The Brethren

Rating:
Summary: By far Grisham's least inspired work
Review: To me The Brethren was like going to the amusement park to hop on the newest roller coaster, waiting in line for 3 hours, and then finding that the ride is nothing more than a train going around a flat track.

The Brethren is the story of three ex-judges who rule their prison and reprise their once respectable status by holding judgment over jailhouse disputes. All three are nearing the age of retirement and facing the idea of either dying in prison or being released to a life of destitution. This in mind, the three cook up a can't fail plan to extort huge amounts of money from rich men foolish enough to fall into their net.

At the same time there is a story about a congressman from Arizona who is hand selected by the head of the CIA to be the next President. His strong support of the military, innocent looks, and impeccable record make him a shoe in to with the race. It doesn't take more than two chapters to realize that these stories are going to converge in a very predictable manner, with very predictable results. What's really sad about this book is that there isn't any character to care about. And the final payoff does nothing but leave you wanting to return the check for insufficient funds.

John Grisham has written a number of very engaging and readable books (A Time to Kill, The Firm, The Partner). But each time I read a new Grisham, I ask myself why he has such a hard time recapturing that magic. Perhaps it's because he is trying for quantity and not quality.

Rating:
Summary: Crime Pays!
Review: I really enjoyed reading Grisham's earlier novels. I did not enjoy this one. This novel followed the same new pattern that Grisham uses...crime pays. This novel does nothing more but reiterate that the American Government is crooked and in the end it is all right to do wrong, because heck, you will get away with it. If you really have to read all of Grisham's novels go ahead, but, it's all claptrap.

Rating:
Summary: Boring, predictable, and terrible plot
Review: The start of the book was interesting, but once the story got going...it was boring and predictable. Half way through the book I considered stopping or at least flipping to the last chapter because it was terrible and I knew how it was going to end. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time reading this.

Rating:
Summary: John Grisham rules!
Review: I loved all of John Grisham's books, my favorite being "A Time to Kill." And the stories have been wonderful as movies. However, in "The Brethren" I got the feeling that Grisham is starting to HAVE FUN with his writing. The characters and plot(s) were entertaining and I particularly enjoyed the Club Fed setting. The presidential campaign was interesting as well, although I usually don't have much interest in politics. For a thoroughly good read without the soapbox issues (i.e., the tobacco industry, the death penalty, etc.) pick up a copy of "The Brethren"!

Rating:
Summary: Also known as The Three Stooges
Review: I thought this story was somewhat implausible, but it was entertaining nonetheless. The idea that three busted judges sitting in a minimum-security federal penitentiary (better known as a Club Fed facility) could devise, perfect, and carry out this scam undetected requires a heavy dose of "Belief (in suspension)". I kept expecting some sort of humorous scene with the three judges doing a Three Stooges routine, as the Brethren conducted their gay pen-pal scheme behind the scenes of a silly trial (and error) system the other inmates used to settle minor disputes among themselves.

Assuming that one took that dose of "Belief", this story was indeed very good. It exposed the greed, and various shades of darkness in the human soul...with every Grisham book that I read now, it becomes evident to me that there are no "pure" heroes (or protagonists, for lack of a better word) in his novels. Every person in Grisham's books has a seamy side to them, no matter who they are. Aaron Lake has a nasty little secret, granted it is not as bad as say, Quince Garbe's, for example. Grisham also has fun with poking at lawyers with his shabby depiction of the Brethren's attorney, Trevor Carson.

Wes & Chap, the two CIA operatives assigned to do the close-up work on the Brethren's attorney, and some of the victims, remind me of the Thompson Twins (the British comic-strip detective duo, not the pop band of the 80s). I can even imagine how some of the humor that lives under the surface of this novel might be brought to life if it ever becomes a movie. (Note to readers: Grisham always read better if you imagine yourself watching a movie version of his book.)

I prefer John Grisham to say, Scott Turow, but that doesn't mean I have to rubber-stamp everything he writes. "The Brethren" is an enjoyable read, but is not at the same level as "A Time to Kill" is. I hope that future books by Grisham do not become formulaic and predictable...a sad comment on too many other authors who have written great books and become successful in their genre.

Check this out from the library, and save your hard-earned cash.

Peace Out.

Rating:
Summary: Forget what you have learned, and grow.
Review: There are plenty of reader-reviews that discuss the underlying premise of this novel, so I will cut to the chase.

I thought the book was a great read. It created atmosphere and characters that were filled with human foibles and desire. It creates environments where things like this are real.

When I sit down to read a book, I find it helpful to 'unlearn' what expectations you have about the author, and jump right in. This may seem somewhat illusory, since a reason you have the book may be that you trust the author not to waste your time.

Think again. Don't do comparisons. Take the book for what it is. And it is really a fun read ... the pages turn so fast that flies don't come near you, and it would make a good movie, too.

My only complaint is that, in the end, the wrong guy died.

Rating:
Summary: Ingenious
Review: Although it was easier to put down than some of his previous works, the Brethren once again manifests the author's indefatigable plotting skills.

It was very timely, also, with the upcoming US election. The plot was dissected into 2 "scenes", whilst worlds apart, were inextricably linked by the "trolling of bait" in a top shelf magazine which was "bitten" by a presidential candidate.

The Author's experience as counsel has paid off once again, as he shows the links between scheming lawyers (or in this case judges) and the electoral process.

Rating:
Summary: Worst Grisham Yet
Review: I have seen this book described as a legal thriller. Nope! The law discussed is nothing but a twisted version of the law as dispensed by 3 convicted judges in a low security prison. And there was nothing that kept me on the edge of my seat, so I throw out the description as a "thriller" as well. This is, in my opinion, the worst Grisham book yet. The plot is sophmoric, character development non-existent, and overall a story that took an effort on my part to complete. Anyone who is looking for the Grisham style first displayed in "A Time To Kill" (his best book)will be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: Time To Find A New Legal Eagle
Review: Better than The Testament and The Street Lawyer, but Mr. Grisham has been going downhill since The Firm, The Pelican Brief and The Client. But I recently read a legal thriller by a first-time author, The Jinx, by Larry Kahn, that just blows The Brethren away. Maybe it's time to pass the crown on to somebody new....

Rating:
Summary: Is this a tv movie, or what?
Review: Anticipating a new Grisham novel is almost as much fun as racing through one. Until The Brethren.

The plot of The Brethren is still full of Grisham's clever twists, quirky (Southern, mostly) characters, money and high stakes. The differences with this book are that there is no hero, no likable character at all, and it is just too, too timely. Grisham is entitled to his political opinions--and entitled to his success as a novelist. But I felt after reading this one that it had been designed to fulfill--probably successfully--three purposes:1) to make more money, 2) to make still more money as a movie, and 3) to grind Grisham's ax about the government and the 2000 presidential race.

I felt there should have been a dustcover warning: What you are about to read is a political statement; entertainment is solely secondary. Proceed at your own risk.