Nineteen Minutes discussion

Nineteen Minutes

Nineteen Minutes Summary: The book Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult consists of 451 pages with the publishing company of Atria Books. The characters involves Josie Cormier, a female protagonist, Peter Houghton, the male antagonist, Alex Cormier, who is Josie’s mother, Lacy Houghton, peter’s mother and a great friend to Alex, and Patrick Durchame, the detective of the police force where also Alex is deeply in love with.
The setting of the story occurs in a small and complacent town called Sterling in New Hampshire where everyone can live a peaceful day. The mood of the story suggests a dark tragedy that occurs in the town of Sterling, where shocking secrets will be told that will transform the life of society in Sterling. The style of the writing suggests profound heavy materials that will keep you on your toes.
In the story of Nineteen Minutes, a daily periodic day of high school, Josie Cormier and her classmates were minding their own business, when suddenly a thundering bang occurs that came from a bomb, following by gunshots that cause many students to flee in terror. When the Sterling Police Force arrived, Detective Patrick Durchame ignores protocol and heads straight in the school to find the perpetrator. Durchame swept through the school and finally found the shooter, who was Peter Houghton and two other students, Josie Cormier and Matt Royston, who was Josie’ boyfriend. Josie was alive but in shock, while Matt laid dead. Durchame took the shooter and the other students in. The total casualties turned out to the fatality of ten people. Throughout the story, flashbacks often occurred revealing past memories and key events, where Peter and Josie were close friends, which then eventually turned out that Peter was deeply in love with Josie, and as life moved on Peter was considered an outcast began being bullied throughout the rest of his life.
Throughout the trial, a plot twist occurs where Josie admitts to shoothing Matt because he was abusive. Peter then promised her that he would keep the secret and he’s happy to have Josie as a friend again. Peter was convicted of first-degree murder and two counts of second degree murder and is sentenced to life in prison. Josie received a five year sentence of manslaughter. Peter committed suicide in his cell by stuffing a sock down his throat. Alex Cormier has been visiting Josie every week, and often Josie will say, “I can’t remember.”





Nineteen Minutes Theme: The theme of the story is love and bullying because Peter was bullied throughout his life and he was secretly deeply in love with Josie. Josie has endured her abusive relationship with Matt Royston and in the end, Josie has committed in killing Matt Royston, ending her miseries and finally moving. Both of their lives were shaped into something else. Peter tragically ended his life, and Josie has suffered a traumatizing effect.


Nineteen Minutes Symbol: The symbol that is in the story are clocks being often mentioned about time and how life can exceedingly change in an extent of time. An example of time would be when Alex Cormier mentions that she drives a total of 32 minutes to work everyday. This is an example of how the author uses irrelevant details and how it is displayed. Time is becomes an aspect and precious to life. Time can also be preserved and proves small occasions can result into an immense impact to life and society.

I find her books moving and good no happy ever after enidng still left with that mess inside your soul god t

Jodi Picoult's books are all about real issues in this world, and they will all have you on the edge of your seat dying to know whats going to happen next. I recommend her book Handle with Care about a families struggle when their daughter is born with Osteogensis Imperfecta. Charlotte (the mom) files a wrongful birth lawsuit against her OBGYN/good friend saying that her OBGYN should've known earlier that Willow was going to be born with OB so that Charlotte could have terminated the pregnancy.

I agree with your view on Jodi Piccoult her books leave you feeling as if you know the people involved and that life is not black and white humanity complicates it