In this searing courtroom drama, best-selling author John Grisham probes the savage depths of racial violence, as he delivers a compelling tale of uncertain justice in a small southern town, Clanton, Mississippi.
The life of a ten-year-old girl is shattered by two drunken and remorseless young men. The mostly white town reacts with shock and horror at the inhuman crime. That is, until her black father acquires an assault rifle and takes matters into his hands.
For ten days, as burning crosses and the crack of sniper fire spread through the streets of Clanton, the nation sits spellbound as young defense attorney Jake Brigance struggles to save his client's life, and then his own. (Goodreads)
This was a very good book!!
I can't express it enough. It's so good, that even with having seen the movie (although more than a decade ago) and knowing how it would end, I still sat at the edge of my seat. Grisham sure knows how to write about courtroom drama and the day to day life of his star lawyer.
The story is captivating and weighty enough to evoke discussions whether or not me or my husband (not many other people I see these days) would acquit him of the crimes Carl Lee Hailey has been indicted for.
It's a very good moral dilemma, one I don't think would stand the test of time in this day and age and honestly if Carl did what he did today, he would probably not even leave the building without a bullet in him as well if you can believe the trigger happy evolution in American police forces these days when confronted with black suspects.
Still, It makes you think. Sometimes the story gives the feeling of having taken place early 20th century instead of in its last decade, with the Klan making appearances and blacks still not tolerated by many of their neighbours. Being from Europe I can't imagine such an attitude and how deeprooted it is with some folks.
This all aids the novel superbly and I can see know how this became a movie with so many household names attached to it. I pledge to watch it again, just for nostalgia.
In the meantime.. I truly recommend this novel which rings true, especially in this era of invisible suppression of minority groups.
