's an aspect of Jodi Picoult's books that makes them fall short of being actual literature, despite how stimulating and readable they are in the moment.

I've pondered a great deal about what that might be and have discussed the topic at length with my siblings.

In "The Pact" in particular, reading other reviews, especially the one in "The New York Times", assisted me in formulating my thoughts.

Although "The Pact" touches on a variety of psychological issues, Jodi deals with them rather superficially and seems to be focusing her energy on the trial scenes.

As a result, this reads more like a legal thriller than a psychological study.

For instance, the enmeshment of the two families and its impact on Chris and Emily's relationship was an interesting topic that had the potential to be explored more deeply.

What's it like to be in a relationship that almost feels forced by the other person's constant proximity?

What does it do to you when you're feeling ambivalent about the relationship but feel like you can't get out without hurting two whole families, let alone your boyfriend himself?

I felt that Jodi paid lip service to this dilemma but could have addressed it in greater depth.

Additionally, as many people have pointed out, Emily's suicidality seemed a bit unfounded.

It's true that the molestation incident was traumatic, but many people survive years of repeated molestation, sometimes by family members who are supposed to keep them safe, and are less profoundly scarred.

I wish Jodi had delved more deeply into Emily's character and made the path to suicidality more complex and thus, more believable.

And does it make sense that her attentive parents never suspected her suicidality or tried to address it in any way?

Did she never give them any signs? I'm reviewing this in retrospect about 10 years after I read it, so it's possible I'm not remembering certain details.

However, I think my general sense of superficiality in this area is more or less accurate.

Lots of Goodreads reviewers complain that Emily was weak and unlikeable, which to me indicates how undeveloped her character was.

This would have been a better book had Jodi developed her more and made her stronger, even if the basic premise had remained the same.

I gave it four stars, and I still believe it was a better book than most three-star books, if for no other reason than its high level of readability and unputdownableness (what a great word, huh?).

I thought "My Sister's Keeper" was a little better, though still not great literature.

I'd still choose to read Jodi over a Harlequin any day, but unfortunately, that's not saying a whole lot.

I haven't read Jodi Picoult before, and boy, did I devour this book!

Her writing is simply beautiful. The story is great, too. It held me enthralled during a recent holiday, and I found myself reading far into the night.

I don't like the choices the protagonists made. Emily's decision to end her life and Chris's participation in the pact were both difficult to stomach.

However, I appreciate that nothing was sugar-coated in this book. It presented a realistic and unflinching look at some tough issues. I finished the book feeling good about the judicial system, which is something I didn't expect. I've always loved courtroom dramas, thanks to Sydney Sheldon, and this book was no exception. It had me riveted from start to finish.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story.

My only gripe is the editing errors in the book. Some of these occur in highly pivotal moments, which really dragged me out of the story. At one point, I even wanted to hurl my Kindle at a wall! I can't understand how a blockbuster author like Picoult would have publishers allowing typographical errors to slip through. Thumbs down on that.

After you've delved into a few of Jodi Picoult's books, certain expectations begin to form.

There's always a captivating, incendiary topic that tears a small New England community asunder, such as teen suicide, stigmata, school shootings, sexual abuse, and the like. Courtroom drama is a staple, along with exquisitely crafted family dynamics. A maverick lawyer, a quirky judge, and a plethora of angst add to the mix. And let's not forget the countless plot twists and turns.

All of these elements were indeed present in "The Pact." The story revolves around the death of a teenage golden girl, with her long-time boyfriend accused of the murder, which he alleges was a botched double suicide. As the news of Emily's pregnancy surfaces, the defendant dodges and weaves, and numerous red herrings are tossed into the fray. However, something still felt amiss.

I had the distinct impression that there simply wasn't quite enough drama in this book. I anticipated one more terrifying secret to be unveiled at the conclusion. I wasn't convinced that Emily's reasons for taking her own life were serious enough. Moreover, I couldn't fathom why no one - not the police, not his parents, not the lawyer, no one - bothered to ask Chris what truly happened that night.

Nevertheless, despite these shortcomings, Picoult's remarkable writing ensures that this book is still well worth reading.

The Pact by Jodi Picoult was an absolutely amazing book.

It has literally left me with cold chills running down my spine.

I have a deep love for reading Jodi Picoult's works as they are always books that were in the headlines, captivating the attention of readers worldwide.

This one, The Pact, was no different.

The story revolves around Chris and Emily, who have been best friends since birth.

Over time, their friendship evolves into a relationship that knows no bounds.

It is an incredible relationship that even married couples might envy and wish they had.

However, the story takes a turn towards the very end and beyond, leaving the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to discover what will happen next.

Jodi Picoult has once again proven herself to be a master storyteller, weaving a tale that is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking.

The Pact is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good mystery and a deep exploration of human relationships.

I bought this book simply because a girl in a bookstore came up to me and asked if I wanted to buy her copy. She said she adored the book and needed money to purchase another one of Jodi Picoult's works. I had never read anything by Picoult before. I'd only heard that if you read My Sister's Keeper, you should have a box of tissues nearby. I said yes because, well, it's not every day that someone approaches me in a bookstore and I like a bit of spontaneity.

It took me some time to get around to starting this book (you know how it is with exams, studying, and TV shows). But once I did, I was astonished. I fell in love with the book from the very first page, and probably within ten pages, I fell in love with Chris. I disliked Emily for most of the book, mainly because of everything she put Chris through. Although she wasn't as awful as her mother, who generally makes everyone's lives more difficult.

This book had a powerful impact on me. I loved the ending, I loved the trial, and I felt it had a great deal of passion overall. This is the best of Picoult's books that I have read.

Soon after finishing The Pact, I wanted to get my hands on as many Picoult books as possible. However, this didn't work out so well as I soon discovered that Jodi has a formula and she really sticks to it. To me, she has found something that works and she repeats it in every book. Who could blame her? But a little more creativity now and then would be nice.

This is a truly remarkable novel that is not only well-written but also gripping and thought-provoking.

The Pact is an extremely emotional tale that has the power to move its readers deeply. Jodi Picoult's writing is nothing short of excellent and beautiful.

The book skillfully alternates between the past and the present. In the past, it traces the history of the relationship between the two main characters, Chris and Emma. In the present, Chris finds himself facing an uncertain future.

Thanks to the novel having multiple narrators, the reader is able to see all sides of the story. This adds a great deal of intrigue to the plot. There are numerous twists and turns throughout the novel, making it impossible to predict the outcome until the very end.

All in all, The Pact is everything one could hope for in a novel. It is engaging, emotional, and full of surprises. Five stars indeed!

This book had a few moments that I truly enjoyed.

Mostly, it was the end-of-chapter character introspection that caught my attention.

However, when looking at the book as a whole, I simply didn't care for it.

It seemed as if all of the big, dramatic scenes were built around circumstances that were far too convenient.

In fact, a great many things in the story seemed overly convenient and not always in line with the established characters.

I ended up skimming the last 100 pages because I don't have a penchant for courtroom dramas, and this particular one rehashed a lot of elements that I'd already read elsewhere.

Nothing in the book really surprised me, and I suspect that this had a great deal to do with why I didn't enjoy it as much as I had initially hoped.

The lack of unpredictability and the reliance on convenient plot devices made it a somewhat lackluster read for me.

I'll admit that Picoult has the ability to tell a story in a way that can keep me engaged. However, she has certain writing habits that are seriously irritating and almost caused me to give up on reading. For instance, phrases like “…,' he said softly” and “…,' she said thickly” are used far too often. And my personal pet peeve is “…,' he said, his eyes shining.” Ugh! It's so trite. If only I could get a dollar for every time I had to come across these overused expressions. Isn't there a more creative way to convey that someone is speaking softly rather than just using the word “softly”?

Moreover, this book really needs to be re-edited as I discovered several errors. For example, there were instances where “he” was used instead of “she.”

Yes, I'm aware that this isn't the kind of in-depth review that will be of much help to others, but I just had to let out my frustration.

(Ben, if you happen to be reading this, I know you're probably rolling your eyes. And Minnie is likely doing the same.)

My second encounter with Jodi Picoult's work, and it proved to be just as excellent as the first one, namely "Leaving Time".

It was an emotional, dark, and highly interesting read. The story is presented in two distinct parts. The "before" part centers around Chris and Emily when she was still alive, painting a vivid picture of their relationship. The "after" part, on the other hand, delves into the fall out and the far-reaching repercussions for Chris and the families involved. Each chapter seamlessly alternates between then and now, and the perspective shifts among all the main characters. I firmly believe that this format was truly effective in providing a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the story.

Teenagers Chris and Emily had been the best of friends throughout their entire lives and had been in love for the past few years. Their families, who lived next door to each other, were extremely close. However, everything changed on the night when each parent received a call from the hospital, informing them that Emily had died from a gunshot wound to the head. Chris claims that they had a suicide pact, but he fainted before being able to complete his part. But is this really the truth? Emily's mother simply cannot believe that her daughter was suicidal, and the police are far from certain of Chris's innocence. So, what really happened that night? And what could have driven two seemingly happy, intelligent, and well-off teenagers to want to take their own lives?

The Pact⭐️

The Golds and the Hartes had been the best of friends for a long time. So, it was quite natural when their children, Emily and Chris, started dating. However, everything changed when an accident, which might have been a suicide, led to a series of events. It went from the hospital room to the morgue and then to jail time. Everyone had to accept the fact that no one was satisfied with the outcome.

Chris was in the hospital and facing jail for allegedly killing his girlfriend Emily. But he claimed that it was a suicide. Emily wasn't happy and wanted to end her life. Meanwhile, as Chris was locked in a cell waiting for his court date, the years of friendship between his parents and Emily's parents broke apart bitterly.

Finally, at Chris' final trial for freedom, the truth, which was heartbreaking, came out.

I love everything by Picoult. I don't know how she does it, but she draws me into every story so seamlessly, and I never want to be done with the characters.

**The Pact: A Heart-Wrenching Tale of Love and Tragedy**

In the fall of 1979, the Gold family, with Melanie Gold who was recently pregnant and her husband Michael Gold, relocated to the small town of Bainbridge, New Hampshire. They settled next door to the Hartes, another couple who, coincidentally, was also expecting. Through their shared interests, the women, Gus Harte and Melanie Gold, started to form a deep and lasting friendship. Their husbands, James Harte and Michael Gold, soon followed suit, and the two families would raise their firstborns together.

Until that fateful November morning at three o'clock. The Golds and the Hartes had been inseparable until then. It was no shock when their teenage children, Chris and Emily, began showing signs that their relationship was evolving beyond that of lifelong friends. But now, seventeen-year-old Emily is dead. She was shot with a gun that her beloved and devoted Chris had stolen from his father's cabinet as part of an apparent suicide pact. This leaves two devastated families stranded in the dark and dense predawn, desperately seeking answers about this unthinkable act and the children they thought they knew but perhaps never really did.

The story titled "The Pact: A Love Story" was written by Jodi Picoult and published by HarperCollins in 2006 in New York. It consists of 389 pages and has the ISBN 9780060858803. The pact is a tragic love story about a suicide pact between two young lovers and the journey they take. The story begins with Emily and Chris in a local fair. A gunshot is fired, and Emily, who is in the line of fire, is killed. Chris is left in a state of shock and grief, his world shattered.

This story was first read on April 29, 2016. It was adapted and expanded on September 2, 2022 (1401 Hijri Shamsi) by A. Sharbiani. The pact is a powerful and moving story that explores the depths of love, friendship, and the consequences of our actions. It is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.