Salem Falls

Author:
Jodi Picoult

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Price:
$24.95

Available Now

Witchery

I admit I watch the TV show "Charmed" and have secretly wished I had magical "witchlike" powers to help me get out of certain situations. Given the chance to read a novel about young girls with the same fascination, I was pleasantly surprised by informative elements of witchcraft and the law, which Picoult captures in her novel "Salem Falls." Picoult takes a simple storyline - man accused of raping a teenage girl and twists and distorts it whilst adding enticing issues of witchcraft, the law and forgiveness.

Jack St Bride was once a highly respected teacher and soccer coach at an all girls' school. Already this story is asking for trouble, as a student's crush sparks a plethora of accusations and robs him of his career and reputation. After a devastatingly public ordeal leaving him eight months in jail, Jack finally gets out with no job to go to, no home nor family. He decides to settle in the small New England town of Salem Falls, taking up a job washing dishes at Addie Peabody's diner. Slowly he rekindles relationships with the town folk, however, just as Jack thinks he has outrun his past, a quartet of girls with a secret draw his security blanket from under him and a modern day witch hunt is triggered.

Place witchcraft, an accused rapist and an explicit love affair in a small town and trouble is bound to brew as hot as any cauldron, and let me tell you it over heats. Picoult has produced well-fleshed characters, which the reader generally sympathises with. I really felt for Jack and Addie as they fight off the narrow minded views of the town folk, but then who could blame them. Jack was convicted... last time. No matter how much Jack pleads innocence, it takes time to be heard. Picoult blends effortlessly the present with the past, with her astute blending of the two, the reader grasps a good understanding of the central characters. >>>

Image - Untitled, Bobby West Tjupurrula
If you enjoy courtroom drama, then this is definitely a book for you. Once Picoult has allowed the reader to establish a relationship with Jack and other central characters... she creates a difficult situation and it is enticing to read how the players deal with it. The courtroom setting is cleverly created and easy to discern (especially for those who are not lawyers, Picoult does not add a lot of gibberish nonsense). However I must admit I did a bit of speed reading to find out the verdict of this emotional story. Again I was concerned with Jack. However it does not stop there, Picoult fails to leave you with a large taste of content. She shrewdly adds a twist you could see coming but once read it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

Witchcraft is a very popular genre to deal with in any medium. I believe it is the fact that it might be possible to utilise the earth's power and force for the good of oneself or another. Picoult places the intrigue of witchcraft in the minds of young girls hoping to gain the ability to control certain aspects of their impressionable teenage lives. It is believable and stimulating.

Jodi Picoult is the author of eight novels, including the bestselling "The Pact" (1998), "Keeping Faith" (1999) which I have also read and "Plain Truth" (2000). I believe that she has a firm grasp on the complexity of human relationships. Overall the novel was emotive, piquant, vivid and convincing. Picoult writes with a crisp edge drawing the reader in with each written page. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it.

Michele Perry

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