Anything Legal, Legal Thrillers, Legal Mysteries and More discussion
Archive
>
John Grisham, to verbose or just right?
Michael, I have learned over time, everyone has his or her unique opinion. So many people reacted either positively or negatively to Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl.
Hi Skye,Though I didn't read the book, "Gone Girl". I did see the movie. If the movie resembles anything like the book, I personally enjoyed the first half and found the second half to be slow.
I agree, everyone does have there own opinion, that is why I am curious what people think of Grisham.
What is your take?
His earlier novels were truly mesmerizing and difficult to put down; however, other writer began to employ concise syntax and diction, and as you said above, Grisham remained, in some 'verbose.' On the other hand, articulation and magical sentence structure can also be wonderful.
Agree. For me, coming from a legal background, I was taught the KISS method to writing...Keep IT Simple and Short.(I have also heard other versions as Keep It Simple Stupid.) When I first learn to write legal pleadings, it didn't take long to find out Judges don't want to read something that is too wordy. They want the writer to get to the point. I have incorporated this style in my own writing and what I look for in other authors.
I love his novels. I have a few on my TBR that I hope to get to soon. I really can't wait to read Sycamore Row because A Time to Kill is one of my favorites!
I love John Grisham's books. I tend to like concise, get to the point, short chapters type writing which is my writing style but I don't mind Grisham getting a little wordy.
I read Gray Mountain and I really do hope that Samantha Kofer becomes a repeating character in his novels. I loved her.
Stephanie wrote: "Grisham is one of my favorite authors!! I like his older stuff better though... A Time to Kill and The Rainmaker are my favorites. I haven't read Gray Mountain yet, but it is on the list!!!"I also like Grisham's older works.
I've read some of Grisham's first books, I've read The Firm, The Pelican Brief, and A Time To Kill, which were all excellent, and I've been a huge fan of Grisham since then, and I still want to continue reading him.
Michael wrote: "Hi Skye,Though I didn't read the book, "Gone Girl". I did see the movie. If the movie resembles anything like the book, I personally enjoyed the first half and found the second half to be slow...."
Hated the book, unlike many people, but liked the movie.
This is one book/movie that has so many various feelings towards. I didn't see the movie ( but I hope to): I did like the book.
Corey wrote: "I've read some of Grisham's first books, I've read The Firm, The Pelican Brief, and A Time To Kill, which were all excellent, and I've been a huge fan of Grisham since then, and I still want to con..."Corey, I liked the ones you listed, too.
I enjoy Grisham, though I have been slow to keep reading "Gray Mountain."I really enjoyed the movie "Gone Girl." I'm curious to see how the book was written now.
I'm trying to decide what legal thriller to read after "Gray Mountain."
Nick; the book is wonderful; I didn't see the movie.
Stephanie wrote: "Love all of those too, Corey! Sycamore Row is more recent and is #2 in series (of 2) after A Time to Kill...."Yeah I hear that Sycamore Row was a good one. Have you read his latest one Gray Mountain?
Skye,Her two books that led up to "Gone Girl" were supposed to have been pretty intense.
Have you read either of those?
She's a fascinating writer.
Nick
Nick: I read Dark Places, and I was terribly disturbed, upset and depressed. She can create persona, characterization and atmosphere; however, had I read that first, most likely I would not have read Gone Girl.
Wow. Sorry to hear that. Do not think I would write such as to leave readers disturbed or depressed.I want to entertain and provoke.
HUGE JG fan and LOVED his early works. BUT, I stopped reading some of his stuff somewhere around The Brethren, which I never finished. I think, as others have said, it's his slowing down of the story. I do love details, but instead of moving the story along his details started to bog things down. I would pick up a book, start to read and then I'd get bored. And then I started reading Davld Baldacci in place of JG. Almost read as many of DB's books as JG's....almost. I don't think any of JG's writing is 'bad' or 'awful', just became repetitive. I will admit though that Sycamore Row intrigues me. Though I've seen reviews that it's 'slow'. *sigh* SIDE NOTE: As for Gone Girl...I'm in the "HATED IT' camp so I definitely didn't see the movie. I guess I'm just not into that kind of writing? I kept trying to figure out what I was missing. First half of the book was really good...the rest of it was a meandering mess. lol
Laronica; I adored his earlier novels and then simply stopped reading him; I think when James Patterson and others began to write in succinct, concise styles, I became more inclined to read them.Don't feel bad about Gone Girl; it is a greatly divide camp.
I like Baldacci, too. Am trying to read Gray Mountain, but it's not 'moving along' well with me.
Skye wrote: "Laronica; I adored his earlier novels and then simply stopped reading him; I think when James Patterson and others began to write in succinct, concise styles, I became more inclined to read them...."
So right! I think so many other authors emerged and began writing as well as, if not better than JG. Of course Patterson has been around forever, so he was already well-established. But so many others out there honing their craft and I think it's great to have so many options.
Laronica wrote: "HUGE JG fan and LOVED his early works. BUT, I stopped reading some of his stuff somewhere around The Brethren, which I never finished. I think, as others have said, it's his slowing down of the st..."Hi Laronica,
You hit the nail right on the head. Grisham's stories tend to move along to slowly. He is very wordy and gives too much detail. He loses the reader.
No, Stephanie, but I have it and probably won't read it after Dark Places.
My understanding is that "Sharp Objects" is quite dark as well. But I have not read it myself.
In all honesty,and I have read all 3 of Gillian Flynn books,I would have to say "Gone Girl" is her best..than the other 2.But that's just me thou.I like a more complex psychologigal thriller and that is just what Gone Girl is..her other books..maybe cause its my age,I felt were more for the young people..drinking,sex and that gets old,at least for me..but like I said,just my opinion.If you like her other 2 books,then Im happy you enjoyed them.
I'm wondering.However dark they may have been, are you glad you read them?
It never ceases to amaze me what all I can get out of reading. (At the risk of sounding hokey.)
Gone Girl is much different kind of a story thou..a psychological thriller,where as the other 2 books are,dark,depressing reads,at least in my opinion.Im glad I read all 3..at least I can say that:))But my fav was Gone Girl(hands down)didn't much care for the movie thou.But the actress who played Amy was awesome in it:)
Marian, I didn't know you read Sharp Objects.
Good Morning Skye,Yep,Im sure I mentioned it:)
Marian wrote: "Gone Girl is much different kind of a story thou..a psychological thriller,where as the other 2 books are,dark,depressing reads,at least in my opinion.Im glad I read all 3..at least I can say that:..."Hi Marian,
I have to agree with you I did't care for the movie. I was disappointed. Because of that, I have little desire to read the book.
But Michael,the book is much better thou..in my opinion.
Thanks Marian. The books are normally better than the movie.
They sure are:)And thank you for the invite Michael.
I forgot to mention to you Michael,that Im reading a John Grisham book..A Painted House..have you read this one?
No I haven't Marian. Let me know what you think. The last book I read of his was, "The Litigators." Had a hard time with that one.
The last book of John Grisham I think I read was..The Innocent Man..which is a true crime book of his and I think the only one,that he has written.It was great!
I may have read that. I will have to check.
As for the comments on Goodreads about John Grisham..the one thing I have learned on Goodreads is that..you should really stand up and pay attention to the 1 and 2 star ratings as,THEY,are probably better reads than some of the 5 star ratings.And Im guilty of giving a lot of 5 star ratings.I think the rating system on Goodreads is only general if you ask me.A book in my opinion is only as good as..in the eye of the beholder.So a 3 star rating Michael..who knows:)
Ratings are SOOO subjective. When I do look at them, I want to see an array of ratings from 1 stars to 5 stars and everything in between. A balance so to speak. I rarely pay attention to the 1 star ratings, as well as books with only 5 stars. I noticed many of John Grisham's books have 3 stars. I can understand that. I find some of his later works to be wordy and I just lost my interest. His earlier works I have to rate 5 stars. Great reads.
Well Michael..there is one book now that I know of right away,that a lot of people gave it a 1 star and its a book on the top New York Times Best Sellers list and is there #1 book..so go figure:)
Marian, I agree with your view points on the rating system. Being apart of the Good reads, I have noticed the same trend; everyone has his/her likes and dislikes, and for various reasons as well.
Marian wrote: "Well Michael..there is one book now that I know of right away,that a lot of people gave it a 1 star and its a book on the top New York Times Best Sellers list and is there #1 book..so go figure:)"My point exactly. That is why I usually don't give any attention to 1 stars. I am amazed that many of the Classics have received poor ratings.
The other day, I was looking at several reviews of John Grisham books and I was surprise to see many only had 3 out of 5 stars. I have read many of his books and some I have found captivating while others to long winded. I am curious if this may be one of the reasons his book's only have 3 stars. Your thoughts.