John Grisham books
Discussion
John Grisham is almost shorthand for 'thriller' books, if ever anyone is mentioned reading a thriller in a book it's always 'Fred Bloggs was by the pool reading the latest John Grisham novel' or similar.
Anyway, I was in Sainsbury's doing some shopping and wandered down the fairly limited (understandably, it's not a book shop) book isle and there was a John Grisham 'thriller', so I thought I'd give it a go. It was 'The Exchange'.
It was perfectly well written, but I just found it a bit dull. Rather than the sort of book where you're thinking 'just one more chapter and then I'll put it down', I was thinking 'right, finished that chapter, I'll have another go at it tomorrow I suppose'.
It was perfectly adequate, and I finished it, but I was just a little surprised, given the huge reputation that Grisham has, that I wasn't particularly impressed by it.
Was it an 'off' book, or par for the course? Wondering whether to try any others.
Anyway, I was in Sainsbury's doing some shopping and wandered down the fairly limited (understandably, it's not a book shop) book isle and there was a John Grisham 'thriller', so I thought I'd give it a go. It was 'The Exchange'.
It was perfectly well written, but I just found it a bit dull. Rather than the sort of book where you're thinking 'just one more chapter and then I'll put it down', I was thinking 'right, finished that chapter, I'll have another go at it tomorrow I suppose'.
It was perfectly adequate, and I finished it, but I was just a little surprised, given the huge reputation that Grisham has, that I wasn't particularly impressed by it.
Was it an 'off' book, or par for the course? Wondering whether to try any others.
I enjoy them and have most as first editions in my collection...
Try Runaway Jury which I would argue is one of his strongest - if that is a bit meh for you then I would strike him off your list...
They do vary a bit in quality
He also writes a children's series called Theodore Boone which is not bad for younger readers (or adults who like a good story)
Try Runaway Jury which I would argue is one of his strongest - if that is a bit meh for you then I would strike him off your list...
They do vary a bit in quality
He also writes a children's series called Theodore Boone which is not bad for younger readers (or adults who like a good story)
Much like the Jack Reacher books, I tend to buy them out of habit for my holidays - but the last few have been disappointing. As previously mentioned The Runaway Jury is excellent, as are other earlier works like A Time to Kill, The Firm and I really like The Partner, which isn't one of his more well known books.
But Rooster Bar, Boys from Biloxi don't do it for me.
But Rooster Bar, Boys from Biloxi don't do it for me.
Just ordered Runaway Jury and The Testament. Will try them.
I love the Jack Reacher books (slightly different genre I know) but there's one or two of those that, had I read them first, I might not have been impressed enough by to read any more, so it's useful to have some pointers, thanks again.
I love the Jack Reacher books (slightly different genre I know) but there's one or two of those that, had I read them first, I might not have been impressed enough by to read any more, so it's useful to have some pointers, thanks again.
Ari said:
Just ordered Runaway Jury and The Testament. Will try them.
I love the Jack Reacher books (slightly different genre I know) but there's one or two of those that, had I read them first, I might not have been impressed enough by to read any more, so it's useful to have some pointers, thanks again.
Be interested to know how you get on please report backI love the Jack Reacher books (slightly different genre I know) but there's one or two of those that, had I read them first, I might not have been impressed enough by to read any more, so it's useful to have some pointers, thanks again.
Peterpetrole said:
Ari said:
Just ordered Runaway Jury and The Testament. Will try them.
I love the Jack Reacher books (slightly different genre I know) but there's one or two of those that, had I read them first, I might not have been impressed enough by to read any more, so it's useful to have some pointers, thanks again.
Be interested to know how you get on please report backI love the Jack Reacher books (slightly different genre I know) but there's one or two of those that, had I read them first, I might not have been impressed enough by to read any more, so it's useful to have some pointers, thanks again.
Really interesting and intriguing story, great characters that you found yourself really caring about in a couple of instances, extremely well written and generally loads better than the first one that I read.
Looking forward to reading Runaway Jury.
Ari said:
Just finished The Testament. Loved it!
Really interesting and intriguing story, great characters that you found yourself really caring about in a couple of instances, extremely well written and generally loads better than the first one that I read.
Looking forward to reading Runaway Jury.
Brilliant great to hear back on that cheers, I didn't want to say too much about the plot before you read it but the wastrel kids appealed to my sense of humour, and the legal point about whether the billionaire was sane or not lol. Really interesting and intriguing story, great characters that you found yourself really caring about in a couple of instances, extremely well written and generally loads better than the first one that I read.
Looking forward to reading Runaway Jury.
Edited by Peterpetrole on Monday 28th October 08:07
My introduction to John Grisham was via his only work of non-fiction (at the time at least), The Innocent Man. That lead me on to his legal fiction, which became required holiday reading for several years, together with Lee Child's Jack Reacher stuff, which had not really attracted my attention previously.
Some of the later books became a bit formulaic and samey though, from both authors, and I moved on to other things.
Some of the later books became a bit formulaic and samey though, from both authors, and I moved on to other things.
What was quite interesting was that the kids were definitely all complete assholes, but then by the end you were thinking 'yeah, but what would anyone be like if $5M was dumped on them at 21 by an absent billionaire father with zero guidance and poor parenting to that point, was it really their fault?'
Really interesting that what turned out to be the main character didn't even appear until a few chapters in, and then seems to be a bit player, but evolved into mostly who the story was about.
Was also expecting a predictable happy ever after for him and his muse (who didn't appear until almost the end), and that didn't turn out as expected at all.
And finally, considering that Grisham has written 50 books, it felt really crafted, like it was the only one he'd ever written and he'd taken years to do so.
Definitely changed my opinion compared to the original one that I read.
Really interesting that what turned out to be the main character didn't even appear until a few chapters in, and then seems to be a bit player, but evolved into mostly who the story was about.
Was also expecting a predictable happy ever after for him and his muse (who didn't appear until almost the end), and that didn't turn out as expected at all.
And finally, considering that Grisham has written 50 books, it felt really crafted, like it was the only one he'd ever written and he'd taken years to do so.
Definitely changed my opinion compared to the original one that I read.
Ari said:
What was quite interesting was that the kids were definitely all complete assholes, but then by the end you were thinking 'yeah, but what would anyone be like if $5M was dumped on them at 21 by an absent billionaire father with zero guidance and poor parenting to that point, was it really their fault?'
Really interesting that what turned out to be the main character didn't even appear until a few chapters in, and then seems to be a bit player, but evolved into mostly who the story was about.
Was also expecting a predictable happy ever after for him and his muse (who didn't appear until almost the end), and that didn't turn out as expected at all.
And finally, considering that Grisham has written 50 books, it felt really crafted, like it was the only one he'd ever written and he'd taken years to do so.
Definitely changed my opinion compared to the original one that I read.
Definitely thought provoking, and certainly came across that he'd actually visited Brazil without hitting you over the head with eco mania. Really interesting that what turned out to be the main character didn't even appear until a few chapters in, and then seems to be a bit player, but evolved into mostly who the story was about.
Was also expecting a predictable happy ever after for him and his muse (who didn't appear until almost the end), and that didn't turn out as expected at all.
And finally, considering that Grisham has written 50 books, it felt really crafted, like it was the only one he'd ever written and he'd taken years to do so.
Definitely changed my opinion compared to the original one that I read.
Been a Grisham fan for more years than I care to count, have just about everything he's ever written on my shelves, whilst there are a couple that aren't stand-outs, books like The Boys from Biloxi and (especially) A Painted House are simply fantastic and I'll happily read time and again.
No one writes a legal thriller as well as Grisham I think.
No one writes a legal thriller as well as Grisham I think.
Just finished Runaway Jury!
Well, what a snoozefest, I thought. Jury is in court, witnesses are giving evidence, something a bit weird happens outside of court, company exec flys in/out in a private jet, then another chapter of jury in court, witnesses giving evidence. A bit more shenanigans outside of court. Another executive arrive/leaves in a jet.
I really got to the point of 'sigh Right, let's get through another chapter. I don't have to read any more Grisham after I've finished ploughing through this...'.
Then the twist at the end. Absolutely masterful, beautifully delivered! Loved it!
Which one next?
Well, what a snoozefest, I thought. Jury is in court, witnesses are giving evidence, something a bit weird happens outside of court, company exec flys in/out in a private jet, then another chapter of jury in court, witnesses giving evidence. A bit more shenanigans outside of court. Another executive arrive/leaves in a jet.
I really got to the point of 'sigh Right, let's get through another chapter. I don't have to read any more Grisham after I've finished ploughing through this...'.
Then the twist at the end. Absolutely masterful, beautifully delivered! Loved it!
Which one next?
Ari said:
Then the twist at the end. Absolutely masterful, beautifully delivered! Loved it!
I recently finished Rogue Lawyer and that's how it started for me.That book is a collection of stories. The first story reminded me that there's always a twist. Persevere with the set-up and you'll get your reward.
I have to say though, I gave up on Harlan Coben a few years ago as I was getting that 'meh' feeling.
Gassing Station | Books and Literature | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff