Rating: 
Summary: Where's the Beef?
Review: From some authors, this would be hailed as a promising entry, but from Grisham it's a decided disappointment. The main problem: not much happens between the first 30 pages and the last 30 pages. Where is the intrigue, the drama, the suspense that was so apparent in Grisham's early work? Certainly not here. One gets the sense that Grisham has either made a conscious effort to water down the product for the benefit of weak-stomached readers or simply run out of ideas.Another problem I have with this book is that the identity of the "bad guy" comes out of left field. I have no problems with surprises, but they're more satisfying if the author drops one or two subtle clues along the way. You won't find any here. Likewise, the actions of the "hero" seemed to me to be inconsistent with his underlying character, with no explanation for the difference. The book is very well written; the prose is precise, and no one can turn a phrase like Grisham. But 250-odd pages of technically sound "Grisham Lite" sandwiched between an intriguing beginning and an unsatisfying ending left me wishing I'd waited for the paperback. Bottom line: if you're looking for another Firm or Time for a Kill, or even another Pelican Brief, you're not going to find it here.
Rating:
Summary: Ready for another Grisham lite?
Review: The Summons was not a terrible read but it wasn't a riveting one either. I didn't care much for the protagonist, a professor who couldn't make up his mind for three hundred pages about whether to keep found money or not. The characters could have been more fully developed, some relationships expounded on.(i.e. his former wife.)I guessed the ending about mid way through,hoping I was wrong. But I was right and it was disappointing. I'm waiting for the return of "The Firm" John Grisham.
Rating:
Summary: Quick read, but nothing special
Review: I think that I regard my time reading this book as watching a few hours of decent TV (something like Sopranos). This book is nothing special, and nothing near the excitement and enjoyment of reading his classic books. I didn't read A Painted House on advice of my father (another Grisham fan). This book only took a few hours to read, and was mildly entertaining. My advice: Wait till it comes out on paper back.
Rating: 
Summary: Good read but the ending....
Review: I read this book in one sitting. As always with Grisham, the characters who populate his books are larger than life and very well planned out and portrayed. I didnt really want to put it down and enjoyed most of it until it was towards the end of the book. I was hoping for a great moral twist in the ending but what it seemed to me was a quick wrap up. Still all in all it was a decent book, just wish the ending for me had been better so I could've given it 5 stars
Rating:
Summary: Just not up to Grisham's previous page turners.....
Review: I found this particular novel to be neither good nor bad. Light reading with a flimsy plot that seemed to wander thither and yon and never quite achieved the fast pace that I am used to in a Grimsham thriller.
Two brothers are summoned by their father, revered Judge Atlee, to their childhood home. A father who pursued his career diligently, but never had time for his children, and is now dying of cancer.
The Judge is dead when the first son Ray, a teacher of law at a college in Virginia arrives. While awaiting the arrival of the younger drug-addicted son, Forrest, he busies himself with checking out the house. He finds boxes and boxes of money behind the couch and from then on proceeds to hide the fact, and the money, from everyone.
In the meanwhile he tries to uncover where the Judge got so much money,since he was an honest man,
Why he never spent it or told anyone about it,since he was always giving away money to the needy, etc.
Grisham is one of my favorites, but I am afraid this one falls short of my expectations in many ways.The plot, the characters, the 'unraveling' of the plot and the ending were very disappointing.
However, if you are a fan of Grishams, you will want to read it just to read it and if you know from the start that it is not his best, you will enjoy it as a quick, light read.
Rating: 
Summary: Great story! JG is Back!
Review: After disasters like "The Brethren," "A Painted House," and to a smaller degree "Skipping Christmas," I was almost ready to give up on my favorite author. But he comes out swinging with "The Summons." This story is a taut thriller that keeps you guessing until the very end. His trademark colorful characters have returned and his can't-put-it-down writing style is alive and well. This story recalls memories of "The Client" or "The Testament." I promise you, you won't be able to put it down. Ignore the naysayers, and purchase this book. True Grisham fans will be pleased with his latest offering.
Rating: 
Summary: Complete Waste of Time
Review: If you just have to read Grisham wait for the paperback. Even then you won't get your $$ worth. Definately read like the work was rushed out rather than developing that classic Grisham plot that keeps you up all night just to see what's going to happen next. Don't bother with this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Typical Grisham
Review: After Grisham's previous two books, I was really excited to see how having written those books, particulary the wonderful "A Painted House," would rub off on the writing in his legal thrillers. Unfortunately, it didn't rub off at all. So what we get is the same one-dimensional characters and the same "oops, the ballgame's coming on, I'd better wrap this up" ending. Certainly, the book is a page turner, but there is so little depth to the story or to the writing that it's like reading a comic book without the pictures. I really expected a lot more from this book as it seemed Grisham was trying to deal with weightier issues over the previous few books (particularly, in The Testament). Somewhere along the way, someone has told Grisham that the longer the book, the worse it is. He needs to get over this and write a book that is lengthy enough to adequately develop his characters and provide a fulfilling ending. He already is as good a storyteller as there is working today, but the problems with the other two things seriously detract from his books.
Rating:
Summary: This is 1st Time I read one of Grisham's books
Review: I have been missing out on a excellent creative writer. I read books more on lines of discovery such as Karl Mark Maddox, as I like to be left with something of value, but Grisham has some real life fact in this book that does give satisfaction. I suppose better said is that Grisham does not become to fantastic or inventive. The writing style is beyond any other author I have come across. What has me intrigued is that this is a story that could become a real story in anyones life. The book is real and I highly recommend it. The story does have finer points but there is nothing so tedious as to confuse or loose the reader, each character and event is introduced leaving a mental imprint that cannot be forgotten as the story unfolds. It does read rather quickly for a near 400 page book, I was able to finish it easily in six hours and I am an average reader. The story has stayed with me all week and at times I catch myself shaking my head with remaining entertainment. If you like this read Maddox, SB 1
Rating:
Summary: Grisham has become stagnent
Review: Having read all of Mr. Grisham's novels, it appears he now has lost the compassion to give us that extra effort of his earlier novels. The Summons can't hold up to the effort put forth in A Time to Kill, or The Pelican Brief. Starting with the Brethern, his effort appears to be half-hearted. Has he run out of ideas or the desire to write? I hope not.
|
