JOHN GRISHAM

I have placed "sizzler ratings" next to books read, even if the review hasn't been added at this time.

	A time to kill		The Chamber
	The Firm		The Runaway Jury
	The Pelican Brief		The Partner
	The Client		The Street Lawyer
	The Rainmaker		The Testament

STREET LAWYER (1998)

Sub-category: Law
The plot: Michael Brock's platinum-style life as a lawyer in a top-ranking law firm is suddenly threatened by Mister, a homeless person who wanders in off the street. Mister holds nine company lawyers, including Brock, at gunpoint and no one knows his reason, but they fear for their lives. When the situation is over, Brock gains a new persepctive on his career and the company he works for. On his way out, he borrows a file he is unable to return, and suddenly the company that nurtured him for 7 years is out to put him away in prison for 10 years.
Comment: Grisham does not appear to have his heart in this book. His stabs at humour are rather flat, the plot is weakly developed and any attempts of suspense are evaporate in a mist of nothingness. It is as though he felt that the homeless present a writer with a powerful platform, but Grisham just doesn't believe in the cause. Thus, I read another Grisham novel, wondering if "Pelican Brief" is that one novel he had in him and all the rest are going to be bleh...
Return to top

PELICAN BRIEF

Sub-category: Thriller
The plot: The book opens with two Supreme Court Justices murdered on the same night. Seemingly in an unconnected event, Darby Shaw, a law student in New Orleans, prepares a legal brief. Suddenly Darby witnesses a murder for which she was supposed to be the victim. Darby then has to piece together a story involving, politics and business corruption as she runs from her unknown killers.
Comment:To date, I think this has been John Grisham's best novel, and he's only cashed in on his success since. The pace is fast, and the story line is good. Like most books-made-into-a film, this book is better than the film.
Return to top

[ TOP ]

	An absolute sizzler of a movie - A must see!
	A scorcher of a good movie; still capable of riveting you to your seat
	Low flame burner; a pleasant piece of mindless brain candy
	A fizzler of a movie which will have you counting zzzzzz's...