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Dan's Reviews > Sycamore Row
Sycamore Row (Jake Brigance, #2)
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Now, I know I'll probably get bashed for this, but this is one boring read. For me personally, it would actually be a 2.5-star rating as Grisham's writing is commendable, but he has written so much better stuff. Firstly, I didn't see why this had to be set back in the late eighties (did so many people really have car phones back then?) and although I read A Time to Kill, to which this has been dubbed a sequel of sorts, I read it more than 15 years ago and remember it being a lot better than this.
I admit this is a review for the Unabridged Audible version of the book, that had some cliche Afro-American voices and all the usual redneck-ness that readers throw into Grisham's books, but the story itself was just too slow. I really didn't get to root for or even relate to Jake, and the fact that his personal life was so hidden seemed strange. There was no big surprise at the end which I was hoping for to bring this lackluster book up a notch, just a predictable explanation to the whole scenario. I even resisted the temptation on more than one occasion to skip sections as started repeating itself.
This is far from being a 'page-turner', and if you're looking for something with a bit more 'thrill' along the same lines, check out Connelly's The Fifth Witness or if you prefer to stay within Grisham's repertoire The Litigators is a Courtroom hoot.
I admit this is a review for the Unabridged Audible version of the book, that had some cliche Afro-American voices and all the usual redneck-ness that readers throw into Grisham's books, but the story itself was just too slow. I really didn't get to root for or even relate to Jake, and the fact that his personal life was so hidden seemed strange. There was no big surprise at the end which I was hoping for to bring this lackluster book up a notch, just a predictable explanation to the whole scenario. I even resisted the temptation on more than one occasion to skip sections as started repeating itself.
This is far from being a 'page-turner', and if you're looking for something with a bit more 'thrill' along the same lines, check out Connelly's The Fifth Witness or if you prefer to stay within Grisham's repertoire The Litigators is a Courtroom hoot.
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Reading Progress
October 30, 2013
–
Started Reading
October 30, 2013
– Shelved
November 2, 2013
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 68 (68 new)
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Laurie
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rated it 3 stars
Nov 07, 2013 05:08AM
Yes!!
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Kind of exactly what I've thought & posted
Agreed. I usually love Grisham, and A Time To Kill is my favorite book ever, but this one just didn't do it for me. I'm with you, I was bored, wanting to skip parts due to repetition, and also kept thinking that something big would happen, which just never did.
It couldn't have been set in present day because the two Hubbard's would have been almost 100 years old. The cancer explained the timeframe, plus it creates a better continuance or Jake's life and struggles from the Hailey trial.In saying that, I agree with the simplicity of the narrative; it was all very predictable. I thought the release of the Klan guys from prison would have played more of a role as the story progressed.
Certainly not as shocking as the first novel, but with that plot, it hardly called for shock. Money is not as shocking as rape and murder, not to readers in the 2013 anyway.
In reply to one of your statements as to why it was set in the eighties. This was so because it was in those times that blacks were so highly discriminated. Car phone is just a nuance that can be ignored. Seth's will said that he allowed any blacks that wanted to come to his funeral. He had to allow it, because blacks went to seperate churches back then. Also it says repeatedly in the book that there were very few rich blacks. It would have been misfitting if the book had been set in this era.
I agree. Some of the sentences in the book are breathtaking in their laziness and lack of concern for literary quality. I actually read some of them out to my husband. I plodded through the book over the Christmas break with not much enthusiasm.
I agree with your review and found it to be tedious reading. I also agree with the recommendation of the two Connelly books.
Agreeing with Muneezatah that the time period is accurate and necessary. Good portrayal of the social scene. otherwise agree concerning the plodding, drawn out plot. Felt like a lot of filler. So unlike Time To Kill.
Yeah, I thought maybe it was just me since I am not a big Grisham fan anyway. I did think it was pretty dull. But I loved Jake Brigance in A time To Kill so I was really excited about this one. And I listened to the audio book . Michael Beck did an amazing job. He is so talented. He sounded just like the actors who were in the movie A Time To Kill. I think because of Michael Beck, I enjoyed the book more than if I had read it myself.
I was just entering this book on my "am reading" list. Interesting. I started it a while ago and haven't been able to pick it back up, which is unusual for me with a Grisham book. Normally, I'll finish one in a day or two.
I am a big Grisham fan but had trouble getting thru this one too. Good thing I borrowed from the library and didn't pay $$ for it. Just couldn't get into it.
When will this end. I am a faithful Grisham fan and hate to stop before i finish this long, boring tale - but i might.
"although I read A Time to Kill, to which this has been dubbed a sequel of sorts, I read it more than 15 years ago and remember it being a lot better than this..."Exactly my thought! I like this author and his earlier works were great. I couldn't get enough of his books. That is changing for me as his latest works don't satisfy me as it used to.
Lately his caliber is getting lower and he's kinda getting lazy ie not fully developed plots, leaving some holes and such.
I really do not understand how literate readers can continue to be "faithful Grisham fans". His novels are formula based...you know what will most likely happen and the "suspense" is little if any in recent books.I'm done with Grisham. Have fun but count me out.
Agreed! I heard so many great reviews about this book, after getting half way through I did a google search spoiler. Bored me to no end -.-
Good to know that someone liked The litigators ;)
Fascinating trial and litigation strategy, especially by Rex. I have been reading Grisham's books for 25 years, starting with "The Firm". Time to Kill is too violent, didn't read it. Of course, if you are a legal hawk, the courtroom drama was fascinating, especially the final settlement terms.
Agree. I don't even like the writing.
I felt like he needed a harsh editor!
Well...I couldn't put it down....
I disagree with some of the other commenters about racism piquing in the late eighties. I graduated that year from a small Midwestern town with 10% lower class AAs, but saw nothing near this amount of racism. Perhaps I'm naive. Or maybe for my generation desegregation was effective during the school years.
It has been years since I picked up a Grishman novel - I got bored after a while - but Time to Kill is one of my all time favorites - I am still in the middle of reading this - and currently I can't put it down - maybe I am feeling a bit refreshed after taking a few years off? Or maybe its giving me the memory of one of my favorites - Time to Kill? Will be interesting to see where I land when I am done.
Jane wrote: "Agree. I don't even like the writing."YES!
Totally agreed! Way too redundant it could have been 5+ chapters less.
I agree with you! He writes well but the story was not exciting at all. I was bored and happy to finish it.
My first and last Grisham book, for all these reasons.
I follow your review all the way. It was my first book from Grisham, and I must say that it disappointed me as I always heard of him as a good plot creator. Have to give him another chance...
Agreed - it is a severely watered down A Time To Kill. I read on in faith, thinking that it would pick up but it really didn't. One good thing to say is that his style made a dull and eventless story readable - made the best of a bad plot!
You certainly won't be bashed Dan... This is most positively the most boring read I have ever had. I had actually preordered it and have since then tried many a times to read it in a go... but it was impossible. I somehow completed it in parts.
I agree with Dan. The first half of this book was beautifully written and intriguing, but then I think the author handed over to someone else to finish and told them to fill so many pages. I kept at it because it had to get better but ended up being a painful waste of time. Frankly I was intimidated by some of the glowing reviews, but truthfully, I don't know how this book got published.
Glad I finished. Marathon read. Not worth it. I could not believe it was Grisham. Not typical. Don't spend the time!
It's like we listened to a different book. This was the first full length novel that I ever listened to, and I loved it. Michael Beck was outstanding, and the story, while somewhat predictable, was good. Grisham can really miss sometimes (The Racketeer), but this one was a good one.
It is true that if you prefer books with fast pacing and thrilling plot twists, this might not be a great one for you. I prefer rich characters and scene setting over fast pacing and plot twists, and really enjoyed this follow up to A Time to Kill. Of course it was set in the late 80's because it was following up with the characters from A Time To Kill, which took place in the 80's.
***Spoiler Alert***do not read if you havent read the book
did they ever say who LL's real father was?
I agree. A 3 rating was a push. This was a disappointing read.
I agree! I started it a ways back and can't seem to finish. I feel h substance of his books has diminished these last few years with him shelling so many out.... quality trumps quantity. We shall see how I feel when I do finish it.
I'm so glad others feel the same as I do. I gave it 2* and felt a silent chastisement because this is a JOHN GRISHAM book! I agree with Dan's review and all the comments-above.
I agree with everyone; very slow and to long. Not a thriller and At 637 pages not much happened.
I just finished this as an audiobook and really enjoyed it. I didn't think it was slow. When I was done I said to myself wow, that was satisfying and I really enjoyed spending the time on it. So was it the best book ever? Probably not, but I think it is a lot better than some of the reviews in this thread give it credit for. A Time to Kill was a favorite of mine many many many years ago. I can't even recall much about it at this point. Sycamore Row did not leave me feeling like it was one of my favorites, but still very satisfying and worthwhile.
Agreed, slow and, even worse, the ending was very predictable from mid-way through.
