Recent PostsFor the comic book, see The Pact (comics)
The Pact
Author
Jodi Picoult
Cover artist
Nada Bankovic &
Tabitha King
Language
English
Genre(s)
Novel
Publisher
Allen & Unwin
Publication date
1998
Media type
Print (Paperback)
Pages
451 pp
The Pact (1998) is a novel by bestselling author Jodi Picoult about a possible suicide pact between two teenagers.
Contents
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Plot Summary
Chris and Emily, teenagers from two neighbored and very close families, have been as close as siblings since birth, but as teenagers their relationship develops into a romance. When they are seniors in high school, however, both families are called to the hospital: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot to the head, and Chris says the two had intended to carry out a suicide pact. In the end, Chris is found not guilty of murdering Emily, despite admitting to shooting her in a court of law.
Although Chris has admitted that he was the one to shoot Emily in the head, he is not completely sure about his actions. His lawyer makes it clear that although he, by Emily’s intent, was holding the gun, her hand was over his and also holding the gun. Emily’s hand triggered the shot although Chris was holding the gun.
Every other chapter is a flashback to Emily and Chris’s childhood life, leading up to the night of Emily’s death. Some scenes include flashbacks on Emily and Chris’s life while they were young (best friends) through their teenage years as lovers. It is revealed that, as a result of dare made by Chris to go into a men’s restroom, Emily is molested as a child. One also learns that she was impregnated by Chris, but she never revealed it to him. This was one of the reasons she began to have suicidal thoughts.
Main Characters
- Chris Harte, a high school student
- Emily Gold, a high school student
- Michael and Melanie Gold, Emily’s parents
- James and Gus Harte, Chris’s parents
- Jordan McAfee, Chris’s defense lawyer
This is one of three Picoult novels (along with Salem Falls and Nineteen Minutes) to feature Jordan McAfee, his son Thomas, and his detective, and later wife Selena.
Film Adaptation
The Pact was made into a television movie by Lifetime Television in 2002. The film starred Megan Mullally, Eric Lively and Meghann Henderson.
External links
- Writing a challenging read: Why I write banned books 2005 editorial by Jodi Picoult about attempted censorship of The Pact for students.
- Jodi Picoult Official Website
- The Pact at the Internet Movie Database
Works by Jodi Picoult
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 • The Tenth Circle • Nineteen Minutes • Change of Heart
Comic Books:
Wonder Woman (vol. 3) #6-10 (cover date: late May 2007 – August 2007)
Related articles – Publishers:
Allen & Unwin • Washington Square Press • Atria • DC Comics
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pact”
Categories: 1998 novels | American novels | Romance novels | Crime novels | Novels by Jodi Picoult