The Rainmaker

Rating:
Summary: Grisham is great!
Review: I read this book on an overnight train trip from Augsburg, Germany to Paris--and let's say I didn't get to sleep that night! I liked the abrasive Mr. Rudy Baylor, felt sympathy for his client whose son is dying of cancer, and though the ending was slightly unrealistic, I was glad that Rudy and his girlfriend were able be together in the end. Very suspenseful, gritty, humorous and poignant--all at the same time.

Rating:
Summary: Captavating!
Review: You can step right into this book and drift away. The writing of Grisham in the first person truly puts you into the character of Rudy. I found it extremely difficult to put this one down. It turned me into a Grisham fan within the first chapter!

Rating:
Summary: My View
Review: This book was great, right up until the end. I don't know what it is with Grisham but his endings are often a little lame. Moreover I was not too impressed with Rudy Baylor as a character. I didn't like the way he looked down his nose at his paralegal. He was too derisive of what was after all quite a likeable guy. This weakened Baylor's appeal. In fact the failed barrister tended to upstage Baylor in terms of the paralegal's greater resourcefulness and practical business sense. It isn't all about educational prowess. People count more than degrees in my book. This is why I think the plot ran out of steam. Baylor was a brilliant court room attorney but he failed to win as a man. Having said all this, I personally could not put down until I had read every word. It was, aside from anything else, yet another excellent Grisham study in all things legal, and, more especially in this case, the hard reality of legal practice in and out of court. Grisham has a great sense of humour and an elegant style. This should be mandatory reading for all law students.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: I just finished The Rainmaker in a week! It normally takes me a couple months to read a novel. I have been a big fan of Grisham for awhile, and I thought this was the best book I've read by him yet. The humor, plus the David and Goliath theme made it very enjoyable to read. The small twist at the end was great. I can't say anything better about this book other than the old cliche' "I couldn't put it down"

Rating:
Summary: What's what bashing history teachers?
Review: Being a John Grisham fan, I enjoyed this legal drama, but felt disappointed with the ending. Not only does Rudy give up being a lawyer after such a short time of dealing with the real world, he thinks his new future might be as a history teacher. "It shouldn't be hard to do. After all I have seven years of college." Being a history teacher myself, I am offended by Rudy's comment, and hope that it doesn't reflect John Grisham's own bias about teaching. Going to college for seven years, with a degree in law, does not make one a teacher. It takes years of specific training to be qualified to teach, and being a good teacher is much more than having a background as an attorney. Aren't teachers maligned enough in our country without a popular novelist contributing to the fallacy that teaching is a simplistic task, one that is far less stressful than being a lawyer in a major legal battle? Does that mean since I have seven years of college also, I can be a best-seller novelist?

I would love to share these thoughts with Mr. Grisham, but have been unable to find an email address for him. If anyone knows how I may do this, please respond to [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: This book was so funny!
Review: The author dealt with social serious issues such as domestic violence, shady insurance companies, and terminal illness. But the sarcastic musings of the main character, Rudy, were hilarious. He has a cynical view of his legal education and his relationship to society as a legal representative. I laughed out loud many times, especially when Rudy described the courtroom scenes. The movie was strangely flat and boring though. I don't know why the humor didn't translate to the big screen.

Rating:
Summary: Not Grisham's best!
Review: Had this been my first Griisham i would probably have enjoyed it more..When you know what you're missing you miss it! this book although it was a good depiction of law and the practice thereof..it was not as gripping as we are used to from Grisham! i would only recommend this to true Grisham fans who would only read it to complete their collection!

Rating:
Summary: This Book is Da Bomb!
Review: Grisham is just awesome at getting his audience to root for the protaganist ... Patrick from The Partner, Darby from Pelican Brief, Mitch McDere from The Firm: these are the characters whom I've played novel after novel, ducking into malls, avoiding tails by the FBI or the Mafia, battling grueling trials and struggling to pass the bar ... these guys add adventure and realistic obstacles to an otherwise boring and banal reality, pre- professional school! And now Rudy Baylor! This kid introduces the element of revenge for a society against him, and plays it off beautifully with the hint that we can make it even without the proverbial lucky break!

The book is awesome! It winds itself up for the pitch with the introduction of a world packed with competition and lack of sympathy for those crushed under the heel of capitalism, i.e. said graduate of Memphis State Law School, our friend Rudy! Then he meets the people who will be the unknowing stepping stone out of hardship, and into a pot of respect so profound it'll disorient the young rookie! He plays hard, and we're right there with him as his whoops the menacing opposition, and moves to win a deadly game of "who's better?" It'll keep you on the edge of your seat, I guarantee it! John Grisham has lit the fuse of another terrific legal dynamite! Awesome!

Rating:
Summary: A REALISTIC DEPICTION OF LAW SCHOOL & THE PRACTICE OF LAW
Review: This novel is impressive for its realistic depiction of the law school experience. Although the plot does not devote much attention to Rudy Baylor's struggle financially and socially through law school, it nevertheless, strikes a familiar chord with anyone who has been a law student. Many of ones classmates are arrogant and it seems that for some it is who they know as opposed to what they know that is more important to career advancement.

As for the novel in general, it is remarkably accurate in its description of civil procedure (the various steps of advancing a legal action) and the legal arguments and strategies used by Baylor and the insurance company's counsel.

Another aspect of the plot that kicks the teeth out of the conventional view of the practice of law is the fact that many firms pay their associates on a "eat what you kill" basis, which is the firm gives the junior lawyer a percentage on all legal fees generated by clients the junior lawyer manages to bring in the door of the firm. If you are a young lawyer this can be a very daunting task where age and maturity are sought by clients and youthfulness is ironically not attractive. Under this arrangement, a lawyer who cannot bring in clients may starve. There are a lot Bruiser Stones out there.

Grisham is an experienced trial lawyer and the depth of his knowledge shines through in this work of fiction.

A must read for anyone who enjoys legal thrillers which do not romanticize the legal profession.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Book From Grisham
Review: This is the sixth book I've read, written by the talented John Grisham, and he has yet to disappoint me. While the first couple of chapters relating to the discovery of the case's drag there feet a little, once through them it's difficult to put it down.

The book reaches its peak in the chapters relating to the trial, and those around me must have thought me mad, as I laughed at the way Rudy Baylor topples the legal giants. A brillant novel.