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Title: The Brethren by Michael Beck, John Grisham ISBN: 0-553-45664-4 Publisher: Random House Audio Pub. Date: 01 February, 2000 Format: Audio CD Volumes: 5 List Price(USD): $31.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.76 (959 reviews)
Rating: 3
Summary: A flawed conclusion
Comment: An interesting concept but a weak conclusion forces me to give no more than a three-star review for John Grisham's 'The Brethren'. The story is simple - three disgraced judges prey on closet homosexuals, demanding money for their silence. One of their intended victims is just about to hit the political world big time. Meanwhile, in the background, the Director of the CIA is monitoring (and changing) events to suit himself.
While the story rolls along at a good rate, and while we're treated again to Grisham's short, declarative sentences, the outcome is one that left me wondering why I'd read the book. In any novel that is predicated on plot, the plot must be watertight and must follow through logically. This one does not. There are loopholes that an author as good as Grisham should have foreseen and plugged. How, for example, does a half-drunk lawyer who is being watched day and night by the CIA, just walk out of his house without being seen? Why would the CIA permit the scam to continue, threatening their preferred candidate, when they could have closed it down in moments? And why, at the end, were the bad guys just allowed to walk free?
I enjoy Grisham, but 'The Brethren' left me feeling empty.
Rating: 4
Summary: Entertaining and a Quick Read
Comment: I liked this book. Grisham has done again what he does consistently well. Unfold an interesting tale of criminality or nefarious doings that moves at a quick pace and never gets boring. Yes, it is not his best book, as many others point out, but still ranks as a good effort from one of the most popular authors in America today.
This story hinges on a wonderfully simple criminal extortion scheme hatched by three judges doing time in a federal penitentiary. Their scheme (I don't want to give it away) plays upon people exercising a fantasy in a way they think is discrete, only to find themselves subject to paying to keep their identity and fetish secret from their families, friends and community. The difficult task for the schemers is doing this from inside the pen, but they overcome that problem with the help of a few well placed twenties and a corrupt local attorney.
This story manages to intertwine the swindle with presidential politics, CIA intrigues and a counter-plan to silence the Brethern (as the judges refer to themselves) before they interfere with a chillingly brazen plan to capture the White House.
I didn't think Grisham spent as much time developing most of his characters as he has in past books -- many make convenient appearances in order to advance the plot and then disappear again. But the pacing is quick, the story intriguing and clever, and all in all a fun read.
Rating: 4
Summary: Actually fun, if you don't take it seriously...
Comment: This was a fun John Grisham novel. Sure, the characters are sleazy, people are killed, etc, but behind the whole thing the author was clearly enjoying himself. I enjoyed it more than most Grishman novels. In fact, one could argue that the entire book is a meditation, a condemnation, a spoof of national politics--but I doubt that the intention...maybe it was. Anyway, it is a fun ride that is not typical Grisham--which is a good thing. One thing that is very spooky, is that book was written in 2000...Grisham had the threat of terrorism to the United States nailed perfectly. I wonder if he thought of this book on 9/11. Oh well. Good read.
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Title: The Testament by John Grisham ISBN: 0440234743 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 28 December, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Street Lawyer by John Grisham ISBN: 0440225701 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 05 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Summons by John Grisham ISBN: 0440241073 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 17 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Partner by John Grisham ISBN: 0440224764 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 07 January, 1998 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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Title: The Runaway Jury by John Grisham ISBN: 0440221471 Publisher: Island Books Pub. Date: 27 January, 1997 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
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