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Reversible Errors

Reversible Errors

List Price: $39.95
Your Price: $25.17
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Courtrooms, Drama & Twists!
Review: This was the first book I have read by Scott Turow, and it definitely won't be my last. While it was a little tough to get into at first (you know it's a complex story when a diagram of the cast and characters is included at the beginning of the book), I was well-rewarded for sticking with it, as the book developed into an engrossing one that I had trouble putting down.

There was lots of actual courtroom drama which was so well done, I felt like I was there. Plus, so many twists and turns as it all came together. Scott Turow and John Grisham can certainly be compared becasue of the genre, but Turow's characters are grittier, more street-savvy and sexual. Overall, a very enjoyable read.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Oh what an errored web we weave
Review: Rommy "Squirrel" Gandolph says he's innocent. All clients on death row say they're innocent, but as the pro bono lawyer chosen by the court, Arthur Raven must take on this dim but strangely harmless man's last minute appeal. Arthur already has plenty of his own problems. He has an older schizophrenic sister who relies on him to be the duct tape for her shattered world, and he has a life devoid of love. He has no illusions about this case, either, yet when another prisoner, a dying Erno Erdai, steps forward wanting to confess to Rommy's crime, Arthur finds in himself the idealism to forge ahead. And he finds, if ever so shakily, a relationship with Gillian Sullivan, the former judge who originally sentenced Rommy to death row ... a woman with a few problems of her own.

Then there's Muriel Wynn, Kindle County's chief deputy prosecuting attorney (note: Kindle County is a fictional place), who had a secret relationship with Detective Larry Starczek ten years ago, back when Larry arrested Rommy and obtained his confession to brutally murdering three people in a restaurant on July 4th, 1991. Now Muriel is running for her boss's spot and Larry is about to retire. When Arthur comes out of the woodwork demanding a temporary reprieve from execution, neither Muriel nor Larry is interested in seeing this case dug up yet again. But as more and more former witnesses emerge with their shocking and conflicting testimonies, everyone involved discovers that on all fronts there are facts they don't know, facts that could change everything, facts they can't hide ... from themselves or each other.

While I could not call REVERSIBLE ERRORS a legal thriller in the true sense, it's an incredibly well written novel of human error. I usually read a book a night, but REVERSIBLE ERRORS took me four days to consume because after every few chapters my mind needed a break from the detailed prose. After I started rereading paragraphs so as not to miss anything, I was quickly absorbed by an articulate, textured story written with words that both sound perfect to the ear and ring painfully true. I was struck by Turow's insights into the tormented romantic subplots, which were my favorite parts. Thankfully, although the death penalty is a large part of this book and Turow certainly knows what he's talking about, he refrains from using his novel as a pulpit. The mystery, while not remarkable, is unfolded excellently, and the ending, while not a smashing climax, is a fitting conclusion to a book so firmly grounded in reality it often seems more biography than novel.

Though I find few books truly deserving of five stars, REVERSIBLE ERRORS is a thoughtful, compellingly real legal novel that's not only worth the stars but also well worth reading.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Too Complicated and technical
Review: This book, unlike his peer novelists, is terribly difficult to get into. I found myself constantly referring to the characters outlined on the first page. After 110 pages I found myself totally bored and quit.....

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Enjoyable for my first Turow book.
Review: I've heard many good things about Turow's writing and enjoyed Reversible Errors. As a Grisham fan, I compare everything to his legal stories and thought Reversible Errors kept me bound to the story almost as well as Grisham does. Depending on your tastes, the sexual elements of Reversible Errors can be a turn-off but the legal story and the characters are easy to get into. If this is not his best work, I really look forward to reading more because this book is worth the time and money.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Irresistable Reading
Review: Mr. Turow has again fashioned a thrilling read. The difference between Mr. Turow and nearly every other writer of this genre (which he created) is that his novels are character driven. The plot is both intriguing and thrilling. A man on death row may be falsely convicted and the lawyers do battle. The plot, as you might expect has many twists and turns. The characters are fully realized in this page turning thriller. A GREAT READ!!!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: VERY UNSATISFYING, BORING READ
Review: OK, I don't much like Scott Turow, I admit it. Other than "OneL," which I enjoyed because I was just starting law school, I have not enjoyed any of his other books. I couldn't get into "Burden of Proof," and stopped after just a few chapters. Then I was tortured and tormented through "Personal Injuries," which I finished reading for reasons unknown. It was truly awful. And now, "Reversible Errors." I never would have chosen this book for myself - my book club picked it as our next selection, thinking that perhaps it would lead to a spirited discussion of the death penalty. After reading it, I doubt it can create a spirited discussion of any topic, other than disliking Scott Turow.

This book is boring and lifeless. I didn't care one bit about Rommy Gandolph, nor any of the other characters. And I kept waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. The only reason I finished it is so I could discuss it at the book club. I sat here and read all of the positive reviews on Amazon and simply had to shake my head in disbelief. What is it I am missing? How could anyone find this novel compelling?

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Involving good read
Review: Reversible Errors takes its time to get going, introducing characters, scene and plotlines. Reader involvement with the characters grows as the narrative progresses and this involvement is a great strength of the book.

Turow sort of jerks between the legal world and the personal worlds of his characters, and at times I felt the tranisition. But, of course, he ties both worlds together and makes the personal story key to the legal, proving himself again to be an excellent storyteller.

Turow does a pretty good job as he explains the legal maneuvering and strategy necessary to appreciate the plot lines. Interesting stuff. Read with confidence.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not Turow's Best - solid legal plot but poor characters.
Review: I'm actually torn between claiming this a disappointment, and considering it a worthwile read. I'll lean toward the latter. However, the three stars may be generous. The legal plot is fine - the main character becomes lead appeal counsel for a death row inmate who was convicted of a hienous triple murder. We learn how a confession was coerced out of this low level criminal ten years before, and another dying (cancer) inmate (ex cop) now confesses. The problem with the novel is that the relationships of the key characters are too improbable, and don't add as much to the story as they should, considering the amount of time spent on them. The lead counsel for the defendant is having an affair with the ex-Judge who sent the inmate to death row in the first place, but since has lost her seat on the bench in disgrace, due to her problems with illegal drugs and subsequent conviction and jail time of her own (come on, huh). On the other side, the prosector is a woman who has had a long-term affair with the lead detective who set up/helped convict the defendant ten years earlier. Back to the legal plot - if you can handle the relationships between the legal parties, there is a reasonably good story that unravels, to the ultimate, although predictable conclusion.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Page Turner with excellent character development
Review: It is no longer unusual to see a death row inmate receive a reprieve in the days or years before the death sentence is carried out. Usually, it takes a law school class or an attorney like Barry Scheck to pull if off.
In this book, Arthur Raven and his young associate Pamela, are given the unenviable task of representing Squirrel, who is less than 60 days away from lethal injection. Arthur is a typical male attorney....short,under 5'5" and not particularly good looking. At age 38, he is divorced from a disastrous marriage. Arthur has a kind heart, though nobody to share it with. He does have a sister, Susan, who is schizoprenic, and a mother, who took off years ago.
In his investigation of Squirrel's case, Arthur comes into contact with Gillian, the judge who sentenced Squirrel. Gillian has recently been released from prison, though the motive for the crime for which she was convicted (bribery) does not become apparent until well into the book. Gillian and Arthur are from different ends of the stratosphere. Of course, opposites attract, and the attraction is one of the storylines.
Meanwhile, the ambitious tough prosecutor, a woman, of course, has her hands full, as her political aspirations could crumble if Squirrel's case crumbles. Muriel made her name as the prosecutor for this case, and will do anything, to protect her reputation. Muriel and the detective of the same case have a personal history and seem to jump in and out of bed with each other, when the time is right. Will Muriel give up her ambitious husband and several bad marriages to engage in a real relationship with the detective??
Turow explores priorities. Is a career more important than being happy? Is there such thing as true love? If we knew the bad things about our mates, would we still love them? These issues are woven throughout the book.
Did Squirrel actually shoot three people in Gus's diner late one night? Why would he have done it? How do the victims fit together.
There are many, many, twists and turns in this book. About midway through, I thought there were too many twists. However, I ended up reading the book at 3:00 a.m., and by the time I finished the book, I was a satisfied reader.
In my opinion, Turow develops characters with more depth than Grisham. His plot lines are also more intricate and suspenseful. This book is highly, highly, recommended.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: More Character Examinationm than Thriller
Review: Most legal thrillers consume thenmselves in the legal intracacies of the court. This Turow book, much like his others tends to focus on damaged relationships and the fragility of these fractured loves.

The legal stuff almost seems a side plot to the developing relationships and ultimate redemptions of characters who seemed lost and rise from their despair and disgrace.

This book will disapoint those looking for the traditional courtroom potboiler but will satisfy on a more subtle relationship and character study level.


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