Plain Truth

During the spring semester of 2007, students in the undergraduate reading class I teach were sharing favorite authors, and the name Jodi Picoult kept popping up. One student, Amy, has read several of Picoult's books and mentioned Plain Truth as her favorite. Once I got started on Picoult's books, I couldn't stop. I have read or listened to 8 of them and Plain Truth is in my top two favorites (My Sister's Keeper is the other).

Although I do not know much about the Amish community, Picoult's vivid descriptions made me feel like I was there. The story begins with the finding of a newborn baby recently killed in the barn. At first no one claims to have any knowledge of the baby, but soon the identity of the mother is known. The question becomes whether the father is her Amish betrothed of someone else. As the mother faces trial for murder, her new world cousin, an attorney, moves in with the family and defends her cousin.
The story is a blend of old and new, of truth and justice, and of loyalty and love.