The fiction novel Picture Perfect by Jodi Picoult follows a young woman recovering from amnesia. Early in the book, Cassie Barret realizes she is a paleontologist is hit with the shocking news that she is married to the world-famous actor Alex Rivers. From then on, her struggle to remember her past leads her on a journey of self discovery.
In the beginning of the book where Cassie remembers little to nothing about her past life, a clear perspective is missing: The perspective of her husband, the award-winning actor. Alex knows everything they've been through, but Cassie is oblivious. As the readers, we too only have Cassie's thoughts and feelings on this issue, meaning we often feel as frustrated as Cassie trying to remember her life. Because of this, Alex has a huge advantage over Cassie and the readers. He can manipulate the past in our minds because we know nothing of it, changing events and characters to benefit him. When Alex first picks up Cassie at the police station, it is like the title of the novel, "picture perfect." Any woman would trade places with Cassie without a thought, if that would mean being married to the wealthy, world-famous, unbelievably attractive Alex Rivers. "She apparently led a storybook life." (32). Perhaps Cassie wasn't happy with Alex, but until she got her memory back, she would have to believe she was. Alex even says, "If you don't get your memory back... I'll just make you fall in love with me all over again." (31). This almost sounds like he wouldn't mind if she never got her memory back, which hints that there is some dirt he would like to cover up. I know if I were in his place, I wouldn't be able to face the fact my wife might lose her memory forever. I would want her to remember all of our good memories together, especially our wedding. Alex has a huge advantage over Cassie, and he can literally make her believe anything now.
Jodi Picoult must have left out Alex's perspective for a reason. If we had known Cassie's past before she did, we wouldn't have been able to take the emotional journey with her. We wouldn't have been able to question Alex with Cassie or empathize with her. It was important we learn Cassie's past at the same time she did so we could understand what she was going through.
Missing perspective is important in trying to figure out the meaning of a novel. The readers join Cassie in discovering herself and her past life, coming away with a sense of accomplishment when she remembers even the slightest detail. Jodi Picoult's decision to eliminate Alex's perspective makes Picture Perfect even more meaningful.
* I'm not done with the book so no spoilers please! *
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