Perfect Match (2002) is the ninth novel by the American author Jodi Picoult. The novel explores the themes of family conflict, individual inner turmoil and guilt, personal and professional conflict, and vengeance. Though primarily, the novel focuses on child sexual abuse and (justifiable) murder. Unlike many of Picoult's other novels, Perfect Match does not follow the back-and-forth flashback format.
The story begins with a prologue, in which an unnamed female character enters a courtroom and inexplicably shoots and kills the defendant as he approaches his defense attorney. The shooter is revealed to be Nina Frost, the York County, Maine, Assistant District Attorney, and the defendant is Father Glen Szyszynski, a priest at a church that Nina's family attends. At the time of the shooting, Nina believed that Szyszynski had sexually abused her five-year-old son, Nathaniel, after laboratory tests confirmed that Szyszynski's bodily fluids were found in the child's underpants.
It is later revealed that Nina had killed the wrong man, and a visiting priest named Father Gwynne, not Father Glen, had molested Nathaniel. However, Fathers Gwynne and Szyszynski shared the same DNA because Father Szyszynski had a bone marrow transplant from Father Gwynne (they were half brothers), leading to the belief that the semen on Nathaniel's underpants belonged to Szyszynski. Although this fact was entered into evidence at Nina's own murder trial, after which the jury could not reach a verdict, the judge ultimately ruled that Nina's reasons were justified. As such, Nina was found not guilty of murder. However, under Maine jurisprudence, Nina was found guilty of manslaughter because the judge believed she was under the influence of a reasonable fear or anger brought about by reasonable provocation. Nina was sentenced to 20 years in prison, but this sentence was suspended.
In a final twist at the end, Nina's best friend and colleague Patrick Ducharme moves away. Nina had a very brief affair with Patrick during a short split from her husband, Caleb. Nina also later discovers that Caleb had poisoned Father Gwynne with antifreeze, despite Caleb's earlier admonishment towards her killing Father Szyszynski.
Main charactersedit
Nathaniel Patrick Frost: The five-year-old boy who is molested and whose confession about the abuse sparks the central conflict in the novel.
Nina Maurier Frost: Nathaniel's mother, Caleb's wife, an assistant district attorney who kills Father Szyszynski.
Caleb Frost: Nathaniel's father and Nina's husband, a stonemason who later poisons Father Gwynne and his cat.
Patrick Ducharme: A police detective and close friend of Nina's. Patrick expresses his love for Nina on several occasions, but is constantly reminded that they cannot be together. He is a reoccurring character, also appearing in Picoult's novel, Nineteen Minutes.
Father Gwynne: A visiting priest at the Frost's church who molests Nathaniel. He is later revealed to be Father Szyszynski's half-brother.
Father Glen Szyszynski: A priest at the Frost's church that was falsely accused of molesting Nathaniel and murdered by Nina.
Hood, Ann, Breaking Faith, Review, The Washington Post; May 5, 2002; T.06
Rhule, Patty, Love and hate are 'Perfect Match' ; Mom turns vigilante after son's molestation, Review, USA Today; May 2, 2002
Vidmos, Robin, Murder or Justice? D.A.'s vigilante action poses questions of pride, ethics and fairness, Review, The Denver Post, April 21, 2002; Page EE-01
External linksedit
Perfect Match entry on official Jodi Picoult website
January 01, 1970
perfect, match, novel, this, article, consists, almost, entirely, plot, summary, please, help, improve, article, adding, more, real, world, context, september, 2019, learn, when, remove, this, message, perfect, match, 2002, ninth, novel, american, author, jodi. This article consists almost entirely of a plot summary Please help improve the article by adding more real world context September 2019 Learn how and when to remove this message Perfect Match 2002 is the ninth novel by the American author Jodi Picoult The novel explores the themes of family conflict individual inner turmoil and guilt personal and professional conflict and vengeance Though primarily the novel focuses on child sexual abuse and justifiable murder Unlike many of Picoult s other novels Perfect Match does not follow the back and forth flashback format Perfect MatchFirst editionAuthorJodi PicoultCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishPublisherSimon amp SchusterPublication date27 May 2002Media typePrintPages368 ppISBN0 7434 1872 7OCLC191753141 Contents 1 Plot summary 2 Main characters 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksPlot summary editThe story begins with a prologue in which an unnamed female character enters a courtroom and inexplicably shoots and kills the defendant as he approaches his defense attorney The shooter is revealed to be Nina Frost the York County Maine Assistant District Attorney and the defendant is Father Glen Szyszynski a priest at a church that Nina s family attends At the time of the shooting Nina believed that Szyszynski had sexually abused her five year old son Nathaniel after laboratory tests confirmed that Szyszynski s bodily fluids were found in the child s underpants It is later revealed that Nina had killed the wrong man and a visiting priest named Father Gwynne not Father Glen had molested Nathaniel However Fathers Gwynne and Szyszynski shared the same DNA because Father Szyszynski had a bone marrow transplant from Father Gwynne they were half brothers leading to the belief that the semen on Nathaniel s underpants belonged to Szyszynski Although this fact was entered into evidence at Nina s own murder trial after which the jury could not reach a verdict the judge ultimately ruled that Nina s reasons were justified As such Nina was found not guilty of murder However under Maine jurisprudence Nina was found guilty of manslaughter because the judge believed she was under the influence of a reasonable fear or anger brought about by reasonable provocation Nina was sentenced to 20 years in prison but this sentence was suspended In a final twist at the end Nina s best friend and colleague Patrick Ducharme moves away Nina had a very brief affair with Patrick during a short split from her husband Caleb Nina also later discovers that Caleb had poisoned Father Gwynne with antifreeze despite Caleb s earlier admonishment towards her killing Father Szyszynski Main characters editNathaniel Patrick Frost The five year old boy who is molested and whose confession about the abuse sparks the central conflict in the novel Nina Maurier Frost Nathaniel s mother Caleb s wife an assistant district attorney who kills Father Szyszynski Caleb Frost Nathaniel s father and Nina s husband a stonemason who later poisons Father Gwynne and his cat Patrick Ducharme A police detective and close friend of Nina s Patrick expresses his love for Nina on several occasions but is constantly reminded that they cannot be together He is a reoccurring character also appearing in Picoult s novel Nineteen Minutes Father Gwynne A visiting priest at the Frost s church who molests Nathaniel He is later revealed to be Father Szyszynski s half brother Father Glen Szyszynski A priest at the Frost s church that was falsely accused of molesting Nathaniel and murdered by Nina See also edit nbsp Novels portal Pedophilia Child sexual abuse Eyewitness testimony Catholic Church sex abuse scandalReferences editHood Ann Breaking Faith Review The Washington Post May 5 2002 T 06 Rhule Patty Love and hate are Perfect Match Mom turns vigilante after son s molestation Review USA Today May 2 2002 Vidmos Robin Murder or Justice D A s vigilante action poses questions of pride ethics and fairness Review The Denver Post April 21 2002 Page EE 01External links editPerfect Match entry on official Jodi Picoult website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Perfect Match novel amp oldid 1189483147, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
