Salem Falls

Jodi Picoult 

Welcome to New Hampshire, USA 

“Salem Falls” delves into the perplexing question of guilt or innocence, a query that initially appears straightforward when examining the facts. However, what if those facts conceal a more intricate truth? 

She is the master of her craft.

THE TELEGRAPH

A man, previously convicted of rape, moves to the quiet town of Salem Falls. A couple of weeks later a teenage girl is found in the woods, hysterically crying. She is accusing this man of the exact same crime. He brutally raped her. Allegedly. His blood was found on her shirt, his DNA under her fingernails. The man has no memories of the night, besides being in the exact same woods. It’s pretty clear. He raped a girl before; he must have done it again. Or did he? 

This book is an absolute page-turner, every chapter delivering a fresh revelation that leaves you eagerly yearning to uncover what happens next. It placed me in a position I never anticipated – believing in the man’s innocence from the very first page, despite the mounting evidence to the contrary. Jodi Picoult skilfully presents the perspective of an accused man, and her storytelling prowess leads you to empathize with him. Reading this book compelled me to scrutinize my own judgment, forcing me to contemplate a subject that modern society often discourages: questioning the victim. 

Written in 2000, Jodi Picoult’s novel remarkably remains relevant in today’s world. Our moral principles guide us to stand with and safeguard the victim, propelling us to fight relentlessly for the conviction of the accused because we believe the victim’s narrative. But “Salem Falls” challenges us to consider the disquieting possibility – what if the victim isn’t telling the truth? It’s a thought-provoking exploration of truth, justice, and the intricate complexities of human nature that still resonates deeply in contemporary society. 

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