Book Review- Jackie K Cooper
ROGUE LAWYER by John Grisham
Send out the alerts! John Grisham has gone rogue. His latest novel ROGUE LAWYER is not your father's John Grisham book. This one has saltier language, a brief hint of sexual activity, and a cast of characters who do not live by any accepted moral compass. But, this book also has a fascinating leading character, a great collection of dark entertaining chapters, and an overall theme that binds the book together. ROGUE LAWYER may scare off some of Grisham's old fans but it should also collect a few new ones for him.
Sebastian Rudd is the name of the "rogue lawyer" on whom Grisham centers his novel. He is addicted to pool, loves his young son, has a tender spot for the downtrodden, and thinks constantly about quitting his chosen career. When the book opens he is handling the case of a young man charged with the murder of two young girls. It is a case that will probably result in a guilty verdict but Rudd is determined to plow ahead.
This section of the book is used to set up the character of Rudd and provide the reader with some insights into his life. Later sections will concern cases that are more pertinent to the overall storyline but this introductory section is necessary to prepare the reader for what come slater. Rudd has some unorthodox ways of doing things and the sooner the reader gets used to that, the better.
ROGUE LAWYER is a book that is difficult to grasp until you have all the pieces. And all of the pieces don't come together until the very end of the story. Grisham doesn't tie everything up in neat bows as he ends the story but he does give you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment. His other books have been more "by the book" than this offering for it seems Grisham went out of his way to make liking this novel difficult. Still he trusts in the intelligence of his readers to sift through it all and get his message.
Sebastian Rudd can be compared to Michael Connelly's popular character Mickey Haller, but Mickey is a little neater in his handling of cases. Rudd is more of a bull in a china closet, charging headlong into courtroom battles which he usually initiates. This makes Rudd dangerous and explosive. It also makes him one of Grisham's most intriguing characters ever.
It should also be noted that Grisham uses humor in his story. He has a wry way of describing people and events that can be uproariously funny. At least it is to me. He has been developing the use of humor for a couple of novels now and it gets better and better. It gives a balance to some of the darker elements of the cases in which he has his characters involved.
Readers have to go into ROGUE LAWYER with an open mind. Grisham has allowed himself to go off into new areas. It is a grittier story than usual but it is also a very satisfactory one. Grisham may have gone rogue but he is still one of America's best storytellers and the king of courtroom drama.
ROGUE LAWYER is published by Random House. It contains 352 pages and sells for $28.95.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com