A Review of J. Picoult’s Novel 19 Minutes

Introduction

In Jodi Picoult's novel 19 Minutes, she brings her readers on a roller coaster ride of emotion and provides psychological insight into all of her characters. Picoult employs multiple flashbacks from past and present while switching between different characters. This technique offers wonderful detail into the inner mind of all characters and reveals their personalities. However, it is a little difficult to follow at first. This novel tackles many social issues, including suicide, bullying, and social barriers between kids and adults, along with many other aspects of teenage life. Her use of plot and dialogue slowly reveals and develops the theme, moral, and overall tone of the novel. The only aspect I did not appreciate was how the book concluded. She left many loose ends, which was somewhat frustrating. Taking all of the book into account, it would receive an eight out of ten.

Plot and Themes

Throughout 19 Minutes, readers will learn about what drove Peter to shoot up a school and reflect on what others could have done to prevent the tragedy. "Why" by Rascal Flatts relates very well to this book. The song was written about a boy who took his own life, and people questioned why, even though he had always appeared happy. Similarly, Peter was constantly bullied from his first days in kindergarten and felt, "It must've been in a place so dark you couldn't feel the light." His life was a living hell; he would be tortured at school, and nobody would help him. School administrators did nothing. He would then come home to a house where he would have to live up to the expectations set by his older brother. He could not escape and felt useless and worthless. Peter seems to have thought the only way to make it stop was to kill them. However, he did not truly want them dead. It was not the "way you meant to draw a crowd." After all his suffering, he wanted out, and it hit the breaking point. He lashed out and used violence to end his problems. In the end, he failed his ultimate goal of ending his life.

Analysis of Themes

Bullying is a major theme and point of emphasis in this book. It drives the plot and shows how much it can hurt a person internally, as well as externally. This theme also dwells on adults not doing their part in stopping bullying or other forms of hazing. "Fitting In" is another important theme. Josie ditches Peter when she matures into a beautiful young lady and leaves for the popular crowd. It is not that she did not like Peter; she did not want to be bullied like Peter and was willing to lose him to save herself. "Safety" is an important idea and common thought. Nobody ever thinks that their child could be shot one day. A small town like Sterling, New Hampshire, or even Huntley, Illinois, seems to be perfectly safe places until something horrific happens. The concept of "safety" is challenged in 19 Minutes and shows that we may never be totally safe. "Communication" is an essential part of every person's life. The relationships between Alex and Josie and Peter and Lacy illustrate how communication can save a life or take one. Parental involvement in a child's life is critical to their health and safety, as well as the safety of others, as seen in Peter's case. Finally, "Innocent until Proven Guilty" is a phrase often used in everyday life. However, when Peter is arrested, every citizen in Sterling believes that he is guilty and should automatically be sentenced to life. This phrase is frequently challenged and is unfair because nobody but the perpetrator knows the whole story and whether there is a just cause. However, killing nine and wounding many others is extremely difficult to justify.

Personal Reflection

I am very surprised to learn that a child could be bullied at school, on the way to and from school, and outside of school, and nobody has the courage to stop it. School administrators had been notified of the incidents and did not take any action. Many emotions flood through my mind knowing that a child dreads going to school because he will be beaten, teased, and humiliated. Events like this, though fictional, are why schools, workplaces, and society have laws and rules against bullying and hazing. It reminded me of how great my parents truly are. Both my mom and dad support me in anything I do. It could be sports, school, or music, and they are still there. I felt as if Josie was feeling abandoned and wished she had somebody to talk to. It reminded me that our parents will truly do anything so their kids can have a great life, and I am truly grateful. Finally, the central issue in this novel is bullying and harassment. The teenage years are stressful with all of the changes happening and our futures at the doorstep. Having a group of kids harass you about everything you do, making you contemplate suicide or murder, is horrible, and no child should deal with this. It reminded me that seemingly harmless teasing can escalate to somebody doubting themselves and their life. This novel gave me a new perspective on people who seem to be outcasts and that lending a helping hand can make all the difference in the world to them.

References

Picoult, J. (2007). 19 Minutes. Atria Books.

Rascal Flatts. (2009). Why. On Unstoppable [CD]. Lyric Street Records.