Review: Nineteen Minutes

Title: Nineteen Minutes
Author: Jodi Picoult
ISBN/Publisher: 978-1-4165-4699-3/Astria Books (part of Simon & Schuster)
Age Group/Genre: Adult

Peter Houghton is a seventeen year old boy that was constantly bullied throughout his years of schooling. Even his older brother took part of the bullying (sometimes even as the leader of the bully pack). He lives in a small town in New Hampshire and has no friends, so he turns to the world of video games and computer programming.

One day he decides to walk into Sterling High School with guns and bombs in the car and kills ten people and injures many more. All the witnesses tell the cops that Peter did it and he is thrown into jail. His defense attorney, Jordan McAfee uses an odd defense of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder caused by bullying. Maybe this will be his key to getting out of jail...

Now I can't forget that the story also involves the town's Superior Court judge, Alex Cormier and her high school daughter Josie. Josie was Peter's friend in grade school, but ended up in the popular group as they grew up. And Josie's BF was mister hockey guy on the varsity team and major bully for Peter. The thing is, Josie witnesses her boyfriend, Matt's murder, but can't remember anything.

Will Josie's memory come back and who will it help???

I really enjoyed this story because it is told from different points of views. Also, I was in high school when many of the high school shootings were going around. So, I was able to recall the feelings as a high schooler when this happened. But the most interesting view point was the one that came from the parents of the killer. It was very interesting to read about their lives and how their son changed theirs as well. It made me think about how parenting or lack of parenting or maybe it was ignorance that would lead to such a deadly shooting.

I guess I really liked the beginning and the middle, but once it got to the end...I didn't really enjoy it. I don't want to give too much away, but I didn't like the way it ended. But...I still liked the book as a whole. If you read the story, you must let me know your thoughts on it.

Favorite quote...

Something still exists as long as there's someone around to remember it. Alex Cormier, page 637

My Rating

Now go and grab your cup of tea or J. Picoult's preferred french vanilla coffee (or whatever beverage you prefer) along with a Jodi Picoult book and HAPPY readings!!!