The Summons

Rating:
Summary: A little different....
Review: I was hoping for another great legal thriller, but this fell somewhat short. I don't think the plot was developed enough or at least not to what I am used to for a Grisham novel. I hope this is not a sign of what is to come by Grisham.

Rating:
Summary: A nice, comfortable read
Review: Certainly not his best, but entertaining nonetheless. A bit predictable in the end, but I'll have to say that I enjoy Grisham's incredible ability to paint characterizations and situations. Probably equal in plot quality to The Testament. So, if you liked that one, you'll enjoy The Summons.

Rating:
Summary: I, on the other hand, liked it
Review: The reviews of this book posted on this site have been so brutal that I'm afraid to admit that I (a female with a higher-than-8th-grade education) actually enjoyed it. I found the basic premise engaging and universal: A distant father, a wayward sibling and A LOT of cash. Making it even richer are the unresolved issues with dear old dad that make the elder son determined to find out where the money came from. The man who gave him life, the man he thought he knew so well, must have had a secret side. Also, I was fascinated by finding out how hard it is to do anything with that much cash without leaving a paper trail. The common fantasy of stumbling upon a pile of cash may actually be a nightmare in reality. This book captured my interest with the first chapter and kept me intrigued through to the end. Since this is John Grisham and not John Steinbeck, that's all I really expected it to deliver.

Rating:
Summary: why is this book even on the bestseller's list?
Review: only john grisham can take advantage of his previous reputation as the best lawyer-thriller writer.....this one is SOOO BAD...
I would be ashamed to even want to publish this...let's imagine for one second that some unknown writer would be the author, nobody would ever talk about this book.

as a fervent reader (living now in spain, and therefor not having access to the latest, unless via amazon.com) I feel that my investment (book + forwarding costs) were not at all worth my trouble.... what a shame, no plot, no intrigue, no nothing, no intelligence, simplistic phrases....it might take me a while before I read grisham again

Rating:
Summary: A well told story!
Review: Okay, none of the characters are honest nor particularly likable, but they are very human. Grisham tells an excellent story in this book and held my interest. It had a number of surprising twists. The ending was not a happily-ever-after ending but more of a real-life ending. It was an easy and pleasant read, and I was highly entertained. If you're looking for a little pleasure and escapism, this book will meet your needs.

Rating:
Summary: A Dissapointment
Review: I'm a big fan of John Grisham, and this by far was his worst book. It was a very slow book, whereas it's usually a page turner.

It's about how Ray Atlee found something in his father's house right after he died. Then he believes that someone else knows about the secret too.

It's a SLOOOW book. Believe me. The ending wasn't even worth it. Quite predictable.

If you've never read John Grisham book before, don't begin with this one, it's not a good assessment of his finest writings. Skipping Christmas was pretty bad too.

I feel like I've given him too many stars. It should be two instead of three.

Rating:
Summary: Slipping?
Review: I think Grisham is heading the way so many authors who put out a book every year do, into thin strained plots. The original premise was good, but the plot began thinning out quickly, eventually drifting away. The ending lacked tension and was a true disappointment. It was difficult for me to believe the man who wrote the Runaway Jury also wrote this book.

Rating:
Summary: Hey John - ever heard of writer's block? Look into it.
Review: While Grisham's books have always been something of a guilty pleasure for me, this one insults. What should have been a throwaway short story has somehow been stretched into the literary equivalent of 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall. Grisham's unsympathetic protagonist Atlee has got to be the world's thickest law professor - ever heard of a safe deposit box, dude? The cardboard-cutout characters never rise from their comic book upbringings, and the story goes, well, nowhere worth going. The Accidental Tourist meets bad 1970s detective show. Not even worth waiting for the paperback. Trust me. Really. No, not even at the airport. Put it down I say!

Rating:
Summary: Disapppointing
Review: I was disappointed in Summons. It was slow and rather dull.

While the writing is well done, the story is lacking and one could not help but hope it would end soon. Unlike his other books which had you on the edge of your chair.

Rating:
Summary: The Summons has roped be back into JG
Review: I can't believe all of the negative reviews for this book. I read all of Grisham's books up to The Rainmaker, but stopped after that. I picked up The Summons on a whim and soon remembered how much I loved his books. I have ordered every one I've missed since The Rainmaker so I can catch up. If The Summons is a bad as everyone says, I must be in for some real treats ahead because I loved this book. The book is a quick read, but I will admit about half way through it seemed to drag for 3 or 4 chapters. However, overall I thought it was great and would recommend.