Customer Reviews

The Client

5 star:		(171)
4 star:		(74)
3 star:		(42)
2 star:		(27)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

I'd actually give it 4.5 stars. The Client is, overall, an excellent book. Although it does drag in places and some of the "lawyer jargon" can get annoying, the characterization and plot are quite extrodinary. It is a very suspenseful and unpredictble novel which kept me up till 4 am reading. What makes the book so good is the complex charcters. Mark Sway--an eleven year old, trailor-trash, kid is brilliant and foolish all at the same time which keeps the book moving well because every time he gets himself out of a situation, he always manages to get himself into another. He talks like hes 45 and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. He also questions alot about society and the legal system in such a childlike matter that it really makes you stop and think about your position on the topic and what you would tell an 11 year old kid. Reggie Love is definitely the most complex character. After a painful divorce, attempted suicide, and commitment into various mental facilities, she begins a new life as a smart-talking, witty, clever, and absolutely crazy lawyer who you just have to love. They call it her "second life" and she lives it to it's fullest. Only a 4 year lawyer and shes able to outsmart the FBI. She cares so much, too much, about her "little clients" and although she denies it, is willing to risk her life for some of them. Shes a very strong character, but still very vulnerable, which makes for a great story. Foltrigg (sp?), is the opposing, big-headed, stuck up, U.S. prosecuting attorney who is absolutely determined to win the case no matter the extremes. Completely engrossed in his job, he really helps display the infamous view of the lying, cheating, snake-like lawyers which we all hate so dearly, yet, Grisham also makes it seem like he is just trying to do his job. The plot, which is outlined in every other review, therefore pointless for me to elaborate :), is eigther full-blown action, or boring, drag along lawyer stuff and mob talk. Basically, at some parts you can't put the book down and then at others you are just waiting in agony for something exciting to happen, but its well worth the wait. Overall--I'd only read it if you have a lot of time becasue you might not be able to put it down. Then rent the movie. Then join a antismoking organization---read the book and youll know why :)

John Grisham's books are perfect for reading on extended airplane trips or in other situations where all one desires is a readable "page-turner" to help while away the hours. The particular novel is formulaic from start to finish, complete with shallow, stereotyped characters (including a boy protagonist who apparently is eleven going on thirty in terms of his outlook and behavior). The "bad guys" are unrelentingly bad, while the "good guys" are practically saints. Perfect, eh?

Grisham is a master of the "easy read," and the book is excellent in terms of its basic function, which is to entertain. Great literature it isn't, however, so don't begin this novel with unrealistic expectations in this regard.

John Grisham's, The Client was extremely thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. It was suspenseful and humorous several times throughout the book. I enjoyed it all the way through, it kept asking so many questions to where I had to keep reading. I could barely even put it down. John Grisham put so much emotion into the book I could almost feel the characters feelings. Grisham illustrates in such a way I admired it from the beginning. I recommend this book to anyone who likes books about lawyers and to anyone who likes suspenseful and emotional books. This book was an easy read and I hope you enjoy it.

Romey, the lawyer of a man accused of murdering a congressman, commits suicide. Mark Sway, an eleven year old boy, observes the act but little does he know that it will lead him into serious trouble. Mark has learned crucial information that will convict the Mafia hit-man, who is accused of murder, but he doesn't want to tell the district attorney. He is afraid the Mafia will kill him too. Mark hires a lawyer to protect his rights and help him out-smart both the district attorney and the Mafia. I really liked this book. It is probably one of the best books I have read and I'm sure I would enjoy it just as much if I read it again. "The Client" is filled with suspense which made it really hard for me to put down. I love suspenseful books because each chapter leaves the reader hanging, not knowing what will happen next. I've read most of John Grisham's books and this has to be his best. His other books are not as suspenseful and riviting as "The Client." The book is really long and it took me a while to read it. It contains long, drawn-out scenes dealing with law, but the good things out-weigh the bad. One of the best things about "The Client" is how Grisham shows the age and attitude of Mark. A great example is when Mark asks the judge if he can take the 5th amendment. The judge says no but Mark replies, "Why Not? It applies to kids to doesn't it? Yes, (says the judge) but not in this situation. Then why did you put me in jail? (Mark replies) I'm going to send you back there if you don't answer my questions (the judge declares). I take the fifth amendment anyway (responds Mark)." John Grisham is a terrific writer and I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it to anyone who really enjoys suspenseful stories.

I found this book to be very readable. I disagree with the reviewers who found it to be a "McBook." It is true that, like most authors, Grisham doesn't always deliver -- but he certainly does in this one! I couldn't put this book down once I had started. It is the story of two boys, who see something terrible -- a suicide. But before that, one of the boys is told something dreadful by the man -- a secret that the mob wants, the police want, the FBI wants. How the eleven-year old boy deals with that, and the folks who help him, is what this book is about. It would make a great movie (if iut hasn't already been made into one!). I enjoyed every word of it.

This book starts out innocently enough: young Mark Sway (age 11) and his younger brother Ricky (age 8) are out in a grassy area sharing a few cigarettes they stole from their mom, an over-worked, abused housewife; it would be Ricky's first cigarette, but not Mark's by far. They get an unexpected surprise, however, when a crazed lawyer drives his car to the exact spot where Mark and Ricky were at (who are now hiding in the thick grass), pulls a hose from his car and begins pumping exhaust fumes into the car in an attempt to commit suicide...

Mark enters the car to attempt to convince the deranged lawyer to stop trying to kill himself- and is taken hostage immediately. The liquor loosens his tongue a little, though, and before passing out, the crook tells Mark that he knows where the body of a recently-assassinated US Senator is located. Mark exits the car to try and calm his hysterical little bro down- and they both subsequently witness the man, a Jerome "Romey" Clifford, take a pistol and blow his brains out- taking his deadly secret to the grave with him- except Mark knows it now, too.

And there are people who know that he knows it, too. And when they start trying to force it out of him, he turns to the only one who believes him: a lawyer who just passed the bar four years prior- a lawyer who was paid a dollar as a retainer fee to help little Mark out.

Grisham has once again crafted a thriller. Frankly, I am a bit confused as to why people don't really like this one... It's just as good if not better than his other novels.

Now just for fun, click the "yes" button to the proceeding question

This is a page-turner of a book. It's not exhausting like "The Firm," but continually interesting and the characters are lovable.

This is the story of an 11-year old boy who happens upon a suicide and confession about mob activities. The mob doesn't want the boy to repeat what he now knows. The boy has few resources; he lives in a trailer park with a single mom and a little brother. He finds a middle-aged, chain smoking lawyer lady who helps to protect him while the system tries get what he knows out of him and the mob tries to stop him altogether.

Very well written and great character development.

I just finished reading The Client, I feel this is another great John Grisham legal thriller, this is the fifth novel I have read by Grisham and it is definitely a page turner, The story provides good action and great character descriptions. To have an 11 year old as the hero of the story is different but I feel it worked well. The character of Reggie Love was excellent, although she had only been a lawyer for 5 years she was very confident and cool in tough situations, I would highly recommend this book.

The book started out great and I had high hopes. Soon though, it went quickly downhill - what a shame. Mr. Grisham undoubtedly has talent (read 'The Firm') but unfortunatly it's obvious he's writing within the constraints of a deadline. After the first few chapters, the story and quality quickly falls apart. Come on, an 11 year-old kid outwitting the mob, not mention getting a lawyer out of danger ? Too unbelievable. Also, his brother goes into a coma because he witnessed someone killing themself ? How can anyone believe this let alone be entertained by it ? I realize it's fiction but there are limits as to what we can be expected to believe. 'The Firm' was a pretty good book but this one was pure cr***p ! Grisham should rethink his career and decide if money is more important than self-respect - he's lost mine.

This book Mentions my high school, Which for this dead-head area, is pretty amazing. What is even more amazing is that was the high point of the book. I feel sorry for anyone who reads this book but did not go to my school, they don't have a high point.