The Tenth Circle discussion

Usually when you're raped one of the first thoughts in your head would be to take a pregnancy test... right? Obviously when you're raped it's unprotected so there's every chance you could be pregnant. This never crossed anyone's mind throughout the book. A sign that Jodi didn't research this topic as thorough as her other books?

Kali wrote: What on earth makes you think that? Many rapists use condoms to protect themselves from identification through DNA tests, either on th..."

Well, in that situation, that was the case or she would have said something about it. There would have been some kind of question. As she was drugged, she wouldn't have known so why didn't she questin it?

Did you read the whole book?

Scott wrote: "Did you read the whole book?"

Yes, I did.

After the rape examination, the hospital usually gives the victim a pill to prevent her from getting pregnant. It's probably not "fool proof" but it probably works better then what you get at Planned Parenthood.

I, too, felt that Picoult`s book was poorly researched and thought out. First, from the very beginning, who in the world would put a 4 year old in a baby stroller? And then Picoult goes on to explain that he received weird stares from the men as they were discomfited by another male in the caretaking tasks. Come on, give me a break. They would also be a bit confounded by some jerky DAD putting a fully ambulatory offspring in a baby stroller, but Picoult neglects to mention that.

That whole scene is awash in poppycock for that very reason. And yes, the hospital staff would not have known whether or not the perp had used a condom as the girl was drugged, see? So they don`t exactly have her word for it now, would they?

Another fault in the novel is the explanation to why the father(see, I am so annoyed with the novel I have not bothered to remember their names, despite it being a fascinating read)had to have his mother explain to him why his best friend didn`t explicitly invite him to the outing. The boy was acculturated to Eskimo culture, not European, despite being a "whitey", so why would he need the explanation?

I had the sense there were other erroneous conceptions in Picoult`s narrative but was too interested in reading to the end to ascertain what they were. This could have been a first-rate literary find had she given it more thought. I do blame the editors as well for not being more thorough in their criticism when they received the last draft. After all, it is also their reponsibility to point out faults in the novel.

Geoffrey wrote: "I, too, felt that Picoult`s book was poorly researched and thought out. First, from the very beginning, who in the world would put a 4 year old in a baby stroller? And then Picoult goes on to expla..."

I agree. It's been a while since I read this book but there was quite a few faults I noticed too. Some of Picoult's books are great but others seem rushed and this is one of them.

My main issue with this book was the ending. Of course, Trixie randomly picks Alaska of all places to run to, then finds an Eskimo boy to fall in love with. Also, both her parents tried to take the fall for her, messing with a police investigation, and everything is magically peachy? Umm, no. Sorry, Trixie, but your parents are going to jail for obstruction of justice. Not to mention the fact that, now that the police have all three of you, they're going to figure out that your mom killed the rapist. I don't buy it. Least favorite out of all her books that I have read.

Same here, this book was utter tripe.

Cayra wrote: "My main issue with this book was the ending. Of course, Trixie randomly picks Alaska of all places to run to..."

It wasn't random.

I know I read this book, I went on a Picoult reading frenzy 2 summers ago, but I can't remember a single thing about the story or the characters. I read the synopsis and vaguely recall it from the father being a comic book character. That being said, I need to speak to the comments about putting a 4 year old in a stroller. I can see when a parent would use a stroller for the 4 year old, not because they couldn't walk, but because they might be covering a lot of ground and they would get tired. Rather than deal with a tired 4 year old, providing the option of a ride makes it easier. Although, I suppose, a wagon would be more age appropriate. ;)

I used a stroller when my daughter was four years old. It helped with long walking trips or going uphill. I really thought that that story was leading to a molestation that occurred to Trixie at four years old and that it would explain her cutting.

Cayra wrote: "After the rape examination, the hospital usually gives the victim a pill to prevent her from getting pregnant. It's probably not "fool proof" but it probably works better then what you get at Plan..."

Not always, most Catholic hospitals do not offer it, the woman/ girl has to ask and even then in some states they can refuse on "religious" grounds.