A Time to Kill

This is Grisham's best, IMO. It was written before he began writing formulaically, and although it's not as polished as his later works, it resonates better. To give you some idea of how well this book drew me in, when reading about the National Guard troops coming in from around the state for the trial, I thought, "Hey, I bet I know some of those guys!" (I went to HS in Columbus, MS, where...more

This is Grisham's best, IMO. It was written before he began writing formulaically, and although it's not as polished as his later works, it resonates better. To give you some idea of how well this book drew me in, when reading about the National Guard troops coming in from around the state for the trial, I thought, "Hey, I bet I know some of those guys!" (I went to HS in Columbus, MS, where some of those troops came from.)   hide

I borrowed this book from a teacher to read in the tutoring room in high school (since no one needed my help..free period anyone woo!) and I ended up asking her to give it to me because I really really wanted to own it, and she gave it to me, and I read it once every year or two. That beginning, INCREDIBLE. I mean, I was glued to every page I wanted to know more and more and next thing I knew I...more

I borrowed this book from a teacher to read in the tutoring room in high school (since no one needed my help..free period anyone woo!) and I ended up asking her to give it to me because I really really wanted to own it, and she gave it to me, and I read it once every year or two. That beginning, INCREDIBLE. I mean, I was glued to every page I wanted to know more and more and next thing I knew I finished the book in like 3 class periods. Grisham has become one of my favorite authors.    hide

Better than the movie for sure (as most books are) but nothing spectacular. I'm not a lawyer but I found the lawyer-lawyer dialogs and the court system portrayed to be unrealistic...almost comic-bookish. Then again, the book is based in Mississippi so what do I know ;)

It's a great book but Grisham spends the beginning of almost every chapter introducing a new character, whether they're in the story from start to finish or a few pages. It gives every character depth but I don't care if the sniper has trouble paying the rent or if the the coffee shop waitress is trying to get her GED. Engrossing story but it could have been 100 pages shorter.