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Liked It “I enjoyed reading this book and kept wondering how it was all going to turn out. I was slightly disappointed about the ending, however4, Mr. Grisham never fails to keep the reader wanting more while trying to anticipate the next move. The story is basically about 3 guys (former judges) who are...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “What a predictable and boring read. No characters were likeable and it unintentionally mocked the entire US system.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I enjoyed reading this book and kept wondering how it was all going to turn out. I was slightly disappointed about the ending, however4, Mr. Grisham never fails to keep the reader wanting more while trying to anticipate the next move. The story is basically about 3 guys (former judges) who are doing time for a variety of things, and develop a scam to get money from closeted well connected men who are ususally married with children, and have a high status in the community. At the same time, a political hopeful who has been hand picked by a very influential man, has somehoe gotten himself snared in this scam. This story is well worth reading.”
Brian B. wrote this review 7 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“this is the second time I've read this book. I forgot about it and started it. then I remembered I liked it and kept reading. 3 ex judges in a federal prison scam people out of lots fo money and get caught. pretty good.”
Mamabaker wrote this review 8 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“What a predictable and boring read. No characters were likeable and it unintentionally mocked the entire US system.”
RidePlanet wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Only John Grisham could write a book like this!!! Includes everything you can spect about JG...!!! This book must be on your favorites!!!”
Alejandro M wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love John Grisham. Great book. ”
Rosi Z wrote this review 3 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Although some parts of the story are rather improbable the book as a whole makes for an entertaining read. ”
crosseyedlemon wrote this review Monday, October 26 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“So far boring, but I've overdosed on reading pulp lately.”
Steve G wrote this review Wednesday, October 21 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“My first Grisham book and I'm hooked!!!”
Audrey Zapp wrote this review Monday, October 12 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Brad Moore
Brad M wrote this review Monday, October 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Mrs. Baltz
Pre-AP English 10
7 December 2008
The Brethren by John Grisham
I found this to be a pretty interesting book. It is the story of the brethren, three ex-judges in a low-security prison called Trumble, who come up with a scheme to extort money from older homosexual men. Two victims and one hundred eighty-nine thousand dollars into the scam the judges run across their biggest victim of all – Aaron Lake. He is the next president to be and seems to have a lot to offer.
One of the cool parts of this book is how much of the story happens in a prison. If you are not in the prison with the brethren you are probably traveling with Aaron Lake around the United States on the campaign trail or with Trevor, the brethren’s lawyer, in Neptune Beach.
John Grisham makes the brethren by far the best characters in the book. Joe Roy Spicer is an ex-Justice of the Peace sent to Trumble for skimming bingo profits. Hatlee Beech was a federal judge with a drinking problem that led to the death of a two hikers in Yellowstone. The last is Finn Yarber – Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court sent away for income tax evasion. The attitude of the brethren is very comical. They have “court” once a week in Trumble and their answer to one of the questions was “It’s whatever we say it is.”
Aaron Lake is portrayed in this book as a very boring character. If there is downside to this book he would be it. He is the up-and-coming president having been appointed by the CIA director to save the United States and maybe even the world. Yet he does nothing interesting; except his secret letters to a homosexual boy in rehab. This is a problem in more ways than one because the boy is actually the brethren running their fabulous scam.
Trevor is probably my favorite character in the book. He runs the letters of the brethren and their victims back and forth between the post office and Trumble. He has a severe problem with alcohol but that just makes him more interesting. Some of his “colleagues” were not drinking so he said to them “Guess I’ll have to drink for all three of us.” Funny comments like this are a big reason why I liked the book so much.
The main theme of The Brethren is not the type of theme you normally hear. Usually you will hear the moral “crime never pays” or “crime doesn’t pay.” To me, it seems like the theme of this book is the complete opposite--that crime does pay. To find out what I mean by that it looks like you will have to read the book.
Page Count: 440
Genre: Realistic Fiction”
