Considered Grisham's best novel by many readers far more perspicacious than moi, this well-written, emotionally-charged thriller certainly delivers. While it doesn't rank as my eye's own personal apple, I can certainly see why it is esteemed by fans of both the legal-thriller and Grisham. Despite being fast-paced and a true page-turner (what I would call a popcorn-read), there's a gravity and social conscience that pervades the story and adds a weight to the narrative. There is depth here, more than I expected. Setting aside for the moment my gripes over some of the language used in the book (one vulgarity in particular), Grisham does a nice job of capturing the setting and providing an authentic feel and voice to his characters. Overall, a satisfying read that held my attention throughout. PLOT SUMMARY:Despite its brisky pace, Grisham’s Mississippi-based legal thriller deals with some tough, serious issues (e.g., race-relations, vigilantism and “justice versus lawful”). The plot centers on the trial of a poor black father who murders the two white shit stains who raped, tortured and brutalized his 10 year-old daughter. The crime and the subsequent trial triggers a firestorm of racial tension as factions on both sides become vocal and volatile. From the opening pages that describe the brutal rape (which was gut-wrenching in the extreme to experience, especially as a dad) through the final reading of the verdict, Grisham drives the narrative effortlessly and keeps the reader hooked and engaged. His story-telling is excellent. THOUGHTS:However......now that I have both seen the movie version and read the book, my final verdict is that the film is both more enjoyable and the higher quality product of the two. I say this despite the fact that the movie is arguably the “sweatiest” most lathery film in American history and my wife and I crack up about that every time we see it. Those pictures don’t do credit to the muggy, perspiration-overload of the real thing, but if you haven’t seen it, trust me…the movie dripped sudor from every pore like a hooker in church. Words like sheen and glistening are too understated. It was more like the actors showered, got dressed without drying off, walked through a “mister” and then wiped down with a moist towelette before every...single...scene.Now, not everyone was complaining about the drenchiness since it was Matthew McConaughey, Sam “it’s the one that says Bad MF” Jackson, Ashley Judd and Sandra Bullock doing the sweating, but still...hilarious and a bit distracting. BOOK GRIPES:Keep in mind that I liked the book, so my gripes below really point towards why I didn't rate the book higher than 3 stars.1. Too much fluff: When you can take a 528 page book and condense it into a 2+ hour movie that captures perfectly the essence of the story and manages to be even more emotionally powerful, it indicates that the novel was a little thin in the story department. This is the case here. While the expanded story and segues are interesting, the central plot contained too much unnecessariness that could’ve been easily discarded without touching the heart of the story...as the filmmakers did. 2. Excessive use of "N" word: Given that the novel is set in 1984, I had a real problem with the significant use of the “N” word* in the story. *(No, South Park fans, I am not referring to “nagger.”). Had this been set in the 50’s or 60’s, I would have seen it as a product of the times and swallowed my uncomfortableness. However, it just seems odd that as late as 1984, the word (and the frame of mind that goes with it) would be used so casually and regularly. Given that Grisham is from the South and went to school in Mississippi, he may be spot on with his characterization, and he probably is. If true, this is just very, very sad. Still, its constant use grated on me and I thought the movie did a much better job with the dialogue. This is coming from someone who does not normally favor filtering words through the PC processor. 3. The Main Character: Jake Brigance is not nearly as likeable in the book as he in the movie and I found it hard to engage with him. Now I think we can all agree that Matt McConaughey is not exactly a high level thespian. However, he did bring the right tone to this role and I found myself comparing the novel’s version unfavorably. 4. The Ending: Again, I liked the movie version so, so, so much better. While the main outcome is the same, I really liked the way the movie handled the climactic closing argument and was disappointed in the novels path to the verdict. I also really enjoyed the last scene in the movie where Jake and his family go to a barbeque at Carl Lee’s house where their two daughters can play. I thought it was perfect. Okay, so enough griping. I thought the book was good. I thought the movie was very good. If you've seen the movie, I don't think you are missing much by skipping the book. However, if you haven't seen the film, I would recommend reading the book first and then watching the adaptation. I think you will enjoy both.3.0 stars. Recommended.
A Time to Kill By: John GrishamReview by: Kevin WaltherA Time to Kill is written by John Grisham. It takes place in Clanton, Alabama in the spring and summer of one year in the 1970’s. This is a time where racism is still very evident in southern states, and is a major issue in the book. The story revolves around a trial in which a black man has killed the two white men who brutally raped his eleven year old daughter. The man who kills the two men who rapped his daughter is Carl Lee Hailey; he is a married man who has three sons, and a daughter Tonya. He works at a paper mill and is the main source of income for his family. The two men he killed are Billy Ray Cobb and James Louis Willard, both known for their reputations regarding there use of drugs and opinions towards other races. The attorney representing Carl lee is Jake Brigance, a young lawyer who has only a few murder cases under his belt, but represented Carl Lee’s cousin on a murder charge and got him off. He is also married with one daughter.The novel begins with Cobb and Willard rapping Tonya Hailey, the cops quickly find out who did it because Cobb and Willard were bragging about it at a local bar. When Cobb and Willard are escorted out of the court house after their preliminary hearings, Carl Lee Hailey comes out of a cleaning closet with a machine gun and kills the two men. Carl Lee is put into custody for the murders, and he requests Jake Brigance to represent him in court, even though he is tempted at times from groups like the NAACP to use their lawyers. The D.A. is Rufus Buckley, who is determined to win this case not only for the positive publicity he would gain for his law and political career, but also because he and Jake Brigance are constantly feuding with each other. During the trial Mr. Brigance, his secretary, and some possible jurors are harassed by the KKK, sometimes in very harmful ways. Jake and his family receive so much harassment that he has his wife and daughter move with her parents in South Carolina to keep her out of harms way. There is also plenty of excitement surrounding the court house once the trial begins, with reporters from all over the country present, and the front lawn of the court house divided in two, the KKK on one side and Carl Lee supporters on the other.Many themes are present throughout the novel, the most popular being the racial issues that were present in this time and region of the United States. This theme is evident during the protests related to the trial, when the KKK is brought back into Clanton, when the NAACP tried to get involved in the trial, and in the trial itself when the question is presented, would he be treated the same if he was white and killed two black men who raped his daughter? Another theme that is evident in the novel is, doing what you believe to be right vs. what the legal system believes to be right. This theme is clear when Carl Lee Hailey kills the two men who raped his daughter, despite it being very illegal because he cannot live knowing his daughter’s rapists are still alive, and that she would have to live knowing they were alive. So, Carl Lee thought his personal view of what was right was a better option than letting the two men go to jail and be let out in a few years.When I was reading this book, I was very surprised at the level of racism that was present, especially because it was only 30-40 years ago. I haven’t been to this part of the country, but I hope it has changed drastically for the better since then. Even though Carl Lee did murder two men, I think he should be a free man, because what the two men did to his daughter was sick, disturbing, and horrible. I don’t think any child should go through what Tonya Hailey did, and I think Carl Lee’s response was appropriate for what happened.Also, when I read this book I liked the way it was written, it was my type of book, I just couldn’t put it down. It was full of action and dialogue that wasn’t boring, and had very few low points that I would consider useless.
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*4.5 out of 5 stars*I am so glad I finally picked this novel up. "A Time to Kill" really delves into the racism that's immersed into Southern culture and shows how disgusting and heartbreaking it is. Growing up in the South myself, I have noticed that things like racism, homophobia, and misogyny are deeply embedded into our culture. People use their religious beliefs to justify being absolutely disgusting to others (i.e. using gay slurs simply because your religion states that homosexuality is a sin.) "A Time to Kill" really showed dark, gritty racism in a very real way.The only real reason I gave this 4.5 stars instead of 5 is because it was a pretty slow read at times... but that's to be expected, as it's 1. Grisham's first novel, and 2. it's a book about a long court case.
—Bridgit Barger
I love this book... it shows so starkly the fight against racism in the small town South. You can't help but feel the justice in a man taking the law into his own hands... because the law has failed him. And because of that, it forces you to confront your own beliefs, your own morals... you have to question the sanctity of the law and what you're willing to put your faith in. It brings up the issues of right and wrong in a way that's almost horrifying in its use of grey area.And it's got one of
—Jennifer
“With murder, the victim is gone, and not forced to deal with what happened to her. The family must deal with it, but not the victim. But rape is much worse. The victim has a lifetime of coping, trying to understand, of asking questions, and the worst part, of knowing the rapist is still alive and may someday escape or be released. Every hour of every day, the victim thinks of the rape and asks herself a thousand questions. She relives it, step by step, minute by minute, and it hurts just as bad.Perhaps the most horrible crime of all is the violent rape of a child. A woman who is raped has a pretty good idea why it happened. Some animal was filled with hatred, anger and violence. But a child? A ten-year-old child? Suppose you're a parent. Imagine yourself trying to explain to your child why she was raped. Imagine yourself trying to explain why she cannot bear children.”- A Time to Kill - John GrishamAn awesome book (AS USUAL) by John Grisham.The book has excellent view on mixed ideas like racism and what a father would do under circumstances he did not expect.This was my fifth book written by John Grisham.Oh, I've observed in Grisham's novels that it always have a happy ending in spite of the unmanageable trouble and difficulties each novel has from the start. Well, from my observation, maybe because he thinks that no matter how corrupt and smelly our legal system or government is, there will always be a way for JUSTICE.["JUSTICE WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL"]This was, in my view, one of Grisham's best. :)
—Salymar
