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3.32 AVERAGE
3.32 AVERAGE
I actually liked this book for the first half or so, and especially enjoyed learning about coal mining. The process of strip mining, slurry ponds, and black lung disease was fascinating (and at times horrifying) to me. I could also identify with many of the descriptions of the people in Appalachia, since even though I am not from that area, I did grow up in a very small town in the rural South.
As the book went on, I began to find Samantha a bit annoying, and the whole storyline about a girl from the big-city becoming involved with a young, sexy guy from Appalachia who was the complete opposite in every way was a bit trite. However, I kept reading, wanting to see how several of the big cases focused on throughout the book were resolved. And then...the book abruptly came to an end. I have to wonder if the author/publisher felt that the book needed to fall within a specified number of pages, if the book was simply the beginning of a series, or if the author was setting things up for a potential sequel. I most likely would have given it at least 3 stars, however, I felt a lack of closure when finished. I don't need books to always wrap everything up in a nice little bow, or to always have a happy ending, but in this case, I just felt very unsatisfied.
As the book went on, I began to find Samantha a bit annoying, and the whole storyline about a girl from the big-city becoming involved with a young, sexy guy from Appalachia who was the complete opposite in every way was a bit trite. However, I kept reading, wanting to see how several of the big cases focused on throughout the book were resolved. And then...the book abruptly came to an end. I have to wonder if the author/publisher felt that the book needed to fall within a specified number of pages, if the book was simply the beginning of a series, or if the author was setting things up for a potential sequel. I most likely would have given it at least 3 stars, however, I felt a lack of closure when finished. I don't need books to always wrap everything up in a nice little bow, or to always have a happy ending, but in this case, I just felt very unsatisfied.
This is the first Grisham book I’ve read in a long time. I liked it more than I thought I would. It’s wasn’t as predictable as I expected either.
It has been ages since I read a Grisham novel. I always like them, all that law talk makes it thrilling.
And here is even more stuff I have no idea about, Big coal. Damn dirty business.
Samantha looses her job, but to keep her hanging on her job tells her to work for a non profit for a year. Which takes her to coal country and a legal aid clinic.
Omg, yes it is fiction, but pretty sure he knows his stuff. Like coal truck accidents. That was horrific. How things goes wrong when they blow things up. When dams break. Black lungs. Cancer clusters. And how Big Coal screws everyone over, and has everyone in their pocket.
Top mining? Was that the word? Blowing up mountain tops and going down. Nature effed over.
Samantha comes in to help and gets dragged in to big coal. And honestly how it ends, it was not that uplifting. The fight continues. But as long as they need coal then coal is there
Interesting story
And here is even more stuff I have no idea about, Big coal. Damn dirty business.
Samantha looses her job, but to keep her hanging on her job tells her to work for a non profit for a year. Which takes her to coal country and a legal aid clinic.
Omg, yes it is fiction, but pretty sure he knows his stuff. Like coal truck accidents. That was horrific. How things goes wrong when they blow things up. When dams break. Black lungs. Cancer clusters. And how Big Coal screws everyone over, and has everyone in their pocket.
Top mining? Was that the word? Blowing up mountain tops and going down. Nature effed over.
Samantha comes in to help and gets dragged in to big coal. And honestly how it ends, it was not that uplifting. The fight continues. But as long as they need coal then coal is there
Interesting story
A down-on-her luck, but brilliant lawyer, a nefarious cabal of coal mining companies, a tight knit Applachia community with more than its share of secrets...this was a book I was prepared to love. Unfortunately I never really felt like it lived up to its potential.
The descriptions of the environmental and social impacts of coal on mining communities was vivid and insightful, detailing the irreparable damages the landscape and workers’ health as a result of strip mining.
I didn’t feel like the protagonist’ character was well developed and the book was fairly anti climatic by the end. Grisham did a wonderful job of building this story up in the first half of the book, but after what was, for me at least, a shocking twist, the story never quite seemed to pick back up.
All in all, I do think that it was a good read, giving great insight into the mining industry and the inner dynamics of the communities that surround them. But if you’re looking for Grisham’s usually masterful plot construction, you might look elsewhere.
The descriptions of the environmental and social impacts of coal on mining communities was vivid and insightful, detailing the irreparable damages the landscape and workers’ health as a result of strip mining.
I didn’t feel like the protagonist’ character was well developed and the book was fairly anti climatic by the end. Grisham did a wonderful job of building this story up in the first half of the book, but after what was, for me at least, a shocking twist, the story never quite seemed to pick back up.
All in all, I do think that it was a good read, giving great insight into the mining industry and the inner dynamics of the communities that surround them. But if you’re looking for Grisham’s usually masterful plot construction, you might look elsewhere.
3.5 stars - not a page turner, but it definitely held my interest. I learned a lot about strip mining, and all of it is bad. The description of what the Big Coal companies are doing to the Appalachian region and to workers is depressing and accurate. I enjoy Grisham's stories of crusading good guys, especially when the good guy is a woman. I didn't see a major plot twist coming, and always enjoy it when that happens!
Typical John Grisham book- very readable and enjoyable, but not exactly great literature.
Good story. very interesting. but main character is a bit unlikable
definitely my least favorite Grisham. couldn't stand the main character
Wow, that was bad. Boring and weak main character who did absolutely nothing and a boring and weak plot that went nowhere. The only redeeming factor was that it gave me some food for thought about the coal industry and the people of Appalachia.
Good read, but not one of Grisham's best. The story is about a big city lawyer who is furloughed from her law firm and works gratis for a small law clinic in the Appalachians, defending victims of black lung disease and fighting against the big coal companies that deny their affected workers the proper compensation. But really, this seems to play a secondary role to the many smaller cases Samantha takes on. Nevertheless, all of the victims of these cases tug at Samantha's heart and she must decide whether to stay in small town America or head back to the rat race of the big city.
I didn't feel this story appealed to the emotions as many of Grisham's novels do. At times it seemed a bit scattered, with no single focus. And at times it seemed a bit slow, almost losing interest in the book. But, it does contain many elements of a good story: romance, mystery, adventure, and thrill. Just enough to keep me engaged and reading on.
Again, not one of Grisham's best, but worthy of a read.
I didn't feel this story appealed to the emotions as many of Grisham's novels do. At times it seemed a bit scattered, with no single focus. And at times it seemed a bit slow, almost losing interest in the book. But, it does contain many elements of a good story: romance, mystery, adventure, and thrill. Just enough to keep me engaged and reading on.
Again, not one of Grisham's best, but worthy of a read.