I´ve been so busy travelling that I have not been able to post for quite some time (more than 4 year...
I´ve been so busy travelling that I have not been able to post for quite some time (more than 4 years to be precise). Presently in Paraguay, South America.
Member since:26.05.2001
Reviews:311
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A Time To Kill by John Grisham is a captivating novel that is almost impossible to put down. A true masterpiece by an excellent author.
When this book was first released the response to it was luke warm. However upon the release of “The Firm” people began to appreciate Grisham’s work and suddenly “A Time to Kill” was in demand and was re-published as if it were a new book altogether.
The books brings alive a sensitive issue about life and death, colour and creed and passion and beliefs.
For the benefit of those that have not read this outstanding novel, the story is about a black man named Carl who takes the law into his own hands when he shoots and kills two young white boys who brutally raped and beat his 10-year-old daughter. The peoples of the town are at loggerheads between the law and a father’s natural instinct to protect his family.
A local lawyer, called Jake takes up the daunting and almost impossible task of defending Carl. This decision causes mass media attention as well as a mixed reaction from the predominately white community. A majority of them wanting Carl to face the gas chamber. His job is made even more difficult as the local District Attorney (DA) is keen to prosecute this case, in the states favour, since the election for governor is round the corner and the success of this case could make or break his chances of winning the election.
The trial takes place in Ford County, Mississippi. At one stage it things are looking bright for Carl, as it appeared he was gaining the sympathy of the jurors and the public. However with the emergence and of the Ku Klux Klan, suddenly things start to change. Daily protests are arranged, the jurors are intimidated and Jake home is attacked.
This book will leave you in suspense until the very end. I will not divulge more than I have done already, for sake of spoiling the fun for those that have not read this book yet. What I can say is that the ending is precise and does not leave that niggling thought in your mind about what happened to all the characters. Everything is dealt with precisely and emphatically.
It is now left to you to decide if what Carl did was the right thing. Would you have done the same thing if you were in his place? If a similar case were to have occurred here in England, how would you react towards Carl? Was he right or was he wrong?
John Grisham is probably amongst the world’s best authors today. I have read all of his books and will continue to do so.
The only problem, I find with his books, is that once you start you can’t stop. If I remember correctly I started this book in the afternoon one day and was reading throughout the day and almost the whole night until I finished it. My whole day was disrupted and so was my sleep. Now I make it a point only to buy a book when I travel or go on holiday. Luckily for me I travel three or four times a year so it’s not all that bad.
So anyone who’s not already read this outstanding novel, please do make sure you read it, otherwise you are missing out on something really special.
Finally, everyone this is my first op on a book, so please go easy on me.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'm not sure if this is my kind of book but I totally loved your op. I am seriously tempted to give this book a go. =)
Thanks
ratty01 20.04.2004 21:22
just finished the book and thought it was excellent, a little long winded in places but excellent
emmaclaire 18.04.2003 18:16
I actually found I couldn't stomach the first few chapters of this. I love Grisham's books but I found this incredibly difficult to read, it upset me that much. However, I managed to watch the film all the way through and thought it was amazing. Emma x
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