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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I loved the story...until the end. Maybe it was written with a sequel in mind, because the story didn't really have much of a conclusion.
We chose a Grisham book as hadn’t read and thought we should try one. Generally didn’t
much like, but ok. Oddly Heatherbell read a different book and library copy disappeard though the book receipt showed 10 copies were borrowed with bar coded numbers for each.
much like, but ok. Oddly Heatherbell read a different book and library copy disappeard though the book receipt showed 10 copies were borrowed with bar coded numbers for each.
I loved the first half of this book. The events that unfolded were interesting and made me think. The second half turned all that around. A previously likable character became unlikable, and the plot got a little long and plodding. I thought Grisham's note at the end of the book about not doing any research was arrogant. I haven't read Grisham in a long time, and this is probably not the book to come back to him on.
This is the first and probably last John Grisham I've ever read. Don't get me wrong in some ways this is exactly the book I was looking for at this point in time, something easy, quick to read and not too taxing to take my mind off studying and work and it definitely did that. That said this was so not taxing that I think my IQ dropped 20 points reading it.
The plot was thin and felt plucked out of nothing. The characters were completely one dimensional and unlikable. By the end of the book I couldn't have given a flying fig about any one of them.
To give Grisham his due he seems to be a much loved writer and whilst this isn't a complete stinker it does feel like a book that's been sitting in a drawer somewhere waiting to be dusted off to prevent a sustained period of writers block being noticed by an adoring fan base.
The plot was thin and felt plucked out of nothing. The characters were completely one dimensional and unlikable. By the end of the book I couldn't have given a flying fig about any one of them.
To give Grisham his due he seems to be a much loved writer and whilst this isn't a complete stinker it does feel like a book that's been sitting in a drawer somewhere waiting to be dusted off to prevent a sustained period of writers block being noticed by an adoring fan base.
This was an easy read and played out almost likely a screenplay. For legal fiction, I expected lot more intricacies of the legal systems, which it failed to deliver.
Malcolm Bannister is incarcerated for ten years in federal prison for a crime he did not knowingly(?) commit. Five years have passed and he desperately wants out. Fate offers him that chance via an unfortunate murder of a federal judge. Can he get out?
The plot is okayish, and the execution is confusing. Usually, the writer weaves the story in such a way that you root for the protagonist. I could not find a lot of sympathy towards Malcolm. The other characters fail to take a significant role in your mind despite being in a substantial part of the book. Somewhat midway the narration goes haywire. It all ties nicely at the end, but still, the midsections of the book feel like a drag.
Spoilers ahead.
At the end of it, there was really no point in Quin's character at all. Like a magician who uses a distraction and misdirection for his act, Grisham has used Quin. All the characters feel dumb and just follow the whims of the plot. It is hard to believe FBI agents being so simpletons. Then there is Vanessa, her whole arc is extremely unbelievable. Who is she? From a simple middle-aged woman to someone who easily does casual B&E? These characters feel like ragdolls always at the mercy of the strange plot. For what is worth, I felt some sympathy for our boy Nate, he wasn't that capable of plotting and using governments for his devious schemes, and yet he suffered without knowing why.
This was my first John Grisham book in English. In the past, I have read a few translations. I think this is not one of his best ones, there are better ones out there, which I should try.
If you are a fast reader (which I am not), then this would be a good read at an airport or between long journeys to take your mind off boredom. I would not put it in the serious fiction category.
Malcolm Bannister is incarcerated for ten years in federal prison for a crime he did not knowingly(?) commit. Five years have passed and he desperately wants out. Fate offers him that chance via an unfortunate murder of a federal judge. Can he get out?
The plot is okayish, and the execution is confusing. Usually, the writer weaves the story in such a way that you root for the protagonist. I could not find a lot of sympathy towards Malcolm. The other characters fail to take a significant role in your mind despite being in a substantial part of the book. Somewhat midway the narration goes haywire. It all ties nicely at the end, but still, the midsections of the book feel like a drag.
Spoilers ahead.
Spoiler
At the end of it, there was really no point in Quin's character at all. Like a magician who uses a distraction and misdirection for his act, Grisham has used Quin. All the characters feel dumb and just follow the whims of the plot. It is hard to believe FBI agents being so simpletons. Then there is Vanessa, her whole arc is extremely unbelievable. Who is she? From a simple middle-aged woman to someone who easily does casual B&E? These characters feel like ragdolls always at the mercy of the strange plot. For what is worth, I felt some sympathy for our boy Nate, he wasn't that capable of plotting and using governments for his devious schemes, and yet he suffered without knowing why.
This was my first John Grisham book in English. In the past, I have read a few translations. I think this is not one of his best ones, there are better ones out there, which I should try.
If you are a fast reader (which I am not), then this would be a good read at an airport or between long journeys to take your mind off boredom. I would not put it in the serious fiction category.
For a straight forward general read, this good. The story shifts as the book moves to an almost unrecognisable version of where it started, which is no bad thing. The story ties up well and is an all round good read. Nothing spectacular, but good.
John Grisham back in form! The Racketeer was fast-paced, had an ever-growing list of characters, a great hook, and that signature twist at the end (that truly kept me guessing). This was so much better than his last legal thriller. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Not much of the usual page turner books John Grisham is known for. Lots of unnecessary twists and turns. Took me a while to finish too.