Set in the chilling streets of Washington DC, the story follows Michael Brock, a high flying lawyer from a top notch law firm, who has a terrifying encounter with a homeless man called "Mister", which reaches a bloody climax. Now everything changes for this young, promising lawyer, who struggles to maintain his previous levels of enthusiasm for his high-powered lawsuits, and finds himself being pulled towards helping the needy. When he discovers a legal clinic, headed by the infamous Mordecai Green, Brock takes up the role of lawyer for the homeless. However, his final days at his old firm Drake & Sweeney, are tumultuous, and the young associate does not leave quietly. Now Brock must take up his new challenge of defending the poor, whilst fighting off one of the most powerful law firms in the city, murderous gangsters, and the intimidating city police.
Grisham is back on form with this powerful legal thriller, a truly entertaining read with a heartfelt message. The characters range from downtrodden low-lifes, to hard-working advocates for the homeless, well-meaning lawyers to inscrupible businessmen. Washington makes for an excellent setting, with the stark contrast of rich and poor, whilst the freezing conditions add a constant sense of danger. The action is fast paced, and the twists and turns will keep you turning pages.
Tuesday 18 January 2011
Monday 3 January 2011
Omertá - (2001) by Mario Puzo
Mafiosa storytelling by one of the most prolific authors of the 20th Century.
When a notorious mob boss is assassinated in New York, it unearths a complex web of crime, deceit, and Omertá (the Italian code of silence). The investigation into the murder splits into two camps, one led by the FBI, and the other by the nephew of the mob boss, but both face uncooperative suspects and stony silences. Once the trail begins to reveal a dangerous plot that involves organised crime, law enforcement, and innocent victims, the story develops into a climactic race against time.
Puzo has written some outstanding work in the crime genre, but this novel lacks the authenticity that came with The Godfather or the beautiful language of The Sicilian. It fails to develop that richer experience that has become expected with his writing, and the characters remained shadows compared to previous iconic mafioasa. Omertá seems more like a mediocre TV show, while Puzo's other works are like all-time classic films, a serious let down.
I would argue that this book is worth reading for the hard-core Puzo fan, but not as an introduction into the man's outstanding back catalogue of work. Start with the classics and read this if you want to complete his repetoire.
When a notorious mob boss is assassinated in New York, it unearths a complex web of crime, deceit, and Omertá (the Italian code of silence). The investigation into the murder splits into two camps, one led by the FBI, and the other by the nephew of the mob boss, but both face uncooperative suspects and stony silences. Once the trail begins to reveal a dangerous plot that involves organised crime, law enforcement, and innocent victims, the story develops into a climactic race against time.
Puzo has written some outstanding work in the crime genre, but this novel lacks the authenticity that came with The Godfather or the beautiful language of The Sicilian. It fails to develop that richer experience that has become expected with his writing, and the characters remained shadows compared to previous iconic mafioasa. Omertá seems more like a mediocre TV show, while Puzo's other works are like all-time classic films, a serious let down.
I would argue that this book is worth reading for the hard-core Puzo fan, but not as an introduction into the man's outstanding back catalogue of work. Start with the classics and read this if you want to complete his repetoire.
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