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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I only read about a quarter of this book. The misogyny and stereotyping was too much for me.
Grisham’s writing style holds my attention, despite there being many details and nuances to process. The courtroom scenes were the most captivating moments of Sycamore Row, but I also enjoyed the buildup. Jake’s impromptu choice for his new intern seemed unrealistic due to her vested interest in the case, so it slightly discredited what was otherwise an extremely plausible and intricately planned defense. I was left with a couple of lingering questions, but overall appreciated how Seth pulled off delivering his message to those he left behind.
Audio book performed by Michael Beck
Seth Hubbard, a wealthy man dying of lung cancer, hangs himself from a sycamore tree. Before he dies, he hand-writes a new will, mailing it to lawyer Jake Brigance, and instructing him to ensure it is enforced. In it he specifically disowns his children and grandchildren, and leaves the majority of his estate to his housekeeper, Lettie Lang, an African-American woman. The courtroom brawl that ensues will keep everyone scrambling.
John Grisham can certainly write a thriller, and his courtroom scenes are entertaining, suspenseful and informative. I liked the various characters in the novel, even the smarmy attorneys hired by Seth’s children and Lettie’s n’er-do-well husband and distant relatives. That is to say, I like the way Grisham writes these characters. I particularly enjoyed the back-and-forth play between Jake and sheriff Ozzie Walls, or Jake and Judge Atlee.
However, I thought the conclusion was rushed and dissatisfying, even if it was more realistic that other alternatives.
Michael Beck does a great job of voicing the audio book. He has great pacing and can easily differentiate the various characters.
Seth Hubbard, a wealthy man dying of lung cancer, hangs himself from a sycamore tree. Before he dies, he hand-writes a new will, mailing it to lawyer Jake Brigance, and instructing him to ensure it is enforced. In it he specifically disowns his children and grandchildren, and leaves the majority of his estate to his housekeeper, Lettie Lang, an African-American woman. The courtroom brawl that ensues will keep everyone scrambling.
John Grisham can certainly write a thriller, and his courtroom scenes are entertaining, suspenseful and informative. I liked the various characters in the novel, even the smarmy attorneys hired by Seth’s children and Lettie’s n’er-do-well husband and distant relatives. That is to say, I like the way Grisham writes these characters. I particularly enjoyed the back-and-forth play between Jake and sheriff Ozzie Walls, or Jake and Judge Atlee.
However, I thought the conclusion was rushed and dissatisfying, even if it was more realistic that other alternatives.
Michael Beck does a great job of voicing the audio book. He has great pacing and can easily differentiate the various characters.
Jake Brigance is back, and I couldn’t be happier. John Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill, featured the young lawyer from Clanton, Mississippi. It’s one of my favorite books. Sycamore Row continues just three years after A Time to Kill. The story of Jake Brigance and his misfit cohorts is just as good.
Seth Hubbard takes his own life right after he writes a new will that cuts out his family, and leaves most of his fortune to his housekeeper. Seth has appointed Jake to be the lawyer for the estate, which throws Jake into a bitter will contest. You might think that a book about a contested will would be boring. This book is anything but. As in most John Grisham novels, there are more questions than answers. Why did Seth Hubbard leave most of his fortune to his black housekeeper? Why did Seth choose Jake to fight for the new will? What is the awful secret that Seth and his estranged brother kept for over fifty years? What secrets does the housekeeper have?
The desire to discover the answers to these questions is why I kept reading. I wanted to see what happened to Jake Brigance next. Grisham keeps you guessing as he throws curve ball after curve ball. Once you think you have everything figured out, guess again.
Seth Hubbard takes his own life right after he writes a new will that cuts out his family, and leaves most of his fortune to his housekeeper. Seth has appointed Jake to be the lawyer for the estate, which throws Jake into a bitter will contest. You might think that a book about a contested will would be boring. This book is anything but. As in most John Grisham novels, there are more questions than answers. Why did Seth Hubbard leave most of his fortune to his black housekeeper? Why did Seth choose Jake to fight for the new will? What is the awful secret that Seth and his estranged brother kept for over fifty years? What secrets does the housekeeper have?
The desire to discover the answers to these questions is why I kept reading. I wanted to see what happened to Jake Brigance next. Grisham keeps you guessing as he throws curve ball after curve ball. Once you think you have everything figured out, guess again.
A really good ending, but it was a bit of a slog to get through to it.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After several years since the last book I read of his, I enjoyed reading another John Grisham book. Sycamore Row was boring at times, but the mystery of why Seth Hubbard would leave most of his money and assets to a woman he hardly knew, the courtroom drama, and the interesting characters made it a great book.
I haven't read a Grisham novel in years and years. Still a great story-teller!