Picture Perfect

I usually love Jodi Picoult books, but this was the exception. It was like reading some cheap romance novel. The characters seemed like caricatures instead of real people. I wanted to like it, but I couldn’t even finish it.

Jodi Picoult never fails me. This is the 5th book of her that I've read, and despite the fact that it isn't one of her page-turning courtroom drama types, Picture Perfect ranks right up there with my favorite, Plain Truth.Anthropologist Cassie Barrett wakes up in a cemetary with a cut on her head and wondering how it got there. Will Flying Horse, a Native American police officer for the LAPD, finds Cassie wandering the streets and rescues her. Cassie doesn't know who she is or what she is doing -- a classic case of amnesia. Will aides in finding Cassie's family only to discover that she is none other than famous Hollywood actor Alex Rivers's wife! Slowly Cassie integrates back into Alex's life of fame, fortune, and house help. Until one day, triggered by something she sees, Cassie's memories and the reason for the cut on her head come flooding back to her. Now the only thing left for Cassie to do is escape....I don't know what it is exactly that made me love Picture Perfect so much. The writing, as always, was exceptional, and the style of the writing was very easy flowing. And the story itself was very interesting, honest and believeable. I am an avid fan of Jodi Picoult's and reading Picture Perfect was a solid reminder of why. Kudos to you, Jodi, for another wonderfully rendered portrait of a novel.

Cassie Rivers, suffering from amnesia, is found by Will, an officer new to the Los Angeles police force, and he befriends her while she tries to discover who she is. She finds that she is a successful archeologist and starts to uncover clues to her background. When Cassie's husband finally shows up to pick her up at the police station, she is surprised to discover that she is married to one of the most successful, handsome actors in Hollywood. Will feels that something is amiss with their relationship and is reluctant to let her go.As Cassie gradually reacquaints herself with her beautiful homes and life of luxury, the history of her relationship to Alex is retold through flashbacks. He has serious emotional problems and lashes out at her in violent beatings, which have become more and more frequent. In spite of his violence, he is totally dependent on her since he feels she is the only woman who can every truly understand him. And she does understand him, but her compassion traps her in this dangerous marriage. Finally, for fear of losing the unborn child she is carrying, which Alex doesn't know about yet, she runs away from him to the only person she can trust, Will. Will takes her to stay with his grandparents on an Indian reservation in South Dakota. She leads a placid and peaceful life among these simple people while waiting for the baby to be born. Will has fallen in love with her, but she continues to love Alex in spite of what he has done.She returns to Alex a month after the baby is born, since he has promised to undergo psychological counseling for his emotional and physical abuse. All seems fine for a while, but Alex reverts to his old patterns, and Cassie is terrified that he will hurt the baby also. Cassie takes the only way out of this hopeless situation. She exposes Alex to the public, since she knows it's the only way she can spoil his love and dependence on her. Although it dealt with a difficult and frightening subject, the book was rich with detail and emotion as it described the African grasslands where Cassie and Alex met, the austere Indian reservation and the glamorous lifestyle that Cassie and Alex had enjoyed. Another fine effort by Jodi Picoult.

I normally don't read tales of spousal abuse because it hits too close to home. However, reading this book really made me realize that I am not the only one experiencing the same stuff as Cassie is undergoing. If I was in Cassie's shoes, I would have done the one thing right ~~ to protect something so precious. It also helps to know that I am not the only one who was fooled by appearances. Not everything that glitters turn out to be gold. Picoult dives right into the scenery and the characters have more life than you would think. It's not as poignant as her later books, but I really enjoyed this one. I couldn't stop turning the pages even though I figure that if Cassie goes back to Alex, it wouldn't stop. Picoult also gives her usual twist at the ending ~~ this time leaving it open for the imagination. Once again, I am not disappointed with Picoult's talent. Too bad all authors aren't as talented and brillant as she is.

I first read The Pact by Picoult and became addicted to her work. Picture Perfect is another fine piece of work by this author. The only problem I could find with her book was the ugly cover (I think she needs to find a new publisher). Her words kept me glued to the page and I highly reccomend her work to any readers.

Jodi Picoult has created characters so multi-dimensional that, days after finishing the book, I still find myself thinking about the characters and the story. Enough background is given on each character that even Alex, the abusive husband, seems sympathetic and it was easier to understand how Cassie could choose to stay in an abusive marriage. I found myself hoping the relationship would work out and I couldn't wait to see how the book would end.