Summary

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult explores the devastating aftermath of a school shooting in a small New Hampshire town. The novel's title refers to the brief but catastrophic timespan in which the shooting unfolds, forever altering the lives of the characters and the fabric of their community. While delving into complex themes of bullying, social pressure, and the search for justice, Picoult’s fictional account of s woefully common real-life occurrence offers readers a nuanced understanding of the events leading up to the tragedy as well as its far-reaching consequences. Published in 2007, Nineteen Minutes is Jodi Picoult's 14th novel and her first to debut at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

Plot

In the small town of Sterling, New Hampshire, an ordinary day turns tragic when Peter Houghton opens fire at the local high school, killing 10 people and wounding many others in barely over a quarter of an hour.  Nineteen Minutes follows the aftermath of this shocking act of violence, focusing on several key characters including Peter, his former friend Josie Cormier, Josie's mother Judge Alex Cormier, and Detective Patrick Ducharme.

Through flashbacks, we learn that Peter was severely bullied throughout his school years, with popular students like Matt Royston—Josie's boyfriend—tormenting him relentlessly. Josie, once Peter's close friend, drifted away from him to join the popular crowd in an effort to protect herself from similar treatment. The novel explores the complex social dynamics and pressures that led to the shooting, including Peter's isolation, Josie's conflicted loyalties, and the adults' failure to recognize or address the ongoing bullying.

As Peter's trial unfolds, his defense attorney Jordan McAfee argues that years of abuse and bullying left Peter with post-traumatic stress disorder, causing him to act in a dissociative state during the shooting. Meanwhile, Josie struggles with her memories of that day, unable to recall exactly what happened in the locker room where Matt was killed. The trial reveals deep divisions within the community and forces characters to confront difficult truths about themselves and their relationships.

In a shocking twist, it's revealed that Josie actually fired the first shot at Matt, with Peter delivering the fatal second shot. Josie had been suffering abuse at Matt's hands and snapped at that moment. Peter is ultimately convicted and sentenced to life in prison, where he later commits suicide. Josie receives a five-year sentence for her role in Matt's death. The novel concludes one year after the shooting, with the town still grappling with the tragedy's aftermath and the newly remodeled high school serving as a memorial to those lost.

Themes

• Impact of bullying and social isolation

• Consequences of violence and trauma

• Parent-child relationships and communication

• Identity and belonging in high school

• Justice system and moral complexity

• Memory and its reliability

• Nature vs. nurture in shaping behavior

Setting

Set in the early 2000s, Nineteen Minutes unfolds in the fictional town of Sterling, New Hampshire. This small, ordinary community serves as a microcosm of American suburbia, where the façade of normalcy is shattered by an act of shocking violence.

The story primarily takes place within Sterling High School, the epicenter of the tragic events. Jodi Picoult vividly describes the school's hallways, cafeteria, and locker rooms, transforming these everyday spaces into a haunting crime scene. The author also explores other significant locations in Sterling, including the local courthouse where much of the legal drama unfolds.

Beyond the immediate setting, Picoult weaves in references to broader American culture of the time, touching on issues such as school shootings, bullying, and the growing influence of video games. These elements ground the story firmly in its early 21st-century context, reflecting the anxieties and challenges faced by communities across the United States during this period.

Characters

• Peter Houghton: The protagonist and school shooter. A socially awkward teenager who has endured severe bullying throughout his life, Peter struggles with his identity and feelings for his former friend Josie. His actions stem from years of abuse and a desire for revenge. 

• Josie Cormier: Peter's former best friend. Josie abandons her friendship with Peter to fit in with the popular crowd. She dates Matt Royston, who is abusive towards her. Josie plays a crucial role in the shooting.

• Alex Cormier: Josie's mother and a superior court judge. She struggles to connect with her daughter and balance her professional and personal life. Alex is initially assigned to Peter's case but recuses herself when Josie becomes a witness. She develops a relationship with Detective Patrick Ducharme.

• Patrick Ducharme: The lead detective investigating the school shooting. He becomes romantically involved with Alex Cormier. Patrick is dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the tragedy.

• Matt Royston: Josie's abusive boyfriend and one of Peter's main tormentors. A popular jock who leads the bullying against Peter. Matt is the final victim of the shooting.

• Jordan McAfee: Peter's defense attorney. He believes Peter deserves a fair trial despite the heinous nature of his crimes. Jordan works to build a case around Peter's history of bullying and mental state.

• Lacy Houghton: Peter's mother and a midwife. She struggles to understand her son's actions and grapples with guilt over not recognizing his pain. Lacy favored Peter's older brother Joey, contributing to Peter's feelings of inadequacy.

• Lewis Houghton: Peter's father and a college lecturer. He had difficulty connecting with Peter and favored his older son Joey. Lewis owns guns used for hunting, which Peter ultimately uses in the shooting.

Quick facts

• Nineteen Minutes was Jodi Picoult's first book to debut at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.

• The story takes place in the fictional town of Sterling, New Hampshire.

• Nineteen Minutes follows the events before, during, and after a school shooting that lasts 19 minutes.

• Picoult interviewed survivors of the Columbine High School massacre as research for the book.

• The character of Detective Patrick Ducharme also appears in Picoult's earlier novel Perfect Match.

• Jordan McAfee, Peter's defense attorney, is a recurring character in several of Picoult's books.

• Nineteen Minutes explores themes of bullying, school violence, and parent-child relationships.

• Picoult drew inspiration from her own children's experiences with bullying for some plot elements.

• Nineteen Minutes has been banned in some school districts due to its mature themes and content.

• In 2022, Nineteen Minutes was among 52 books banned by Utah's Alpine School District under a new state law.

About the Author

Jodi Picoult (1966-) is an American author of contemporary fiction exploring complex social issues and moral dilemmas, ranging from race relations to assisted suicide. Her novels—29 to date, including numerous #1 New York Times bestsellers—have sold close to 40 million copies worldwide, with translations into 34 languages.

Born on New York’s Long Island, Picoult wrote her first story, titled “The Lobster Which Misunderstood,” at age five. She studied creative writing at Princeton University, publishing two short stories in Seventeen magazine while still in college. After graduation, she worked in a variety of jobs, from editing textbooks to teaching eighth-grade English. Inspired by the examples of her mother and grandmother, both dedicated teachers, she went on to earn a  master's degree in education from Harvard University. 

Picoult launched her career as an author in 1992 with her debut novel, Songs of Humpback Whale. In 2007, she published her first novels to debut at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, Nineteen Minutes, about the aftermath of a school shooting in a small town. Her acclaimed and popular novels also include Handle with Care (2009), House Rules (2010), Leaving Time (2014), Small Great Things (2016), A Spark of Light (2018), The Book of Two Ways (2020), Mad Honey (2022), and By Any Other Name (2024). Several of her novels, including  The Pact (1998) and My Sister’s Keeper (2004), have been adapted for film. She has also written numerous short stories and published one collection, Leaving Home (2011).              

Jodi Picoult has been recognized for her writing with the New England Bookseller Award for Fiction, the American Library Association’s Alex Award, and the New Hampshire Literary Award. In addition to her adult fiction, she collaborated with her daughter Samantha van Leer on two young adult novels, Between the Lines (2012) and Off the Page (2016). Based in New Hampshire, Picoult maintains an active online presence, engaging with her fans through various social media platforms.