Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Just noticed the review formatting has returned, thank god for that
Member since:29.08.2002
Reviews:625
Members who trust:281
As I’m almost at the 200-opinion mark I thought it was about time I started to edit a load of my old ops, well not edit as such, more like completely rewrite. So to follow up from my ops the other day on The Pelican Brief I’ve decided to start this editing process with another of Grisham’s books. In fact I believe this was in fact the first novel he wrote.
For anyone whose not aware of Grisham’s work he is an ex lawyer, who after writing a couple of successful novels decided to pack in his career as a lawyer and start writing books. The majority of his novels focus on poor, struggling Lawyers or Law Students and although that’s probably not appealing to everyone he seems to do it in a very creative way. As I mentioned during my Pelican Brief op, he takes a complex subject like law, which I never would have thought to be that interesting and turns it into a thoroughly enjoyable read.
The plot is quite dark and from the start
of the book it’s obviously going to be one that really tackles the issues. Set in Clanton, Ford County, Mississippi like many other Grisham books it focuses on the plight of Carl Lee Hailey. His 10-year-old daughter is kidnapped by two rednecks who rape and murder her. The trial comes around but Hailey doesn’t believe justice will be done. Hiding in the back of the courthouse he attacks the two men and their escort as they are being led away, killing both of them and injuring the guard.
A local struggling lawyer, Jake Brigrance, sees the case as his ideal opportunity to make a name for himself. No matter the result if he takes Hailey on as a client it will mean the start of a long, successful career for him. Of course with the story being set in this area during the time (no exact date given) the KKK were a driving force; it’s inevitable that Grisham was going to write them into the proceedings.
And almost write on cue he introduces them into the fold. Of course with the 2 rednecks actually being members it was obvious they would turn up. They pitch up camp in the middle of the square outside the courthouse and make their feelings known. But as the book flows through it’s up to you to work out whether Carl Lee is guilty of a crime.
Like I said about the Pelican Brief, Grisham has a knack of drawing you into his books. This is another where you’re so desperate to find out the next turn of events you just have to keep reading. Again like in every book he’s written rather than using difficult legal phrases and catchphrases he puts it into terms that even someone with no real knowledge of the law.
For his first book Grisham has put an outstanding amount of background information into his characters. The lead character Carl Lee Hailey really draws you in and depending on your stance about what he’s done either makes you love him or hate him. But the way he is portrayed throughout the book as the loving father really adds to the atmosphere and effect of the book.
The other main character Jake Brigrance starts off giving you the impression that he’s only in it for the fame, which I’m sure to start with he was. However the further into it you get the more he starts to feel for his client and the more determined he is to get him off. And when he starts to be targeted by the KKK the book really does become gripping.
This is a brave subject matter for Grisham to have tackled in his first novel, but I feel he has done it very well. The introduction of the KKK and relying on the book revolving around the racial element of the film. This aspect of the book alone shows Grisham had a talent for writing but add to that a superb plot and some excellent characters the first of Grisham’s books set him on the way.
One of the best factors on top of all that though is the way he describes Clanton in such detail that you feel drawn into the book itself. You can see the courthouse, the Coffee shop and Jake’s office. It all fits in nicely and adds a nice feel to the book, giving you a detailed idea of the location.
If you fancy reading one of Grisham’s books make it this one, I have to admit it’s probably the best one of the lot. Like the Pelican Brief it was made into a feature film with Samuel L Jackson as Carl Lee Hailey and Mathew McConaughey as Jake Brigrance. The book is available from amazon.co.uk for £5.59 and it’s well worth it.
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