Potpourri Picks discussion

Here are some easy discussion points for the first portion of Salem Falls. You can answer any and however many as you want.

What kind of tone do you feel the book has so far? Dark? Thoughtful? I, personally, expected it to have a more sinister tone at the start, but instead it seems to be very reflective and introverted.

Do you practice Wicca or know anyone who does? Do you have an opinion about it, whether it be good or bad? If so, is your opinion of Wicca affecting the way you view the characters who are practising it? Do you think it makes them darker characters? Or lighter, or better?

Last but not least, who's your favourite character so far?

I think it might be interesting to see if there are differences between the english edition you're reading and the german one I'm reading. It's well known that a lot can get lost because of the translation.

So far, I agree with you about the tone. But I expected it to be a bit different 'cause the german book cover looks much more darker than yours does. So I thought it would also sound darker, but that's not the case so far.

I don't practise Wicca or know anyone who does, but I find it quite interesting somehow.

But in my opinion, the fact that these girls are practising it in the book makes them look a bit naive in my eyes. I can't really explain why. I mean, they're quite young and seem to take this very seriously and that makes me feel strange about them. If this would be a fanatsy book I would say 'Okay, cool,they believe in magic' but in this case I feel more like 'Uhm guys, wake up, there's no magic in the real world, this makes you look a bit crazy'
Well, it's difficult to describe it. I hope you can understand what I mean! :D

My favorite character so far is Roy, Addies father. I kind of like his attitude towards Jack. The part where they are eating breakfast was quite amusing! :)

Carolina wrote: "I think it might be interesting to see if there are differences between the english edition you're reading and the german one I'm reading. It's well known that a lot can get lost because of the tra..."

Ohhh, if you're reading it in German I bet there you'll get a different reading experience.

I agree that the girls' magic seems naive. Gillian, not so much, but the other girls really don't seem that mature. I am Wiccan and I think it's a very realistic portrayal of teenagers dabbling in magic that they don't really understand. One thing that I like about them is that they are rather alternative, wearing black clothes and doing magic, yet they are still the most popular/coolest girls in school. Picoult is supporting the underdog, once again!

My favourite character is Jack, I think. The way that he handles life in prison is great.

Honestly when I started this book I had no idea what it was about, in fact, I didn’t even read the summary on the back of the book. I just kind of dove into it and then couldn’t stop reading (No really, I couldn’t put the book down.. I didn’t put it down until I read every last word – Thank god for being a fast reader).

I don’t practice Wicca or really know anyone who does (My cousin claims to be a Wiccan, but I’ve never talked to her about it). I’ve done research in the past, just because I’m generally a curious person, so I do have a basic understanding of Wicca.

Catherine wrote: "and I think it's a very realistic portrayal of teenagers dabbling in magic that they don't really understand."

I completely agree with this. Gillian seems to have more of an understanding than the rest of her friends, but she still doesn’t really know the full concept of what she’s getting herself into. This becomes extremely apparent later in the novel.

Catherine wrote: " is your opinion of Wicca affecting the way you view the characters who are practising it? Do you think it makes them darker characters?"

Definitely not, I’m very open minded, and I actually enjoyed reading about the girls adventures with discovering Wicca and how they try to do right with it. I don’t think it makes them darker in the first 70 pages – Just as you’ve both mentioned – a bit naïve.

Catherine wrote: "Last but not least, who's your favourite character so far?"

My favourite character in the first 70 pages would have had to be Jack as well, there is so much depth to his character and he carries himself very well, given all that he’s been through.

Bekka wrote: "Honestly when I started this book I had no idea what it was about, in fact, I didn’t even read the summary on the back of the book. I just kind of dove into it and then couldn’t stop reading (No re..."

I think the way that Picoult portrays teenagers in general is interesting. They have huge control over the adults in the town, while the adults all completely lack control within their own lives.

Jack is great. I think he's really admirable and a bit adorable because he's got the hurt puppy thing going on.

Glad to have you in the discussion, Bekka.