Which John Grisham book changed your perspective in life?
By arystine
@arystine (1273)
Philippines
December 3, 2009 2:52am CST
For me, several John Grisham books changed my perspective.
The first one would be "The Chamber". This novel tackles the issue on the death penalty and Ku Klux Klan. Before, i was pro-death penalty. However, after reading this novel, I came to sympathize with the accused. You will never really know what pushes a criminal to violate the law. Who are we to judge a man to lose his life? I recommend this novel because you will feel conflicting emotions and really dwell on the issue on death penalty.
The other one is "A Time to Kill". Again, the Ku Klux Klan are mentioned on this novel. But the part that changed my perspective is how the father of the victim took the law in his hands and killed the rapists of his daughter. Although the killing was done with evident premeditation, my perspective changed when the jury issued the verdict. Truly, a man who saw his adolescent daughter raped and half-dead will no longer know what is right or wrong. He will be pushed to the edge, almost losing his insanity over the injustice done on his daughter. It made me understand more what pushes a person over his limit, what snaps him off.
6 responses
@zoeyclark (40)
• Turkey
3 Dec 09
Maybe I am going to sound a little superficial here but the biggest impact John had on my life is about writing. I have always wanted to be a writer and I write all the time but reading John's books...He is my all time favorite author and I read almost everything he penned. I just admire how stunningly creative he can be. He has an incredible mind and I just wish I could right stories like he does.
-That being said: A Time to Kill is incredible and it is just so easy to empathize with the father. And the amount of racism still going on is just shocking. He brings issues to daylight that other people pretend they don't exist.
*Runaway Jury: The value of human life and how somethings & some people can not be bought. Just amazing.
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
4 Dec 09
Hi zoeyclark! John Grisham also made an impact on my life when it comes to writing. I don't think you're superficial at ll. We're alike in a way 'coz John Grisham is my all-time favorite author too. I haven't read Runaway Jury but am planning to buy a copy soon. Thanks for the comment. :)
@zoeyclark (40)
• Turkey
4 Dec 09
Well, my first book by him was The Partner and to this day it remains as my favorite Grisham book. His pace-setting is so amazing. I love all his books of course but if I really, really had to pick it would be The Partner. It shares my number one spot with The Brethren. The Brethren can be just the most original concept ever created by an author. Did you read those two?
Most authors seem so fixated on descriptions that they lose track of the story and the characters. John manages the perfect blend all the time.
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
4 Dec 09
Yup, I read both THE PARTNER and THE BRETHREN. I really appreciate the humor in THE BRETHEN. I like the part on their mock trials inside the prison and how they settle disputes. I was also able to read one novel of John Grisham which is not a legal thriller. The title is A PAINTED HOUSE. I also love that novel and got to learn more about the American culture.
@mcdreamy25 (74)
• Philippines
17 Jan 10
i like "the summons" its about the two brothers getting an expected surprise from their father..how money can affect someone to the point of never thinking about anybody else but themselves.. how would you react if you have the such bulks and bulks of money? would you tell your siblings or would you just hide it from them?
i also like "the partner, great story.. i feel sorry for him, teaching someone the tools of the trade them leaving him with nothing and with a broken heart.. hahaha..
@arystine (1273)
• Philippines
28 Jan 10
Hi mcdreamy25.
I have just finished reading THE SUMMONS. I didn't like the first part of the novel but I like the last part and just can't put it down until the end. It's really tough being in Ray Atlee's situation. It's very tiring to hide that much money. Given the chance to be in that situation, I will not hide the money from my brother. It's better to decide when a blood relative is out there to help you.
@sincere4frdship (2228)
• India
4 Dec 09
Well, I have never read him ...so I can't tell you anything regarding this .... but I am having plan to read him ...
Thanks :)
@dinglover (52)
• China
4 Dec 09
i like reading his novel, the way he develop the story. i've read three: THE LAST JURY, THE RUNAWAY JURY and THE PARTNER. Now i am planning to start with THE CLIENT.
THE RUNAWAY JURY is a master one,and i spent a whole day on it, reading it in one ago till 2 o'clock in the night. very surprised that all sides invovled in a jury could be so specialized.
THE PARTER is good too, yes, one should underestimate his colleague, and the ending is not happy at all, but i feel Patrick sort of deserves it, since he should not take the money that doesn't belong to him.
@zoeyclark (40)
• Turkey
18 Jan 10
My dad is still wondering how on earth I am not a lawyer...I love Grisham so much. Of course we don't live in the states, there is no jury system here and plus, I love the stories of the courtroom. not the courtroom itself.: ) But I am writing and hope to get closer to John's skills one day. Aiming for the stars, I know...
