The Appeal

These days, John Grisham is an institution, a writer whose bestseller status is certain. In fact, his success is so guaranteed that readers have very high expectations for every new book he releases. Does The Appeal pass muster? And will fans of Grisham be pleased or let down by it?

The storyline of the book has significant stakes since it deals with corporate wrongdoing on a massive scale. Mary and Wes Grace, the two attorneys at the center of the story, prevail in a multimillion dollar lawsuit against a chemical corporation that contaminated a village with poisonous waste that was deposited. Numerous excruciating deaths have occurred as a result, but the chemical company's attorneys are appealing, and various legal ploys being used; it's unclear how the balance of justice will ultimately be struck.

As usual with Grisham, the character development is utilitarian rather than deep, and the plotting techniques are crucial. However, it may (as usual) keep the reader completely captivated. It's interesting to observe here the underlying critique of the religious ideals of the moral majority, given John Grisham's well publicized conversion to born-again Christianity; yet, it is by no means core to the work. What matters is the narrative, and even while the language is as simple and direct as ever, when The Appeal has gotten a hold of you, few readers will put it down. -- Forshaw, Barry