The Great Divide

Rating:
Summary: A clean courtroom thriller that rivals Grisham!
Review: The two novels of T. Davis Bunn I'd read previous to this effort both revolved around Christmas sentimentalism, and were somewhat trite and disappointing. Not so with "The Great Divide". As a reader who has thoroughly enjoyed practically all of John Grisham's books for their legal drama, thriller suspense, and clean content, I was delighted to find that this effort by Bunn practically matched Grisham on all counts! Not only that, Bunn is extremely talented in his use of the English language, with delightfully descriptive language, metaphors and similes, and vivid characterization. In almost all regards it is quite different from his earlier works. Bunn's other efforts were more distinctly Christian in character and theme, and although this novel is not specifically Christian (aside from the involvement of a church community as part of the story line) it is far more suspenseful and successful.

The story-line features Marcus Glenwood, an attorney who is recovering after a terrible car accident which claimed the lives of his two young children and destroyed his marriage. When asked to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall, Marcus is initially reluctant. But as he discovers the truth behind the claims of Gloria's parents that she was abducted in a Chinese factory run by the American sports clothing manufacturer New Horizons, he agrees to undertake legal action against the manufacturing giant on their behalf. With one of Gloria's friends, Kirsten, as his ally, and with several of his former colleagues as his nemesis, the suspenseful court-room drama slowly builds up momentum, with several attacks on Marcus' life outside the courtroom adding a chilling spice to an already chilling tale. Slowly, Marcus uncovers the horrible web behind New Horizons, and the truth behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall. The only thing that remains a mystery to me in the end is the significance of the title!

The bittersweet ending is somewhat satisfying, but is dampened by the startling thought that this could be a true story, a story where the endings are not happy. One cannot help get the feeling that Bunn is using this novel to unmask human rights abuses in Chinese sweatshops, and expose the support of these abuses by giant manufacturers of sporting clothing who bow to the almighty dollar. It does not take much imagination to substitute the name "New Horizons" for the name of a contemporary manufacturing giant of sporting clothing, and raise questions about their practices and ethics. One of Bunn's final acknowledgements is very telling, where he acknowledges the help of his wife, an international attorney, whose "first thesis was on the issue of human rights violations within the Chinese lao gai prison network." While thoroughly enjoying this book as a work of fiction, I could not help but get the cold feeling that behind the fiction was a great deal of fact. This novel will do more than just awaken your suspense, it may also awaken your conscience.

Rating:
Summary: A clean courtroom thriller that rivals Grisham!
Review: The two novels of T. Davis Bunn I'd read previous to this effort both revolved around Christmas sentimentalism, and were somewhat trite and disappointing. Not so with "The Great Divide". As a reader who has thoroughly enjoyed practically all of John Grisham's books for their legal drama, thriller suspense, and clean content, I was delighted to find that this effort by Bunn practically matched Grisham on all counts! Not only that, Bunn is extremely talented in his use of the English language, with delightfully descriptive language, metaphors and similes, and vivid characterization. In almost all regards it is quite different from his earlier works. Bunn's other efforts were more distinctly Christian in character and theme, and although this novel is not specifically Christian (aside from the involvement of a church community as part of the story line) it is far more suspenseful and successful.

The story-line features Marcus Glenwood, an attorney who is recovering after a terrible car accident which claimed the lives of his two young children and destroyed his marriage. When asked to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall, Marcus is initially reluctant. But as he discovers the truth behind the claims of Gloria's parents that she was abducted in a Chinese factory run by the American sports clothing manufacturer New Horizons, he agrees to undertake legal action against the manufacturing giant on their behalf. With one of Gloria's friends, Kirsten, as his ally, and with several of his former colleagues as his nemesis, the suspenseful court-room drama slowly builds up momentum, with several attacks on Marcus' life outside the courtroom adding a chilling spice to an already chilling tale. Slowly, Marcus uncovers the horrible web behind New Horizons, and the truth behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall. The only thing that remains a mystery to me in the end is the significance of the title!

The bittersweet ending is somewhat satisfying, but is dampened by the startling thought that this could be a true story, a story where the endings are not happy. One cannot help get the feeling that Bunn is using this novel to unmask human rights abuses in Chinese sweatshops, and expose the support of these abuses by giant manufacturers of sporting clothing who bow to the almighty dollar. It does not take much imagination to substitute the name "New Horizons" for the name of a contemporary manufacturing giant of sporting clothing, and raise questions about their practices and ethics. One of Bunn's final acknowledgements is very telling, where he acknowledges the help of his wife, an international attorney, whose "first thesis was on the issue of human rights violations within the Chinese lao gai prison network." While thoroughly enjoying this book as a work of fiction, I could not help but get the cold feeling that behind the fiction was a great deal of fact. This novel will do more than just awaken your suspense, it may also awaken your conscience.

Rating:
Summary: A powerful "thriller" that is also literature
Review: This book is concerned with theology in a "real-life" way, human rights in a real life way, and the concepts of power. It uses no profanity, no "sex", and no unrestrained brutality. It is written somewhat in the style of a Proust in that it steps forward in time in stages and then describes the panorama of each stage. It is an extremely well written book, with multiple threads woven together, and grips the reader inside the story. It is a piece of literature. See previous reviews for the story line. It is the finest popular book I've read in a long, long time. (for the last reviewer: Dee Gautam is a man not a women)

Rating:
Summary: Snidely Whiplash, where are you?
Review: This is one of the most ludicrous books I've come across in recent years. I picked it up because I am a lawyer and I served as the general manager of a company in China for five years. I thought it would be intriguing to read a legal thriller involving an American company doing business in China. Unfortunately, this is no thriller to anyone who knows anything about the subject; it is a ridiculous cartoon. Suffice it to say, there is virtually no connection between the story told in the pages of this book and the real world. The very thought that a factory in China associated with an American company would grab an American college student and make her a slave in their factory is beyond laughable. The premise is absurd and the details are incorrect. I wish I could think of something kind to say about this book. It has an attractive cover. How's that?

Rating:
Summary: first time reader
Review: This is the first book of Bunn's that I have read. I found it to be extremely engaging. I thought the characters and the plot held my interest completely. I throughly enjoyed reading this book and will look for more by this author.

Rating:
Summary: It's Been Sometime Since I Couldn't Put A Book Down
Review: This is the type of legal thriller that Grisham used to write. You actually cared about the characters and wanted to find out what would happen next.This is written so that there are a number of sub-plots, twists and turns that you become an observer of the story not a reader (in my case a listener, the reader from Brilliance is a gem). I don't like to give out 5 stars unless I feel the book was in the "classic" arena. My only issue is the treatment of "Black Culture". Although its not as trite as Patterson's stuff has become, it's still a bit shallow. Many people of color really do have deepth. And Asians are not all mysterious. I may be a bit more sensative than another reading this novel; however, I have seen persons with disabilities turned into shallow Tiny Tim like characters that I tend to look hard at the way a writer treats certain cultural groups.I would recommend this book strongly. I have read some of the past reviews of Bunn's work -so- I hope you'll ignore those and give this exciting and "current' legal thriller a go.

Rating:
Summary: Courtroom Drama, Ranking with the best in the Genre!
Review: This is truly one of the best courtroom drams I have read. Every bit the Grisham-type novel, Bunn takes the courtroom genre to the next level. With real to life characters, and current hot ethical topics, Bunn tops all previous novels with his best work to date. For fans of this genre, this is one book you must have. Exceptionally written, Bunn provides readers with a great read that is not only entertaining, but thought provoking as well. The Great Dive continues on, where most other novels of the same fall short. Simply put, Bunn delivers.

Rating:
Summary: This is worth reading!
Review: This is what Bunn does, and he does it very well! This is what I love about T. Davis Bunn! This book has a slightly slow start, then explodes! I think I can assure you, that if you read this, you are reading the best of T. Davis Bunn. Awesome plot, and a witness for Jesus that some people would die for.

He takes attorney, Marcus Glenwood, down on his luck, and picks up the pieces from there. In the process, he's offered the biggest case of his life, and we're literally talking his life here. He puts his neck on the line for Alma and Austin Hall, who are missing their daughter, Gloria, who they think may have been kidnapped by a New Horizons factory in China. It is when he accepts, Glenwood meets everything head on, and it seems the odds are against him. You find yourself inspired by the words of his friend, Deacon Jones, and altogether uplifted by this powerful book. And then... you want more! And there is more. In this book, Bunn shows some raw nerve and then some. Awesome!

Rating:
Summary: A fifteen year old perspective
Review: This novel is a book I highly recommend for the reader that likes a challenge. It was intriguing and it stimulated the mind. It had diction that was at times confusing, but later the meaning of the words were revealed to you. Bunn caught your attention at the beginning of the novel, but after the first several chapters it began to wane. Fortunately it resumed the momentious speed, that had first captured the readers attention. A gripping drama loaded with action, it was a suspenceful page turner. I give it a standing ovation.

Rating:
Summary: The Great Divide
Review: This was a great read that I initially picked up for the legal aspect since I enjoy reading legal thrillers. Bunn's ability to combine the power struggles within the courtroom, on the international political stage and within the international corporate world makes this a page turner for sure. A bit confusing at first to keep the characters straight, you end up knowing the myriad of characters and believing they are actually three-dimensional people who live, breathe and suffer. Definitely a recommended read!