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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
For the first half of The Brethren, we follow two quite separate tales:
- Trumble is a minimum security federal prison. Three ex-judges are running a mail scam with the help of their mediocre lawyer
- CIA director Teddy Maynard plots to subvert to Presidential election with a handpicked candidate, Congressman Aaron Lake, to promote his own agenda
Eventually, the two worlds must collide, and when they do it is not, in my opinion, entirely unexpected as to why. However, that does not actually bother me in this case - it is how this collision is handled that makes the book so readable. The last quarter of the book outlines how the two groups come to a mutually agreeable conclusion, and it comes as a bit of a surprise the route that Maynard takes, but in a good way.
There is a sinister side to the Maynard character, and his final meeting with Lake only adds to the darkness that is the political background. Maynard's plotting reminded me, in some ways, of the TV series Scandal - a secretive intelligence organisation 'decides' who will be the next president.
The characters are well developed, and two of the judges are portrayed with a degree of sympathy, especially when a harshly convicted 'drug trader' appears for a brief cameo. The third is suitably disagreeable, and their lawyer whilst well developed is similarly an unsympathetic character. I was certainly hoping for the best for two of the judges.
This is one of Grisham's better books. His cynical review of both politics and the justice system - one of the judges begins to rethink some of his decisions - seems very apt in today's world, even though this book is quite old. Overall a good 4 stars, close to a 5.
- Trumble is a minimum security federal prison. Three ex-judges are running a mail scam with the help of their mediocre lawyer
- CIA director Teddy Maynard plots to subvert to Presidential election with a handpicked candidate, Congressman Aaron Lake, to promote his own agenda
Eventually, the two worlds must collide, and when they do it is not, in my opinion, entirely unexpected as to why. However, that does not actually bother me in this case - it is how this collision is handled that makes the book so readable. The last quarter of the book outlines how the two groups come to a mutually agreeable conclusion, and it comes as a bit of a surprise the route that Maynard takes, but in a good way.
There is a sinister side to the Maynard character, and his final meeting with Lake only adds to the darkness that is the political background. Maynard's plotting reminded me, in some ways, of the TV series Scandal - a secretive intelligence organisation 'decides' who will be the next president.
The characters are well developed, and two of the judges are portrayed with a degree of sympathy, especially when a harshly convicted 'drug trader' appears for a brief cameo. The third is suitably disagreeable, and their lawyer whilst well developed is similarly an unsympathetic character. I was certainly hoping for the best for two of the judges.
This is one of Grisham's better books. His cynical review of both politics and the justice system - one of the judges begins to rethink some of his decisions - seems very apt in today's world, even though this book is quite old. Overall a good 4 stars, close to a 5.
I am a big fan of John Grisham, but this book was definitely not his best. It was almost like the book was written in a rush. Some of the plot points were pretty abruptly moved on and I was left with questions. I feel like he could have done better.
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
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
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
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:
Yes
A decent story, but lacking imagination and buildup. Every move seemed predictable and there were no fireworks in the end.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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:
Yes
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A legal thriller, a quick and easy-to-get-through read. We follow the Brethren - a group of 3 judges who ended up in prison for different reasons. They saw everything they had crumble when the law caught up with them now they are three bitter middle-aged men who still have dreams of profit and luxury for when they are set free.
The topics touched can come off as homophobic, it's one of those times where a work ages in a not-so-great time. But it does touch on socially problematic issues that are still present today.
Full review can be found at https://bunkerofbooks05.wixsite.com/bunker-of-books/post/the-brethren
The topics touched can come off as homophobic, it's one of those times where a work ages in a not-so-great time. But it does touch on socially problematic issues that are still present today.
Full review can be found at https://bunkerofbooks05.wixsite.com/bunker-of-books/post/the-brethren
funny
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes