Nineteen Minutes

Jodi Picoult, in one of her interviews, shares that she writes about things that keep her up at night. If you are concerned about the children in America, especially related to bullying and school shootings, this book is a must-read. It is a book that takes who, will one day become a school shooter, from his first day in kindergarten on through the actual Nineteen Minutes within the school that day, through the actual day and on through to the investigation, trial, and through to how the event changed those intimately involved with the tragedy.It is a review between the balance of being bullied and what becomes the breaking point for those being bullied. Of course, it is impossible to have predicted when that breaking point will occur... Indeed, the final ending was almost anti-climatic, even when it revealed a surprise not anticipated...The story takes an interesting twist when the lawyer considers, and then uses, a correlation to the Battered Wife Syndrome, noting that the emotional trauma was very similar. Readers will find they become quite sympathetic with the shooter when they hear his story... I was impressed with the characterization of the lawyer and how he handled this very unique and important case.The dynamics of the involved parents plays an important part in this book. Of significant importance was that the mother of one of the students, Josie, involved in the shooting was, at one time, a close friend of the shooter (Peter). The mother was also a judge and would have been named for the trial until her involvement was questioned and she recused herself.This single mother had realized that her relationship with her daughter had become difficult. Indeed, the relationship of the boy's parents had also been a problem, for the boy--but neither of the parents had realized the extent with their second son--nor had they made a point of forcing involvement with them. In this case, I used the word forcing on purpose. Of course, it is not necessarily my opinion, although I admit it was. But both of the parents became critical of their own actions, or lack thereof... But it was too late...This is my first book by this author. I was impressed with this writer and her ability to capture the overall tale that is so often left untold. Whether this was fiction, or not, her merge of what happens in today's schools, where students are grouped by status of sports and popularity is a problem in my opinion. We are in a world where the students are either over-controlled, or allowed to do anything they want without any feedback.Yes, it is important to strive to deal with gun control. But it is also important to acknowledge that each student may have a reason(s) for becoming so frustrated that they finally break. With the proliferation and accessibility of guns, within the family, this was especially a major problem that could only have allowed Peter to move into his chosen path forward. Just my personal opinion, of course...GABixlerReviews

Pulitzer Prize winning poet, James Tate, wrote a very early poem in which the narrator reveals that he "feels like the fire hydrants of the underdog". This book is about what makes kids feel that way, about the consequences bot of bullying and being bullied. A difficult yet riveting read. Should be on the shelves of every, parent, every teacher, and law enforcement officer. Bullying kills. Both the perpetrator and the victim.

Having recently read a different, well-crafted book by Jodi Picoult, I decided to delve a bit further into her work, courtesy of Kindle Unlimited. “Nineteen Minutes” is a deeply sensitive and insightful novel about the horrifying phenomenon of teenagers perpetrating mass shootings at schools pursuant to a long history of bullying and harassment. Although the story is set in 2008, it has of course become even more relevant as the epidemic of this level of violence becomes ever more prevalent. This book was not a comforting read, and did not really offer any satisfying conclusion. To do that, of course, is the challenge of our culture, not of a novelist.

Nineteen minutes is a story that absolutely grabs you by the image alone. An overturned desk. I knew going into the book what the plot was. But during the book it was so different than I thought and in the best ways possible. You don’t just get a story of a tragedy, you learn what factors led to it and you got so many points of view. It took a name you could see in the news in real life and put a life to that name. I’ve never had a book had me wanting more and left me with questions. But In a way I’m glad because idk if I’d want some of the answers that I had questions too. Give the book a chance and go into not with an open mind.

This book gives good insight into the devastation of school shootings. Not only from the victims and their families but also the shooter, the shooter’s parents, judges, lawyers, police officers etc.I definitely recommend this book. It also has a twist I definitely didn’t expect but with what happens throughout this book it makes sense.

This book kept me reading until I finished it. Two days to finish and I believe the author outdid herself. The story was well written, kept me engaged and could not wait to see how it ended. Thank you Jodi for a very incredible story. . .it kept me guessing and did not disappoint. Keep writing. . .

This book, about a shooting at a high school, was written to show many sides of the shooting. You see the shooter’s parents and how they are affected by the tragedy. You see a survivor’s perspective, as well as her parent. You also understand an investigator’s side by of the story. Well written and insightful book.

The book was simply to long. Great story but more useless detail made it easy to simple skip parts and try to get to the meat.

I bought this book because I heard it had been banned in certain schools in certain states in America.I love reading banned books because banning books is ridiculously stupid and just makes me want to read them even more.But this book was a bit dissapointing. Not because of the subject, bullying and easy access to guns. That is important to discuss. As are school shootings.I just found this novel way too long. Could be 200 pages shorter. A lot of unessecary explanations of past events that didn't really count towards the premise.I felt sorry for the "antagonist" - he was the true victim.But I found myself asking why such intelligent parents to this kid were so, well, stupid. As were the teachers. As were everyone. All of them. I'm sure people like this exist but still - it's annoying for the reader and i found believing in mass ingnorance difficult. How could no one say something?I mean if it were my kid and he kept havingSPOILER ALERThis glasses broken or tripped down stairs- that is assualt! This is set in America after all. I'd call the police and sue the school and the kids responsible.But instead the parents do nothing! They wait until the point of no return and spend an eye watering amount on a defence attorney. Where'd they get that cash and for what at the end of the day.There is a twist that comes out right at the end that i felt was a bit ... I won't say I just didn't accept it.Loads of slow simmer stories, important - but slow simmer doesn't really help anyone in this novel when it should have. Why mention it if the characters still get shafted by the system ...Augh - lots of stupid adults. Psycho bullies.I hate bullying and I think we've all felt hatred for them. That was achieved.To many holes and too long.So dissapoointed. But Jodi Picolut is still to me an excellent writer. I just wasn't convinced by this particular novel.

I'm not a Picoult fan but I'd just read Columbine and another hostage style book ( Claire Douglas ?) so thought I'd give this a go. I was just bored to be honest. I read about 20% then gave up and zipped to the end few pages to see what happened. This is the third book of hers I've tried but I just don't engage at all with any of her character's and I find the writing style rather bland . Obviously she has a huge fan base so appeals to many other readers : just not for me ...

I find Jodi Picoult stories hard to read as she always attacks difficult situations making you question your believes. Having said that I have always enjoyed her books as she writes in a very easy flowing manner. This book, like always gripped me from the start and questioned my thoughts on the American gun laws, bullying and the school system in general. However unlike before I feel she failed to develop some of her characters relationships fully and the ending left me filling let down that there was not more to the story. It left with too many questions unanswered about how the characters were going to deal with the situation they had ended up in. I will always read her books but this one is a little disappointing.

I sat up til after 1am reading the final chapters of this brilliant book. I just could not put it down. I had to know how it would end. Right up to the last few pages you still didn't know who was telling the truth. Why did this horror occur. What provoked it. So sad. Showing how constant bullying can force someone to wreak havoc. To seek revenge. I've read lots of Jodi Picoult books in the past. She never fails to keep you riveted to the page. I can't wait to start my next book by her. Brilliant writer.

Too long! I enjoyed the first three quarters of this book and it was good to read this kind of situation from the various sides. Jodie Picoult books are always a good read and she tackles thought provoking situations. After that I became impatient for it to be resolved and end. I kept picking it up and looking to see how much further I had to go. Not great to be honest.