Rating: 
Summary: Not his best work
Review: Well, where do I start? I really enjoyed Grisham's previous works but this one just never takes off. Many, many, loose ends. Seems like the book was beginning to build and it ended in two pages! Very disappointed with this latest offering. Hope he get recharged and comes back strong. If your going to miss reading one of his books this is the ONE!
Rating:
Summary: Grisham let me down
Review: I have hardcover editions of every one of John Grisham's novels. He, Michael Connolly and Stephen Hunter are my three favorite novelists. However, with The Brethren, Mr. Grisham has really let me down. The book isn't about anything. Yes, there's a plot about three boring judges and their homophobic scam, and yes, there's a secondary plot about an obsessed government bureaucrat and a presidential candidate, but the story goes absolutely nowhere. The novel is badly in need of a strong protagonist. There's no true main character in the book, no person around whom the action centers. Mr. Grisham needs to remember that he's writing FICTION, so the sky's the limit. He is capable of creating interesting characters and solid plotlines, but The Brethren is boring and it seems to be a lonely book, sort of like being in jail. Call me greatly disappointed. Mr. Grisham needs to stop cranking them out and needs to really sit and think out his next story. When the next book arrives, I will think long and hard about buying it, and I will not buy it until I've read a lot of reviews of it, something I've never had to do in the past when it comes to Mr. Grisham's work.
Rating: 
Summary: wow
Review: i havent read this one, but i think i never will. \i read your reviews and i am convinced. after testamnent i was looking for something even more, even better, but i dont wont to be disapointed my "the brethren". i also think that the contest of the book is very weak and boring. i wont waste my money on this one, but i am still hoping for the novel that can be read after "the testament".
Rating:
Summary: Booooooring
Review: I've read and enjoyed Grisham's other books but this one was a bore. Shallow and unlikely were the two thoughts that kept cropping up. Sure , I read it through to its unsatisfying end. I just hope he takes a bit more time to write the next story than he seems to have spent banging out this one.
Rating:
Summary: *yawn*
Review: I've try to start this book 4 times now and I can't get past the first chapter. John Grisham's books have always had such a gripping start to them, I don't want to put them down. I haven't had any problem putting THIS book down.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Book-But Grisham's Written Better Ones
Review: For me, John Grisham's books fall into two categories: excellent and mediocre. Unfortunately, "The Bretheren" falls into the latter of these categories.The plot of the book is simple enough: three disgraced and imprisoned jurists run a gay correspondence scam (or "The Angola Scam" as referred to in the book) from behind prison walls and unwittingly ensnare a presidential contender handpicked by the Director of the CIA and supported by a cabal of defense contractors. "The Bretheren" is eerily ominous in showing how a presidential election can be bought (the party of the candidate is never really stated, but there are subtle hints he's a member of the GOP), and the timing may or may not be coincidental. This book tries to be as ambitious as "The Pelican Brief" in portraying the author's perception of contemporary politics; unfortunately, it falls far short of that novel because it doesn't portray the suspense and paranoia that made "Pelican" such a good read (despite the disappointing transition to the silver screen). The ending was also flat and contained none of the panache of earlier and better works such as "A Time to Kill", "The Rainmaker", and "The Street Lawyer". Despite this flaw the character development, long a strong point of Grisham's writing, is as good as always. Overall, I'd have to put "The Bretheren" with "The Chamber" and "The Partner" as Grisham's "also-ran" or "b list" works. This book could've been a contender. Unfortunately, it runs out of steam too quickly and the ending disappoints.
Rating:
Summary: Wait for it at the library
Review: Easily his worst book. Worst than Rainmaker. Very boring and unbelievable story with no surprises at all. Save your money and borrow from the library.
Rating:
Summary: Cure for insomnia
Review: I like Grishams work - except for this one. Unfortunately, there really isn't a character that I ever really care about, and nothing ever really develops in the story line. It took me a couple weeks to wade through this one; where usually a good book will last a day or two. I actually forgot that I was in the middle of reading it at one point and started rereading an old favorite. Forget reading at night - I literally fall asleep within a couple pages! If I had it to do over again - I'd definitely wait for paperback, or pass on it altogether.
Rating:
Summary: glad I didn't pay full price
Review: After having read all 11 of John Grisham's books, I can only say that this is the worst yet. There is nothing to draw you into the characters and the ending does nothing to give the reader closure. The characters are shallow at best, and there's no page turning excitement. Grisham needs to start writing like he did in A Time to Kill and stop trying to write instant movie plots. I can only say, if you MUST buy this book, do so in paperback.
Rating:
Summary: Was it a book I don't know
Review: The book read like somebody was full filling a contract quota. I was a fan of Mr. Grisham but I think after this poor showing I believe he has falling to my "b" list of authors. On the other side I just finished reading "The Testament" after the Brethen and enjoyed it very much. I don't know maybe he has contract that made him this last book. I sometimes wonder does Mr. Grisham want to be author or screenwriter.
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