The Appeal by John Grisham Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Appeal
Book Review: Another strong social message from J Grisham
Summary: 5 Stars
Another wonderful book by Grisham that makes you think about the interference of politics on justice and the consequences on the legal system and the people who become its victims. The cruel but unfortunately realistic end should make all of us think about the consequences of our political choices.Book Review: Appalling
Summary: 1 Stars
Once upon a time John Grisham was the most talented story teller in America. That day, alas, has passed, victim of encroaching formulism, a creeping, obnoxiously liberal political and religious worldview, and the sneaking suspicion that the Grisham's ancient word processor, of which Grisham himself has often claimed, "Once it's through, I am, too," has finally gone on the fritz. Cardboard cut-out good and bad guys and an unbelievably shallow storyline made this clunker drag for me. I must confess, I couldn't finish it. I know from reading other reviews that things end badly for our crusading lawyers and their cancer-suffering victims of Big Business environmental abuse. I enjoyed Grisham in the day, even when a lot of purists hated his prose, proof that storytelling trumps literary style any day of the week. We're all wired to respond to a good story, but far fewer of us recognize sterling prose. That includes Grisham himself, who has confessed to not having the smarts to read and appreciate fellow Mississippian William Faulkner. Once Grisham was great, and now he ain't. Thanks for the good ones, John, but this one's a real stinker.Book Review: Appeal
Summary: 1 Stars
I thought that I was ordering one book and was notified that I had ordered
three books. I found this out when I questioned the bill.
As to date none of the books have arrived.
Not very satisfied.
Emma
Book Review: Appeal this book
Summary: 3 Stars
I've read and own every book John has written, so I waited anxiously for his latest effort. It was a good read, that's typical, but I felt there were to many loose ends and unanswered questions that you're left with in the end. After he goes through all the trouble to get you familiar with all the characters I think it's only natural to wonder what happens to atleast some of them. I am not an author and couldn't in my wildest dreams do any better don't get me wrong.Book Review: Appeal your purchase!
Summary: 3 Stars
I have read almost all of Grisham's books and this is one of the weakest. I was glad he was back to writing fiction after his controversial trip into non-fiction, proving convicted criminals were really innocent. The Appeal has a clever premise; it starts with a big verdict and shows what happens next.
Grisham returns to familiar territory here. The setting is his Mississippi homelands, his premise is that our interest is not well served by elected judges. I dont really agree with him here. We have seen some lousy, special-interest beholden judges appointed as well. At least the election puts some transparency into the process. Dont forget the Churchill quote--It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.
Grisham then takes us into another area -- corrupt local politics-- that he knows well from his days as a Mississippi elected politician. Apparently reining in out of control juries is an issue that will attract the greatest evil in Mississippi, which is out of state money and lawyers, especially ones from my hometown of Philadelphia.
After the unique starting point this book follows a typical formula. Bad guys including political operatives, big business, chemical companies, billionaries and their trophy wives, defeat the forces of good. Surprising to me that trial lawyers were in the camp of righteousness but we see a lot of strange alliances in Grisham novels, much like the Spanish Civil War.
Then The Appeal is denied, in this reviewer's opinion. The ending is rushed, not well developed. It was as if Grisham needed to finish his thing by 5pm so he could go to his kid's ball game. The protangonist is an innocent lawyer, pawn of great men and forces beyond his knowledge or control, who becomes an unwitting state supreme court judge. On the last page of the book he casually makes a decison that determines everything this book has been building up to. Then all the other stick characters just disappear, who knows what happens to the pastors, victims, lawyers, chauffeurs, lunch counter ladies, and trophy wives that we spent 250 pages getting to know.