The Chamber

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Summary: My favorite Grisham novel!
Review: I was not sure what to expect before I read this novel. I saw the movie on video and did not particularly enjoy it. THE BOOK WAS EXCELLENT. This is the one story that truly relates to everybody on a human level. Sam, knowing that he did was wrong, welcomes the gas chamber and Adam cannot understand this until the end. This is the first Grisham novel in which I liked the ending, usually they are too strange. Many lives were changed by the end of the story and the fact that Adam wants to continue to fight for what he believes in was really cool.

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Summary: Incredible! Returns The Situation To Humanity
Review: John Grisham, as usual was phenomonal in his research. This book showed humanity and the unneccesary loss of life that comes with the death penalty. He carefully avoided the direct conflict of whether the lead charecter, Sam Cayhall, should die and for it came out triumphant. He proved that the death penalty has it's limits, but for those of you who are staunch death penalty supporters, Grisham does not choose sides. He carefully wields what happens on Death Row. This is a critical situation EVERYONE needs to understand before they should pass judgement on the death penalty. And to understand death row, there is no better way than by either seeing or reading The Chamber. It is a triumph no matter what others say. Grisham does not pass judgement and in the end, the lead charecter almost seems to deserve death just as much as he deserved life. And today, there are so many others on the row like him. So deserving of life, and yet so deserving of death.

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Summary: Gives terrifying insight into American justice system
Review: Grisham writes with knowledge and sensitivity which forces the reader to look beyond the death penalty and the heinous crimes that inspire it. The reader is given insight into the experiences of the criminal before and after the sentencing, and the part the slow-moving the American justice system plays in allowing years to pass before the sentence is carried out. Grisham writes clean prose which feels almost autobiographical. The beginning of the novel distances the reader from the crime because of its documentary style, but once hooked, I challenge the reader to forget Grisham's profound message about the role of our legal system and its ultimate failure to provide justice in many capital crimes.

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Summary: Interesting characters but lack of suspense
Review: Grisham uses a good blend of characters to keep this story interesting. By using a hated white supremist on death row he directs his readers to look more at the death penilty as fouled then to feel sympathy for Sam Cayhall. All together it was a satisfing read but if your looking for mystery and suspense you may want to try some of his other novels.

Rating:
Summary: One of Grisham's worst.
Review: Grisham has had many bestselling novels. Except this one is boring. Unless you're really into the book you'll maybe like it. When I read this book, I nearly fell asleep. It's just Adam Hall filing out petition after petition. If you loose interest in this book, but still go on you won't know how many petitions Adam Hall filed. It's that boring.

Rating:
Summary: one of the best Grisham novels ever
Review: this is one of the best books ever by John Grisham. The Chamber keeps you captivated and enchanted thoughout the entire book with his wonderful plots and interesting characters. It is definitely worth buying and reading.

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Summary: The movie is better than the book!
Review: I normally think books are usually better than movies, but I think in this case, the movie was much better than the book for sure!

Rating:
Summary: Best book by Grisham
Review: The Chamber opens avenues for a person to rethink capital punishment. (that is if you are an open minded individual) Well written with characters one feels as if they've know for some time. I find there are 3 groups of J. Grisham fans: 1.) Readers who liked The Chamber and A Time to Kill and think his other books don't measure up. 2.) People who like every book 'other' than The Chamber and A Time to Kill 3.) A person who thinks all of his books are wonderful. Some subjects people find unconfortable to deal with, so their way of handling the situation is to turn their head and look the other way. Living in Texas, up until this book this was my way of dealing with the death penalty. Make breaking the law tougher and the penalties more servere. Taking another life is not the answer. Read this book. Yes the beginning is slow, but it picks up and turns out to be a very fine piece of writing.

Rating:
Summary: Makes you rethink the death penalty
Review: I read this book several months ago and I can still remember how I cried at the end of the book. Grisham writes with such detail that you are totally drawn into the story and start to actually feel sorry for Sam. You also find yourself wanting to help Adam find a way to help his grandfather. I enjoyed the book very much, the movie however strayed from the book and was not portayed as well, I did however read the book just after the release of the movie and could picture the actors in their parts, but after the reading the book, the movie was a bit disappointing. Excellent writing a must read.

Rating:
Summary: Everybody has an off day. . .
Review: Mr. Grisham is a good writer. He just couldn't pull this one off. I'm opposed to capital punishment, but I kept hoping they would fry this guy and get it over with. This character was the best argument for the electric chair since Charles Manson. I read the whole thing, thinking it would eventually get good, but it didn't. Still, an awful Grisham is better than a good somebody else. I'd still rather read him than Clancy.