- Paperback: 384 pages
- Publisher: Hodder Paperback; First Edition edition (20 April 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340839279
- ISBN-13: 978-0340839270
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15 x 3.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 894,982 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Tenth Circle
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More About the Author
Product Description
Amazon.com
Bestselling author Jodi Picoult's The Tenth Circle is a metaphorical journey through Dante's Inferno, told through the eyes of a small Maine family whose hidden demons haunt every aspect of their seemingly peaceful existence. Woven throughout the novel are a series of dramatic illustrations that pay homage to the family's patriarch (comic book artist Daniel Stone), and add a unique twist to this gripping, yet somewhat rhetorical tale.
Trixie Stone is an imaginative, perceptive 14 year old whose life begins to unravel when Jason Underhill, Bethel High's star hockey player, breaks up with her, leaving a void that can only be filled by the blood spilled during shameful self-mutilations in the girls' bathroom. While Trixie's dad Daniel notices his daughter's recent change in demeanor, he turns a blind eye, just as he does to the obvious affair his wife Laura, a college professor, is barely trying to conceal. When Trixie gets raped at a friend's party, Daniel and Laura are forced to deal not only with the consequences of their daughter's physical and emotional trauma, but with their own transgressions as well. For Daniel, that means reflecting on a childhood spent as the only white kid in a native Alaskan village, where isolation and loneliness turned him into a recluse, only to be born again after falling in love with his wife. Laura, who blames her family's unraveling on her selfish affair, must decide how to reconcile her personal desires with her loved ones' needs.
The Tenth Circle is chock full of symbolism and allegory that at times can seem oppresive. Still, Picoult's fans will welcome this skillfully told story of betrayal and its many negative, and positive consequences. --Gisele Toueg --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
'This story of a flawed family on the brink of destruction grips from start to finish' -- Publishers Weekly 'Picoult is an amazing storyteller and as she weaves you deeper into the lives of her flawed families you'll be gripped by their traumas. A further level of narrative is added by Daniel's illustrations, which punctuate the chapters. A sad and complex, but ultimately enthralling read.' ***** -- Heat 'Picoult has been incredibly successful in dissecting the pain that family members go through when faced with sensitive and emotive issues ... Any mother who has turned a blind eye to a too-short skirt or has backed down over unsuitable friends will find The Tenth Circle" to be an honest reflection of the more difficult side of family life ... a touching read and it easily merits a place in the bestseller lists.' -- Daily Express 'This wonderful, sensitive yet exciting tale can only augment Jodi Picoult's already impressive reputation as an author.' -- Reviewing the Evidence (website) 'The themes are weighty: adultery, rape, violence and death. But Picoult deftly manoeuvres her way through the characters, taking pains to delve into the psyches of each one... Picoult's appreciation of teenage angst is exquisitely unwrapped ... This book is a well-written, mature and entertaining study of sex, lies and love on family relationships. The Tenth Circle" is Picoult's 12th novel, and on this form she's going to leave her readers impatient for more.' -- Scotsman 'An intriguing read' -- Closer 'This portrait of a family on the brink of survival, and the moral questions posed by the journey they undertake, is a fairly gripping read' -- Psychologies 'The pace is compelling and the plot twists and turns its way towards an unexpected conclusion in the freezing lands of Daniel's childhood' -- Ireland on Sunday 'Jodi Picoult has once again produced a compelling and powerful narrative, tackling a sensitive issue with her customary strong characterisation and meticulous research ... An exceptional novel.' -- Waterstone's Books Quarterly 'Forget looking at difficult topics in blank and white - Picoult will make you consider all the grey areas, in every shade and hue' -- Hampshire Society 'She is quite a find, in Anita Shreve territory, an author tackling gritty problems ... So watch out, she's well worth supporting' -- Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller 'Picoult has an eye for detail and is a dab hand at plot twists' -- Suzie Doore, Waterstone's 'Jodi Picoult is an author to watch' -- Ann Walker, Ottakar's 'Jodi Picoult is not one to shy away from fictional controversy; in fact, the more tangled and messy a moral dilemma appears, the better she likes it. -- Daily Mail 'Picoult offers a perfectly pitched take on the great mysteries of the heart' -- Kirkus Reviews
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Really enjoyed this book. There is so much going on.
The synopsis given above is an excellent description of the basic story, so I won't repeat that.
I thought the insights into the minds of teenagers were wonderful, and quite worrying if you have teenagers. Fortunately my teenagers are fairly reserved, but from stories I've heard from them, the behaviour described, particularly at the party, is quite believable.
This novel would make an excellent subject for a book group discussion and in spite of the slating by a previous reviewer, I would have a certain amount of sympathy for Jason, the protagonist. He was certainly provoked, and past history should also count on his side. I felt his ultimate fate was very sad.
As if all this wasn't enough, the book also contains comic strips drawn by Trixie's dad, which show his hidden emotions as he deals with his world falling apart around him.
And, for our added entertainment, there's an unusual hunt for us amongst the cartoons. I got close to solving this, but a couple of letters have alluded me, you have to get it right to check it on Ms Picoult's site, so, please.....what's the answer????
Having read "My Sister's Keeper", which was also excellent, I have now elevated Jodi Picoult to the position of my favourite author. Can't wait to read more of her work.
The synopsis given above is an excellent description of the basic story, so I won't repeat that.
I thought the insights into the minds of teenagers were wonderful, and quite worrying if you have teenagers. Fortunately my teenagers are fairly reserved, but from stories I've heard from them, the behaviour described, particularly at the party, is quite believable.
This novel would make an excellent subject for a book group discussion and in spite of the slating by a previous reviewer, I would have a certain amount of sympathy for Jason, the protagonist. He was certainly provoked, and past history should also count on his side. I felt his ultimate fate was very sad.
As if all this wasn't enough, the book also contains comic strips drawn by Trixie's dad, which show his hidden emotions as he deals with his world falling apart around him.
And, for our added entertainment, there's an unusual hunt for us amongst the cartoons. I got close to solving this, but a couple of letters have alluded me, you have to get it right to check it on Ms Picoult's site, so, please.....what's the answer????
Having read "My Sister's Keeper", which was also excellent, I have now elevated Jodi Picoult to the position of my favourite author. Can't wait to read more of her work.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I suppose when you are so successful at writing great stories that cleverly explore moral dilemmas and some of the most interesting human situations an individual/ family can encounter, you can't expect to be a winner every time.
For this book by Jodi Picoult I would echo the sentiments of other reviewers. The eskimo culture didn't seem as well researched as it could be. The reader isn't really able to understand how it influenced Daniel Stone's character any more than any other culture would have done. This was much more to do with the events which shaped his life and there seemed no direct relevance.
I would agree the story ended too abruptly also. The book seemed to be missing about another 20 pages which would have brought the story to a more complete conclusion.
I'm still a fan but this wasn't up to standard.
For this book by Jodi Picoult I would echo the sentiments of other reviewers. The eskimo culture didn't seem as well researched as it could be. The reader isn't really able to understand how it influenced Daniel Stone's character any more than any other culture would have done. This was much more to do with the events which shaped his life and there seemed no direct relevance.
I would agree the story ended too abruptly also. The book seemed to be missing about another 20 pages which would have brought the story to a more complete conclusion.
I'm still a fan but this wasn't up to standard.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Daniel Stone is a comic book artist whose wife is having an affair and whose daughter has just accused her ex-boyfriend of rape. The drama unfolds as we see how Daniel will cope as his life seems to fall apart.
This is a very good novel about the dynamics in family relationships and about whether we can run away from who we are.
Having read a few Jodi Picoult novels, I was glad that this one avoided becoming too formulaic and followed a different path. The only criticism I have is that it didn't seem to be as well researched as some of her other books. In this novel Daniel was raised in an Eskimo village, so I was expecting to learn slightly more about the culture (in a similar way to how Picoult wrote about the Amish in 'Plain Truth') and I did feel a little let down.
I'm really hoping that in Picoult's future novels, she is not pursuing quantity rather than quality.
Passes a few hours and those who are already fans should enjoy.
This is a very good novel about the dynamics in family relationships and about whether we can run away from who we are.
Having read a few Jodi Picoult novels, I was glad that this one avoided becoming too formulaic and followed a different path. The only criticism I have is that it didn't seem to be as well researched as some of her other books. In this novel Daniel was raised in an Eskimo village, so I was expecting to learn slightly more about the culture (in a similar way to how Picoult wrote about the Amish in 'Plain Truth') and I did feel a little let down.
I'm really hoping that in Picoult's future novels, she is not pursuing quantity rather than quality.
Passes a few hours and those who are already fans should enjoy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Starts great
I never read anything by Jodi Picoult before, but I was intrigued and I bought this one. It starts out beautifully with an engrossing story, terrifically realistic characters and... Read more
Published 15 days ago by Annie
A good read
I enjoyed this one quite a lot, it's subject matter is her typical style and she doesn't break her own conventions. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Alison Fable
jody picoult
a very good read. you cannot put this book down,or any of jodi picoult's. the topics are so now and so real life,that there is a character that you'll yourself in. Read more
Published 15 months ago by crinel
Drops the ball
In some respects this is a brave book, the central character (Trixie) accuses her ex-boyfriend of rape, but the author makes the circumstances ambiguous and the reader is forced to... Read more
Published 16 months ago by SJJones
A tad predictable
Jodi Picoult like in many of her previous novels has successfully tackled another 'sore' subject in The Tenth Circle. Read more
Published 20 months ago by lachbc
A story with more
Jodi Picolouts The tenth Circle is a story with much more then expected. Whilst reading this i felt sadness, shock, and it just felt like a real life story that was being told. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Cryssy
A few red herrings
An interesting observation of how one event can reverberate through a family. We are told Trixie is raped,but there seems to be some doubt. Read more
Published 23 months ago by palace pier
Groan
First thing's first, I (usually) love Jodi Picoult. I think her books are absorbing, gripping, thought provoking and relatively well written. Read more
Published on 7 May 2010 by Zaida Rahman
Skewed morality
Miss Picoult does like to moralise. And it seems to me that in her world, if you're a mother, you have carte blanche to do whatever you like to whoever you like in the defence of... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2009 by daisyrock
Dissapointing
I have read most of Jodi Picoults other books and have really enjoyed them and found them captivating, especially Plain Truth. This however was a huge dissapointment. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 2009 by C. Butt
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