novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"Trumble is a minimum security federal prison, home to an assortment of criminals, including three former judges, drug dealers, Wall Street crooks and swindlers. One of their scams goes awry, it ensnares the wrong victim, an innocent on the outside, a man with dangerous friends." (From Amazon)
Another great book by Grisham. This one reminds me a bit of both Pelican Brief and The Testament.
"Trumble is a minimum security federal prison, home to an assortment of criminals, including three former judges, drug dealers, Wall Street crooks and swindlers. One of their scams goes awry, it ensnares the wrong victim, an innocent on the outside, a man with dangerous friends." (From Amazon)
Another great book by Grisham. This one reminds me a bit of both Pelican Brief and The Testament.
regan_sandberg's review against another edition
2.0
I was given this book for free from my law school's library. Unfortunately, although Grisham is a good writer, this book will not stand the test of time. In fact, it has not stood the test of time. Any book that is written on a "taboo" subject will lose it's edge as society progresses. This is a good thing for society, but a bad thing for this book.
I would not recommend reading this book. However, this book did not make me think less of John Grisham's writing just because a storyline is now outdated. I would recommend reading The Firm.
I would not recommend reading this book. However, this book did not make me think less of John Grisham's writing just because a storyline is now outdated. I would recommend reading The Firm.
jml4231's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hgmmathewrichards99's review against another edition
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cms_books's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kellyldriver's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it, couldn’t put it down. I especially liked the political part of it. The whole plan of the CIA hand-picking the next President and the things involved in his campaign. It was very intriguing.
abernocco's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There were a couple of times while reading the story that plot seemed very unrealistic, but it’s mostly because the social and political climate in our country is much different now than it was in 2000 when this book was published.
I think one of my favorite parts about this book was the fact that not a single character was a “good guy.” When every character lies, cheats and steals who do you root for?
I find the psychology of the minds of criminals fascinating, so this Grisham thriller was a great read for me. I would recommend this one to a friend.
I think one of my favorite parts about this book was the fact that not a single character was a “good guy.” When every character lies, cheats and steals who do you root for?
I find the psychology of the minds of criminals fascinating, so this Grisham thriller was a great read for me. I would recommend this one to a friend.
daniell's review against another edition
2.0
A fine read indeed. It's as if Grisham's entire effort is expended on winding a premise, and the work is simply watching that premise unravel the way it inevitably would. This is to credit his imagination and critique the inevitable nature of his premise. It was very easy to see how his two plots related, and once this was seen it made the book less enjoyable.
Towards the end some character development is seen in the Brethren, three ex-judicial felons, and this is nice because it is not made clear from the start if this is a book about them or about Y2K presidential hopeful Aaron Lake. Although, the title does say something to this effect.
Once the gears are moving you can see where the book is going, and while the story is not barren, twists and thrills are sparse. The more powerful a major character is the less they have to overcome, and the entire plot is simply about someone with unlimited money and a problem finding someone who needs money and can solve their problem. Of course it's more complex than that, but it's not anything less. 2/5 for being compelling anyway.
Towards the end some character development is seen in the Brethren, three ex-judicial felons, and this is nice because it is not made clear from the start if this is a book about them or about Y2K presidential hopeful Aaron Lake. Although, the title does say something to this effect.
Once the gears are moving you can see where the book is going, and while the story is not barren, twists and thrills are sparse. The more powerful a major character is the less they have to overcome, and the entire plot is simply about someone with unlimited money and a problem finding someone who needs money and can solve their problem. Of course it's more complex than that, but it's not anything less. 2/5 for being compelling anyway.
shanviolinlove's review
Eerie, how prophetic this novel is. Terrorism. A new election. Promises for retribution. Even passivists wanting blood. A politician using taxpayer money to visit an international mistress. Corruption. War. I thought, SURELY this novel treaded on some toes! So, I glanced at the front to see when it was published.
2000.
Grisham's novels "roar to life," as one critic noted. I have never encountered a novel of his that I could put down. Every book I end up finishing at 4 or 5 in the morning. You smile to yourself as the Devil gets his due, waiting for the corrupted to become baited and ensnared, waiting for some sort of resolution. Though not necessarily a twist ending, still a pleaser. This is not my favorite Grisham novel to date, but it is still excellent. The man knows what he writes about. It's almost chilling.
2000.
Grisham's novels "roar to life," as one critic noted. I have never encountered a novel of his that I could put down. Every book I end up finishing at 4 or 5 in the morning. You smile to yourself as the Devil gets his due, waiting for the corrupted to become baited and ensnared, waiting for some sort of resolution. Though not necessarily a twist ending, still a pleaser. This is not my favorite Grisham novel to date, but it is still excellent. The man knows what he writes about. It's almost chilling.