mtfree's review against another edition
5.0
This John Grisham kept my attention all the way through.
justkaty's review against another edition
medium-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
3.5
princessleia4life's review against another edition
1.0
It was awful. Extremely depressing and I could hardly muddle through it. The only reason I continued was because John Grisham's book are usually amazing. The trial scene was good; but the main character and the ending were atrocious. Not his best.
kishelreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book lacks the angst for a good courtroom brawl. I almost stopped twice.
bostianh's review against another edition
4.0
I have read a few other John Grisham books and many of them taking place a lot of the time in the court room, deterred me from reading more. But they are written well, it holds your attention and makes you want to know how it ends. This one is my favorite of his books that I have read.
scholarhect's review against another edition
1.0
This was on target for a 2-star "Not great but adequate fluff for mindless reading" review until the end of chapter 18, where I was forced to read:
"I decide that I'll be in charge of this bath. She wants me to, I can tell. She's hurt and vulnerable.... She wants me to see her, to rub her flesh with a warm sponge. I know she wants this."
About a NINETEEN year old domestic violence victim. That was gross when this was written, and it's gross now. One star and I'm out.
This is now the third of Grisham's novels I've read from a 21st century perspective (having previously read all of them through to The Brethren as a teenager). While The Firm suffers with sexism and cringe, it remains a tolerable read. The Pelican Brief and this really don't. And all three have a very predictable pattern: the male characters are one dimensional, sex-obsessed braggarts; the female characters exist purely to be lusted after or to cause grief to the men around them. The main protagonists are hollow Mary Sue types - young, brilliant, smarter than anyone else around - and every book reads as Grisham's personal gripe against his profession: the work sucks, the hours are long, the ethics are questionable, everyone gets burnout but hey at least the money is good. Thanks but no thanks - these are best left forgotten back in the 90's.
"I decide that I'll be in charge of this bath. She wants me to, I can tell. She's hurt and vulnerable.... She wants me to see her, to rub her flesh with a warm sponge. I know she wants this."
About a NINETEEN year old domestic violence victim. That was gross when this was written, and it's gross now. One star and I'm out.
This is now the third of Grisham's novels I've read from a 21st century perspective (having previously read all of them through to The Brethren as a teenager). While The Firm suffers with sexism and cringe, it remains a tolerable read. The Pelican Brief and this really don't. And all three have a very predictable pattern: the male characters are one dimensional, sex-obsessed braggarts; the female characters exist purely to be lusted after or to cause grief to the men around them. The main protagonists are hollow Mary Sue types - young, brilliant, smarter than anyone else around - and every book reads as Grisham's personal gripe against his profession: the work sucks, the hours are long, the ethics are questionable, everyone gets burnout but hey at least the money is good. Thanks but no thanks - these are best left forgotten back in the 90's.
linda48's review against another edition
2.0
As negative as this book is, it's a good thing that Grisham gave up the practice of law to write. I prefer Matt Damon's portrayal of Rudy Baylor, than the snot that is in this book.
kingfan30's review against another edition
3.0
It seemed very familiar in places so I think I may have read it before, a bit slow going to start with but once it got going could not put it down and the courtroom scenes were very good.
jadedfantasy's review against another edition
5.0
This is the book that hooked me into reading. Let me set the scene. I was in grade 5 and I was struggling with books for my age group. None of them interested me. My dad used to read tons of books when he worked night shift (this was before the age of cellphones and even really internet). He had read this book and he was talking about how good it was. I asked him if I could read it. He didn't think that I would be able to but he said if you can read it you can read it. I picked it up and I remember it took me about a month to read it but I was so proud of myself when I finished. I was then hooked on John Grisham's books. I loved being able to read them and then talk about them with my dad.
I used to keep a note book and write down any of the legal words that I didn't understand and then I would look them up in the dictionary LOL.
I used to keep a note book and write down any of the legal words that I didn't understand and then I would look them up in the dictionary LOL.