Author: John Grisham
Publisher: Doubleday
ISBN: 0385503822
Pages: 341
Obtained: Library copy
Why this book: I just started participating in my grandmother's book club, and this was their selection.
(Note: I mention why I choose the books I read in just about every post anyway, so I think I'm going to try the "why this book" as an extra section... If it becomes difficult to separate the reason from the comments, I'll drop it.)
Comments:
I haven't read Grisham since I was a teen. At the time I enjoyed them (esp. The Runaway Jury, though I couldn't bring myself to ever watch the movie). So I don't know if this is a reflection of my changing reading tastes, or Grisham's writing, or what, but I dragged myself through this for the first half +. I had to finish it:
1) So I could discuss it when the club meets.
2) Because my grandmother decided she couldn't finish it (she read the first 19 chapters and last 7 chapters) - keeping in mind that she has no interest in "legal thrillers."
Here's the thing, the whole story is "Where'd this money come from?" and "Who else knows about it?" It didn't make for much of a plot to me.
The story did eventually pick up and I finished the book, but not without some frustration. And I didn't especially care for the ending. Not the who and why, but the way it was all resolved.
I wish I could remember what his writing was like, and what I enjoyed before. Too bad I didn't blog back then.
You know, I typed a long comment, pressed two wrong buttons and the text disappeared. :( I read somewhere that you can get the text back, but I can't remember how. This totally sucks.
ReplyDeleteThe important thing is I like the "Why this book." And your comment is why I avoid book clubs. Hate to have to read a book. Anyway, I've read a Grisham, maybe two, but can't remember the title/s. If I took a stab at it, I'd say it was "A Painted House" and The Summons." Can't remember my feelings over his books, which should tell you something. I remember my feelings about books I read in middle school, etc. I love the movies made from his novels though. Those, I remember.
I'm sorry about your lost comment. =(
DeleteI haven't participated in a book club since I was in college - the Borders had a romance blub that I went to. I enjoyed it, and when it was gone (when the employee that ran it was transferred) I missed it. I've ben looking ever since. But I couldn't find people interested and never felt like I could go to the ones through the library for various reasons (work conflicts, location, book choice, ect.)
Romance club? Hmmmm....don't think I've ever experience a book club in that genre. I actually might like that.
ReplyDeletelol. Yes that's supposed to be club not blub. And I've been not ben looking. Apparently I can't type in a hurry. I enjoyed it. I liked the camaraderie and I didn't have to worry about anyone judging my reading tastes.
DeleteJust going to add, I would NOT have wanted to chat about "Fifty Shades of Grey," even though the trilogy blew me away--especially how the author ended the story. I'd read books one and two back to back. Took a break and then read book three. The pause is what make the ending more powerful, at least for me. Still, I would NOT have wanted to chat about it in front of a group. Online, maybe, but I'd have been too uncomfortable!
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