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Обжалването
Политиката винаги е била мръсна игра. А правосъдието? Невероятното обезщетение от 41 милиона долара, определено от съдебните заседатели в град Баумор, щата Мисисипи, шокира корпоративна Америка и връща усмивката на лицата на обикновените хора. Години наред химическа компания трови почвата и водата им с токсични отпадъци. Хиляди се разболяват, десетки умират от рак. Ето защо фирмата нарушител трябва да плати тази колосална сума на жената, загубила съпруга и сина си. И това е само началото. Но собственикът на “Крейн Кемикъл”, един от най-богатите хора в страната, е и сред най-безмилостните играчи на Уолстрийт. Карл Трюдо няма намерение да плаща. Адвокатите му обжалват присъдата пред Върховния съд на щата. Изборите за нови членове предстоят. Колко струва един върховен съдия? Осем милиона долара? Пренебрежим разход за милиардера, който знае как да манипулира общественото мнение, за да бъде избран най-подходящият кандидат. Неговият. Купуването на гласове никога не е представлявало проблем. Не и за хората, които знаят как. Тази книга ще промени представите ви за изборите и правосъдието. Ще ви изпълни с гняв и възмущение. Ще ви накара да се замислите. И може би да се опитате да промените нещо. “Фирмата” превърна Джон Гришам във феномен. Двайсет книги по-късно той продължава да е на върха.
416 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
About the author
John Grisham
443 books84k followersJohn Grisham is the author of forty-nine consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include The Judge's List, Sooley, and his third Jake Brigance novel, A Time for Mercy, which is being developed by HBO as a limited series.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,814 reviews
June 11, 2024
The more I read John Grisham the more I see his uncanny likeness to Stephen King, both write bestselling immersive stories that are all on the periphery political and critical of the failings of capitalism in the States and of the shocking hypocrisy of many of the enfranchised and self-asserted religious. This one is a gem of a read where a small town lawyer manages to get a massive settlement from a corporation that through the dumping of toxic materials had caused the local water to become undrinkable and resulted in numerous cases of cancer and deaths! But this is America, land of the empowered and franchised, so the corporation realising that they would be liable for 1,000s of lawsuits if the decision stands get to work on their appeal, and decide that the only way to get out of this jam is to 'fix' the adjudicating State Supreme Court.
This David and Goliath story more cemented in reality than fable, is put well together by Grisham, showing just how little the American Constitution doses for those without power, money and contacts. Grisham makes the post settlement moves of a corporation against the rocks intensely interesting, and it all resonates even more now with the American Supreme Court more politicised than ever! I had no idea of the breadth (and politics) of Grisham's writing before starting on my Grisham journey, but I am so happy I started it. 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
b>2024
This David and Goliath story more cemented in reality than fable, is put well together by Grisham, showing just how little the American Constitution doses for those without power, money and contacts. Grisham makes the post settlement moves of a corporation against the rocks intensely interesting, and it all resonates even more now with the American Supreme Court more politicised than ever! I had no idea of the breadth (and politics) of Grisham's writing before starting on my Grisham journey, but I am so happy I started it. 8 out of 12, Four Star read.
b>2024
January 28, 2008
This book has made me angrier than any I've read in years.
Okay, first off --what is with the absolutely horrid neon orange color of the jacket back? Who picked this? Must have been colorblind. Each time I reached for this book my eyes felt violated.
*SPOILER ALERT* If you haven't read it yet, stop reading now...
Second, well, let's just say it: the ending was even more offensive than the neon orange jacket back. The book was well-written, compelling (and yes, possibly completely undeserving of that one-star rating up above), and I understand what Grisham was trying to do, but I hate what he did. Hate. H-A-T-E.
Made me forget all the previously compelling stuff and just hate the book completely. To echo the comments of another goodreads member, Grisham should've stuck to writing an entertaining legal thriller rather than trying to make a statement. I got his message early on. As I read closer to the end, more and more I was looking forward to seeing Carl Trudeau get his. That's what usually happens in Grisham's legal thrillers, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy them.(Ugly of me, I know. But this is why I read--so I can wish bad things on characters I don't like instead of real people!) I was so utterly disappointed in Ron Fisk. I thought he was beginning to see how he'd been manipulated, and was going to turn the tables on all of them. Boy, was I wrong, and boy, was I disappointed.
Okay, first off --what is with the absolutely horrid neon orange color of the jacket back? Who picked this? Must have been colorblind. Each time I reached for this book my eyes felt violated.
*SPOILER ALERT* If you haven't read it yet, stop reading now...
Second, well, let's just say it: the ending was even more offensive than the neon orange jacket back. The book was well-written, compelling (and yes, possibly completely undeserving of that one-star rating up above), and I understand what Grisham was trying to do, but I hate what he did. Hate. H-A-T-E.
Made me forget all the previously compelling stuff and just hate the book completely. To echo the comments of another goodreads member, Grisham should've stuck to writing an entertaining legal thriller rather than trying to make a statement. I got his message early on. As I read closer to the end, more and more I was looking forward to seeing Carl Trudeau get his. That's what usually happens in Grisham's legal thrillers, and that's one of the reasons I enjoy them.(Ugly of me, I know. But this is why I read--so I can wish bad things on characters I don't like instead of real people!) I was so utterly disappointed in Ron Fisk. I thought he was beginning to see how he'd been manipulated, and was going to turn the tables on all of them. Boy, was I wrong, and boy, was I disappointed.
May 21, 2013
I'd like to appeal the ending to this shitty book.
June 27, 2016
2 generous stars. I am so quick to admit being late to the party, and also to being so dumb at times. This was one of them! I was alerted to the fact that Mr Grisham could be the male version of Danielle Steel. Now this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as I honestly do love a good DS at the right time, I do. This did connect the dots for me in a way.
I wonder if John Grisham left the legal profession because he saw too much rorting – dubious Judges too respecting of their own pockets and big business and none for the ‘little people’?!
There was waaaay too much politics in this one for me. Almost ranting about guns, gays, liberals. I’m not anti-gay marriage by the way, I hate the prejudice displayed in real life (and here) but I thought I was reading a court room thriller!! It wasn’t!!
I enjoyed the storylines at the beginning and end, but the majority was too bogged down in political content. Most of the unscrupulous Judges, ‘pay-offers’, all round bad guys, of which there were too many, ended up swimming into each other and it was a bit lost on me. Lots of effort to build up a character, for nothing to be gained (Judge McCarthy). I found portions of the medical scenario at the end unlikely, and also so much new info to take on board at the end also.
As a side issue, the narrator was excellent, very methodical, which helped, but on the flip side the Southern accent provided a ‘Hicksville’ tone for me.
Wes and Mary Grace were great gutsy characters, they also were lost in the end (to me) and there was no reward for my reading investment. Don’t forget this is only my opinion. I just can’t not say how it is. Loved others of Mr Grisham, not this one.
I wonder if John Grisham left the legal profession because he saw too much rorting – dubious Judges too respecting of their own pockets and big business and none for the ‘little people’?!
There was waaaay too much politics in this one for me. Almost ranting about guns, gays, liberals. I’m not anti-gay marriage by the way, I hate the prejudice displayed in real life (and here) but I thought I was reading a court room thriller!! It wasn’t!!
I enjoyed the storylines at the beginning and end, but the majority was too bogged down in political content. Most of the unscrupulous Judges, ‘pay-offers’, all round bad guys, of which there were too many, ended up swimming into each other and it was a bit lost on me. Lots of effort to build up a character, for nothing to be gained (Judge McCarthy). I found portions of the medical scenario at the end unlikely, and also so much new info to take on board at the end also.
As a side issue, the narrator was excellent, very methodical, which helped, but on the flip side the Southern accent provided a ‘Hicksville’ tone for me.
Wes and Mary Grace were great gutsy characters, they also were lost in the end (to me) and there was no reward for my reading investment. Don’t forget this is only my opinion. I just can’t not say how it is. Loved others of Mr Grisham, not this one.
April 26, 2008
John Grisham's books have been getting steadily worse, ever since the Painted House (another lame book). What happened to the excellent author that produced such books as The Client, The Pelican Brief, The Street Lawyer, and Runaway Jury? I think he's out to lunch. I keep reading his new books, hoping he'll come back, but so far, no luck.
This is his worst in a long line of bad books. Stay away from this one, as well as his other latest, The Innocent Man. They are boring, long, and a chore to get through. Plus, the Appeal has THE WORST ending, of any book, ever. Don't read it. It's a waste of your time.
This is his worst in a long line of bad books. Stay away from this one, as well as his other latest, The Innocent Man. They are boring, long, and a chore to get through. Plus, the Appeal has THE WORST ending, of any book, ever. Don't read it. It's a waste of your time.
July 22, 2023
“Poverty is a great equalizer.” (2.5 stars)
The first chapter of THE APPEAL pulled me right in, and it kept me reading for a while. And that’s the best thing about this book. It is immensely readable, if a bit dumb.
The plot is that a chemical company loses a huge case in a civil action in Mississippi. They contaminated a city’s watershed which led to many cancer deaths. Of course the huge company appeals, and as the appeals process slowly does what it does, the company hires a clandestine firm to elect a friendly judge to the state supreme court where the appeal will ultimately land.
The novel has the stereotypical “conservative” boogeymen. It’s cheap, but I ignored it to enjoy the story. However, in a general sense the book descends into some stereotypical tripe, on many levels. The denouement and conclusion of the text are the stuff of melodrama and Lifetime movies. Really shoddy and a total cop out…until the very last chapter where Mr. Grisham pulls the rug out from under the reader. Good does not always win, at least in the short term.
Quotes:
• “A piece of his soul and most of his manhood had been left behind in that courtroom.”
• “Inexperience had never sounded so good.”
• “They were after all, battle-tested political operatives, and they could appreciate a savvy nonresponse when they heard one.”
• “He’s a simpleton, but he’s played the game for so long he’s written most of the rules.”
THE APPEAL was typical Grisham fare and fine for a sunny weekend. You won’t remember much about it after finishing it. It’s that kind of book, and that’s fine.
The first chapter of THE APPEAL pulled me right in, and it kept me reading for a while. And that’s the best thing about this book. It is immensely readable, if a bit dumb.
The plot is that a chemical company loses a huge case in a civil action in Mississippi. They contaminated a city’s watershed which led to many cancer deaths. Of course the huge company appeals, and as the appeals process slowly does what it does, the company hires a clandestine firm to elect a friendly judge to the state supreme court where the appeal will ultimately land.
The novel has the stereotypical “conservative” boogeymen. It’s cheap, but I ignored it to enjoy the story. However, in a general sense the book descends into some stereotypical tripe, on many levels. The denouement and conclusion of the text are the stuff of melodrama and Lifetime movies. Really shoddy and a total cop out…until the very last chapter where Mr. Grisham pulls the rug out from under the reader. Good does not always win, at least in the short term.
Quotes:
• “A piece of his soul and most of his manhood had been left behind in that courtroom.”
• “Inexperience had never sounded so good.”
• “They were after all, battle-tested political operatives, and they could appreciate a savvy nonresponse when they heard one.”
• “He’s a simpleton, but he’s played the game for so long he’s written most of the rules.”
THE APPEAL was typical Grisham fare and fine for a sunny weekend. You won’t remember much about it after finishing it. It’s that kind of book, and that’s fine.
April 5, 2018
For once this is not a courtroom thriller, there are courtrooms but not many.
This book is more about the pursuit of power, greed and corruption. The greed and corruption of the judiciary. The greed and corruption of politicians. And at the top of the heap, the greed and corruption of big business. Underpinning all this greed and corruption lies the most potent aphrodisiac known to mankind MONEY.
In the immortal words of MR. Gekko "greed is good". No matter how much you have you always need more.
A chemical company has been dumping chemical waste, for years. In the small community where the dumping has occurred people are dying in unprecedented numbers of cancer. One woman, now a widow, brings a lawsuit against the company for the death of her husband and her little boy. She wins her case and is awarded the incredible amount of $40,000,000. This sounds great for the widow and the community but the company is going to appeal.
The length the company goes to to win their appeal is astonishing. The people that they trample on, the lives they ruin are of no consideration whatsoever. Winning the appeal is all that matters.
I found this book compulsive and disturbing. This book is a work of fiction but I have no doubt that the bribery and corruption as portrayed in the book is real and happens more than we think.
Entertaining and thought provoking. I give it a 4 star recommendation
This book is more about the pursuit of power, greed and corruption. The greed and corruption of the judiciary. The greed and corruption of politicians. And at the top of the heap, the greed and corruption of big business. Underpinning all this greed and corruption lies the most potent aphrodisiac known to mankind MONEY.
In the immortal words of MR. Gekko "greed is good". No matter how much you have you always need more.
A chemical company has been dumping chemical waste, for years. In the small community where the dumping has occurred people are dying in unprecedented numbers of cancer. One woman, now a widow, brings a lawsuit against the company for the death of her husband and her little boy. She wins her case and is awarded the incredible amount of $40,000,000. This sounds great for the widow and the community but the company is going to appeal.
The length the company goes to to win their appeal is astonishing. The people that they trample on, the lives they ruin are of no consideration whatsoever. Winning the appeal is all that matters.
I found this book compulsive and disturbing. This book is a work of fiction but I have no doubt that the bribery and corruption as portrayed in the book is real and happens more than we think.
Entertaining and thought provoking. I give it a 4 star recommendation
October 18, 2011
Alright...well, I admit that I read a few one and two star reviews before posting mine because I wanted to read what the nay-sayers had to say about the book. I was pretty sure I knew what they wouldn't like, and I was pretty sure I would disagree. I was right. I understand others' chagrin with Grisham's choice of ending, but I thought it was refreshing. It's about time someone bucked the system and didn't give us a patented ending, all tied up with a pretty bow.
So here is the deal. Mississippi just happens to be one of many states that elects it judiciary, including the members who sit on the supreme court of the state. Now you may think this is a good thing - leave it in the hands of the voter to decide who should make judicial rulings. But it is NOT! Judges, you see, should be free from the shackles of political biases so that they can make fair rulings without any pressure - decisions based on the merits of a case and the correct application of the law. The story explores what might happen if a supreme court judge just happened to be elected by a group hired by a man with money - billions of dollars, to be exact - and an agenda for winning a particular case.
I do not want to spoil the ending, and perhaps it is true that Grisham is making a political statement. Okay, so it's pretty obvious. Even if he is, so be it. He still tells a fast paced and satisfying story of the type that I had once come to expect from Grisham. And while the book deals with torts and mass tort litigation, unlike The King of Torts, the book has some meat on its bones.
Instead of decrying mass tort litigation involving large corporations (product manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and the like), Grisham delves into the one on one cases where such companies should be held liable for polluting the water and creating dangerous products in cases involving just one plaintiff. Tort litigation is the seedy underbelly of the law. Still, there are several law suits out there - think Erin Brockovich - that deserve attention in our courts. Huge conglomerates should be held responsible when they skirt the law and poison the water, create dangerous drugs, or manufacture products that are unsafe.
Of course, you want the bad guy to get his due here. Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't. But Grisham leaves the reader feeling uncomfortable and perhaps a little guilty for playing into the game of big political campaign spending...naively believing everything one hears on t.v. about a candidate and his or her record based on a thirty-second commercial that takes sound bites completely out of the context in which they were meant to be be heard. He even makes one a bit uncomfortable with the idea the a judiciary is elected and that a judge would feel beholden to those who paid for his or her election. And in the end, I liked that he gave me something to think about.
It reminded me of The Client and The Rainmaker, and that is a good thing.
So here is the deal. Mississippi just happens to be one of many states that elects it judiciary, including the members who sit on the supreme court of the state. Now you may think this is a good thing - leave it in the hands of the voter to decide who should make judicial rulings. But it is NOT! Judges, you see, should be free from the shackles of political biases so that they can make fair rulings without any pressure - decisions based on the merits of a case and the correct application of the law. The story explores what might happen if a supreme court judge just happened to be elected by a group hired by a man with money - billions of dollars, to be exact - and an agenda for winning a particular case.
I do not want to spoil the ending, and perhaps it is true that Grisham is making a political statement. Okay, so it's pretty obvious. Even if he is, so be it. He still tells a fast paced and satisfying story of the type that I had once come to expect from Grisham. And while the book deals with torts and mass tort litigation, unlike The King of Torts, the book has some meat on its bones.
Instead of decrying mass tort litigation involving large corporations (product manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and the like), Grisham delves into the one on one cases where such companies should be held liable for polluting the water and creating dangerous products in cases involving just one plaintiff. Tort litigation is the seedy underbelly of the law. Still, there are several law suits out there - think Erin Brockovich - that deserve attention in our courts. Huge conglomerates should be held responsible when they skirt the law and poison the water, create dangerous drugs, or manufacture products that are unsafe.
Of course, you want the bad guy to get his due here. Maybe he does and maybe he doesn't. But Grisham leaves the reader feeling uncomfortable and perhaps a little guilty for playing into the game of big political campaign spending...naively believing everything one hears on t.v. about a candidate and his or her record based on a thirty-second commercial that takes sound bites completely out of the context in which they were meant to be be heard. He even makes one a bit uncomfortable with the idea the a judiciary is elected and that a judge would feel beholden to those who paid for his or her election. And in the end, I liked that he gave me something to think about.
It reminded me of The Client and The Rainmaker, and that is a good thing.
March 20, 2008
The Appeal wouldn't make a successful film. At times, it appears to accede to the Hollywood formula, but then, it retreats to Grisham's forte'--realism. Oh, I know Grisham's work isn't as gritty as the descriptions of the world of meat-packing in Upton Sinclair's The Jungle, the vivid characterizations of a couple fighting in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Beautiful and the Damned, or the depiction of blatant sexism in Sinclair Lewis' The Job (or even in Ann Vickers, his thinly veiled roman a clef based on his relationship with Socialist activist Dorothy Thompson). I simply find that, whenever he stays away from his tendency toward sentimentalism, Grisham can conjure up images of the South of not so long ago with a vividness reminiscent of Faulkner and blend those images with stark, insightful looks at the humanity we see everywhere.
I could feel the heat and humidity as I read these pages (though perhaps it was because I was exercising as I read) and practically itched all over from his frightening depiction of the pollution in the region. I think Grisham's most realistic characters have been Troy Phelan, the billionaire who commits suicide in The Testament, and the young, conservative Christian lawyer tapped to run for Supreme Court Judge in Mississippi in this novel. With both characters--though they are in distinctively different novels--we get the sense that they are acting with the integrity of their convictions, even though we may not agree with their convictions or how they arrived at them.
And, even though I don't consider The Appeal to be one of Grisham's more sentimentalist efforts, I would be dishonest to imply that there weren't times when tears came to my eyes as I considered the plight of many of the characters and certain "no win" situations.
If you are any kind of political junkie (the "Karl Rove" character running the campaign for the judge's race is uncannily true-to-life), this is a "must read." It says as much about political campaigns as it does about jurisprudence. If you've ever invested years of your life and portions of your possessions (or all of them) in what others tell you is throwing your life away on a hopeless cause, this is a "must read."
Frankly, I think this may be the best book I've ever read by this author. It may well be his masterpiece, even though I don't think it will be his most successful by any means.
I could feel the heat and humidity as I read these pages (though perhaps it was because I was exercising as I read) and practically itched all over from his frightening depiction of the pollution in the region. I think Grisham's most realistic characters have been Troy Phelan, the billionaire who commits suicide in The Testament, and the young, conservative Christian lawyer tapped to run for Supreme Court Judge in Mississippi in this novel. With both characters--though they are in distinctively different novels--we get the sense that they are acting with the integrity of their convictions, even though we may not agree with their convictions or how they arrived at them.
And, even though I don't consider The Appeal to be one of Grisham's more sentimentalist efforts, I would be dishonest to imply that there weren't times when tears came to my eyes as I considered the plight of many of the characters and certain "no win" situations.
If you are any kind of political junkie (the "Karl Rove" character running the campaign for the judge's race is uncannily true-to-life), this is a "must read." It says as much about political campaigns as it does about jurisprudence. If you've ever invested years of your life and portions of your possessions (or all of them) in what others tell you is throwing your life away on a hopeless cause, this is a "must read."
Frankly, I think this may be the best book I've ever read by this author. It may well be his masterpiece, even though I don't think it will be his most successful by any means.
November 10, 2017
By the end of this novel, I hoped someone would come by and pour salt on my wounds. Seriously. At least then I would feel something.
After I found out I passed the bar exam over twenty years ago--{{with slithering colours}}-- my wife actually gave me this t-shirt as a gift.
I never wore it, of course. I found it a couple of weeks back and gave it to my son to do something with it for Halloween up at his university. Be an extra-creepy lawyer I guess.
After I found out I passed the bar exam over twenty years ago--{{with slithering colours}}-- my wife actually gave me this t-shirt as a gift.
I never wore it, of course. I found it a couple of weeks back and gave it to my son to do something with it for Halloween up at his university. Be an extra-creepy lawyer I guess.
August 16, 2024
През цялото време ми се струваше, че вече съм чел тази книга. И ако това е така, то аз съвсем успешно съм успял да я забравя напълно.
Историята не е лоша - химическа компания, тровила с години земята и водата на малък градец в щата Мисисипи е дадена под съд от жена загубила от ужасни болести съпруга и детето си. Делото се води от малка семейна компания, заложила в него цялото си имущество и репутация. Борбата е жестока, но надежда за справедлива присъда ги води напред.
И всичко би било добре, ако не се задаваха избори за поста на единия от деветте върховни съдии на щата.
Книгата страда най-вече от безличните си герои - дочетох я единствено, за да видя колко голямо говедо ще излезе Рон Фиск. За останалите хич и не ми пука.
Моят оценка - 2,5*.
Историята не е лоша - химическа компания, тровила с години земята и водата на малък градец в щата Мисисипи е дадена под съд от жена загубила от ужасни болести съпруга и детето си. Делото се води от малка семейна компания, заложила в него цялото си имущество и репутация. Борбата е жестока, но надежда за справедлива присъда ги води напред.
И всичко би било добре, ако не се задаваха избори за поста на единия от деветте върховни съдии на щата.
Книгата страда най-вече от безличните си герои - дочетох я единствено, за да видя колко голямо говедо ще излезе Рон Фиск. За останалите хич и не ми пука.
Моят оценка - 2,5*.
August 31, 2017
This is the fourth Grisham book that I have read lately, The Litigators, The Whistler, Rogue Lawyer, and The Appeal. So far, I like all of his books. They are shockingly realistic. Corruptions within American legal system used to be my blind spot prior to this reading experience. Not anymore, thanks to Grisham's novels. I like this book and recommend it to all who want to learn about American politics and legal system.
April 14, 2008
I just finished and it left me so mad!
This author used to just write a good story. He would have action and definite good guys and bad guys . . . lately though he has a good enough following that he has decided that he is going to write whatever the heck he wants because he knows that people will buy and read his books anyway. I suppose I am an example of that!
This book is about a lawsuit against a big company that has dumped toxic waste into the town's water supply and has caused cancer and death among the residents of the town. Well, I expected therefore that the lawyers and the plaintiff were going to be the main characters and "good guys" of the story. Not what I got! He doesn't stick with these characters really, he jumps each chapter to talk about another set of people and there really isn't a main character.
He moves from the main story and ends up on a soapbox about the state supreme court and getting someone elected onto that court and how the liberals are all bought/elected /controlled by trial lawyers who want big verdicts. Conversely, the conservatives are all bought/elected /controlled by big business, religious, and right to bear arms groups.
What started out to be a nice little story about a women who lost her husband and child to cancer and won a $41 Million verdict became a diatribe about legal processes and politics in the judicial system. The book ended with the case being reversed at the state level, the Company getting off scot-free and then to make the point even more clear, the ending is the owner of the company (the one who knowingly dumped toxic waste) earning several billion dollars in market share because he made his company look bad so that the stock plummeted, then bought up millions of shares of his company, all the while knowing that he bought a supreme court justice so that the verdict would be reversed and the stock would skyrocket! Further insult - the final chapter is the multi-billionaire on his brand new mega-yacht (which sleeps 200) having a party!!
I just wanted a nice little story! What in the heck?! I should have just stuck to episodes of Law and Order on TNT - at least I know what to expect and in the majority of cases, the ending turns out right!
This author used to just write a good story. He would have action and definite good guys and bad guys . . . lately though he has a good enough following that he has decided that he is going to write whatever the heck he wants because he knows that people will buy and read his books anyway. I suppose I am an example of that!
This book is about a lawsuit against a big company that has dumped toxic waste into the town's water supply and has caused cancer and death among the residents of the town. Well, I expected therefore that the lawyers and the plaintiff were going to be the main characters and "good guys" of the story. Not what I got! He doesn't stick with these characters really, he jumps each chapter to talk about another set of people and there really isn't a main character.
He moves from the main story and ends up on a soapbox about the state supreme court and getting someone elected onto that court and how the liberals are all bought/elected /controlled by trial lawyers who want big verdicts. Conversely, the conservatives are all bought/elected /controlled by big business, religious, and right to bear arms groups.
What started out to be a nice little story about a women who lost her husband and child to cancer and won a $41 Million verdict became a diatribe about legal processes and politics in the judicial system. The book ended with the case being reversed at the state level, the Company getting off scot-free and then to make the point even more clear, the ending is the owner of the company (the one who knowingly dumped toxic waste) earning several billion dollars in market share because he made his company look bad so that the stock plummeted, then bought up millions of shares of his company, all the while knowing that he bought a supreme court justice so that the verdict would be reversed and the stock would skyrocket! Further insult - the final chapter is the multi-billionaire on his brand new mega-yacht (which sleeps 200) having a party!!
I just wanted a nice little story! What in the heck?! I should have just stuck to episodes of Law and Order on TNT - at least I know what to expect and in the majority of cases, the ending turns out right!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2008
As I began reading this book, I was very worried that it sounded too familiar. It reminded me of "Law & Order" episodes that are "ripped from the headlines." Whenever I hear that, I think, come on, can't you guys think of anything new? Saying that, the storyline of Grisham's latest began in that similar sort of way. I was pretty convinced that it was going to be boring.
I was very pleasantly surprised that only after a few chapters, I started to find it pretty interesting. While the trial portion may have been "ripped from the headlines," the remainder of the plot, and the basic premise for the book were interesting and really captured my attention. I was really enjoying it, in fact, until the last few pages. I am SO disappointed with the ending. So much so, that after finishing the last page, I decided that I didn't like the book at all and it was a complete waste of my time! Grisham could have had a great legal thriller but instead he chose to write a political commentary that tricked me into thinking I was reading for pleasure and enjoyment.
At this point, I have no desire to ever read a Grisham novel again.
I was very pleasantly surprised that only after a few chapters, I started to find it pretty interesting. While the trial portion may have been "ripped from the headlines," the remainder of the plot, and the basic premise for the book were interesting and really captured my attention. I was really enjoying it, in fact, until the last few pages. I am SO disappointed with the ending. So much so, that after finishing the last page, I decided that I didn't like the book at all and it was a complete waste of my time! Grisham could have had a great legal thriller but instead he chose to write a political commentary that tricked me into thinking I was reading for pleasure and enjoyment.
At this point, I have no desire to ever read a Grisham novel again.
July 2, 2015
The Appeal is a book every American should read. It essentially explains how wealthy companies can literally buy judges - as in, have one taken out and a new one installed - in order to make decisions in their favor and protect them from having to pay damages to the people they maim with their practices.
It also goes over the importance to the average citizen of being able to sue for malpractice or damages from defective or unsafe products.
It was so dead-on that when i bought the hardcover (used) there were zero quotes or blurbs on the book talking about how great it was. If you go to Grisham's site there are quotes, but none on the back of the book itself! Very bizarre for one of Grisham's books. This is likely why (from wikipedia):
"Grisham's plot closely resembles a real-life decade-long legal battle between West Virginia coal mining competitors. When Don Blankenship, chairman and CEO of A.T. Massey Coal, lost a $50 million verdict in a fraud lawsuit brought by Hugh Caperton and Harman Mining over the cancellation of a long-term coal contract, he contributed $3 million to help Charleston lawyer Brent Benjamin unseat incumbent Judge Warren McGraw. Benjamin won the election, and three years later, when Massey's appeal reached the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Caperton's lawyers asked him to recuse himself because of Blankenship's financial support. Benjamin declined and he cast the crucial vote needed to overturn the verdict favoring Caperton. Among those who noticed similarities between the case and The Appeal was former West Virginia justice Larry Starcher, who criticized Benjamin for not disqualifying himself. He wrote in an opinion, "I believe John Grisham got it right when he said that he simply had to read The Charleston Gazette to get an idea for his next novel."[1]
In June 2009, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Justice Benjamin should have recused himself in Caperton v. Massey, sending the case back to the West Virginia Supreme Court. Writing for the majority in the 5 to 4 decision, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy called the appearance of conflict of interest so "extreme" that the failure to recuse constituted a threat to the plaintiff’s Constitutional right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s dissent warned that the United States Supreme Court majority decision would have dire consequences for "public confidence in judicial impartiality."[2]
Only a minority of states elect judges directly, a controversial system virtually unknown outside the United States. The Appeal has been seen as an attack on this system of selecting judges, since judges have a conflict of interest when ruling on cases involving major campaign contributors.[1][3]"
Here are the blurbs from his website: http://www.jgrisham.com/the-appeal/
I gave the book only 4 stars b/c it was a little more technical and a little less thriller and therefore less enjoyable but the tradeoff is the education factor and social commentary.
Night and day from what he did in The Associate, which was write a seemingly pointless story that was also disturbingly misogynist, i was very surprised and disappointed.
It also goes over the importance to the average citizen of being able to sue for malpractice or damages from defective or unsafe products.
It was so dead-on that when i bought the hardcover (used) there were zero quotes or blurbs on the book talking about how great it was. If you go to Grisham's site there are quotes, but none on the back of the book itself! Very bizarre for one of Grisham's books. This is likely why (from wikipedia):
"Grisham's plot closely resembles a real-life decade-long legal battle between West Virginia coal mining competitors. When Don Blankenship, chairman and CEO of A.T. Massey Coal, lost a $50 million verdict in a fraud lawsuit brought by Hugh Caperton and Harman Mining over the cancellation of a long-term coal contract, he contributed $3 million to help Charleston lawyer Brent Benjamin unseat incumbent Judge Warren McGraw. Benjamin won the election, and three years later, when Massey's appeal reached the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Caperton's lawyers asked him to recuse himself because of Blankenship's financial support. Benjamin declined and he cast the crucial vote needed to overturn the verdict favoring Caperton. Among those who noticed similarities between the case and The Appeal was former West Virginia justice Larry Starcher, who criticized Benjamin for not disqualifying himself. He wrote in an opinion, "I believe John Grisham got it right when he said that he simply had to read The Charleston Gazette to get an idea for his next novel."[1]
In June 2009, the United States Supreme Court ruled that Justice Benjamin should have recused himself in Caperton v. Massey, sending the case back to the West Virginia Supreme Court. Writing for the majority in the 5 to 4 decision, Justice Anthony M. Kennedy called the appearance of conflict of interest so "extreme" that the failure to recuse constituted a threat to the plaintiff’s Constitutional right to due process under the Fourteenth Amendment. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.'s dissent warned that the United States Supreme Court majority decision would have dire consequences for "public confidence in judicial impartiality."[2]
Only a minority of states elect judges directly, a controversial system virtually unknown outside the United States. The Appeal has been seen as an attack on this system of selecting judges, since judges have a conflict of interest when ruling on cases involving major campaign contributors.[1][3]"
Here are the blurbs from his website: http://www.jgrisham.com/the-appeal/
I gave the book only 4 stars b/c it was a little more technical and a little less thriller and therefore less enjoyable but the tradeoff is the education factor and social commentary.
Night and day from what he did in The Associate, which was write a seemingly pointless story that was also disturbingly misogynist, i was very surprised and disappointed.
Read
November 26, 2022John Grisham tiene una forma muy al estilo de película de Hollywood. Sus novelas, por lo general, enganchan muy fácilmente y tienen una trama entretenida. No es nada malo, la literatura en general sirve para entretener, después entran los gustos. El caos es que, hasta ahora, es lo, pero que he leído de él. No porque no enganche, sino porque he visto que tiene problemas con el ritmo, en este caso se queda empantanado en lo que vienen a ser unas elecciones judiciales. La premisa es interesante, siempre y cuando te guste todo el tema de los grupos de presión, o un entramado político. Pero no lo ha conseguido, a mí me da la sensación que ha intentado llevar a cabo varios frentes abiertos y al final se han liado más bien regulín regulag. Ojo, es un escritor que me entretiene mucho y me mola, pero no aquí. Veremos que tal las siguientes lecturas. También es cierto que no soy muy dado al thriller, no es un género que me entusiasme demasiado, pero si hay novelas entretenidas no les hago ascos.
January 28, 2023
Interesting, alert, easy to read, like almost all novels by Grisham ("Skipping Christmas" is the lousy exception, just to a point, but that was enough...) The bad boys are winning and two messages raise from the book: it's not normal that judges from supreme court to be choosen like politicians and, even more important, they are human and their decisions depend on their personal happenings.
December 21, 2023
Ok, WTF did I just read? I have to say this is the first Grisham novel that I actually hated. This was so bad!! I can’t even believe this was written by my favourite author. It’s like somebody else wrote this and just slapped his name on it.
This was so all over the place it made my head spin. My first Grisham novel where I was super confused and found so hard to follow. It started out fine, and then went on this 200 page tangent that wasn’t really important or life changing in the end. It was such a dumb plot point that was told from multiple perspectives and went every which way.
I really dislike some of these novels that drag out the main plot for hundreds of pages and then are super anti-climactic and just try to wrap up in 30 pages. It’s mind boggling to me. This was one of those books. I would have given it a 1 star but the start was good so I was being generous.
This was so all over the place it made my head spin. My first Grisham novel where I was super confused and found so hard to follow. It started out fine, and then went on this 200 page tangent that wasn’t really important or life changing in the end. It was such a dumb plot point that was told from multiple perspectives and went every which way.
I really dislike some of these novels that drag out the main plot for hundreds of pages and then are super anti-climactic and just try to wrap up in 30 pages. It’s mind boggling to me. This was one of those books. I would have given it a 1 star but the start was good so I was being generous.
December 18, 2023
Eigenlijk stond dit boek me niet echt aan. Het begin leek veelbelovend, maar al gauw ging het te veel, eigenlijk heel de tijd, over de macht van grote concerns, over hun corruptie, en over geld. Is dit waarheidsgetrouw? Ik besef natuurlijk dat er veel achter de schermen van grote bedrijven en van de politiek gebeurt,..
Afgezien nog van de afkeer die ik voelde voor dit "systeem", vond ik het niet interessant om te lezen. Veel te veel over het gesjoemel, te weinig 'verhaal'.
Ik moet wel toegeven dat het goed in elkaar zat, daarom ook nog 3 sterren.
Afgezien nog van de afkeer die ik voelde voor dit "systeem", vond ik het niet interessant om te lezen. Veel te veel over het gesjoemel, te weinig 'verhaal'.
Ik moet wel toegeven dat het goed in elkaar zat, daarom ook nog 3 sterren.
February 17, 2018
Excellent...tells you everything wrong in politics today...because as long as Private donations are allowed to go toward campaigns and bribes paid to those elected to vote the way a Corporate company wants them to vote, corruption will be rampant,and our democracy will not be a true democracy anymore.
The right wing mentality will continue to destroy the principles of the United States Constitution,and take away our true freedoms.......quite the book...if you can handle the truth.
The right wing mentality will continue to destroy the principles of the United States Constitution,and take away our true freedoms.......quite the book...if you can handle the truth.
Read
April 18, 2009don't read this piece of shit. what the hell grisham?, you're usually so solid.
April 28, 2015
يجب عليكم تحملي اليوم ..
انوي ان اثرثر كثيرا
جئت لجزيرة أفريقية نائية ليومين ومعي خمسة كتب أنهيتها بخطأ بتقدير عدد الكتب اللازمة للرحلة او ربما بإبداع كتابها الذين جعلوا مني سائحا لم يغادر غرفته قط
الرواية هي ثالث ما اقرأه لجون جريشام - وفي رواية غريشام- بعد المؤسسة ورواية اخرى يفوتني اسمها الان
من الواضح بأن غريشام لن يجد من يباريه في كتابة الروايات التي تكون المحاكم والقضايا وما بينهما محور ما يكتبه فقلمه بارع جداً ومتمكن في هذا العالم
احداث الرواية سلسة وجميلة وأول ما تستشفه منها هو نفس ما شعرت به في قرائتي لفئران امي حصة للسنعوسي .. الكاتب الشفاف حينما يرى بلاده تتجه للهاوية .. فهو يبدع بالتخويف من المستقبل الذي ينتظر الأجيال القادمة سواء كان الكاتب عربيا او أمريكيا
بسرده لمدى سوء امتزاج السياسة بالقضاء يجيب غريشام -وفي رواية كريشام- عن العديد من تساؤلاتنا
لماذا تتخذ اجرائات صارمة بحق قضايا رأي بسيطة احيانا؟
لماذا يُدفع ببعض السفلة والحقراء لتمثيل جهات عليا احيانا؟
من يحرك من على الرقعة وما هي زاوية النظر للأمور التي لا نفهمها ؟
احداث أشبه بفيلم غامض تشدك من اول صفحة وربما قبلها في إهداء الرواية الى شخص من اصل عربي اسمه روبرت خياط او هكذا يبدو الى نهايتها التي تجعلك تتوقعها ثم تكون عكس توقعاتك لتكون بين قلة من الروايات التي لن تفارق ذهنك لفترة طويلة قادمة
اذا كنت قارئا لطيفا مثلي فستكتفي بهذا القدر .. وإذا كنت قارئا متطرفا فستُتبع مراجعتك بثلاث لعنات على راس الناشر
الاولى : لتوقف جرير عن ترجمة الروايات التي تضعها نيويورك تايمز على القمة واكتفائها بسخافات كتب تطوير الذات
الثانية : لعدم ذكر اسم المترجم الرائع السلس والبسيط والمؤدب بالطبع الذي اكتفى بمفردات سحقت وتبا وعليه اللعنه
الثالثة : لعدم وجود موقع او مطبوعة بها بقية ما نشرته جرير ايام العز لكي نتابعه
ولاني كما أسلفت من النوع الاول فلن أقول شيئا للناشر سوى جزيل الشكر على تقديمهم لهذه الرائعة للمكتبة العربية
انوي ان اثرثر كثيرا
جئت لجزيرة أفريقية نائية ليومين ومعي خمسة كتب أنهيتها بخطأ بتقدير عدد الكتب اللازمة للرحلة او ربما بإبداع كتابها الذين جعلوا مني سائحا لم يغادر غرفته قط
الرواية هي ثالث ما اقرأه لجون جريشام - وفي رواية غريشام- بعد المؤسسة ورواية اخرى يفوتني اسمها الان
من الواضح بأن غريشام لن يجد من يباريه في كتابة الروايات التي تكون المحاكم والقضايا وما بينهما محور ما يكتبه فقلمه بارع جداً ومتمكن في هذا العالم
احداث الرواية سلسة وجميلة وأول ما تستشفه منها هو نفس ما شعرت به في قرائتي لفئران امي حصة للسنعوسي .. الكاتب الشفاف حينما يرى بلاده تتجه للهاوية .. فهو يبدع بالتخويف من المستقبل الذي ينتظر الأجيال القادمة سواء كان الكاتب عربيا او أمريكيا
بسرده لمدى سوء امتزاج السياسة بالقضاء يجيب غريشام -وفي رواية كريشام- عن العديد من تساؤلاتنا
لماذا تتخذ اجرائات صارمة بحق قضايا رأي بسيطة احيانا؟
لماذا يُدفع ببعض السفلة والحقراء لتمثيل جهات عليا احيانا؟
من يحرك من على الرقعة وما هي زاوية النظر للأمور التي لا نفهمها ؟
احداث أشبه بفيلم غامض تشدك من اول صفحة وربما قبلها في إهداء الرواية الى شخص من اصل عربي اسمه روبرت خياط او هكذا يبدو الى نهايتها التي تجعلك تتوقعها ثم تكون عكس توقعاتك لتكون بين قلة من الروايات التي لن تفارق ذهنك لفترة طويلة قادمة
اذا كنت قارئا لطيفا مثلي فستكتفي بهذا القدر .. وإذا كنت قارئا متطرفا فستُتبع مراجعتك بثلاث لعنات على راس الناشر
الاولى : لتوقف جرير عن ترجمة الروايات التي تضعها نيويورك تايمز على القمة واكتفائها بسخافات كتب تطوير الذات
الثانية : لعدم ذكر اسم المترجم الرائع السلس والبسيط والمؤدب بالطبع الذي اكتفى بمفردات سحقت وتبا وعليه اللعنه
الثالثة : لعدم وجود موقع او مطبوعة بها بقية ما نشرته جرير ايام العز لكي نتابعه
ولاني كما أسلفت من النوع الاول فلن أقول شيئا للناشر سوى جزيل الشكر على تقديمهم لهذه الرائعة للمكتبة العربية
December 23, 2011
I read this in April of 2008 after Justice Nehring (of the Utah Supreme Court) told me he was listening to it on CD during his commute each day. Three quarters of my way through it, he told me it was not worth finishing. He was right.
Talk about much ado about nothing. The novel starts strong, provides an interesting conflict, and than (spoiler alert) completely drops the ball. Not that the bad guy has to lose and the good guy has to win every time, but the characters are skewed and distorted so much to the extreme that everything is black and white, not the gray that is the real world, and STILL the bad guy comes out on top.
One is left to believe that there is no real justice, that our political system leaves zero opportunity for the common man to be heard or represented, and that all persons wealthy are superficial and power hungry.
Sorry, but that's not the real world. Nor does it make good fiction. I was left feeling both condescended and disappointed. Does Grisham really think we are so stupid?
On the other hand, a conspiracy theory always makes for fun fiction...for a few pages. Eventually, things have to resolve, and i'd like to feel good about the resolution.
Talk about much ado about nothing. The novel starts strong, provides an interesting conflict, and than (spoiler alert) completely drops the ball. Not that the bad guy has to lose and the good guy has to win every time, but the characters are skewed and distorted so much to the extreme that everything is black and white, not the gray that is the real world, and STILL the bad guy comes out on top.
One is left to believe that there is no real justice, that our political system leaves zero opportunity for the common man to be heard or represented, and that all persons wealthy are superficial and power hungry.
Sorry, but that's not the real world. Nor does it make good fiction. I was left feeling both condescended and disappointed. Does Grisham really think we are so stupid?
On the other hand, a conspiracy theory always makes for fun fiction...for a few pages. Eventually, things have to resolve, and i'd like to feel good about the resolution.
April 13, 2008
I'm a Grisham fan - I've read pretty much all his books. If his liberal leanings weren't apparent before, they certainly are now ("not that there's anything wrong with that"). I guess you could call this Grisham's response to all the recent rantings by the right about liberal judges changing the laws to suit their leftist politics and agendas. Make no mistake - this book was written to make a political statement.
According to Grisham, conservative judges are bought and paid for by evil "big business", never saw a trial verdict for the underrepresented and oppressed victim that they didn't want to overturn, and always rule in favor of evil "big business" even where the liability is clear-cut.
Here's the capsul summary of the book (some spoilers, though not as to ending): Evil "big business" dumps toxic carcinogens in a small town for decades. Drinking water is contaminated. Hundreds get cancer, dozens die. Corageous self-sacrificing trial lawyers take on big business, win $41m verdict at trial for woman whose husband and child were killed by "big business". Big business' stock takes a dive, with hundreds of other plaintiffs waiting in the wings. Unwilling to take responsibility for its evils and pay the verdict, big business appeals. With current make-up of state's supreme court generally voting 5-4 in favor of plaintiffs with righteous claims (the 4 being big-business-loving evil conservatives who hate victims), big business devises plan to replace a moderate state supreme court justice up for re-election with a conservative. Big business recruits unknown, inexperienced and naive conservative lawyer to run for election to state supreme court against the reasonable, compassion-filled moderate justice. Big business runs campaign that is the dirtiest in the history of the world, yet at the same time typical of judge-buying conservatives. In campaign big business distorts the facts, painting moderate justice as gay-loving, Christian-hating, gun-hating, business-hating looney liberal. Conservative candidate is mere puppet of big-business money machine. Big business puppet wins close election (close only because "big business'" nefarious tactics were exposed at the end, but the truth wasn't enough to counter-act the gazillions of $ spent by bit business in the end). In every case where a person was injured by an evil business or corporation, and awarded damages by a jury, conservative justices reverse and send the plaintiff back with nothing.
In the "Author's Note" at the end of the book, Grisham makes clear that the book is entirely fictional, so far as the facts go, but the descriptions of the issues, tactics, factions and results are accurate. In other words, this is a true story told with fictional characters. While I'm sure Grisham raises some legitimate issues, if he's going to attack all conservative justices and judicial elections this way, I'd like to see him have the balls to do it without relying on the guise and cover of fiction. Not to mention the fact that Grisham totally ignores the other side of the coin. I don't know - if Grisham keeps politicizing his books to such a degree, this may be the last one I read. In novels the good guys generall win, but Grisham tries to make his political statement all the more poignant by haivng the bad guys win at the end, laughing all the way to the bank.
According to Grisham, conservative judges are bought and paid for by evil "big business", never saw a trial verdict for the underrepresented and oppressed victim that they didn't want to overturn, and always rule in favor of evil "big business" even where the liability is clear-cut.
Here's the capsul summary of the book (some spoilers, though not as to ending): Evil "big business" dumps toxic carcinogens in a small town for decades. Drinking water is contaminated. Hundreds get cancer, dozens die. Corageous self-sacrificing trial lawyers take on big business, win $41m verdict at trial for woman whose husband and child were killed by "big business". Big business' stock takes a dive, with hundreds of other plaintiffs waiting in the wings. Unwilling to take responsibility for its evils and pay the verdict, big business appeals. With current make-up of state's supreme court generally voting 5-4 in favor of plaintiffs with righteous claims (the 4 being big-business-loving evil conservatives who hate victims), big business devises plan to replace a moderate state supreme court justice up for re-election with a conservative. Big business recruits unknown, inexperienced and naive conservative lawyer to run for election to state supreme court against the reasonable, compassion-filled moderate justice. Big business runs campaign that is the dirtiest in the history of the world, yet at the same time typical of judge-buying conservatives. In campaign big business distorts the facts, painting moderate justice as gay-loving, Christian-hating, gun-hating, business-hating looney liberal. Conservative candidate is mere puppet of big-business money machine. Big business puppet wins close election (close only because "big business'" nefarious tactics were exposed at the end, but the truth wasn't enough to counter-act the gazillions of $ spent by bit business in the end). In every case where a person was injured by an evil business or corporation, and awarded damages by a jury, conservative justices reverse and send the plaintiff back with nothing.
In the "Author's Note" at the end of the book, Grisham makes clear that the book is entirely fictional, so far as the facts go, but the descriptions of the issues, tactics, factions and results are accurate. In other words, this is a true story told with fictional characters. While I'm sure Grisham raises some legitimate issues, if he's going to attack all conservative justices and judicial elections this way, I'd like to see him have the balls to do it without relying on the guise and cover of fiction. Not to mention the fact that Grisham totally ignores the other side of the coin. I don't know - if Grisham keeps politicizing his books to such a degree, this may be the last one I read. In novels the good guys generall win, but Grisham tries to make his political statement all the more poignant by haivng the bad guys win at the end, laughing all the way to the bank.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2018
Another Grisham page turner, at least it was until the middle section when it got a bit wordy and I thought I was losing interest. The book picked up again for the final section, though, and the ending was totally unpredictable!
People are dying in Bowmore. In fact, the situation has become so serious that it's been given the grotesque nickname, Cancer County. The rates are fifteen times the national average. The residents reckon it's in the water and that Krane chemical company, an industry giant, are to blame. They're convinced they've been illegally dumping toxic waste for decades. But, who's going to listen to a bunch of small town Mississippians whinging about their health?
Payton and Payton, a husband and wife lawyer team, are on the verge of bankruptcy. They listened, they took the plunge. They sued and won. The award broke records. But, what about the inevitable appeal?
As the verdict is read, the wheels of big business start churning believing that with enough money, anyone and anything can be bought. Will justice prevail? or will the slick and slimy bosses of Krane live to wreak havoc in another unsuspecting community?
What I really like about Grisham's books is that he always manages to expose the selfish hearts of his characters. He includes their motives and thoughts and lays them bare. It's uncomfortable reading at times because no one wants their deepest feelings plastered on their foreheads. Yet, Grisham's characters are so alive that it's easy to feel the things they would have been feeling, if they existed. I suppose, that's what makes a good story-teller and Grisham is one of the best.
He often includes religious and faith themes. This novel is no exception as many of the characters are Christians and there are some issues highlighted through the narrative. Grisham sits on the fence and presents both sides of the arguments for; guns, abortion, same-sex marriage etc. It's a shame that he doesn't take a more biblical stand on these issues. I recently read a short book by Grisham all about a special treatment for brain tumours and I know he's involved in a lot of charity work, so he could advocate passionately on one side or the other should he choose to do so.
This isn't his best novel. I tend to rate them according to those I have already read, if that makes sense: a sort of Grisham rating. This novel had the odd bit of bad language and some blasphemy but it wasn't extensive. There wasn't any graphic violence that I recall and no sexual content although some suggestive behaviour.
Worth reading if you like legal thrillers or just for the twist towards the end!
Check out my John Grisham Shelf!
People are dying in Bowmore. In fact, the situation has become so serious that it's been given the grotesque nickname, Cancer County. The rates are fifteen times the national average. The residents reckon it's in the water and that Krane chemical company, an industry giant, are to blame. They're convinced they've been illegally dumping toxic waste for decades. But, who's going to listen to a bunch of small town Mississippians whinging about their health?
Payton and Payton, a husband and wife lawyer team, are on the verge of bankruptcy. They listened, they took the plunge. They sued and won. The award broke records. But, what about the inevitable appeal?
As the verdict is read, the wheels of big business start churning believing that with enough money, anyone and anything can be bought. Will justice prevail? or will the slick and slimy bosses of Krane live to wreak havoc in another unsuspecting community?
What I really like about Grisham's books is that he always manages to expose the selfish hearts of his characters. He includes their motives and thoughts and lays them bare. It's uncomfortable reading at times because no one wants their deepest feelings plastered on their foreheads. Yet, Grisham's characters are so alive that it's easy to feel the things they would have been feeling, if they existed. I suppose, that's what makes a good story-teller and Grisham is one of the best.
He often includes religious and faith themes. This novel is no exception as many of the characters are Christians and there are some issues highlighted through the narrative. Grisham sits on the fence and presents both sides of the arguments for; guns, abortion, same-sex marriage etc. It's a shame that he doesn't take a more biblical stand on these issues. I recently read a short book by Grisham all about a special treatment for brain tumours and I know he's involved in a lot of charity work, so he could advocate passionately on one side or the other should he choose to do so.
This isn't his best novel. I tend to rate them according to those I have already read, if that makes sense: a sort of Grisham rating. This novel had the odd bit of bad language and some blasphemy but it wasn't extensive. There wasn't any graphic violence that I recall and no sexual content although some suggestive behaviour.
Worth reading if you like legal thrillers or just for the twist towards the end!
Check out my John Grisham Shelf!
February 24, 2018
I've been thinking I wanted to read a good court-room drama for a while now and I remembered that John Grisham had written a few pretty good ones...so I gave this one a shot. Unfortunately there was very little of that here but still, an interesting plot was starting to develop and even though there didn't seem to be any central main character in this novel, the various points of view on the plot by the host of minor characters was working for a while.
But then...WHAM! I honestly can’t think of another book I’ve ever read that pissed me off so much at the end. A nice compelling build-up was well-written and fairly absorbing and to be honest I learned a lot about state Supreme Courts and how the appellate process works. That can be a dry subject but Grisham’s style makes it a more enjoyable reading and learning experience.
However, Mr. Grisham (not for the first time) seems intent on preaching his message which this time around is that if state laws call for elections of justices (rather than appointed) then inevitably, large corrupt organizations will buy influence and ultimately lead to massive miscarriages of justice. While I understand and even appreciate the author’s point, the way he expresses it in the form of this novel makes for a horrible reading experience. Indeed, the reader is the true victim of this novel.
I can’t really go into much detail without giving away major spoilers so suffice it to say that I would have awarded 4 stars to the first 90% of the book but the ending negates all of that. In fact I think I would like to appeal and send this one back for a major re-write. If only I had wielded my power and bought my own Supreme Court justice, thus ensuring life would be the way I wanted it.
But then...WHAM! I honestly can’t think of another book I’ve ever read that pissed me off so much at the end. A nice compelling build-up was well-written and fairly absorbing and to be honest I learned a lot about state Supreme Courts and how the appellate process works. That can be a dry subject but Grisham’s style makes it a more enjoyable reading and learning experience.
However, Mr. Grisham (not for the first time) seems intent on preaching his message which this time around is that if state laws call for elections of justices (rather than appointed) then inevitably, large corrupt organizations will buy influence and ultimately lead to massive miscarriages of justice. While I understand and even appreciate the author’s point, the way he expresses it in the form of this novel makes for a horrible reading experience. Indeed, the reader is the true victim of this novel.
I can’t really go into much detail without giving away major spoilers so suffice it to say that I would have awarded 4 stars to the first 90% of the book but the ending negates all of that. In fact I think I would like to appeal and send this one back for a major re-write. If only I had wielded my power and bought my own Supreme Court justice, thus ensuring life would be the way I wanted it.
December 15, 2021
ok Erin Brockovich. go off sis.
very mediocre but the ending is fine. stop bitching about it.
not that into legal thrillers so it may be better than i think it is... idk idc i got it for free from a newspaper 🤷🏻♀️
very mediocre but the ending is fine. stop bitching about it.
not that into legal thrillers so it may be better than i think it is... idk idc i got it for free from a newspaper 🤷🏻♀️
April 15, 2021
The reality of law and politics turns my stomach. This book is an example of corporate greed and how far it reaches.
April 18, 2021
Θα μπορούσε να ήταν καλύτερο αν μας ενδιέφερε ο τρόπος που ψηφίζουν οι Αμερικάνοι πολίτες τους δικαστές. Το δικαστικό τους σύστημα είναι τόσο διαφορετικό από το δικό μας, που μου πήρε μισό βιβλίο να βεβαιωθώ ότι όντως τους δικαστές τους ψηφίζουν οι πολίτες και δεν εκλέγονται μόνο από τους δικηγόρους. Που ούτε και αυτό ισχύει σε εμάς, ειδική σχολή βγάζουν οι άνθρωποι, δεν εκλέγονται... Τέλος πάντων, προσπαθεί σε όλο το βιβλίο να δείξει τη διαφθορά και τη βρώμα που υπάρχει στην αμερικανική κοινωνία, αφού τα λεφτά εξαγοράζουν τα πάντα, αλλά δυστυχώς είναι αρκετά βαρετό στα σημεία που προσπαθούν να βρουν λεφτά για τον προεκλογικό αγώνα. Επίσης το βρήκα λίγο ακατανόητο, τουλάχιστον για τη δική μου συνείδηση και τρόπο σκέψης, στα σημεία που μέρος της προεκλογικής εκστρατείας των δικαστών αναφέρεται στην άδεια οπλοφορίας και στην θανατική ποινή. Έχει φυσικά και καλά σημεία, αλλά επειδή το μεγαλύτερο μέρος του αναλώνεται στον προεκλογικό αγώνα δεν μου πολυάρεσε.
October 5, 2015
A candid look into the seedy underbelly of campaign finance in the U.S. It's no secret that in this country, money and politics walk hand in hand, with Big Business barons leveraging their own interests against those of the people and, at times, basic procedural justice. It is this systemic prioritization of corporate well-being over human well-being on which Grisham wishes to shine a light.
He chooses his own home state—Mississippi—for the setting. Mississippi is one of the few states which elects its judiciary as opposed to their being appointed. This includes the nine state supreme court justices. In the fictional city of Bowmore, a massive tort suit is won against a Forbes 400 CEO. The case is appealed to the state supreme court. Faced with his corporate empire going belly up, the CEO hires a lobbying group to handpick a candidate-cum-ideological ally and funnels dark money to finance him into the justiceship, where said candidate is expected to further the interests of his benefactors. Their expectations, of course, involve a reversal of the lower court's decision and a hard line on limiting corporate liability. It's a disturbing narrative that will (or should) shock the reader upon seeing a deeply flawed system laid bare in all of its shady details.
That's all well and good, and campaign finance reform is a, if not the, top issue imperiling the American political process today. My dissatisfaction with the book is that it is just plain boring. The writing is banal, the characters contrived, the plot bare bones. It was easy to tell where Grisham was going early on and there was nothing here to keep me hooked. It's part of the reason it took me so long to get through it. Worst of all (spoiler alert), the ending turns up aces for the "bad guys". Money talks. American politics is a corrupt enterprise.
The lesson of the book is both obvious and well worth being mindful of, but the way in which it is told is lazy, phony and altogether unmemorable. Political statements wrapped in novel form don't have to be this way. The Grapes of Wrath and Uncle Tom's Cabin this is not. I hear Grisham's bibliography is all over the map in terms of quality, and I'm inclined to agree after reading The Appeal. Do skip this one.
He chooses his own home state—Mississippi—for the setting. Mississippi is one of the few states which elects its judiciary as opposed to their being appointed. This includes the nine state supreme court justices. In the fictional city of Bowmore, a massive tort suit is won against a Forbes 400 CEO. The case is appealed to the state supreme court. Faced with his corporate empire going belly up, the CEO hires a lobbying group to handpick a candidate-cum-ideological ally and funnels dark money to finance him into the justiceship, where said candidate is expected to further the interests of his benefactors. Their expectations, of course, involve a reversal of the lower court's decision and a hard line on limiting corporate liability. It's a disturbing narrative that will (or should) shock the reader upon seeing a deeply flawed system laid bare in all of its shady details.
That's all well and good, and campaign finance reform is a, if not the, top issue imperiling the American political process today. My dissatisfaction with the book is that it is just plain boring. The writing is banal, the characters contrived, the plot bare bones. It was easy to tell where Grisham was going early on and there was nothing here to keep me hooked. It's part of the reason it took me so long to get through it. Worst of all (spoiler alert), the ending turns up aces for the "bad guys". Money talks. American politics is a corrupt enterprise.
The lesson of the book is both obvious and well worth being mindful of, but the way in which it is told is lazy, phony and altogether unmemorable. Political statements wrapped in novel form don't have to be this way. The Grapes of Wrath and Uncle Tom's Cabin this is not. I hear Grisham's bibliography is all over the map in terms of quality, and I'm inclined to agree after reading The Appeal. Do skip this one.
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