My apologies if there’s been another such thread recently. I think there was, but I’d rather ask a direct question than do a search. My mom wants to know which of his novels would be the best to start with. I don’t read his stuff, so I said I’d ask you all. Thanx in advance!
Remember, I’m pulling for you; we’re all in this together.
—Red Green
I started with The Client. Great book. Then moved to the Pelican Brief. Those two are first-rate. I would definitely recommend them.
When are you going to realize being normal isn’t necessarily a good thing?
I’d recommend the actual first novel he wrote (it was released later) “A Time To Kill”, its a good start to see how he changed and progressed as a writer. Happy reading !
I agree… A Time to Kill. All of his books are good…and two more out now.
“Do or do not, there is no try” - Yoda
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Self-Righteous Clique *
Just read one-they all have (basically ) the same plots-“idealistic young lawyer joins corrupt law firm. Young lawyer uncovers corruption, puts old partners in jail.”
Read the one that is entitled "The ____ " something. I hear that’s the best one.
-PIGEONMAN-
A Time To Kill or The Client, they were both very, very good. Don’t start with The Testament, although it was enjoyable, it was very, very different. I’m sure that I will get sick of his writing soon enough. I have recently realized my inability to stomach Dean Kootnz anymore.
Then move to a different author, same type of genre: Shel Siegel’s Special Circumstances. ::shameless plug for friend’s book::
-Melin
I’m pink therefore I’m Spam
poysyn, yeah, i know what you mean about Koontz.
about 5 years ago i read every book he published. couldn’t get enough of him, but recently, i haven’t been able to finish anything written by him. same with Stephen King.
but, i have been reading Grisham a lot lately. and (don’t hurt me) the Left Behind books.
mostly i read non fiction, but when i want a light fiction story, i head straight for the brain candy.
I’m pink therefore I’m Spam
I’ll tell her to start with “A Time To Kill”, then, and if she wants to read more, to go through the other titles chronologically. Thank you!
Remember, I’m pulling for you; we’re all in this together.
—Red Green
What is John Grisham’s deal? He can tell a good story… right up to the end. Then it’s like he gets bored, or has to turn in the manuscript the next day or something, because instead of writing the ending to the book, he basically just summarizes everything into a page or two and calls it quits. IT DRIVES ME NUTS!!! A Time To Kill was one of the worst for this.
–
“it’s all real”
“I KNEW IT!!!”
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
eg, you’re right, though because I love the intricate way he winds you through the story, I still like his writings.
OpalCat, that is something I’ve wondered about too, though you phrased it better than I would have. Maybe it is the pressure, but surely he has enough writings to be able to wield an enormous amount of clout to get his publishers to back off if he needed them to.
I liked ‘The Runaway Jury’ ‘The Client’ and ‘A Time to Kill’ the best. ‘Pelican Brief’ is still sitting, patiently waiting!
I’ve read the reviews about ‘The Brethren’ being rather different from his other books, not having a main character that anyone likes. Any comments on that?
Judy
“Consider it a challenge…”
I haven’t read “The Brethern” yet (it’s on order to me), however “The Testament” was very different for him too. Recovering alcoholic and born-again religious, very different for him. Maybe he’s trying to branch out.