John Grisham

[Kell]

OK, I'm fast becoming a Grisham fan - I always avoided courtroom dramas as they always seemed a bit dry & dusty. I watched a few courtroom drama movies, but wasn't inspired to pick up the books.

Then recently, I read The Runaway Jury (yes, because I liked the film) & loved it. I've now started reading The Firm (thanks to Maureen - ta for that!) & I'm loving it so far.

I was just wondering what other Grishams anyone had read, or if there were any similar writers you guys might recommend...

[Maureen]

I have read all of his books prior to "A Painted House", which other people told me is not so good. But as I said before, in my opinion, his best book by far was "A time to kill." If I am not mistaken that was made into a film as well. I have more of his books - need to do a for sale or swap list!

[Louise]

Ive started The CLient but never got round to finishing it, hould do really it started well!

[Inanna]

I've seen all the films made from his books and have loved everyone, but I have only ever read one book of his, can't remember which one at the moment, but it'll come to me. :wink:

I finally got 'A Time To Kill' from RISI as I absolutely adore the film and cannot wait to read that one :mrgreen:

[jake]

Spooky Maureen, I too have read all of most of his books up until A Painted House. Haven't read any of his recent stuff.

[Tash]

I have all of Mr Grishams books and I would say A Time To Kill is my favourite. Several of his books have become films and I would say this is also my favourite film from among them.

The Client is also a good read/film.

The only one I struggled to read was The Pelican Brief. I watched the film with no problems at all, just never could quite get into the book.

[sib]

The first one of his I tried to read was A Painted House, but I never got past the first forty pages because I thought it started too slowly. I'm reading The Broker now which is shaping up to be quite good. :reading:

[Icecream]

I read 'The Firm' first. I couldn't put it down. Read it in one/two days. I then read 'The Client' rather quickly too, but then started 'The Testament, but kept reading other books. I will go back to it. I also have 'The Painted House'.

[muggle not]

I have read all of Grisham's books and probably enjoyed "A Time To Kill" the most. However, I also enjoyed A Painted House, so what does that say about me. :mrgreen:

I have seen John Grisham about a half dozen times as he lives near our little town. Grisham has done many good things for the town including building a "Little League Baseball Complex" for the kids that is one of the finest in the USA. He also helped start a legal aid thing for those that cannot afford attorneys.

[Icecream]

Wow you've seen him!

[Sofia]

very cool Muggle!

A Time To Kill was also my fave book of his...but like many other authors, he has gotten (dare I say it..) a bit stale....The Broker was just horrible...but he also has a new book coming out based on a true story called The Innocent Man. I don't think I'll be in a hurry to read it though.

[pontalba]

I think Pelican Brief was my favorite. I read The Brethern a few years ago and was kind of disappointed. But in general I like his writing. It is nice to read a Southern writer that isn't depressing. :roll:

[Sofia]

I haven't read The Brethren yet...I have started it once or twice, but just couldn't get hooked. I just figure I'll go back to it at a later time. It's still waiting :roll:

[scottishbookworm]

I've read a few books by John grisham.

one that's good is called "The partner"

[Sofia]

I've read a few books by John grisham.

one that's good is called "The partner"
I have that one also....if I'm not mistaken it's sitting next to The Brethren, unread....I may move it now :mrgreen:

[Philip Stein]

I haven't read any Grisham but it's interesting that some of you couldn't get on with A Painted House. I know of a couple of people who think it's his best (or, as they put it, his only good one! :shock: ), perhaps because it's more slow-paced and less concerned with action/plot?

[muggle not]

Perhaps I was one of the few, but I really enjoyed The Painted House. Grisham really hit a lot of things right on the head in that book. Very good reading for me. His background use of baseball was exactly how kids use to feel about the game many, many, years ago.

[Icecream]

I thought I had the Brethren, but apparently not. All my Grisham's are nicely shelved together.

[muggle not]

Darn, John Grisham was scheduled to give a talk today, at 4:30pm, at the UVA Law School on his new book, The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, and I was planning on going to listen to him. We went grocery shopping and I forgot all about his talk.

It is his first non-fiction book. I would have liked to hear him talk about the case and the book.

[Sofia]

Darn, John Grisham was scheduled to give a talk today, at 4:30pm, at the UVA Law School on his new book, The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town, and I was planning on going to listen to him. We went grocery shopping and I forgot all about his talk.

It is his first non-fiction book. I would have liked to hear him talk about the case and the book.

hope you got some chocolate to console yourself with :mrgreen:

[Liz]

My sister is a huge fan of John Grisham. She has read all of them so far and is getting quite excited about his new one. I've just started reading THE CHAMBER - I'm about half way and it doesn't seem too bad so far. Not sure whether I like it enough to read all of them, but might give a few of his others a try at some point.

Talking about seeing John Grisham, my sister and I have got tickets for his talk at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. Hopefully it will be quite good. We've also got tickets to hear Terry Jones at the festival. :)

[Sofia]

the chamber was my 2nd fave....right behind a time to kill.

[Liz]

I've seen the film of A TIME TO KILL and it did make me want to read the book, so that will probably be the next Grisham book I read.

[Sofia]

I've seen the film of A TIME TO KILL and it did make me want to read the book, so that will probably be the next Grisham book I read.
the book is much, much better than the movie!

[scottishbookworm]

:typing: Here is an official John Grisham website :reading:

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/grisham/

Anyone seen any of the movies made from John grisham books?

[Kell]

Ooh, he looks a bit like Berjerac - LOL! I've seen a couple of the films & enjoyed them.

[JohnT]

I have read most of his novels, love the law related ones. As of October the 10th he will have a new book coming out called "The Innocent Man" sounds like a good one based upon his site. The worst one that I thought was a throw away was the Bleachers. The rest are winners. Per review: John Grisham departs from the legal thrillers to experiment with a character-driven tale of reunion, broken high school dreams, and missed chances. While the book falls short of the compelling storytelling that has made Grisham a bestselling author, it is nonetheless a diverting novella that succeeds as light fiction.

[Kell]

Lookibng back at our high school years seems to be a bit of a trend of late...

[Maureen]

the book is much, much better than the movie!


It's so much deeper...one of those books which make you cheat and look at the last page....

[muggle not]

Grisham says that "The Innocent Man" was difficult to write. When he is writing a novel and going well he normally can write 7 or 8 pages a day. However, when writing The innocent Man he was doing about 2 or 3 pages a day. The amount of research he did was significant and he even hired a 3rd year law student from the University of Virginia to help going through all the material. When I get time I will post a few photos of Grisham in his office with the piles of research material.

The subject in the book lived in a town near where Grisham was raised in Mississippi, they were both approx. the same age, and they both had dreams that were similar in making their mark in the world.

Grisham said that he probably would not write anymore books of this type because they are too much hard work. :)

[muggle not]

http://i12.tinypic.com/33xvpys.jpg

[muggle not]

http://i12.tinypic.com/48xzn2c.jpg

[Liz]

My sister and I went to his talk in Cheltenham on Saturday night. It was really good. He talked all about his new book (which was available to buy there instead of waiting for it to be released tomorrow). He also talked a little about his other books and stuff, but all of it was very interesting. :mrgreen:

[JohnT]

Wow talk about some printouts. I have to hand it to him to do that kind of research to get his novel accurate is to be commended, especially in today's world where many reporters do not get the second backup on a story to make sure of it's accuracy and validity.

[fantasyfun]

I read an article in Time magazine about his book The Innocent Man. It talks how he had to do a different formula for this book since it is based in real events. I might have to pick this up just to see how he handles it.

[Liz]

At his talk he said that he found it far harder to write this book as he had to put in a lot more work than he does with his other books. He joked that he wasn't sure if he would do another non-fiction book because of the amount of time that went into it.

[Adam]

I would like to apologize for bring up such an old topic, but I find this man so interesting. He is a true inspiration to me and I love his works. Those pictures posted on this thread really really neat.

I found this video about the 'Innocent Man' and I would just like to share it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jz9xMpu0I8

I find his voice so cool. I would love to talk to this man.

[Kell]

Not at all - everyone's always welcome to bring up older threads if there's something they want to discuss. I really should read a few more Grishams - I really liked what I read in the ones I have done...

[angerball]

Interesting - thanks for posting the link. I never realised he was a Southerner! :blush: He's got that Southern drawl thing happening! :mrgreen: The Innocent Man has been on my TBR list for a while now; a friend of mine read it recently, and said it was a good read. :)

[Liz]

My sister read The Innocent Man earlier this year. She's a big fan of his and said that she really loved this book. She was really impressed that he could write a non-fiction book that was just as gripping and well paced as his novels.

She's not too sure about his new book, though. Playing for Pizza seems a little different from his previous books, but she's still going to give it a go.

[supergran71]

How about The Painted House - that was a real surprise, not at all his usual story. It was a really good read too.

[Adam]

I like what Grisham is doing. He writes what he wants. I would rather read something he has passion for, as opposed to something that was forced just to stay within a certain category. I think I might wait until his new book gets introduced in paperback before I drop the money, but I would love to give it a read.

[Maureen]

How about The Painted House - that was a real surprise, not at all his usual story. It was a really good read too.

Yep, I agree. Someone had told me that this book was not up to his usual standard at all, and unfortunately, because of that I did not read it. Lately I decided to give it a try, and was pleasantly surprised, as it is a complete different story/structure to his other work that I have read, and which was getting rather predictable to me.

[JudyB]

What's The Painted House about?

[Adam]

What's The Painted House about?

The back cover reads:

Until that September of 1952, Luke Chandler had never kept a secret or told a single lie. But in the long, hot summer of his seventh year, two groups of migrant workers- and two very dangerous men- came through the Arkansas Delta to work the Chandler cotton farm. And suddenly mysteries are flooding Luke's world. A brutal murder leaves the town seething in gossip and suspicion. A beautiful young woman ignites forbidden passions. A fatherless baby is born...and someone has begun furtively painting the bare clapboards of the Chandler farmhouse, slowly, painstakingly, bathing the run-down structure in gleaming white. And as young Luke watches the world around him, he unravels secrets that could shatter lives- and change his family and his town forever...

Very good read :)

[Roland Butter]

I realise this is going to make me quite unpopular, but I read The Chamber a few years back, and I wasn't especially impressed. I thought Grisham's prose was a bit turgid, and it took him so long to say what he was going to say that I wondered if he was getting paid by the word!

Having said that, I note how highly many people here rate him, so maybe I should wipe the slate clean and have another crack at one of his books.

[Adam]

I realise this is going to make me quite unpopular, but I read The Chamber a few years back, and I wasn't especially impressed. I thought Grisham's prose was a bit turgid, and it took him so long to say what he was going to say that I wondered if he was getting paid by the word!

Having said that, I note how highly many people here rate him, so maybe I should wipe the slate clean and have another crack at one of his books.

LOL it is ok. I respect everyones opinion. Personally I love the man and I find his books amazing. However, The Chamber was not one of his better books. I feel sorry that that was your taste of him. I would recomend you give him a try. Stories like The Painted House, The Firm, The Summons, The Partner, or even his very first book A Time To Kill will all be very good reads. I would suggest you give him another try. You'll like what you find. He is a true master :)

[Icecream]

The first book I read of Grisham's was The Firm, and I know it sounds horrid, but was so engrossed in finishing the book that I was reading it at the same time as listening to my sister tell Mum about someone who had laid into her. She was at a party and had been beaten by some girl. We had to pick her up, and I was reading in the car and at home:blush::blush:

[Maureen]

Ice Cream, did you read "The Painted House" yet?

[Icecream]

No. I am tryig my best to read my Penguin book. I am really not in the mood for it, although it is not too bad a read, just hard going. I must be good and get into it more. I did have a bad week last week with sleeping and things though.

[Adam]

The first book I read of Grisham's was The Firm, and I know it sounds horrid, but was so engrossed in finishing the book that I was reading it at the same time as listening to my sister tell Mum about someone who had laid into her. She was at a party and had been beaten by some girl. We had to pick her up, and I was reading in the car and at home:blush::blush:


LOL sounds like you enjoyed the book :D

[Icecream]

Definitely.

[Louiseog]

A Time to Kill left me breathless

[Adam]

A Time to Kill left me breathless


You should watch the film. Very good as well.

[Louiseog]

You should watch the film. Very good as well.
Oh I have but not as good as the book

[angerball]

I realise this is going to make me quite unpopular, but I read The Chamber a few years back, and I wasn't especially impressed.

I wasn't very impressed with The Chamber either. My two favourites are A Time To Kill and The Firm. :)

[Adam]

I wasn't very impressed with The Chamber either. My two favourites are A Time To Kill and The Firm. :)


I would have to agree. Those are my two favorites as well :)

[muggle not]

I am only a few pages from finishing Grisham's book.....Playing For Pizza. It was a very enjoyable read for me.

[Adam]

I am only a few pages from finishing Grisham's book.....Playing For Pizza. It was a very enjoyable read for me.

I got this for my birthday and I am really looking forward to the read. I'll be looking forward to hearing your final thoughts.

[Roman blood]

read all his up to innocent man, loved them all apart from painted house which i did not even finnish it was total ****, favs have got to be last juror,rainmaker,time to kill ,brethren,read them all at least twice apart from the broker

[March]

I've read all of his books and I must say my favourite is The Firm. The Client a close second. I didn't enjoy The Innocent Man though.

[Liz]

Why was that, March? Was it because it was non-fiction?

[March]

Why was that, March? Was it because it was non-fiction?

That's true. I enjoy fiction more than non-fiction.

Whilst reading the book, I can only imagine the frustrations and helplessness that Ron felt. And the violence done to Debbie prior to her murder is too much for me to handle. I can be overly sensitive, at times.

[burghead lass]

I have just started reading The Innocent Man

[supergran71]

Let me know what its like BL :mrgreen:

[mattjg01]

I have read all of his books prior to "A Painted House", which other people told me is not so good. But as I said before, in my opinion, his best book by far was "A time to kill." If I am not mistaken that was made into a film as well. I have more of his books - need to do a for sale or swap list!

I actually really enjoyed A Painted House. Very different to his other stories, just a long slow ramble really, but it was great for winding down in the evening and relaxing. Not one to read if you want seat of the pants entertainment!!

[muggle not]

I actually really enjoyed A Painted House. Very different to his other stories, just a long slow ramble really, but it was great for winding down in the evening and relaxing. Not one to read if you want seat of the pants entertainment!!
I also enjoyed "A painted House". I related though to the baseball theme in the book. On second thought i enjoyed it even without the baseball.

As Maureen noted though, A Time To Kill was one of my favorites too.

[muggle not]

Has anyone on the forum read "The Appeal". I am about a third way through it and so far, so good. At this point though the book can go bad or be a good read.:D

[petit_canard25]

I've read all of his books and I must say my favourite is The Firm. The Client a close second. I didn't enjoy The Innocent Man though.


I've read A time to kill and The Firm...

The Firm was just an amazing ebook..I've read it from the computer and wow..i jsut didnt want to let it go...It was just amazing :)

[kb.marsh]

I think my favourite Grisham is The Rain Man

[grammyva]

John Grisham is noted mainly for his legal thrillers, but he has written several books that don't fall into that genre. A Painted House, for one, as well as Bleachers, Skipping Christmas, Playing for Pizza, and a non fiction book titled The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. Think that's all!

Grammyva

[supergran71]

John Grisham is noted mainly for his legal thrillers, but he has written several books that don't fall into that genre. A Painted House, for one, as well as Bleachers, Skipping Christmas, Playing for Pizza, and a non fiction book titled The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town. Think that's all!

Grammyva
What about The Painted House? I think I have mentioned this one before. Its completely away from his usual genre and a rivetting read.

[Colin Jacobs]

I heard Grisham was a production line author and this put me off. I did read one about a jury in prison and enjoyed that perhaps I should try another one of his

[Jo-Bridge]

I must admit taht I thought that too but The innocent man is a great book! The injustice of it makes you furious (its a non fiction book about a wrongful conviction) though

[burghead lass]

I must admit taht I thought that too but The innocent man is a great book! The injustice of it makes you furious (its a non fiction book about a wrongful conviction) though

I had read a few of his jury books but found them much too the same but the Innocent Man I loved and may look at some of his other work.

[frankie]

I've only ever read Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. In fact I was really surprised that he had written something other than thrillers when I borrowed SC from the library. I had thought he would be a great writer because so many people seem to read his novels, but boy did I hate Skipping Christmas. It was a really annoying and predictable read and I wish I had borrowed some other Christmassy book to read over the holidays.