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The Tenth Circle: A Novel [Paperback]

Jodi Picoult
3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (312 customer reviews)

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Book Description

October 24, 2006
Fourteen-year-old Trixie Stone is in love for the first time. She's also the light of her father, Daniel's life -- a straight-A student; a pretty, popular freshman in high school; a girl who's always seen her father as a hero. That is, until her world is turned upside down with a single act of violence. Suddenly everything Trixie has believed about her family -- and herself -- seems to be a lie. Could the boyfriend who once made Trixie wild with happiness have been the one to end her childhood forever? She says that he is, and that is all it takes to make Daniel, a seemingly mild-mannered comic book artist with a secret tumultuous past he has hidden even from his family, venture to hell and back to protect his daughter.

With The Tenth Circle, Jodi Picoult offers her most powerful chronicle yet as she explores the unbreakable bond between parent and child, and questions whether you can reinvent yourself in the course of a lifetime -- or if your mistakes are carried forever.


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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Some of Picoult's best storytelling distinguishes her twisting, metaphor-rich 13th novel (after Vanishing Acts) about parental vigilance gone haywire, inner demons and the emotional risks of relationships. Comic book artist Daniel Stone is like the character in his graphic novel with the same title as this book—once a violent youth and the only white boy in an Alaskan Inuit village, now a loving, stay-at-home dad in Bethel, Maine—traveling figuratively through Dante's circles of hell to save his 14-year-old teenage daughter, Trixie. After she accuses her ex-boyfriend of rape, Trixie—and Daniel, whose fierce father-love morphs to murderous rage toward her assailant—unravel in the aftermath of the allegation. At the same time, wife and mother Laura, a Dante scholar, tries to mend her and Daniel's marriage after ending her affair with one of her students. Picoult has collaborated with graphic artist Dustin Weaver to illustrate her deft, complex exploration of Daniel and his beast within, but the drawings, though well-done, distract from the powerful picture she has drawn with words. Laura and Daniel follow their runaway daughter to Alaska, at which point Picoult drives the story with the heavy-handed Dante metaphor—not the characters. Still, this story of a flawed family on the brink of destruction grips from start to finish.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 416 pages
  • Publisher: Washington Square Press (October 24, 2006)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 074349671X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743496711
  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (312 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,365 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up on Long Island with my parents and my little brother, the product of a ridiculously happy childhood. My mom says I've been writing as long as she remembers - my first masterpiece was "The Lobster That Was Misunderstood," at age 5. I honed my writing skills beyond that, one hopes, before I headed off to Princeton, where I wanted to work with living, breathing authors in their creative writing program. Mary Morris was my teacher/mentor, and I really do believe I wouldn't be where I am today if not for her guidance and expertise. I had two short stories published in SEVENTEEN magazine when I was in college. However, when I graduated, a desire to not eat ramen noodles exclusively and to be able to pay my rent led me to take a job on Wall Street (not a great idea, since I can't even balance my checkbook). When the stock market crashed in 1987, I moved to Massachusetts and over the course of two years, worked at a textbook publishing company, taught creative writing at a private school, became an ad copywriter, got a master's in education at Harvard, got married, taught at a public school, and had a baby. My first novel was published shortly after my son was born, and I've always said that the reason I kept writing is because it's so much easier than teaching English.

In fourteen years, I've published thirteen novels: Songs of the Humpback Whale, Harvesting the Heart, Picture Perfect, Mercy, The Pact, Keeping Faith, Plain Truth, Salem Falls, Perfect Match, Second Glance, My Sister's Keeper, Vanishing Acts, and the upcoming The Tenth Circle, this March. Two of my books (Plain Truth and The Pact) were made into Lifetime TV movies; Keeping Faith will be another. My Sister's Keeper is in development at New Line Cinema to be a feature film. And there isn't a single day that I don't stop and marvel at the fact that when I go to work, I get to do what I love the most.

My husband Tim and I live in Hanover, NH with our three kids, a dog, a rabbit, and the occasional donkey or cow.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
111 of 117 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
There is so much I love about Jodi Picoult's writing and I always look forward to each new book of hers. I was intrigued that this one combined traditional writing with parts that were portrayed in comic book form (she got an actual professional comic book artist to do the drawings and they are nicely done.

However, I found the story to be very convuluted and the premise (was a young girl raped? Or not?) to be unbelievable in the way it played out, taking the whole thing to court. The case was far from clear cut and there were all sorts of potentially incriminating circumstances (at least, from a jury's point of view).

Picoult's greatest strength is her ability to glean insights about human behavior and the darkest, most hidden parts of people...and then bring them to light. In that regard, she doesn't disappoint this time around. I was intrigued by each character, from Daniel, a man who spent a great deal of his life in Alaska and had a dark, troubled past...to his wife, Laura, a woman who'd been drawn to the rebel spirit in Daniel and then grew disappointed when he became more conventional.

At the heart of the book is Trixie Stone, the 14 year old daughter of Daniel and Laura, a teen who may or may not have been raped by her ex-boyfriend. I believe Picoult skillfully portrayed all the emotional highs and lows of today's 14 year old girls, half women, half girls...and growing up far too fast. I felt for Trixie and parts of the book were almost too painful to read as her heartbreak and pain shone through so clearly.

Where the book failed me was in the plot which veered and teetered close to soap opera material. There were just too many "over the top" moments and that's when I started to lose interest. I found myself saying, "Oh, come on!
... Read more ›
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars On a downward spiral November 19, 2006
Format:Hardcover
With each book she writes, Jodi Picoult comes down a level in terms of quality. Rather than narrowing the scope and developing it well, this novel is a pinball machine of ideas, people and issues that never come together. I kept holding out for an ending that would redeem the rest of the story but was disappointed till the final word.
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39 of 45 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Provocative, interesting plot, but flawed. March 22, 2006
Format:Hardcover
The plot of this page-turner is worthy of 5 stars.

Summary, no spoilers: Trixie, 14 years old, is despondent because her boyfriend Jason broke up with her. Thinking she can win him back, Trixie lies to her parents and goes to a party with her best friend, hoping she will see him there.

Picoult does a wonderful job of explaining the party life for teenagers today, and it is upsetting. We learn the concepts of "hooking up" and "friends with benefits." Woman's lib has taken a big step backwards.

Trixie drinks at the party, is involved in a game of strip poker, and engages in some sexual activity with one guy. Then she sees Jason.

The next thing we know is Trixie is accusing Jason of rape.

The conversations between the DA and the detective are terrific, as the DA explains the problems with even attempting to file rape charges under these circumstances.

The problem, and I cannot say more than this without giving way a spoiler, is that Picoult later has the authorities behave illogically, in order to proceed with the story.

The chapters involving Trixie were provocative and interesting. Picoult does an excellent job of making us feel empathy and sympathy for both Trixie and Jason. I was much less interested in reading about her parents, and found some of their story and actions less believable and reading more like filler.

Still, recommended, especially for book clubs. Boy is there a lot to talk about.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
2.0 out of 5 stars Slow down a little, Jodi... November 15, 2006
Format:Paperback
I haven't read a Picoult book in a while because her formula was bothering me but I saw this in the airport and decided it would be a easy yet entertaining read for the tedious 3 hour journey.

It was entertaining to the extent that I finished it. Unfortunately - it was still formulaic and completely predictable.

Elements that I liked:

- Rape is very rarely easy to sort out and date rape cases involving drugs, ex-boyfriends and alcohol are especially difficult. The confusion and obfuscation that Picoult writes (whether that was her intention or just poor writing) surrounding the issue can be representative of an actual rape.

- Teenagers are notoriously melodramatic and self pitying and Trixie, though a little over the top, seemed like a typical teenager... the reaction of other students at her school to the rape and Trixie also seem plausible.

- I liked the graphic novel. The melodramatic aspects are typical of the genre and it was a great way to try and illustrate Daniel. The hidden word bit - hokey.

- I liked learning about the native cultures in Alaska. I would like to read a whole book that takes place there and explores the themes though maybe not by Picoult.

- I liked the idiot's guide to Dante that was incorporated into the book.

Things I didn't like:

- Picoult tries to incorporate too much into this book and thus wasn't able to fully develop it all. Though I liked the native Alaskan bit, it was too jumbled and it didn't really add to the plot. Like another reviewer I wasn't left with the impression that Daniel's haunted past resurfaced. I was expecting a lot more. Murder? That's too much to add to this already overburdened plot.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Read
My favorite of the umpteen Jodi Picoult books; it is impossible to refrain from loving Daniel Stone, Trixie, and their unique relationship.
Published 1 day ago by LegalLady
1.0 out of 5 stars Difficult subject
society problem, sad and deceiving. Nothing inside expect grief and a vision of people's dark side. Not recommend to people who have gone though violence.
Published 11 days ago by Gisele Zappelli
5.0 out of 5 stars My first Jodi Picoult book and definately not my last.
I have this book on cd and have enjoyed every minute of it.. ok maybe I could do without he Alaskan lingo sometimes; but otherwise, I give this book a 9. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Lala
5.0 out of 5 stars The Tenth Circle Sticks With You
The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult, published by Washington Square Press is a fabulous work of dramatic fiction. Read more
Published 29 days ago by Crystal Casavant-Otto
5.0 out of 5 stars Love it!
I received it in the exact shape as promisted. I have really enjoyed all of Jodi's books and look forward to buying more!
Published 1 month ago by Bek2803
4.0 out of 5 stars The Tenth Circle
Trixie Stone thought she was a relatively normal teenage girl. She had two parents more wrapped up in their own lives and drama than concerned with what she was doing, and a... Read more
Published 1 month ago by P. Newhart
4.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed it
I thought the author did well creating the characters that have real depth to them. Made for an easy read.
Published 3 months ago by Lisa Horgan
4.0 out of 5 stars Again brilliant from Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoults ability to intertwine different worlds and different lives never ceases to amaze me... Read more
Published 4 months ago by michelle
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow. An exciting read.
I didn't want to put this down. Reading this book makes me want to investigate other books this author has written.
Published 5 months ago by Elizabeth A. Swartz
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this story, can read it over and over..
This book is one of my favorite books of all time, Picoult really knows how to develop her characters and to make them as realistic as possible. Read more
Published 5 months ago by ChristmasReads
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Topic From this Discussion
Trixie
"I mean come on, she's been having sex with her boyfriend for sometime and then she says she was raped?"

Are you actually suggesting that just because someone said yes once, they can never refuse to have sex ever again with that person? Wow.
Dec 31, 2010 by C. Green |  See all 2 posts
Could Not Abide Laura or Rotten Jason
He was not "wrongly" accused; he knowingly took advantage of her off-kilter desperation. If he were mature or making decisions that were moral instead of expedient (she was there, she was still in love with him, he was "entitled"), he could have - even a testosterone-fueled... Read more
Sep 7, 2009 by James |  See all 5 posts
Did anyone feel bad for Jason?
Yes, I felt sorry for Jason, as, from his point of view, he didn't rape her.

You have to read between the lines in the book, and reread certain parts to realize that Trixie was NOT lying. She was drugged, and this resulted in her waking up to someone having sex with her. She doesn't remember... Read more
Nov 4, 2007 by renatae33 |  See all 8 posts
What drug?
the drug was ketamine, or they called it Special K.
Apr 24, 2008 by Jenny |  See all 2 posts
Lost & confused! (Spoiler request)
I loved this book. Trixie never said no but once she realized that all Jason wanted her for was a 15 minute lay, she changed her mind about having sex with him and felt violated. She tried to get away from him but because of the drug, she couldn't move her arms and legs. She felt raped but he... Read more
Dec 24, 2007 by reilly2u |  See all 8 posts
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