A Living Alternative

As a passionate reader, I try to spend time reader both non-fiction and fiction. When I start a novel, it is usually a classic, a notable literary title or some obscure author I discovered at the bookstore. However, on occasion I do read pop fiction. John Grisham is one pop fiction author I read regularly. While not the best literary writer (by his own admission), Grisham is a great storyteller that can drive a clear point home. On a side note, his book “Street Lawyer” was one of two books that convinced me to become an urban missionary.

His most recent novel, “The Appeal” made for a very provocative read. Here is what the book sleeve had to say:

In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.

Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?

The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.

The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave readers unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.

While not his best work, “The Appeal” will indeed leave you wondering how much power big business as on manipulating the electoral and judicial systems. Grisham clearly shows his bias on these issue, taking clear shots at the groups most often to blame and those most often used to achieve goals. This included his most unequivical shot at the religious right, showing where so many evangelical groups get “played” in the political process.

The biggest flaw I found with the book was the rather stereotypical portrayal of the main characters- you could almost see Carl Trudeau tapping his fingers together in a Mr. Burns-esque display of evil. And while having an obvious opinion on the matter is fair enough, the author could lose potential “converts” by overstating his case.

Beyond this, “The Appeal” was entertaining, enlightening and provocative. It is an excellent addition to his legal fiction titles, helping to serve as something of a myth buster in respect to the government systems we place so much power with. Definately worth the read, though perhaps not at full hardcover prices.

Anyone else read it yet? Do tell.

P.S. My next fiction review will be of Anne Rice’s “Christ The Lord: The Road To Cana”, sequel to “Christ The Lord: Out Of Egypt”, reviewed here.

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