Rating: 
Summary: A book with gripping court scenes and a dash of idealism.
Review: Rudy Baylor is a rookie lawyer who is almost broke. The first case he ever bags is a doozy. It is a bad faith case against a big insurance company. The insurance company could have saved a life if they had not denied a valid claim. Rudy Baylor's story is told in first person, using the simple present tense all through the book. Maintaining the interest of the reader throughout the substantially lengthy story using this kind of comparatively uncommon style of writing is indeed a feat and only a very confident writer would dare attempt it. John Grisham dares - and succeeds. The book starts by giving some background about Rudy Baylor. From there on, the plot threads off in diverse and interesting directions. The longest thread is of course the one about the insurance case. It occupies more than half the book. The next most prominent thread concerns the love affair of Rudy with Kelly, who is a young girl married to an abusing husband. The other plot threads involve Rudy's financial troubles, his relationships with various people: his business partner named Deck, an old lady nicknamed Birdy, two underworld characters called Bruiser and the Prince, and other assorted characters. The book has a lot going for it. It is well-paced. There is no lapse of interest at any time. The courtroom scenes are relentlessly gripping. The legal machinery is depicted with authority, and why not? Mr Grisham was a lawyer himself. The novel has no sleazy sex and it has a dash of idealism; two features that are becoming very rare in the best-selling fiction of today. Well done, Mr Grisham. The only gripes, and minor ones, that I have about the novel are two. First, in the initial part of the book, the writing is not tight. It is possible for the reader to skip chunks of text on almost every page and still be able to follow the plot threads. But the writing becomes almost air tight once the courtroom scenes start. My second gripe is about the ending. I don't know why Mr Grisham tried for multiple climaxes. They lessen the impact of the ending. In summary, The Rainmaker is one of the best books to reach the best-seller lists in the recent past.
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Summary: Seriously, "The Rainmaker" is Grisham's funniest novel
Review: "The Firm" still remains John Grisham's best novel, but "The Rainmaker" is his funniest. I have never read a book that better managed to hit my funny bone straight on without tipping over the edge into farce (i.e., John Irving). This time around Grisham's hero is Rudy Baylor, in his final semester of law school and required by one of his professors to provide free legal advice at a Senior Citizens home. There he meets Miss Birdie, an old lady who apparently has millions of dollars salted away and who definitely needs a new will, and Dot Black, who's son Donny Ray is dying of leukemia while their insurance company refuses to pay for medical treatment. In the legal world a "rainmaker" is someone who brings in big clients (i.e., big money) to a law firm. When Rudy's future job suddenly disappears in the wake of a surprise merger, these cases might be his ticket to a promising legal career.The villains are lawyers from a giant firm and a heartless insurance company, which is certainly stacking the deck but part of the fun. As with "The Pelican Brief" there is a bit of misdirection at the beginning in terms of getting a read on the main character. Rudy is broke and has some shady friends in the legal profession, but the bottom line is he is a good guy and he will do the right thing. Even if it means playing David against Goliath in a stacked courtroom where the presiding judge is best buds with the great Leo F. Drummond of the giant law firm Trent & Brent, representing the Great Benefits Insurance Company. But then Rudy gets a break. The presiding judge suddenly drops dead and his replacement, Judge Kipler, is a plaintiff's dream. Better yet, Rudy has the truth on his side. The joy of this book is watching Rudy beat the bad guys. Every single lawyer's trick used by Drummond fails with Judge Kipler. Every dirty trick by the insurance company is exposed by Rudy, who comes up with some little twists of his own. Sure, all the rabbits getting pulled out of the hat is a bit excessive, but that is what makes this such a fun read. At the heart of this book is the quest for justice, but that does not mean we can not enjoy a little payback along the way. The romantic subplot between Rudy and Kelly comes across as something of a diversion from the main story, but at the end it gives the hero someone with whom he can ride off into the sunset. "The Rainmaker" is one of those books where you pick it up from time to time to read the good parts. If you saw the movie and enjoyed Rudy sticking it to the bad guys, then you should enjoy much more of the same in this novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Not that intimidating
Review: The book starts off with the graduation of Rudy Baylor, the main character, from a Memphis college. Rudy gets a case of an insurance agent Great Benefits cheating a family whose son is about to die as the insurance company failed to pay up the cover for his bone-marrow transplant. The case goes to Rudy just before he takes up his bar exam to become a licensed lawyer. Once he passes the bar, he and a friend named Deck, the so-called paralawyer, decide to challange the insurance company being represented by one of the most expensive and well known firms in Memphis. Rudy's graduation, the pre-trial events were kinda droning along. The only likeable part of this novel by Grisham was the trial itself. Even the trial was practically far-fetched because judge Kipler is fully biased towards the plaintiff. This is normally not what happens in court. Grisham kinds makes a mockery of the legal system. But it is a little fun to read. Recommended if you have nothing else to read.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise.
Review: This is the first Grisham novel I've ever read, and I enjoyed every page. The Rainmaker is well paced, engaging, witty, and surprisingly resonant. I could completely relate to Rudy, the main character, and I rejoiced at his triumphs, great and small, and I sympathized even with his petty, less noble moments. He's just a regular guy trying to make his way in the world and do some good while he's at it, and it was fun partaking in his journey. Grisham has a great sense of humor, and I still find myself smiling over the title "paralawyer" and the preppy Waspishness of "Trent and Brent". The line, "Go chase an ambulance," is both cruel and hilarious, yet once you get to know Deck, you understand that he doesn't even have enough shame to be offended by such jabs. I laughed aloud during the jury selection passage, and I found myself cringing during Rudy's confrontation with Cliff, aka "Fists of Fury, Redneck Style". I chewed my lips constantly in suspense through the last third of this book, and I was loath to put it down. Let's just say that I was definitely drawn into the story. I'd recommend this book to anyone since the characters are realistic, the writing style is sparse and elegant, and there are little realisms and moments of truth that catch you off guard in their simplicity. This book contains grief and tragedy, but never once does Grisham cheapen his characters by resorting to maudlin, pity-party tactics. I will now be on the lookout for another Grisham novel that's as engaging as this one. If you buy this book, you're not likely to be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting but unrealistic
Review: Having read most of Grisham's work and having undergone a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 1993, I was more than eager to read the Rainmaker. As far as medical accuracy and the emotions that family members and those afflicted with life-threatening illnesses face (and the daily battles with Health Maintenace Organizations to ensure adequate treatment and Insurance coverage), I thought that Grisham did a fantastic job capturing real-life. However, Grisham's story line with respect to the Courtroom was not as convincing. I found myself smiling too much and feeling all "warm and fuzzy" with the incredible success that the young (and inexperienced) attorney Rudy Baylor had at every level of his legal battle (from discovery to the Courtroom). It seemed that everyone from the judge to the Jury to the expert witnesses had an affection for Rudy and after a while it no longer seemed believable. Additionally, while I enjoyed the real David and Golliath motiff, I was disappointed to see Grisham treat Golliath like a bumbling idiot destined for predictable failure. Nonetheless, in typical Grisham style, the book is again a page-turner which pulls you in and hooks you like an illicit drug. In this respect, it is well worth the 500 plus page read but if you are looking for reality, you are much better off reading A Time to Kill or The Client.
Rating:
Summary: The Rainmaker
Review: Rudy Baylor couldn't buy a job when he graduated from law school. He eventually gets a job but the guy who hired him tries to still his case that is worth millions. The night he gets fired that office gets torched and he is the one blamed. His friend then gives him a job with one of his friends. But his boss is in trouble with the law to so he and a friend of his from the office get their own firm and work on that one case.
Through the Rainmaker John Grisham keeps the story going so you can never put the book down. One other thing I like is how Grisham kind of makes you feel bad for the kid in Rudy Baylor's main case. He is diagnosed with cancer and you don't know what to think. Grisham describes the details of his cancer very well.
John Grisham makes the Rainmaker very witty, and is always gaining a new story to keep you along.
In my opinion this is one of the greatest books that he has written. I like how The Rainmaker is always gaining a new story so you want to finish that one small story to get to the biggest story.
Rating:
Summary: No objections, Your Honor!
Review: Quite like a few of John Grisham's novels but feel this is by some way his best. Not sure quite why. Enjoy the first-person narrative, which is self-deprecating and funny. Also like the romance with the battered woman, the other characters in the legal practice, as well as the general atmosphere of Memphis. I think above all the characters are quite three-dimensional, which I don't always find with Grisham's books.
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Summary: One of Grisham's better novels. A funny look at the law.
Review: "The Rainmaker" is one of Grisham's better novels ("The Firm" still remains my favorite by Grisham). It is the story of a young law student-then lawyer who is trying to make it in the legal profession; specifically, in the world of small-time civil litigation. Young Rudy Baylor lucks into a fairly big-time case, and the fun begins. Grisham gives us a cynical, funny, and mostly authentic look at the law. Oh, there are a few flaws. I doubt many judges would ever favor one side as much as the judge did in this novel, although I suppose such things happen (I've seen it once.) But overall, Grisham gives the reader a more or less accurate look at the world of civil litigation. This give the novel a gritty sense of realism that carries the reader through what is mostly an excellent read. There are some hilarious pieces to the story--I love that "paralawyer" guy. And Grisham's cynical portrayal of big firm lawyers hits the mark. This is a very funny book. One of Grisham's better ones. By the way, the novel is quite a bit better than the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Light and fluffy
Review: I love books that attack the insurance industry, corrupt lawyers and judges but the ending was entirely too similar to some of his other books. An easy read if you have be confined in a plane or car.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling at times, but relies on humor
Review: The Rainmaker is the story of law student Rudy Baylor. Throughout the book, you'll be told his story and the story of his client, Dot Black. His story begins towards the end of his time in law school. As the days pass until graduation, he is dropped by the firm that was going to hire him. Problem after problem arise, until he is helped out by his friend (and very dirty friend) Prince. He helps Rudy get a job with Brusier Stone, your typical evil lawyer, that you actually like. You know, that old story. Anyways, as the story unfolds, Rudy meets a co-worker by the name of Deck. They slowly become friends and the two gain a trust, something that doesn't come easy at the law offices of Bruiser Stone. Meanwhile, things are dug up about Bruiser and he and Prince ditch town. Throughout the story, we'll hear the other tales of Miss Birdy Birdsong, Rudy's temporary landlord and yard boss. As well with the story of Cliff and Kelly Riker. Two very key elements to this book. When it gets right down to the nitty-gritty of the case against the evil insurance company, Great Benefit, Rudy goes head to head with Mr. Leo F. Drummond...a very, very mean lawyer. Luckily for Rudy, he's got a judge that is on his side and helping him through the case. He's just graduated law school, you know. The book goes through the humorous testimonies and mishaps of Great Benefit and Drummond. As far as the characters go, you really begin to love and feel for the characters. Especially Dot Black and her dying son, Donny Ray. As the story unfolds and you read on through Donny Ray's story of how Great Benefit denied him treatment time after time, it makes you want to get up and cuss out your insurance company. The story is thrilling at times, but is very predictable when it is. It relies on humor more than anything, as it is a very funny book. The quips and one-liners really strike a chord with you. All in all though, it's a great book. Definitely a must read.
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