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Summary: I'll never forget Robbie
Review: This is one of the most entertaining books I've read in a while, and the reason was Robbie Feaver (Fever, Favor, whatever). What a fascinating protagonist/villain! At times he made my skin crawl, at times he broke my heart. Not many authors spend this much time on credible character development. Not many books feature a character with so much depth and contradiction. I truly cared what happened to Robbie and Evon (and even Stan and George). The plights of Robbie's wife and mother are handled compassionately, too -- unusual in a thriller. It was the feeling I'd invested in these characters that kept me from ever being bored as I followed them on this adventure of ethics, loyalty and betrayal. BTW: I was interested as I read these reviews by how many insist on comparing Turow to Grisham. I read a lot of mysteries, and you seldom see readers comparing, say, Grafton to Paretsky or Cornwell. Maybe it's because the genre of legal thriller is still pretty wide open, with these two men dominating it. At any rate, there's room on my bookshelf for both Grisham and Turow.
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Summary: Slow, dry start but increased tempo to the end
Review: The start was really dry and slow and a little confusing for a usual bestseller kinda of book. But when the story was unfolding, you got to admire the plot twists, good and convincing writing by the author. It was hard to put down as the story progressed. Overall, a brilliant story from a good writer.
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Summary: A Literary Injury
Review: I have enjoyed several Turow works but was disappointed with Personal Injuries. The voicing awkward and the story plodding. Avoid this work in favor of his others.
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Summary: Another Winner. A Triumph
Review: A great story from start to the great climax. A stunner. Mr. Turow shows why he is a gifted writer in this gut-wrenching thriller. A Triumph. I like all of his other books as well. Another Winner from Mr. Turow.
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Summary: intensely absorbing emotional letdown
Review: This book equals the quality of Presumed Innocent - is better than the others Turow's written since then. For the genre, it's quite well-written. Yet, the ending depressed me - left me feeling I'd been through a lot for nothing. I was attached to those characters, I wanted more closure, something cleaner, more emotionally satisfying, predictable, or redeeming - though to be fair one of Turow's talents is in the ability to toss out surprises, and if he had given the story a more desirable outcome it would have been too pat. Keeps you guessing 'til the very end. A good read.
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Summary: Best Legal Novel I've Ever Read
Review: "Personal Injuries" is actually the first Scott Turow novel I've read and I'm thoroughly impressed. From reading some of the other customer reviews, I've gathered that it doesn't follow the same format as the other books that made Turow famous. These reviewers are actually faulting the author for this. I would advise these morons to start on the John Grisham catalogue. Why do they think Scott Turow takes his time writing his novels? BECAUSE HE'S TRYING TO ACHIEVE A HIGHER STANDARD. And he succeeds immeasurably with "Personal Injuries". No, it's not a book filled with twists and turns, nor is it a legal "thriller" chock full of courtroom drama. It's a study of the legal profession itself with layers upon layers of brilliant characterization to keep the intelligent reader riveted until the end. In Robbie Feaver, Scott Turow has created one of the most memorable, intriguing characters I've ever read. He's an arrogant, enigmatic, law-breaking, rationalizing liar of a lawyer, but you just gotta love him. And that's exactly what this book is about -- understanding and forgiving the inherent flaws of humanity. It sounds like a lofty theme for a "lawyer's story" as Turow's narrator calls it, but Turow strikes the heart of it beautifully. At the finish, the reader is left pondering the imponderable hierarchy of values of the law. If you enjoy a thinking man's story (or if you just plain have a genuine admiration for great writing), don't miss this amazing, utterly believable, immensely enjoyable book.
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Summary: Where did he pull this story from?
Review: At times this book was going places, then it took a trip down boring street . . . then it would pick up . . . then it would get detoured back to boring street . . . you get the picture. I think I know where he "pulled" this story from.. Pretty unrealistic even for fiction. I expected better from Turow.
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Summary: It's the real thing
Review: I've practiced law for thirty years, mostly litigation. This book is exactly like reality; the incredible egos, the over-reaching, play dirty approach of the feds and the nice guy who will always lose if he plays by the rules. Characters all too human that finagle their way inside you before you know it; surprising internal choices for the reader, and always the relentless distant approach of fate. This is the best legal fiction I've ever read. And for many, might offer a small window on the instincts driving lawyers out of their profession.
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Summary: Overlong At Some Points, But Still A Good Read
Review: First, let me say to all of those reviewers who complained that there was no likeable character in this book - there is no law that states that the author must present all players as 'good' or 'bad'. In fact, books that have protagonists that are too good to be true are boring and predictable.
The characters in this book have definite shades of gray, and are motivated to their actions through a variety of influences: greed, loyalty, fear, love, guilt, sense of duty, etc... This is much more interesting than 'good' vs. 'bad'.
I do have to agree that Turow did a little to much 'navel contemplation' here and there throughout the book - much of this could have been cut. But overall, I say it was an enjoyable book.
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Summary: Turow at his best!
Review: Turow's latest takes us back to Kindle County where, as we are used from his previous work, corruption abounds together with relentless lawyers, politicians and district attorneys. Robbie Feaver a succesful bit-beyond ambulance chaser lawyer finds himself immerse in the middle of an FBI investigation to trap corrupted judges. What seems a simple wire-on trap becomes a complex mosaic of human frailty, friendship, courage and loyalty. Turow suprised everybody with PRESSUMED INNOCENT, a book that practically started the lawyer in despair genre later exploited by John Grisham, Steve Martini and others. THE BURDEN OF PROOF was less a mystery and more a character study of Sandy Stern, a middle-aged lawyer on a crisis, the plot-line went far beyond the common thriller into the deep crevases of man's loyalties, treasons, and moral. It was a riveting second book. PLEADING GUIILTY was even better, with cleverness far beyond the simpleness of Grisham, Turow takes the story about a very interesting character. THE LAWS OF OUR FATHERS whas a step back, probably his worst book, overlong, tiresome, and ultimately boring. With PERSONAL INJURIES, Turow, after his usual three year span builds a page turner, a riveting thriller, and above all a moving deeply rich read.
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