July 2022 Group Read: A Time to Kill, by John Grisham

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Your discussion of A Time to Kill by John Grisham happens here, led by Dean Lay. There is also a spoiler thread for this book. Have fun!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I'm not a huge Grisham reader, but I think I'll read this book along with the group.

[Cherie]

Just finished it. Glad I read it. Definitely worth it to read this book. I will comment more when others get a chance to read it. Looking for the movie now.

[Bruce]

I read this a couple years ago. Very good book, although it’s a rough story. Hard to believe it was his first. I would consider it one that qualifies as a great debut novel by an author.

I’m not a die hard fan of Grisham’s, although I think he’s better than some of the other “best seller” authors, especially James Patterson, who writes “murder porn” and “rape porn.” Grisham includes disturbing material, but not for the sake of it like others.

[phez]

YES THEY DESERVED TO DIE, AND I HOPE THEY BURN IN HELL!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

I am definitely in on the read, but it will be next week before I can get started. My family is here from California so this week it's all about them.

but I will be back!

[Jan C]

I read this years ago. At some point I swore off of Grisham. I found his writing left me feeling like I'd had a light hot dog - full of air.

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Jan C wrote: "I read this years ago. At some point I swore off of Grisham. I found his writing left me feeling like I'd had a light hot dog - full of air."

Amen to that. I read his first four books and gave up when I realized he'd run out of ideas - there's only so many times I can stand to read the scene where he/she/child goes into a public restroom with scissors and hair dye to change identities and 2-3 times per book was just way too many. I broke the embargo to read A Painted House and wished I hadn't. Still, Time to Kill was probably the most unique and original of his books, and I did enjoy The Firm.

[Summer]

This is one of my favorites! I read this every few years and my opinions on the various crimes and justifications change based on what's going on in my life and the world in general. It's probably not the best-written book, but early Grisham was such a treat at the time.

[Delton]

A Time To Kill is among my favorite John Grisham novels (The Firm and The Pelican Brief stand alone in my opinion). The movie was intriguing but the book is worth reading.

[Pam]

I, too, read several of Grisham's books before deciding to switch to other writers whose books were more satisfying.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Finally back in the reading game; started reading (rereading actually) this book yesterday. Cringeworthy ...

[Cherie]

Saw enough clips of the movie on YouTube to realize that the movie was better than the book, but I am glad I read this particular John Grisham as I agree with others’ opinions about his other books.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

dean lay wrote: "Well I’m struggling with it a bit but am still soldiering on.
I can’t put my finger on why it isn’t reaching me emotionally like it should be, subject matter being taken into account.
Some authors ..."

I'm close to the end and I think your question's a good one. If anything, so far the emotional reach seems to be all at the beginning with the horrific crime against Tonya Hailey -- lost in the rest of the novel while we get the lowdown on attorneys, judges, court proceedings, bigotry, racism and a bit about Jake's family. I'm sure at some point things might circle back to tugging at the heartstrings.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Finished. I'll gather my thoughts & post here or at the spoiler thread later this weekend.

[Bruce]

There’s definitely a disturbing part later in the book. Almost as bad as the beginning.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

We watched the film based on this novel last night. Has anyone else seen it?

[RJ - Slayer of Trolls]

Nancy wrote: "We watched the film based on this novel last night. Has anyone else seen it?"

I saw it when it first came out. I thought it had a great cast and I think I might even have enjoyed the movie more than the book. Like I mentioned before I am no great fan of Grisham.

[Cameron]

This remains my favourite Grisham book. I started out reading The Pelican Brief, then the Firm, and when I finally got to A Time to Kill, there was something there. Something more raw and engaging. I saw that again when he published The Chamber.

[Cherie]

Where is the spoiler thread?

[Cherie]

A Time To Kill
by John Grisham is his first novel and reviews are mixed as whether it’s too long or too short especially as compared with the movie. Apparently the movie stars Matthew McConnahey and Sandra Bullock so obviously with these stars, the movie was lengthened as compared with the book. The basis of the story is two drunk and stoned white guys spot a 10 year old black girl whom they decide to brutally beat, rape, torture, and attempt to murder. Gang raping leads to massive scarring and infertility. The poor 10 year old, Tonya somehow survives only to suffer PTSD. Along comes Attorney Brigance who attempts to represent her father who has gunned down those two using an M-16. While gunning them down he is heard laughing at them as if he is crazy. Brigance seizes that as an opportunity to form an insanity defense but soon he is fired yet rehired. Small town politics and small town ignorance is quite prevalent throughout the book. I enjoyed reading about Ellen Roark the volunteer Law clerk because she did most of the research for Brigance. True, it’s difficult for Brigance to research while dealing with constant death threats likely from the KKK and racists. Glad I read this book.

[fleurette]

I really struggle with this book. I'm just not interested enough and this is a looong book. Not sure I will finish it.

[fleurette]

It took me a long time to finish this book. More than once I was convinced that I will dnf it. Grisham just isn't for me.

Here is my full spoiler-free review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...