The Runaway Jury

Rating:
Summary: The Runaway Jury
Review: Out of all the John Grisham books I have read, The Runaway Jury was my favorite. It had an element of suspense that the others didn't, and I loved the plot. I thought it was very interesting to read about the "behind-the-scenes" of being on a jury, since all you usually hear is a verdict. The most interesting thing to me however, was reading about jury selections. I had no idea how much they research the candidates in high profile selections. Overall I thought it was a very entertaining book.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining but unbelievable...
Review: In The Runaway Jury, John Grisham tackles the controversial topic of the liability of tobacco companies for the health problems and deaths of smokers. Celeste Wood lost her 51 year-old husband to lung cancer due to smoking. After 16 previous law suits brought against tobacco companies (that all ended with either a hung jury or a judgment for the tobacco companies), this trial begins in Biloxi, Mississippi. We are quickly introduced to Nicholas Easter, who is trying his hardest to be selected for this jury. Easter has a murky past and we're unsure of his motives. But he not only is selected for the jury, but also becomes the jury's unofficial leader. As the jury selection process begins, we learn about the sleazy actions by the tobacco interests to not only make sure that jury members are sympathetic to the tobacco companies, but they also try to buy their votes.

During the duration of the trial, Easter and his girlfriend, Marlee, work a scheme that they've been planning for years. We are not sure which way they will fall or what the real reason for this scheme is, and this book will have you turning pages very quickly to discover what happens. Grisham takes on some weighty questions including 1) how much should tobacco companies be liable for the harm their products cause 2) do cigarette manufacturers really target children in their advertisements 3) do tobacco companies intentionally keep nicotine levels high to addict more smokers and 4) how much (if anything) should plaintiffs be given for harm done due to smoking? I think one of the best parts about The Runaway Jury is how 15 complete strangers interacted over a period of weeks. It is interesting to see the judicial system through the eyes of a juror.

But the one thing I disliked about this book was that the plot just seemed too hokey to me. Maybe I am naive enough to believe that it is impossible for so much jury tampering to go on. Or that two novices can outsmart ex-FBI and CIA agents. Even the ending seemed totally unbelievable (and my husband was able to figure it out way before it happened). Also, while Nicholas and Marlee are putting their plan in action, I wasn't sure if we should root for them, or not. When someone breaks the law to right a wrong, isn't that still a wrong?

So despite some obvious flaws, it was still a quick and entertaining read. However, it is far from Grisham's best work.



Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, but not very believable
Review: "The Runaway Jury" is a classic Grisham yarn. The plot romps along quickly and the courtroom drama is heaps of fun. It's hard not to get swept up in Grisham's high-stakes tobacco litigation, as cigarette manufacturer Pynex and its team of legal eagles spare no expense to defend themselves in a product liability lawsuit. The legal maneuvering and double-crossing tactics between Big Tobacco and the anti-tobacco operatives should keep your attention for the full 550 pages. But the implausibility of the plot and the mind-numbing shallowness of some of the characters will probably make you roll your eyes in frustration more than a few times. It's a harmless little book. But sticklers for plausibility may want to keep their distance.

Rating:
Summary: Classic Grisham, i.e. it's rubbish.
Review: This is classic John Grisham - a novel so vacuous and simplistic the reader comes away amazed that he gets away with it time and again.

I defy anyone who has read the book to describe Nicholas or Marlee. There are both empty, characterless cyphers.

It is also frustrating how the core elements of the novel are mindnumbingly simplistic, such as the way in which Nicholas manages to convince members of the jury onto his side and the way Rankin overlooks the most obvious double-agent ever. It is also never explained how the "baddies" keep tabs on Marlee all the time except for when she manages to sneak into Nicholas' motel room. It's all just too ridiculous to even enjoy on a 'time wasting' level.

Also, the deceits perpetrated by the tobacco companies were so asinine and unlikely that the book became fantasy material and should be stocked alongside JRR Tolkien in the bookstores (sorry to sully Tolkien's good name by mentioning it in the same passage as Grisham).

The actual writing style is poor as well. Again, I challenge any reader to recall one line of memorable dialogue or perceptive description. There is none. Yet another disappointment from Grisham.

I paid $1 for this book in a sale, I feel ripped off.

Rating:
Summary: Grisham's Greatest
Review: THIS IS MY FAVORITE BOOK EVER. IT'S ABOUT A DUDE MANIPULATING A JURY CASE INVOLVING A CIGARETTE COMAPANY AND A FAMILY. I LOVE THE BOOK, BECAUSE GRISHAM DID NOT ABANDON HIS WONDERFUL LOVE OF JURIES ON IT, LIKE HE DID ON THE FUNNY BUT BORING 'SKIPPING CHRISTMAS'. THIS IS THE GREATEST NOVEL OF ALL TIME AND I LOVE MR. GRISHAM.