Rating: 
Summary: Someone tell John to think "cohesion"
Review: John Grisham successfully paints a cast of interesting characters, a sterile candidate for president, three wobblesome and eccentric judges, and a dark fiend controlling the fate of our country by manipulating the deaths of Americans. However, the cast wanders about a dim stage, trying to rouse the dozing audience.I wonder if John will look back at this effort and say (as did Kevin Smith for Mallrats) "It seemed like a good idea at the time. I am sorry." John leads us on an interesting path of government secrets, through the much-idealized powers to create and destroy people and pasts, however, the key link to the plot is weaker than a chain of soggy cheerios. If/when you read this book, you too will wonder what the presidential candidate's motivation was for contacting "Ricky" - it is a key concept, and entirely ignored. Because of this factor, the whole story is more like a dream had after too many corndogs and coke than a best selling novel. I reccommend reading almost anything else. Not Grisham at his finest.
Rating: 
Summary: More interesting than just a page turner.
Review: I liked this book from the beginning. The plot concerns 3 judges in prison who are running a sex scam and catch a presidential candidate. While most of the characters aren't likable they aren't unlikable either. The interesting part of the book is watching the interactions between the characters. While some books are filled with action and sudden plot twists this book is more subtle and always leaves open many different plot paths to hold your interest. My only complaint is that the very end could have been tied up a little tighter. If you start reading this book you will know by the end of the first few chapters if it is right for you.
Rating:
Summary: Original
Review: I've read all of Grisham's novels, and this one was interesting but not really gripping..Well written as always, but certainly not his best effort.
Rating: 
Summary: Very bad-dont read it!!!
Review: I am a big Grisham fan...I bought this book in hard cover b'cos the paper back edition was not available. It is nauseating-one of the woest of Grisham -it made me wonder where Grisham was going....Pl keep away from it and save ur time and money
Rating:
Summary: everything by chance
Review: The Brethren is a good story on the role of chance. Also a good story on the power of words written on simple paper, and the devastating effect the proper combination of both can have on everybodys life. The only thing which appeases the reader at the end of the day is that chance is most effective in the moments of human weaknesses. From that, readers around the world can learn the all-american lesson: plan carefully, and be professional all day!
Rating: 
Summary: Boring
Review: The 700+ customer reviews cannot go completely wrong: This book, "The Brethren" by John Grisham, is disappointingly boring. And it could have been so interesting. The CIA gets a conspiration going to install congressman Aaron Lake as the upcoming President of the United States. You can see the influence of money and company interests, the manipulation of the people by media etc. However, the story is not really worked out, details are missing, and actually, this seems not to be the main story the book wants to tell. The "main story" is the description of an extortion scheme used by three former judges, who are imprisoned in a federal jail, and their lawyer. The story is dragging, the writing is neither fast-paced nor rich in detail. And even when the two main streams of action touch you are longing for the end of the chapter to finally go to sleep...
Rating:
Summary: Classic Grisham
Review: I was very pleased with Grishams latest effort. This book is a return to the days of the Firm and Pelican. The last few books have been more phuilosophical and less suspense. They were ok but I prefer Mr. Grisham as a suspense writer. I was never on the edge of my seat and yes there was no "hero" but it was fun to read. It is a politcal thriller and it did not disappoint. Politcal thrillers seem to belong to David Baldacci but Grisham trumps him with this novel any day of the week.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham's worst
Review: Don't go looking for classic Grisham. You won't find it here. This book had an implausible plot, poor character development, and a lame ending. A waste of time and money as far as I am concerned. Do yourself a favor, reread, "A Time To Kill" instead.
Rating:
Summary: Grisham's Worst Work
Review: I looked forward to this book with a lot of anticipation. I've read every one of Grisham's books. Never again. I wonder what the statistical odds are that so many sleazy people could end up in one spot. "Because it's a prison, stupid!" you might answer. Not so. I've worked in a prison. The prison employees I've known have been a honest, dedicated bunch. The attorneys I've known in the communities surrounding the prison have also been honest and capable. Maybe it got better at the end. I never made it that far. It took me three weeks to make it about three quarters of the way through. With all the other legal thriller authors out there, I won't spend any more time or money with Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Solidly entertaining
Review: In "The Brethren," John Grisham returns to a more traditional Grisham-type story (his previous two books had a decidedly moralizing tone, and this one just aims to tell a story), complete with a well-thought out plot and plenty of entertaining detail. The difference between this book and some of Grisham's earlier bestsellers is that it is not a thriller, and there is no clear protagonist. Also, Grisham was very careful not to moralize in this book, and it shows. In "The Brethren," we follow two seemingly separate stories until they meet (rather predictably) somewhere in the middle. The moments of excitement are fewer than in previous novels, and the excitement is lower. The problems are resolved relatively easy, and there really isn't much conflict in the book. However, the book is interesting for the most part, and decidedly more entertaining than Grisham's last two novels. Fans of Grisham's early novels will appreciate that this one is closer in makeup to some of his earlier books, such as "The Firm," and "The Pelican Brief." While this book is reminiscent of vintage Grisham, there is evidence that he is growing as an author, and this story seems a little more mature than earlier books. All that to say that this book was entertaining and solid, and a must for any Grisham fans.
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