Rating: 
Summary: A book with gripping court scenes and a dash of idealism.
Review: Rudy Baylor is a rookie lawyer who is almost broke. The first case he ever bags is a doozy. It is a bad faith case against a big insurance company. The insurance company could have saved a life if they had not denied a valid claim. Rudy Baylor's story is told in first person, using the simple present tense all through the book. Maintaining the interest of the reader throughout the substantially lengthy story using this kind of comparatively uncommon style of writing is indeed a feat and only a very confident writer would dare attempt it. John Grisham dares - and succeeds. The book starts by giving some background about Rudy Baylor. From there on, the plot threads off in diverse and interesting directions. The longest thread is of course the one about the insurance case. It occupies more than half the book. The next most prominent thread concerns the love affair of Rudy with Kelly, who is a young girl married to an abusing husband. The other plot threads involve Rudy's financial troubles, his relationships with various people: his business partner named Deck, an old lady nicknamed Birdy, two underworld characters called Bruiser and the Prince, and other assorted characters. The book has a lot going for it. It is well-paced. There is no lapse of interest at any time. The courtroom scenes are relentlessly gripping. The legal machinery is depicted with authority, and why not? Mr Grisham was a lawyer himself. The novel has no sleazy sex and it has a dash of idealism; two features that are becoming very rare in the best-selling fiction of today. Well done, Mr Grisham. The only gripes, and minor ones, that I have about the novel are two. First, in the initial part of the book, the writing is not tight. It is possible for the reader to skip chunks of text on almost every page and still be able to follow the plot threads. But the writing becomes almost air tight once the courtroom scenes start. My second gripe is about the ending. I don't know why Mr Grisham tried for multiple climaxes. They lessen the impact of the ending. In summary, The Rainmaker is one of the best books to reach the best-seller lists in the recent past.
Rating: 
Summary: The Rainmaker
Review: I found this novel by John Grisham very entertaining. I had a hard time putting it down until I was done reading it. It kept me guessing about what was going to happen next and I would often guess wrong Also having never read a book about lawyers before I learned a lot of new things that I would have never known out otherwise. If you like stories about underdogs you will truely love this book. Rudy is a true underdog in this story. He is a just starting out lawyer whose first case is fighting a huge insurance company for 10 million dollars. Not your typical first day on the job. This book moves at a fast pace and my only complaint is that sometimes its hard to keep up. But overall go get this book and it will not dissapoint.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely up there with The Firm and The Pelican Brief
Review: The Rainmaker by John Grisham is a very exciting novel. I read it in the span of two days because I could not put it down. The story goes around a young lawyer named Rudy; a young lawyer who just passed his bar exam, and stressed out with the bill collectors. So now, he takes a case against a huge medical coverage company because they did not live up to the promise of one of their clients; he eventually died from lung cancer, and they didnt come through with the money to pay for the doctor bills. So now, they hire a huge law coporation to take the case. Now Rudy is over his head, but he wants to win this case because this could make him or break him in his law career. While the case moves forward, he meets what John Grisham calls 'a ambulance chase' and they start taking cases from other people, and Rudy still working on the medical case. Then Rudy meets a woman who is being abused by her boyfriend, so Rudy falls for and protects her from him. Now as the medical case moves along, eventually Rudy wins the case of $50 million dollars in grivence pay and medical bills. Rudy is happy winning his first case. Now he then finds out that the medical insurance went bankrupt and the family and Rudy would not see a penny coming their way. So now, with a old Volvo (it has I believe 130,000 miles on it, correct me if I am wrong), he then leaves the small firm he had with his buddy of his, and his new girlfriend and get out of town. The Rainmaker I thought was a good book, I have not read all of Grisham's novels, but the few i did read (The Rainmaker is one of them), I felt like the man can write a good tale. I cant really call myself a huge Grisham fan, but I like his writing. Anyway, good book and definitely worth reading.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise.
Review: This is the first Grisham novel I've ever read, and I enjoyed every page. The Rainmaker is well paced, engaging, witty, and surprisingly resonant. I could completely relate to Rudy, the main character, and I rejoiced at his triumphs, great and small, and I sympathized even with his petty, less noble moments. He's just a regular guy trying to make his way in the world and do some good while he's at it, and it was fun partaking in his journey. Grisham has a great sense of humor, and I still find myself smiling over the title "paralawyer" and the preppy Waspishness of "Trent and Brent". The line, "Go chase an ambulance," is both cruel and hilarious, yet once you get to know Deck, you understand that he doesn't even have enough shame to be offended by such jabs. I laughed aloud during the jury selection passage, and I found myself cringing during Rudy's confrontation with Cliff, aka "Fists of Fury, Redneck Style". I chewed my lips constantly in suspense through the last third of this book, and I was loath to put it down. Let's just say that I was definitely drawn into the story. I'd recommend this book to anyone since the characters are realistic, the writing style is sparse and elegant, and there are little realisms and moments of truth that catch you off guard in their simplicity. This book contains grief and tragedy, but never once does Grisham cheapen his characters by resorting to maudlin, pity-party tactics. I will now be on the lookout for another Grisham novel that's as engaging as this one. If you buy this book, you're not likely to be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting but unrealistic
Review: Having read most of Grisham's work and having undergone a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 1993, I was more than eager to read the Rainmaker. As far as medical accuracy and the emotions that family members and those afflicted with life-threatening illnesses face (and the daily battles with Health Maintenace Organizations to ensure adequate treatment and Insurance coverage), I thought that Grisham did a fantastic job capturing real-life. However, Grisham's story line with respect to the Courtroom was not as convincing. I found myself smiling too much and feeling all "warm and fuzzy" with the incredible success that the young (and inexperienced) attorney Rudy Baylor had at every level of his legal battle (from discovery to the Courtroom). It seemed that everyone from the judge to the Jury to the expert witnesses had an affection for Rudy and after a while it no longer seemed believable. Additionally, while I enjoyed the real David and Golliath motiff, I was disappointed to see Grisham treat Golliath like a bumbling idiot destined for predictable failure. Nonetheless, in typical Grisham style, the book is again a page-turner which pulls you in and hooks you like an illicit drug. In this respect, it is well worth the 500 plus page read but if you are looking for reality, you are much better off reading A Time to Kill or The Client.
Rating:
Summary: No objections, Your Honor!
Review: Quite like a few of John Grisham's novels but feel this is by some way his best. Not sure quite why. Enjoy the first-person narrative, which is self-deprecating and funny. Also like the romance with the battered woman, the other characters in the legal practice, as well as the general atmosphere of Memphis. I think above all the characters are quite three-dimensional, which I don't always find with Grisham's books.
Rating:
Summary: Not that intimidating
Review: The book starts off with the graduation of Rudy Baylor, the main character, from a Memphis college. Rudy gets a case of an insurance agent Great Benefits cheating a family whose son is about to die as the insurance company failed to pay up the cover for his bone-marrow transplant. The case goes to Rudy just before he takes up his bar exam to become a licensed lawyer. Once he passes the bar, he and a friend named Deck, the so-called paralawyer, decide to challange the insurance company being represented by one of the most expensive and well known firms in Memphis. Rudy's graduation, the pre-trial events were kinda droning along. The only likeable part of this novel by Grisham was the trial itself. Even the trial was practically far-fetched because judge Kipler is fully biased towards the plaintiff. This is normally not what happens in court. Grisham kinds makes a mockery of the legal system. But it is a little fun to read. Recommended if you have nothing else to read.
Rating:
Summary: One of Grisham's better novels. A funny look at the law.
Review: "The Rainmaker" is one of Grisham's better novels ("The Firm" still remains my favorite by Grisham). It is the story of a young law student-then lawyer who is trying to make it in the legal profession; specifically, in the world of small-time civil litigation. Young Rudy Baylor lucks into a fairly big-time case, and the fun begins. Grisham gives us a cynical, funny, and mostly authentic look at the law. Oh, there are a few flaws. I doubt many judges would ever favor one side as much as the judge did in this novel, although I suppose such things happen (I've seen it once.) But overall, Grisham gives the reader a more or less accurate look at the world of civil litigation. This give the novel a gritty sense of realism that carries the reader through what is mostly an excellent read. There are some hilarious pieces to the story--I love that "paralawyer" guy. And Grisham's cynical portrayal of big firm lawyers hits the mark. This is a very funny book. One of Grisham's better ones. By the way, the novel is quite a bit better than the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Light and fluffy
Review: I love books that attack the insurance industry, corrupt lawyers and judges but the ending was entirely too similar to some of his other books. An easy read if you have be confined in a plane or car.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling at times, but relies on humor
Review: The Rainmaker is the story of law student Rudy Baylor. Throughout the book, you'll be told his story and the story of his client, Dot Black. His story begins towards the end of his time in law school. As the days pass until graduation, he is dropped by the firm that was going to hire him. Problem after problem arise, until he is helped out by his friend (and very dirty friend) Prince. He helps Rudy get a job with Brusier Stone, your typical evil lawyer, that you actually like. You know, that old story. Anyways, as the story unfolds, Rudy meets a co-worker by the name of Deck. They slowly become friends and the two gain a trust, something that doesn't come easy at the law offices of Bruiser Stone. Meanwhile, things are dug up about Bruiser and he and Prince ditch town. Throughout the story, we'll hear the other tales of Miss Birdy Birdsong, Rudy's temporary landlord and yard boss. As well with the story of Cliff and Kelly Riker. Two very key elements to this book. When it gets right down to the nitty-gritty of the case against the evil insurance company, Great Benefit, Rudy goes head to head with Mr. Leo F. Drummond...a very, very mean lawyer. Luckily for Rudy, he's got a judge that is on his side and helping him through the case. He's just graduated law school, you know. The book goes through the humorous testimonies and mishaps of Great Benefit and Drummond. As far as the characters go, you really begin to love and feel for the characters. Especially Dot Black and her dying son, Donny Ray. As the story unfolds and you read on through Donny Ray's story of how Great Benefit denied him treatment time after time, it makes you want to get up and cuss out your insurance company. The story is thrilling at times, but is very predictable when it is. It relies on humor more than anything, as it is a very funny book. The quips and one-liners really strike a chord with you. All in all though, it's a great book. Definitely a must read.
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