Tough subject matter dealt with well, makes you question your judgement (Perfect Match - Jodi Picoult)

Member Name: ktbainbridge

Product:	Perfect Match - Jodi Picoult
Date:	22/05/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Makes you think, its a page turner

Disadvantages: Emotional read

Perfect Match was the first Jodi Picoult book I have read. I did not have any expectations, my Mum had borrowed it from the library for me.

I do not want to give away the plot of the book as that would spoil it so I have to gloss round the edges. The book follows a couple Nina and Caleb, and their young son. The start of the book shows the son showing character traits which are unusal so the parents take him to a child psychiatrist. The story goes on to divulge what happened to him and how it rips the family apart, with the underlying theme, of how far exactly a mother goes to protect her son.

I found the beginning chapter quite predictably, you could see that by portraying a rushing mum you would then feel her guilt later on once the crime was revealed. One thing that I found really good was how the author managed to balance people opinions. There was no obvious right or wrong, you could sympathise with things that you wouldn't normally and it really made you question your judgement, and for me that makes a good book.

Im not going to lie a lot of the book was hard going. A black cloud hangs over you as you read it as it is full of darkness and depression. The subject matter, although dealt with very delicately, is upsetting to some and I would not recommend this to anyone that may find this disturbing.

Summary: This book really opened my eyes, however was very hard going.