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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I LOVED this book. I took my time reading it, digesting each and every chapter. There weren't too many characters in this book, but the ones that were are tattooed in my brain -
Chronologically
First, there's plucky Mark Sway, who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, but took matters into his own hands and did everything his way right up until the end.
Next there's the mother, Dianne Sway who, despite all odds, fought through to the end, not that she had too much trouble thanks to Mark's self-reliant nature.
Then there's my personal and absolute favorite character - Reggie Love, the lawyer Mark "hires" :) This person has had her share of troubles, and a very horrible life. But she managed to pick herself up, become a respectable lawyer and when put on the spot as Mark's attorney, she kicked serious butt ^_^ She was more than just a lawyer to Mark, in fact providing him the warmth and compassion of a parent-figure, shielding him from the manipulative FBI and other cops, vouching for him in front of Harry, the judge (who I also love :) ) and finally trusting him enough to go with him to New Orleans and being there for him throughout the tumultuous journey. I can't state how much I love this character.
The FBI, I initially despised, but I grew fonder of them once they knuckled under Reggie and gave Mark every form of protection he wanted and needed.
Roy Foltrigg, the pompous "reverend" got exactly what he deserved in the end - nothing And a subpoena. It gave me a sense of satisfaction reading this turn of events.
Now, if there was one negative, in every sense of the word,it would be this -
Barry Muldanno was a weak antagonist in my opinion. He had no brains, (confiding in his lawyer about the body's location being proof of this), and he didn't use his uncle Johnny Sulari's influence to his advantage. I really thought the latter would play a bigger role in all this.
All in all, I had a lot of fun reading this book and I have a feeling I'll remember it for a long time to come.
Thank you John Grisham
Chronologically
First, there's plucky Mark Sway, who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, but took matters into his own hands and did everything his way right up until the end.
Next there's the mother, Dianne Sway who, despite all odds, fought through to the end, not that she had too much trouble thanks to Mark's self-reliant nature.
Then there's my personal and absolute favorite character - Reggie Love, the lawyer Mark "hires" :) This person has had her share of troubles, and a very horrible life. But she managed to pick herself up, become a respectable lawyer and when put on the spot as Mark's attorney, she kicked serious butt ^_^ She was more than just a lawyer to Mark, in fact providing him the warmth and compassion of a parent-figure, shielding him from the manipulative FBI and other cops, vouching for him in front of Harry, the judge (who I also love :) ) and finally trusting him enough to go with him to New Orleans and being there for him throughout the tumultuous journey. I can't state how much I love this character.
The FBI, I initially despised, but I grew fonder of them once they knuckled under Reggie and gave Mark every form of protection he wanted and needed.
Roy Foltrigg, the pompous "reverend" got exactly what he deserved in the end - nothing And a subpoena. It gave me a sense of satisfaction reading this turn of events.
Now, if there was one negative, in every sense of the word,it would be this -
Barry Muldanno was a weak antagonist in my opinion. He had no brains, (confiding in his lawyer about the body's location being proof of this), and he didn't use his uncle Johnny Sulari's influence to his advantage. I really thought the latter would play a bigger role in all this.
All in all, I had a lot of fun reading this book and I have a feeling I'll remember it for a long time to come.
Thank you John Grisham
It had a great beginning, then got slow in the legal machinations, but had a strong, exciting end.
This one was one of my favorite Grisham books and the movie I thought was decent too. Love that this one involved a child as an eye witness and a strong female lead. Great legal drama.
John Grisham's 'the Firm' was what really got into reading novels over 300 pages. The story gripped me and got me over my fear of so many pages. So, I kept reading John's first 8 books or so as they were published.
I remember reading this in 1995 and loving the tough as nails lawyer of Reggie. I appreciated how she called people by their first names when they weren't used to it to level the playing field. She helps a kid in a tough situation. John has a gift for making the law exciting and dramatic.
I saw the movie and thought that Susan Sarandon was perfect in the movie. John was really on a hot streak here and it catapulted him into the big leagues. I stopped reading him after a while, but I suspect he is still an very entertaining read. I did read the Camino series 1st book about a book seller and that was a whole lot of fun.
I used to own all of these 8 book in hardback and some even were signed by Grisham. He is the only book signing I've been too and it was in my home town in 1994 at a mall when a mall still had bookstores in them. When I moved to Baltimore, I donated my Grisham books to the library so I no longer have any copies.
If you are looking for a quick legal thriller or a page turning book, this would be a good one, but I would start with the Firm, next, the Pelican Brief and then this one.
I remember reading this in 1995 and loving the tough as nails lawyer of Reggie. I appreciated how she called people by their first names when they weren't used to it to level the playing field. She helps a kid in a tough situation. John has a gift for making the law exciting and dramatic.
I saw the movie and thought that Susan Sarandon was perfect in the movie. John was really on a hot streak here and it catapulted him into the big leagues. I stopped reading him after a while, but I suspect he is still an very entertaining read. I did read the Camino series 1st book about a book seller and that was a whole lot of fun.
I used to own all of these 8 book in hardback and some even were signed by Grisham. He is the only book signing I've been too and it was in my home town in 1994 at a mall when a mall still had bookstores in them. When I moved to Baltimore, I donated my Grisham books to the library so I no longer have any copies.
If you are looking for a quick legal thriller or a page turning book, this would be a good one, but I would start with the Firm, next, the Pelican Brief and then this one.
Definitely corny at times but a fun read and the law aspects and courtroom scenes were really enjoyable.
a gripping and emotional tale of life on the wrong side of the tracks. A tale about violence, and pain--and the hardships that people go through. A very good story of fighting for your rights, and what you believe is write. It's one emotional ride--and I still haven't seen the movie, but I'm planning to, one day.
While I did end up enjoying this book, I also found reading it to be quite a chore. The only book of Grisham's I have previously attempted was The Pelican Brief which I didn't last more than 50 pages into due to the legal terminology being both overwhelming and dull in my opinion.
However the plot of this book was much better. The characters were wonderful - Reggie's no nonsense attitude was great, the writing of what all the police/FBI/lawyers really thought of each other was funny, and Mark was brilliant (although he could have done with being aged to about 13 over 11!). The murder plot was good. What I struggled most with was the length of the book. So much was repeated that I spent at least 150 pages skimming the text instead of actually reading it, because it was just rehashing what had happened/what could happen to Mark and his family or the trial/how people went about getting warrants and other legal documents/etc. I think I would recommend this book to people but only if they are good at skim reading - I can usually read a lengthy book in 2 days at most but this took me quite a while simply because it wasn't gripping enough for me to want to sift through all the recaps of what had previously happened. I plan on attempting other Grisham books despite my opinion on the two I have started or finished thus far.
However the plot of this book was much better. The characters were wonderful - Reggie's no nonsense attitude was great, the writing of what all the police/FBI/lawyers really thought of each other was funny, and Mark was brilliant (although he could have done with being aged to about 13 over 11!). The murder plot was good. What I struggled most with was the length of the book. So much was repeated that I spent at least 150 pages skimming the text instead of actually reading it, because it was just rehashing what had happened/what could happen to Mark and his family or the trial/how people went about getting warrants and other legal documents/etc. I think I would recommend this book to people but only if they are good at skim reading - I can usually read a lengthy book in 2 days at most but this took me quite a while simply because it wasn't gripping enough for me to want to sift through all the recaps of what had previously happened. I plan on attempting other Grisham books despite my opinion on the two I have started or finished thus far.
Wow. This one was intense. The emotions I felt for Mark and his family were overwhelming at times. And man oh man was Mark such a GREAT character. He is just 11, but he is smart and quick and has an attitude, but know just how to play the adults. He stands up for himself and his brother and he is not afraid to do what he has to to keep them safe. I also really loved Robbie and how much she fought for him and all her kids. This was a slow burn of a story, a weaving dangerous path to the conclusion, but was so intriguing to read about.