Wow! Quite an epic novel here! I can see why this one is a classic.
At first, I was not sure how this one was going for me. As it is very long and hit Wow! Quite an epic novel here! I can see why this one is a classic.
At first, I was not sure how this one was going for me. As it is very long and hit a somewhat slow and repetitive patch about a third of the way through, I thought it was going to be 3 or 4 stars. But, with the way it was written, I was enthralled as it hit the midpoint and could not keep myself away from it until it was done. So, I am giving the slow and repetitive part a pass in this case and saying, without a doubt, that this is a 5-star book.
You may see that I marked this as a legal drama. Unfortunately, that is a bit of a spoiler because it does not become that until about 2/3 of the way through. But, that is exactly what the first two thirds of the book is building up to. It is a commentary on society at the time the book was written: religion, social status, relationships, morals, crime, punishment, etc. etc. etc. It is all in here and it makes for quite a stew for the readers consumption.
I think that this book that will certainly engage many and might infuriate some. The main character, Clyde, is such that you want to reach into the pages frequently, shake him, and yell,”WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU!?!?” But, no matter how you react to the story and the characters, it will leave you thinking about right vs wrong, decision making, justifying behavior to yourself, etc. I cannot say for sure that there is one definitive interpretation for the resolution of this book. I think it could possibly be interpreted a hundred different ways and they would all be correct.
I am very thankful to have read this for a book club, because I am not sure if I would have ever picked it up otherwise. It is nice that groups of fellow readers help me find intriguing titles like this that will have me thinking for quite some time to come. ...more
I have been very pleased with the last few Grisham releases. They have been decently intricate and felt a lot like some of his early work. He4.5 Stars
I have been very pleased with the last few Grisham releases. They have been decently intricate and felt a lot like some of his early work. He takes what could easily be complicated legal jargon and dumbs it down without making the reader feel stupid. At the same time, the story is interesting and the characters engaging.
For a few books about 5 to 10 years ago, I felt like Grisham was losing his touch. I was having a hard time getting into them and I was reading them as they came out just for the sake of reading them. Now, I am getting back to being excited whenever there is a new release.
The Guardians does have a main storyline, but it also has a few side stories, all based on the docket of a group of lawyers who have given up a glamorous legal life to try and get people who have been wrongly incarcerated out of prison. As a person who gets very frustrated by wrongly accused stories (I get very riled up by the stories in the movies The Fugitive and Double Jeopardy – but, in a good way), I enjoyed the various different ways these lawyers were vindicating the innocent.
I highly recommend this book for Grisham fans and legal thriller fans. I think that there is a lot here to enjoy without getting too bogged down – in other words, a good escapist book for a quick and entertaining read. ...more
I am impressed. It took me a while to get into this book, but as it went on and the pieces fell into place, I was gripped, surprised, and sat4.5 stars
I am impressed. It took me a while to get into this book, but as it went on and the pieces fell into place, I was gripped, surprised, and satisfied by the experience as a whole.
With this book you will find some uniqueness in the plot. Have you ever read a mystery about a "submarine" in a barn in Virginia? Didn't think so. Also, the courtroom drama is great. Throughout the book there are at least 5 or 6 people who seem plausibly guilty because the evidence is there. You will be guessing the whole time. Then, when you think you know what is going on, guess again.
A bit of a trigger warning. This book deals with autism and the controversy over alternative therapies to treat it. If you are affected by this or are concerned it might trouble you, proceed with caution.
I can easily recommend this to fans of mystery/courtroom dramas. If you are like me, it may take a bit to get into it, but the payoff is totally worth it....more
This was the first or second John Grisham book I ever read. I read it years ago - in fact, I think when I read it the most recent Grisham book releaseThis was the first or second John Grisham book I ever read. I read it years ago - in fact, I think when I read it the most recent Grisham book release was The Pelican Brief or maybe The Client.
I remember enjoying this book a lot and that all of his early books had a similar feel and were very easy to get into. It was also the start of my expectation that several times throughout a Grisham you will get details on what the main characters are eating or drinking. Instead of just saying he grabbed a bite to eat on the way home, you always get details about what was ordered and usually a couple of beers are involved. When he does that in his newer releases I automatically think "Classic Grisham!"
I have managed to read most of his books over the years, and while many are not up to the same standard as his early books, I still enjoy checking them out every time there is a new release....more
At the time of reading, this book seems to be the most hyped book in my Goodreads feed. Not a minute goes by without a review or update from this bookAt the time of reading, this book seems to be the most hyped book in my Goodreads feed. Not a minute goes by without a review or update from this book popping up. If you know me, you know that no matter the type of book or the subject matter, if it is hyped I want to give it a go. With that in mind, when I started this, the only thing I knew about it was its hype – I knew zero about the story, genre, type of book, etc. I just had a cover and a title!
Did it live up to the hype?
I think it did. I was entertained by the story and found it very easy to follow. It was a bit of historical fiction with some mystery involved eventually rounding off with a little courtroom drama. One of my favorite phrases to use when applicable is that “heart-strings were pulled”, and there was definitely some of that happening here. I think if you like a good, well-told story you will like this one.
Who do I recommend it to?
Historical fiction fans for sure. Especially those interested in mid-20th Century American fiction. Issues of race and public perception at that time are key to the plot. I am not sure there was enough mystery/courtroom drama to interest fans of those genres if that is specifically what you are looking for. But, there is enough if you just need to satiate a small hunger. Also, while only a little steamy at times, I think fans of stories with some romance will enjoy this one. Again, if you need a lot of hot a heavy in your romance, you will not find it here, but the relationships in the story should be of interest.
Should you read it?
I feel like this story has a little of a bunch of genres and not too much of any. Because of this, I think it will appeal to a wide audience. So, if you have seen the hype in your feed, too, and have been wondering, I think you should try it out. You may not be blown away, but I don’t think you will be disappointed. ...more
This book is extremely powerful. I saw another review saying that they could not believe this was written and released in 1940. I agree - as I can onlThis book is extremely powerful. I saw another review saying that they could not believe this was written and released in 1940. I agree - as I can only imagine how controversial the content would have been at that time. And, even today it touches so closely on some of the topics you see in the news everyday, it's like Wright could see into the future.
The main themes in the story involve perceptions and misconceptions of black people as well as how Communism was viewed in the decade leading up to McCarthyism and the Red Scare. In this story there are many points of view and lots of evidence given dealing with tense situations that have no really great answers. I thought Wright did a good job giving a thought provoking narrative without obviously saying "here is the answer!" The story acknowledges that the whole situation is difficult and will not be easily remedied after years of habitual behavior on all sides of the issue. I will be amazed if you can read this and not be left with your mind churning.
Also, I have to say that this was one of the most intense, nail-biting, breath holding books I have ever read. Every page I was gripped waiting for the next development, a resolution, anything. Amazing, gripping writing - such an engaging book! The subject matter may be difficult at times but it deals with topics that are, by there very nature, intense and cannot (and should not) be sugar coated
Finally, I could not help but make comparisons between this book and To Kill A Mockingbird. My reasons might be a bit spoilerish, but if you have read it I hope you know what I am getting at and I will be interested to see if you feel the same.
In summary, Native Son is a powerful and difficult book dealing directly and bravely with social issues from the 1940s that are still relevant today. Considering the nature of the book, it may not be for everyone, but I think that everyone can benefit from the message....more
This was the most epic and intricate novel Grisham has released in quite some time. It's a mixture of legal drama and historical fiction4.5 to 5 stars
This was the most epic and intricate novel Grisham has released in quite some time. It's a mixture of legal drama and historical fiction that keeps you guessing until the very last page. Most of his recent books have been fairly quick reads with a basic storyline. The Reckoning is anything but basic or quick.
If you are into Grisham mainly for his legal dramas, I think the historical fiction may distract you too much. If you are really into historical fiction, you may not be patient enough to get through the legal stuff to get to the World War II story. But, if you are a fan of both, you will get the best of both worlds; the first third is legal, the second third historical, and the last 3rd brings it all together.
Note on the content: the story takes place during and post WWII with narrative taking place in both the American South and the Pacific Theater. Grisham wrote it to keep true to the attitudes and the dialogue of the time period. This means that some words and opinions are controversial and could be upsetting. If you are okay with prose content being raw for the sake of realism, you should be fine. But, if you think this might make you uncomfortable, approach with caution.
This was an enthralling reading experience and one of the best I have had with Grisham. It's great, unique storytelling that I believe lots of book fans will enjoy.
More disgruntled lawyer-types from Grisham doing questionable lawyer-type stuff. While not quite the same, I am reminded of The Litigators. If I ever More disgruntled lawyer-types from Grisham doing questionable lawyer-type stuff. While not quite the same, I am reminded of The Litigators. If I ever really need a lawyer, I hope I don't end up with one from a Grisham novel!
This book was like watching a trainwreck and was actually quite enjoyable. His recent efforts have been both good (Camino Island) and disappointing (The Whistler). Luckily this one falls into the good category. While the series of events within are far fetched (as they often are with Grisham), I did not have a problem accepting them and enjoying the story. Sometimes if they are too far fetched or totally ridiculous, they are too distracting.
If you are a fan of Grisham's legal dramas, you know what you are you are getting into and I can almost guarantee you are going to enjoy....more
About as mediocre as it gets. Not bad, not good . . . just soooooo plain vanilla. There may have been one exciting moment toward the middle of the booAbout as mediocre as it gets. Not bad, not good . . . just soooooo plain vanilla. There may have been one exciting moment toward the middle of the book. The rest of the time it was just some lawyers and some judges and some bad guys doing some corrupt stuff, investigations, eating (so many descriptions of the food the characters eat - more so than story in some cases), etc. When the resolution of the story happened I barely noticed because the tone stayed flat.
I think Grisham used all of his excitement up in his earlier novels. Now he is just dictating boring court cases to us. But, I will still keep reading his books and looking for diamonds in the rough! ...more
A fantastic and well told story! At times, I was near tears. Other times I wanted to reach into the book and punch one of the characters. I was so emoA fantastic and well told story! At times, I was near tears. Other times I wanted to reach into the book and punch one of the characters. I was so emotionally invested, I was talking out loud to the book. In the end, I set down my Kindle and gave a standing ovation.
I was skeptical going in . . . this is the part where I fear pet lovers will start unfriending me and/or sending me hate mail! I am not a big pet person so I have been putting this off because I heard it is told from the point of view of a dog. My worry was that it may not appeal if I couldn't connect to the love an owner might have for their dog (I know, I am a terrible person!😉) But, I will say that I really enjoyed it. The dog in question is Enzo, and he comes across as very wise and human. The cutesy dog/owner story I feared it is not.
Because Enzo is very wise, this book is very quotable. I began to picture Enzo sitting on a mountaintop in robes waiting to impart knowledge on those coming to seek his guidance. Because of this, I feel that this is a good book to recommend to those seeking inspiration.
Another aspect that sold me on this book is how much the book is about auto racing. I love watching auto racing and talking about cars, drivers, great moves someone made in a race, or their mistakes made, etc. This is just like Denny and Enzo in the book. I thought it was awesome how auto racing philosophy was connected to life in general.
I mentioned in the beginning that at times this book made me rage. It has been a long time since a book has made me this mad (the last was probably The Giver - which I actually flung across the room. That was a physical copy, though. This was my Kindle, I didn't want to fling it). I cannot really say what made me so mad without spoilers, but be sure to prepare yourself because I bet there are few people who can make it through this book without a similar reaction.
Because I was so moved - to happiness, to sadness, and to anger - I give this book A++++, 16 thumbs up, all the book awards, etc. I can easily recommend this book to anyone!...more
Usually I keep up with the John Grisham books as they are released, but I missed this one when it came out. Lately it has felt like the Grisham I haveUsually I keep up with the John Grisham books as they are released, but I missed this one when it came out. Lately it has felt like the Grisham I have been reading is more “miss” than “hit”. Thankfully, I can say that Rogue Lawyer was a hit!
I really don’t have any complaints about this book. The fact that it is a series of shorter stories all in the life of the titular character keeps the pace quick and interesting. The uniqueness of the storylines makes me wonder if Grisham researched weird and shocking legal cases and then modified them to fit into his overall plot. Or maybe he hit his creative groove in coming up with some out of the ordinary situations. Either way, it was fun to read.
If you are a Grisham or legal thriller fan, I can easily recommend this book if you are looking for something to read. I am hoping that Grisham ends up doing more like this one. ...more
This was a fun and twisted story where you are never quite sure what is going on. Grisham does a good job of crafting an unbelievable tale of a falselThis was a fun and twisted story where you are never quite sure what is going on. Grisham does a good job of crafting an unbelievable tale of a falsely accused victim working our federal system to his advantage and turning his bad luck into "gold" ....more
It seems like lately when I read Grisham, its a good story with some interesting twists and turns, but the climax is not really super exciting and theIt seems like lately when I read Grisham, its a good story with some interesting twists and turns, but the climax is not really super exciting and there tends not to be all that much resolution. That was the case again here. A good book - but not tons of excitement....more
This was just a story . . . about lawyers . . . not particulary good lawyers . . . doing lawyer stuff. Sometimes they make good choices, but more ofteThis was just a story . . . about lawyers . . . not particulary good lawyers . . . doing lawyer stuff. Sometimes they make good choices, but more often than not they make bad choices and bad things happen to them. In the end there is some resolution and you say "oh, that's nice". Easy to read and enjoyable, but not particulary complex or mind blowing. ...more
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