Personal Injuries

Rating:
Summary: A legal thriller based in reality
Review: Do you like legal thrillers, but are you somehow haunted by the belief that John Grisham doesn't really know what it's like to be a lawyer? Are you a patient reader? If the answer is yes to both questions, then this book is for you. The book, which involves a federal investigation into a corrupt judiciary scheme takes place in Turow's fictional Kindle County. We meet Robbie Feaver as he is coerced into cooperating with the investigation. The book takes off slowly and at the beginning, I confess I really did not like the book all that much. It was a little dry and sometimes had the look and feel of a legal memo (which are not that exciting, and if you've never read one, trust me on this). There was something that kept me reading and I am glad I did. I think it may have simply been the fact that the characters and what they do are truly realistic. As the book continues, Turow throws in some interesting, and yet still believable plot twists. His characters, at least the main ones are fairly multidimensional and the world they live in not all black and white, good and evil, but shades of grey. Robbie is not the most likable character, but is ultimately sympathetic. His choices, like those of the other characters, were not always good ones, but he is human. All in all this is an enjoyable novel if you have the patience to stick throught the first 100 pages or so.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, intelligent story
Review: This is not a page-turner or a Grissam potboiler. It is a well written, realistic story with no lapses in logic. It has a relatively good story that moves most of the way through the book. It does have some nice twists in the end. The only reason I don't give it four stars is the following:

It only has three fully realized characters. The rest are characteratures.

I don't like books about fictionalized big cities. The name of the sports teams is ridiculous. The basketball team is called the Hands.

I don't like stories about an old boys network, with everyone growing up together and knowing each other. This is supposed to be a big city. Where are the people who moved in from out of town?

It does have a few slow spots.

The ending is a cop out. Not to spoil anything...but it is common for authors to kill off an interesting character when they can't think of what to do with them next.

This is not a great book, but it doesn't insult your intelligence. It is certainly better than The Firm or any of Tom Clancy's recent books.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant, masterful work of art.
Review: To say that Scott Turow is a great legal mystery writer is to shortchange him. He is a great writer period--in any genre.

How disappointing to read some of the less-than-favorable reviews of this book. Perhaps mystery fans who crave a "quick fix" didn't find one here.

In Personal Injuries, Mr. Turow gives us Robbie Feaver--one of the most complex, alternately likable and detestable characters ever imagined. For Robbie, the acts of manipulating and genuinely trying to connect with people are blurred. His take on life, and his relationships with his ailing wife and mother, his colleagues, and especially with FBI agent Evon Miller are deeply interesting and leave you eagerly awaiting what Robbie's next "play" will be.

With respect to the story itself, I cannot remember a book that has moved me as much as Personal Injuries. In contrast to those who found the ending less than satisfying, I found it stunning. And in contrast to those who found the Evon Miller character lacking, I found her interest in self-discovery, her superior athleticism, and her skill as an FBI agent to be riveting.

Do yourself a favor: read this book. Don't expect beach-blanket pablum. Rather, expect truly exceptional writing, richly drawn characters, and a plot that will move you deeply and keep you reflecting on the story for a long time to come. Thank you Mr. Turow!