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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
informative
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:
No
I'm not sure this book has any redeeming qualities. The most charitable interpretation of its message is as a cautionary tale/critical commentary on allowing the judicial branch to be decided by election, but if this was indeed the intended message, it couldn't have been delivered in a more boring or soulless way. The book has a real problem with "tell not show"; its attempts at creating "suspense" are pathetic; its characters function more so as plot devices, given little to no interiority and with their presence in the narrative dictated entirely by the needs of the plot, making them difficult to sympathize with or even keep track of. There's one tantalizing moment where a character seems about to experience something resembling an arc, as some kind of reward to the reader perhaps for slogging through the first 90% of the book, but then nothing happens. It's like somebody tried to execute a plot twist but didn't twist hard enough and the plot's inertia of predictability straightened it back out. Complete waste of time, but I'm not sure what I expected.
This is the first Grisham book I've read in awhile. Got to say, it was one of my favorites. I love a book that makes me want to learn more...and I am proud to say that after I finished I researched how the Utah Supreme Court judges are chosen, according to Wikipedia, our judges are appointed. I will sleep better at night.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An important cautionary parable. Good, well written, but a little long.
Too didactic to be enjoyable as a novel (money ruins politics etc). Also, using cases similar to Flint, Michigan and the Fentanyl crisis to make a point reads as lazy shorthand - though that's a bit unfair, as this was written in 2007/8 before they hit mainstream media in such a big way.
Way below Grisham's usual standard, a bit of a chore to get through.
Way below Grisham's usual standard, a bit of a chore to get through.
challenging
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A terrible reflection on how money can buy terrible things and cause so much pain. Some business and legal people can behave so badly all reflecting their greed at the expense of good people and terrible circumstances
There's a reason John Grisham sells so many books. He does a great job developing characters and building suspense. Quick, easy read.
Not one of my favorite Grisham books. The beginning premise reminded me of "Erin Brockovich". It was interesting to see how the political game is played and how people are bought. This book really didn't hold my attention and I found it hard to get through it.
This book sure made you think of how the judicial system works. Do we elect people based on their ability to judge on fairness, morals, and equality or are they picked with money. It makes you think. The book was better than the Associate, but not the quality of his books from yesterday.