Perfect Match

By: Jodi Picoult

Narrated by: Carol Monda, Susan Bennett, Michele O. Medlin

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

In the course of her everyday work, career-driven assistant district attorney Nina Frost prosecutes child molesters and works determinedly to ensure that a legal system with too many loopholes keeps these criminals behind bars. But when her own five-year-old son, Nathaniel, is traumatized by a sexual assault, Nina and her husband, Caleb, a quiet and methodical stone mason, are shattered, ripped apart by an enraging sense of helplessness in the face of a futile justice system that Nina knows all too well.

In a heartbeat, Nina's absolute truths and convictions are turned upside down, and she hurtles toward a plan to exact her own justice for her son - no matter the consequence, whatever the sacrifice.

©2002 Jodi Picoult (P)2013 Recorded Books

To be a mother

Emotional and heart wrenching. Had me thinking, what I would I have done her shoes? I would have wanted to do the same. Great narrators. Awesome story. Well told, captivating.

Excellent!!! Unpredictable!!! Touching!!!

She does it every time!!! As a therapist and someone who has worked in child welfare I am moved by this authors grasp of emotional complexity in every book she writes! This one does it again! Brava!!!

Too much.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I never find reading or listening to a book to be time ill spent. But this was not my favourite book of Jodi Picoult's.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Wow.. there are so many things. Firstly, I would have made Nina a more believable character who was not so hard to like. I found her hard to relate to, both as a woman and as a mother. Nina's act of murder was inappropriate and out of keeping with her character. Even the most devoted mother would be unlikely to commit murder unless the perpetrator of the crime had been proved to be at fault… and even then…
I found that she had no ability to relate in an adult fashion to her husband Caleb. Then again, Caleb was a cold fish as well. I wouldn't given their marriage much of a chance for long-term success. I found the voice of Nathaniel as a child annoying as it was a little girl. It would have been simple enough to find a male child narrator… just a small point but it was another annoying point. I felt that the book went on way too long with too many contrived twists and turns. Just not an enjoyable book though I stuck with it til the very end.

What three words best describe the narrators’s voice?

Annoying.

Did Perfect Match inspire you to do anything?

Yes… it inspired me to find a better book to listen to… and I'm sure some of them will be written by Jodi Picoult.

WOW!

Just WOW! One of the most provocative & thought provoking novels I’ve ever listened to. This author is truly exceptional. She shows all the shades of grey between the black & white of the law.

Excellent book. Uncomfortable topic

This is an incredible novel. One of my favorites from Jodi. This material is uncomfortable at times but she tackles it with grace and sensitivity. The narrators are wonderful. They were dramatic in all the right ways. 100% worth the listen.

Great courtroom drama. Not my favorite Jodi P.

I put off reading this because I thought it was a little too close to home. But really it's more of a legal story about unexpected twists and turns, like in life and how none of us can be sure or in control of much but our own actions. Suspenseful, well done, entertaining. The boy's voice was a bit too high and girlish. But a solid four.

Couldn't bring myself to care enough to finish it

I bought a few JP books recently, based mostly on the fact that I really enjoyed The Storyteller last year. I found that to be an excellent book.Several years before, I had read My Sister's Keeper and liked it too. So I thought JP was going to be one of those reliable authors that would keep me engaged through book after book. Recently, I slogged through three of her books trying to enjoy them as much as I had liked those earlier two. It just didn't work for me though. Each of the books became less and less appealing. I think I got about half way through Perfect Match and, finding it beyond tedious, I allowed myself to give up. The end.

Different

I found the dilemma faced by the parents interesting. I didn't find the Pete character to be necessary to the story and feel he didn't add enough to have had the major role he was given.

Poignant and troubling

This book will touch the heart of any mother and make you wonder what you would do in the same situation. A book you have difficulty putting down!

Twists and Turns

As good as any Grisham legal thriller, with all the nuances of the courtroom and ethical and moral dilemmas. Loved it!