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kessler21's review against another edition
3.0
This is a collection of 3 stories or novellas.
Homecoming – This story combines Jake Brigance from “A Time to Kill”, “Sycamore Row”, and “A Time for Mercy” with “Fish Files, a short story from Grisham’s “Ford County”
I love that Grisham is revisiting characters and stories more. If I remember correctly, this is also the first time Jake Brigance age is addressed. This story focuses on redemption and family, though not deeply.
Strawberry Moon – Is a short story of a young man on the night of his state ordered execution. Grisham, who is against the death penalty, uses this man’s introspection and the execution procedures to bright light to some of the flaws with the judicial and death penalty process. At the same time, Grisham touches on a spiritual aspect of accepting death and appreciating small things.
Sparring Partners – The title story was probably my least favorite. A struggling law firm ran by two bothers who hate each other in every way but are still controlled by their father who is serving time in prison.
Grisham shows how easy it is to cross lines. To convince ourselves and to justify our actions. Greed and revenge can cause us to lose sight of justice.
Homecoming – This story combines Jake Brigance from “A Time to Kill”, “Sycamore Row”, and “A Time for Mercy” with “Fish Files, a short story from Grisham’s “Ford County”
I love that Grisham is revisiting characters and stories more. If I remember correctly, this is also the first time Jake Brigance age is addressed. This story focuses on redemption and family, though not deeply.
Strawberry Moon – Is a short story of a young man on the night of his state ordered execution. Grisham, who is against the death penalty, uses this man’s introspection and the execution procedures to bright light to some of the flaws with the judicial and death penalty process. At the same time, Grisham touches on a spiritual aspect of accepting death and appreciating small things.
Sparring Partners – The title story was probably my least favorite. A struggling law firm ran by two bothers who hate each other in every way but are still controlled by their father who is serving time in prison.
Grisham shows how easy it is to cross lines. To convince ourselves and to justify our actions. Greed and revenge can cause us to lose sight of justice.
humatariq's review against another edition
3.0
I've missed Grisham's writing. These were 3 short stories and I enjoyed reading them.
fritomonk's review against another edition
5.0
I really wish Goodreads had the ability to rate books using 1/2 or 3/4 stars. This was definitely better than a 4 star book, so I rated it 5 stars. Before reading this book, I did not have any idea concerning the plot of this story. I didn't even see the (Jack Brigance, #4) name listed in the title. It wasn't until I started reading that I realized Jack was back for another Grisham novel. The ther, main surprise came out of no where for me. The fact that I read the entire book within 5 days is probably my best barometer of what I thought of the book. It help my attention and kept me turning the pages. Normally Grisham's books have the problem of gaining steam and then losing some of that momentum closer to the end of the story. This book did not have that problem as will be apparent if you decide to give it a read. I found the change refrshing for a Grisham novel and really enjoyed it!
cooperhixson's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed these novellas. The last one ended the opposite of how I thought it would though. The short chapters always keep me wanting to continue to see what is next. I see why this one came so highly recommended.
essja7's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
cornmaven's review against another edition
3.0
Three novellas read by different people. The first two were awesome, really fully fleshed out. Jeff Daniels reading a Ford County story was amazing. Ethan Hawke's treatment of a death row inmate's last hours was wonderful. The last one, "Sparring Partners" just did not grab me. I don't think it was the readers, I think it was the character development and the writing - not up to the other two. It needed a lot more work.
esselleayy's review against another edition
2.0
3 novellas, not short stories technically. I admit I mostly checked out this audio for the narration and that gets 5 stars (Jeff Daniels, Ethan Hawke, and January LaVoy).
smg67's review against another edition
4.0
I have always loved John Grisham’s court room dramas and I would rate Jake Brigance in my top ten fictional characters. This is not a court room drama but rather a series of three short stories concerning people who could potentially make it into a longer Grisham novel if he was so inclined.
It was the second novella Strawberry Moon that moved this from a three to a four rating. I was incredibly moved by the death row inmate waiting execution for a crime that he did not commit. He never shot anybody and everybody was aware of that but according to the Law of Parties just by being in the house he was as guilty as his brother the shooter who lost his life in the incident. It makes my heart hurt when I read about what is in fact day to day truth in the USA.
It was the second novella Strawberry Moon that moved this from a three to a four rating. I was incredibly moved by the death row inmate waiting execution for a crime that he did not commit. He never shot anybody and everybody was aware of that but according to the Law of Parties just by being in the house he was as guilty as his brother the shooter who lost his life in the incident. It makes my heart hurt when I read about what is in fact day to day truth in the USA.
fieryfred's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.25
rlk7m's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75