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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Around 70% I Thought the book was over and couldn’t understand why the audible was still playing. I checked the app twice, even restarting it. I had wanted it to be over around 50% and by 75% I stopped reading and decided I’d finish only if I had no other books to read by the time it was due back to the library.
If you want to spend a while in court going through a case step by step, day by day, you would probably like this.
I haven’t read Turow before (I don’t think) and this book didn’t make me (a lawyer) cringe at legal proceedings the way most other trial books do, but DNF.
DNF at 75%
If you want to spend a while in court going through a case step by step, day by day, you would probably like this.
I haven’t read Turow before (I don’t think) and this book didn’t make me (a lawyer) cringe at legal proceedings the way most other trial books do, but DNF.
DNF at 75%
I gave this novel four stars out of respect for the work of the author. It is not a book I especially enjoyed, nor one I will ever read again. It did not keep me on the edge of my seat and I found all the adjectives in it's published reviews to be excessive.
However, despite all of that, I simply found myself returning to it time after time to finish it. Not out of any suspense or concern about the outcome, but rather to simply spend more time getting to know the main character and, as melancholy as it may seem, reflect with them on the ending of their career and the look back over the decisions he had made on how to live his life.
The author showed a talent for expressing contradictions and conflicts, doubts and love, all without the over-the-top shenanigans found in so many books dealing with crime and court room drama.
In the end, there were no winners, no losers, no huge reveal - but that was fine. This book was about the inner journey of a veteran lawyer through their last case with their look back at their personal history. Which is an incredibly boring sounding synopsis of what turned out to be a very well written and soul comforting book.
However, despite all of that, I simply found myself returning to it time after time to finish it. Not out of any suspense or concern about the outcome, but rather to simply spend more time getting to know the main character and, as melancholy as it may seem, reflect with them on the ending of their career and the look back over the decisions he had made on how to live his life.
The author showed a talent for expressing contradictions and conflicts, doubts and love, all without the over-the-top shenanigans found in so many books dealing with crime and court room drama.
In the end, there were no winners, no losers, no huge reveal - but that was fine. This book was about the inner journey of a veteran lawyer through their last case with their look back at their personal history. Which is an incredibly boring sounding synopsis of what turned out to be a very well written and soul comforting book.
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I thought I would like the story of a famous lawyer’s last case, but the trial didn’t capture my attention and the pace was way too slow.
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Defense lawyers Alejandro Stern, now 85, handles his last case. It's a complex one involving a drug which saves cancer patients, insider trading and more. You learn a lot about Stern's life and in the process of the trial about insider stock trading and the procedures for drug approval.
The book is long, which isn't really an issue with novels, unless it is. And I think it is here. Some parts, for me, just went on too long.
I enjoyed the book and was glad to finish it.
The book is long, which isn't really an issue with novels, unless it is. And I think it is here. Some parts, for me, just went on too long.
I enjoyed the book and was glad to finish it.
It was a long slow read most of the book, although the end was better.
I like Turow's books, particularly the trial scenes and this did not disappoint. What did disappoint is the protracted coda after the verdict which was wordy, overly philosophical, and added little from what went before. While some secrets were addressed, they could have been done with far fewer pages and less bloviating which was repetitive and produced the thought "will you just get to it already?
The least successful of the three Sandy Stern books. At its heart a very simple tale but overlaid by screeds of legalese. That Turow makes this accessible and occasionally interesting is a testament to his skill. But you have to ask about his editor, did he not suggest that this would be a lot better at a 100 pages shorter? There really isn’t the plot to sustain 500 pages and although some of the characters are engaging this was mainly a chore.