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.
Monday, 22 November 2010
A Time To Kill (1989) - by John Grisham
A story that explores racism, violence, and intimidation head on.
Grisham's legal stories have made him a household name, and one of the biggest selling authors of all time, his first novel A Time To Kill is a great example explaining his success.
After Carl Lee Hailey's daughter is beaten, raped, and left for dead by two white thugs, he takes the law into his own hands and guns them down. His youthful lawyer Jake Brigance must come up with a defense strategy which will keep him from the death sentence that so many of the county's population are demanding. While Hailey has many supporters amongst the people, the fact that he is a black man who has killed two white men, and injured a police officer in the process, gets him attention from the infamous Ku Klux Klan, and the threats and violent intimidation follow quickly. Brigance faces the trial of his lifetime, which will make or break his career, if he can survive long enough.
Explosive reading from a great author, A Time To Kill offers an entertaining array of characters from the South, whose volatile opinions offers a great insight into the complexities of modern America.
Grisham's legal stories have made him a household name, and one of the biggest selling authors of all time, his first novel A Time To Kill is a great example explaining his success.
After Carl Lee Hailey's daughter is beaten, raped, and left for dead by two white thugs, he takes the law into his own hands and guns them down. His youthful lawyer Jake Brigance must come up with a defense strategy which will keep him from the death sentence that so many of the county's population are demanding. While Hailey has many supporters amongst the people, the fact that he is a black man who has killed two white men, and injured a police officer in the process, gets him attention from the infamous Ku Klux Klan, and the threats and violent intimidation follow quickly. Brigance faces the trial of his lifetime, which will make or break his career, if he can survive long enough.
Explosive reading from a great author, A Time To Kill offers an entertaining array of characters from the South, whose volatile opinions offers a great insight into the complexities of modern America.
Friday, 12 November 2010
Ford County (2009) - by John Grisham
A selection of short stories all based in and around Ford County, Grisham serves up a mixture of rural living with fantastical tales.
As a Grisham fan, I was interested to see how his short stories would develop, and how heavily reliant they would be on legal elements. I was pleased to see that the famous lawyer writer was able to diverge from his usual environments of courtrooms and legal offices, with writing that is still intelligent and hugely entertaining.
I will not tread very far into the plots of the short stories, as this will spoil any readers enjoyment of them. I will say that most of the characters are great to read about, and I did enjoy the way that a few of the stories linked together. It was a shame there was not more of this, I think the book would have been far more effective if there was an overriding element which linked all these stories, rather than just their location in Ford County.
There is a sense with this book that fans of the Grisham back catalogue may be disappointed with the under-developed story lines. His previous works are deep explorations of characters and settings, which seem to highlight drama, social tensions, and legal practices, whilst Ford County seems to offer less.
An entertaining read, but one that fails to live up to the Grisham name.
As a Grisham fan, I was interested to see how his short stories would develop, and how heavily reliant they would be on legal elements. I was pleased to see that the famous lawyer writer was able to diverge from his usual environments of courtrooms and legal offices, with writing that is still intelligent and hugely entertaining.
I will not tread very far into the plots of the short stories, as this will spoil any readers enjoyment of them. I will say that most of the characters are great to read about, and I did enjoy the way that a few of the stories linked together. It was a shame there was not more of this, I think the book would have been far more effective if there was an overriding element which linked all these stories, rather than just their location in Ford County.
There is a sense with this book that fans of the Grisham back catalogue may be disappointed with the under-developed story lines. His previous works are deep explorations of characters and settings, which seem to highlight drama, social tensions, and legal practices, whilst Ford County seems to offer less.
An entertaining read, but one that fails to live up to the Grisham name.
Tuesday, 9 November 2010
The Last Don (1997) - by Mario Puzo
As writer of one of the most famous stories ever (The Godfather), Mario Puzo has become a legend in the field of gangster fiction. His bold characters and movie-like plot lines give his books an excellent entertainment value, and his settings often connect modern U.S. life with rational Italian values.
The Last Don centres around the Clericuzio family, and their Godfather, Don Domenico Clericuzio, who wishes to transform his family's illegal activities into profound legitimacy, creating a stable and successful future for his heirs. Moving between the gambling world of Las Vegas, and the movie business in Los Angeles, Puzo moves away from his Italian roots in this story. There are references to the Old World, but these are often connected with aspects of character, rather than actual events. Fans of Puzo should not worry though, his style is still as sharp as ever, and the characters are an eclectic mix of hired hit men, Hollywood starlets, and everything in between.
A fast-paced novel that offers a huge amount of drama and conflict, readers may find the book a little unbelievable. However, the settings and characters seem to fit, and there are moments of warmth and love which seem to be the heart of all Puzo's work. Its structure is similar to The Godfather but the story varies considerably, and the message is completely different.
Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, one of Puzo's best.
The Last Don centres around the Clericuzio family, and their Godfather, Don Domenico Clericuzio, who wishes to transform his family's illegal activities into profound legitimacy, creating a stable and successful future for his heirs. Moving between the gambling world of Las Vegas, and the movie business in Los Angeles, Puzo moves away from his Italian roots in this story. There are references to the Old World, but these are often connected with aspects of character, rather than actual events. Fans of Puzo should not worry though, his style is still as sharp as ever, and the characters are an eclectic mix of hired hit men, Hollywood starlets, and everything in between.
A fast-paced novel that offers a huge amount of drama and conflict, readers may find the book a little unbelievable. However, the settings and characters seem to fit, and there are moments of warmth and love which seem to be the heart of all Puzo's work. Its structure is similar to The Godfather but the story varies considerably, and the message is completely different.
Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish, one of Puzo's best.
Borrowed Time (1995) - by Robert Goddard
As the most recent book I have finished reading, it seems appropriate to start with this murder-mystery thriller, from the superb writer Robert Goddard.
The story follows Eurocrat Robin Timariot, a middle aged businessmen who becomes entangled in a web of killings, secrets, and two family's politics. After meeting a woman on a hillside during a lonely walk through Offa's Dyke, Robin discovers that the same woman was later raped and murdered. The dilemma which faces Robin, is whether to come forward as a witness for the murder trial, or to stay in the shadows. Goddard offers some excellent southern English locations, and uses them with masterful skill to add to the excitement of the story.
It is a book full of drama, emotion, and realistic choices made by realistic characters. The family of the murdered woman are intensely troubled, and the secrets which are bubbling at the surface soon wreak havoc on all those around. I would say that the side plot of Robin's own family seems a little shallow, and only serves as an escape from the main storyline. The twists and turns are great, as well as being relentless.
A truly vivid book with a plot that will hook you in, and keep you dangling.
The story follows Eurocrat Robin Timariot, a middle aged businessmen who becomes entangled in a web of killings, secrets, and two family's politics. After meeting a woman on a hillside during a lonely walk through Offa's Dyke, Robin discovers that the same woman was later raped and murdered. The dilemma which faces Robin, is whether to come forward as a witness for the murder trial, or to stay in the shadows. Goddard offers some excellent southern English locations, and uses them with masterful skill to add to the excitement of the story.
It is a book full of drama, emotion, and realistic choices made by realistic characters. The family of the murdered woman are intensely troubled, and the secrets which are bubbling at the surface soon wreak havoc on all those around. I would say that the side plot of Robin's own family seems a little shallow, and only serves as an escape from the main storyline. The twists and turns are great, as well as being relentless.
A truly vivid book with a plot that will hook you in, and keep you dangling.
Welcome
Hello literature fans, and welcome to my book review blog.
This is a little page where I will talk about the books I have read, or am reading, and offer some form of critique for them. All genres of titles will be discussed, and please fell free to leave your comments.
Hope you enjoy!
This is a little page where I will talk about the books I have read, or am reading, and offer some form of critique for them. All genres of titles will be discussed, and please fell free to leave your comments.
Hope you enjoy!
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