Scan barcode
alidottie's review
3.0
I decided to review Grisham's latest novel for my assisted living book group. It caught my interest when I read that it was about a NYC lawyer during the banking crisis of the late 2000's who goes to do legal aid work in Appalachia. Appalachia has interested me since I read Christy (by Catherine Marshall--I highly recommend) and then when I saw a special Idol Gives Back segment where American Idol raised money for charities including one that brought books to Appalachia. The statistics were unbelievable for number of books in the community per person (like one book for every 300). Anyway, I am amazed that the poverty in Appalachia and in inner cities exists in the USA, but I think it is more shocking in the gorgeous natural beauty of Appalachia.
Anyway, this book is a mini-education on coal strip mining and what it is doing to this beautiful landscape. How it is destroying land and water and people. I found that part of the book 4+ stars, but I felt like this book opened a lot of stories and ended none as if all we cared about was Samantha Kofer, the main character. In the end, I found that and the fact that Samantha treats intimacy like something that means nothing (I wonder how many women would write a female character like that--or am I just ignorant at how hardened woman today have become?) made me care less for the book.
Anyway, this book is a mini-education on coal strip mining and what it is doing to this beautiful landscape. How it is destroying land and water and people. I found that part of the book 4+ stars, but I felt like this book opened a lot of stories and ended none as if all we cared about was Samantha Kofer, the main character. In the end, I found that and the fact that Samantha treats intimacy like something that means nothing (I wonder how many women would write a female character like that--or am I just ignorant at how hardened woman today have become?) made me care less for the book.
roseleaf24's review
2.0
This was disappointing. The main plot line is Samantha becoming an Appalachian lawyer, but it's not a gradual change, and she distances herself from everything and isn't likable herself, so it was tough to find anything to hang onto and pull me through. The cases involved were mostly unresolved and side stories, not the plot driver.
alisonhori's review
4.0
I really, really enjoyed this book. I thought Samantha read like a real person with real flaws and real indecision. Interesting issue at the heart of the book and really good storytelling. I haven't read a Grisham book in a long time and this really got me wanted to read more of them. I was gripped from the start through the end of the book.
suzukabunny's review
3.0
Oh my god, never thought that finally I finished Gray Mountain
The story reminded me of coal extraction industry in Borneo or Sumatera here, where the locals don't have much to say and just watching their land destroyed.
In this story, there are lawyers who sacrifice their live to help these people. Here, there are bureaucrats who love to seek rent to enrich themselves.
Although draining my emotion, this book is worth to read and own, because for its similarity between Pennsylvania and Borneo.
The story reminded me of coal extraction industry in Borneo or Sumatera here, where the locals don't have much to say and just watching their land destroyed.
In this story, there are lawyers who sacrifice their live to help these people. Here, there are bureaucrats who love to seek rent to enrich themselves.
Although draining my emotion, this book is worth to read and own, because for its similarity between Pennsylvania and Borneo.
mverrier's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
lehnert's review
5.0
His suspense is riveting. This book had more turns and twists than I could have imagined!
caitylin55's review
3.0
Definitely not Grisham’s best. While he always takes on interesting legal situations in his books, his character development and dialogue isn’t great in this book.
the_enobee's review
3.0
I enjoyed Gray Mountain, but I admit I'm a sucker for Grisham novels. I feel like this book was almost a prequel as it appears to be all back story explaining how the main character came to be in their current situation. Kind of a strange way to kick off a new series, but I did enjoy the book. Just not the typical barn-burner of a legal thriller with the bad guys getting theirs.