The Pact

The Pact

infobox Book |
name = The Pact


image_caption = First edition
author = Jodi Picoult
cover_artist = Nada Bankovic &
Tabitha King
country = flag|USA
language = English
genre = Novel
publisher = Allen & Unwin
release_date = 1998
media_type = Print (Paperback)
pages = 451 pp
isbn = ISBN 978-1-74114-036-1

The Pact (1998) is a novel by bestselling author Jodi Picoult about a possible suicide pact between two teenagers.

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, 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

* [http://www.princeton.edu/~paw/archive_new/PAW04-05/15-0608/perspective.html Writing a challenging read: Why I write banned books] 2005 editorial by Jodi Picoult about attempted censorship of The Pact for students.
* [http://www.jodipicoult.com/ Jodi Picoult Official Website]
*imdb title|title=The Pact|id=0327085


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