The Chamber (Large Print)

Rating:
Summary: more understanding of laws and crime
Review: I think that the book was captivating yet disappointing. My favorite part was when the alcoholic aunt disappeared in the last few chapters. Another interesting thing was the story behind Eddie. The intensity between his past which affect his presents. I also got to understand more about death row. I disliked the ending because it didn't turned out the way I thought it would be.

Rating:
Summary: Good read - but somewhat disappointing ending
Review: I enjoy the Grisham books for all the legal battle stuff - court rooms, strategy, filing briefs and motions, manuevering, etc.

This book is a real eye opener about what life is like for a death-row inmate. Most of us have rather one-sided views - regardless of whether you favor the death penality or not.

All in all, it is a good book. However, I agree with another reader who suggested that the ending left him feeling rather flat. It seems Grisham could have done more with the final chapter. He kinda leaves you in a funny spot with some unconcluded business.

Rating:
Summary: Much better than the movie!
Review: Yet again, another book that outshines the movie! An older one of Grisham's collection, showcases his true talent for writing suspenseful stories.

The Chamber is about Sam Cayhall who is on deathrow for a bombing he took part in 30 years prior- when he was a part of the KKK. Now, in the early 90's, his grandson has become obsessed with trying to save his life and uncover the truth about who his family is really made up of.

The book kept me interested from cover to cover. I noticed some people did not enjoy so much of the legal stuff, but I found it quite interesting and very easy to follow. I will admit the character of Sam is a hard one to grasp, you hate him for the crime he committed, yet the book is written so well, you can't help but feel for his fear at being put to death. It also raises a lot of questions on whether legalized killing should be allowed.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating and moving
Review: A friend of mine lent this to me saying it's the best book he's ever read. I can see why some people would think this.
After just finishing The Chamber my first thoughts are that it was compulsive read but also that the ending left me feeling a little flat. It was fast paced, and at times moving (re the lynching photo and Halls thoughts about it). You're left feeling how awful it is to spend years on death row but...the alternatives are never gone into in depth-there is only so much one can do with this I suppose, especially if the authors trying to entertain as well as enlighten. It reminded me of Dead Man Walking where it took the murderers pending death, moments away, for him to be truly repentant. Like that movie The Chamber inspires sympathy and forgiveness for the main characters and shows that people can change. I got a little disinterested in all the legal procedures and ended up trying to flip through these paragraphs to concentrate on the plot and emotion. There were some loose ends but you can't often squeeze life into a perfect little package.
I was very happy with the lack of romantic interest to slow the pace down (Grisham uses an alcoholic Aunt for this) at key moments. And happy that I didn't feel preached to by the author. Even now I'm not sure how strongly, if at all, Grisham is anti execution. He certainly didn't hold back on Cayhalls crimes.
All in all a very good book. Very different to my normal fare and one I would strongly recommend.

Rating:
Summary: Not a bad book on death penalty
Review: I think this book has portrayed fairly well on the position against the death penalty. It made more powerful argument than, I'd say, Life of David Gail. It has a more realistic ending as opposed to an happy ending of the most novels. The issue is between forgiveness as justice. Are we supposed to forgive even the worst of the mankind? Is death penalty justified for a cruel bloodthirst racist? The author is toward forgiveness in the novel. Anyways it was a book that makes you look at the other side of the coin if you're for the death penalty, and I strongly advise you to read it and give a second thought on death penalty if you support it. (That would probably include most of our politicians.)