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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
A Slow Grind in the Big Apple
John Grisham’s *The Exchange* opens with promise, especially for those who, like me, are drawn to the vibrant backdrop of New York City. However, the initial intrigue quickly gives way to a plot that struggles to maintain momentum.
The story has its engaging moments, but they’re few and far between, with too many chapters dragging on without adding much to the narrative. This sluggish pace made the experience more tedious than thrilling, leaving me unsatisfied as the plot twists failed to deliver any real surprises.
Mitch, the protagonist, is a character I found difficult to connect with, particularly because of his tendency to prioritize his job over his family—a trait that grated on me throughout the book. On the other hand, Abby, his wife, emerged as the most relatable character, embodying the role of a concerned spouse just trying to keep her family safe amidst the chaos.
The ending, unfortunately, didn’t make up for the slow burn. After building suspense, the conclusion felt rushed and anticlimactic, leaving me wishing for a more impactful resolution.
Overall, *The Exchange* had potential but ultimately fell short in delivering a gripping legal thriller.
John Grisham’s *The Exchange* opens with promise, especially for those who, like me, are drawn to the vibrant backdrop of New York City. However, the initial intrigue quickly gives way to a plot that struggles to maintain momentum.
The story has its engaging moments, but they’re few and far between, with too many chapters dragging on without adding much to the narrative. This sluggish pace made the experience more tedious than thrilling, leaving me unsatisfied as the plot twists failed to deliver any real surprises.
Mitch, the protagonist, is a character I found difficult to connect with, particularly because of his tendency to prioritize his job over his family—a trait that grated on me throughout the book. On the other hand, Abby, his wife, emerged as the most relatable character, embodying the role of a concerned spouse just trying to keep her family safe amidst the chaos.
The ending, unfortunately, didn’t make up for the slow burn. After building suspense, the conclusion felt rushed and anticlimactic, leaving me wishing for a more impactful resolution.
Overall, *The Exchange* had potential but ultimately fell short in delivering a gripping legal thriller.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A Slow Grind in the Big Apple
John Grisham’s *The Exchange* opens with promise, especially for those who, like me, are drawn to the vibrant backdrop of New York City. However, the initial intrigue quickly gives way to a plot that struggles to maintain momentum.
The story has its engaging moments, but they’re few and far between, with too many chapters dragging on without adding much to the narrative. This sluggish pace made the experience more tedious than thrilling, leaving me unsatisfied as the plot twists failed to deliver any real surprises.
Mitch, the protagonist, is a character I found difficult to connect with, particularly because of his tendency to prioritize his job over his family—a trait that grated on me throughout the book. On the other hand, Abby, his wife, emerged as the most relatable character, embodying the role of a concerned spouse just trying to keep her family safe amidst the chaos.
The ending, unfortunately, didn’t make up for the slow burn. After building suspense, the conclusion felt rushed and anticlimactic, leaving me wishing for a more impactful resolution.
Overall, *The Exchange* had potential but ultimately fell short in delivering a gripping legal thriller.
John Grisham’s *The Exchange* opens with promise, especially for those who, like me, are drawn to the vibrant backdrop of New York City. However, the initial intrigue quickly gives way to a plot that struggles to maintain momentum.
The story has its engaging moments, but they’re few and far between, with too many chapters dragging on without adding much to the narrative. This sluggish pace made the experience more tedious than thrilling, leaving me unsatisfied as the plot twists failed to deliver any real surprises.
Mitch, the protagonist, is a character I found difficult to connect with, particularly because of his tendency to prioritize his job over his family—a trait that grated on me throughout the book. On the other hand, Abby, his wife, emerged as the most relatable character, embodying the role of a concerned spouse just trying to keep her family safe amidst the chaos.
The ending, unfortunately, didn’t make up for the slow burn. After building suspense, the conclusion felt rushed and anticlimactic, leaving me wishing for a more impactful resolution.
Overall, *The Exchange* had potential but ultimately fell short in delivering a gripping legal thriller.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Exchange is a perfectly fine John Grisham write-by-numbers book, but any lawyer could have been cast in the lead role here.
Only one of the lawyers from Bendini, Lambert, and Locke appears, briefly, in the opening chapters. Just to help remind the reader about events in The Firm. No shocking reveals in that conversation. No fleeing from mob bosses. No heavy-handed FBI goons to outwit and outplay.
Instead, Mitch is working for a large generic law firm, I named them Fancy Pants Schnerble and Burble, in Manhattan. Something bad happens. Mitch flies on many planes to try to stop more bad things from happening.
The character who sees a little more action is Abby, but even that is limited to a few pages.
One detail from The Firm plays a part in the plot. I’m torn on why I think Grisham tacked it onto this story.
Maybe he felt like he needed some link to the original story, and had an “ah-ha!” realization that this tiny point could connect his dots.
Or maybe he was conflicted about adding this detail in the original story. Kind of like George Lucas re-editing that Mos Eisley scene in Star Wars. Lucas saw Han shooting Greedo first as a character flaw so he changed it. Since Grisham can’t time travel the way Lucas does, he remedies this character flaw in his “sequel”.
Meh. I don’t really care that much. It was just an odd tidbit that seemed to come from nowhere.
If you like reading John Grisham stories, this one’s a good ride. I was invested enough in the problem to want to keep turning the pages. And the story does answer the question, “What ever happened to Mitch and Abby?” It’s a generic answer though.
Only one of the lawyers from Bendini, Lambert, and Locke appears, briefly, in the opening chapters. Just to help remind the reader about events in The Firm. No shocking reveals in that conversation. No fleeing from mob bosses. No heavy-handed FBI goons to outwit and outplay.
Instead, Mitch is working for a large generic law firm, I named them Fancy Pants Schnerble and Burble, in Manhattan. Something bad happens. Mitch flies on many planes to try to stop more bad things from happening.
The character who sees a little more action is Abby, but even that is limited to a few pages.
One detail from The Firm plays a part in the plot. I’m torn on why I think Grisham tacked it onto this story.
Maybe he felt like he needed some link to the original story, and had an “ah-ha!” realization that this tiny point could connect his dots.
Or maybe he was conflicted about adding this detail in the original story. Kind of like George Lucas re-editing that Mos Eisley scene in Star Wars. Lucas saw Han shooting Greedo first as a character flaw so he changed it. Since Grisham can’t time travel the way Lucas does, he remedies this character flaw in his “sequel”.
Meh. I don’t really care that much. It was just an odd tidbit that seemed to come from nowhere.
If you like reading John Grisham stories, this one’s a good ride. I was invested enough in the problem to want to keep turning the pages. And the story does answer the question, “What ever happened to Mitch and Abby?” It’s a generic answer though.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
The book is part of a series so characters developed well so they can continue on in the plot for the series.
Seriously? Nothing happening apart from meetings with lawyers and politicians.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this book. Kept me interested through the end.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A