I didn't like it at all. I felt that Grisham used every cliché he could find to describe life working as a young associate in a NY law firm without mentioning the positives.
Grisham did interviews on TV where he proudly stated that he didn't set foot in one NYC law firm to even talk to one associate. Instead he went online and read the blogs posted by disgruntled young associates.
I returned the book to the public library after stopping half way through. I really wasn't interested in what happened to the main character in the story and his friends.
That's my criteria for books now: am I interested in finding out what happens to the main character. If I am not, I put down the book and pick up something else. In the past I'd just labor through the book.
So! We have two very different opinions on the same book. That is very interesting. But at the same time, it wouldn't do for all of us to like the same things, as it would be a very boring world. My brother in England is an avid reader of the Jack Reacher novels and recommended them to me, but I didn't feel the same way, so I can understand where people differe on their tastes. It's always good to get the recommendations of any book though and try it out to see if we like the author. Thanks to all of you here that post about everything and anything. Makes for great place to visit.
This is the great thing about a book group discussion. We can share our opinions and see what others do and do not like about what we read.
Once I came off my high from this book I realized that of course this book follows Grishman's formula, it has just been so long since I have experienced that formula.
I agree with Ladycliff, I do not stay with a book that I can not relate to the characters. That said I did not watch Seinfeld for years on TV because the main characters were so petty and self absorbed. Finally I read a review someplace which told me I was not supposed to like them. With that in mind I became a fan. Who knew.
Kyle McAvoy is a flawed character who is very intelligent, and hard working, but his values were weak at one time and that flaw comes back to impact his entire life. He if forced, he believes, to take a job he doesn't want doing something he considers both immoral and illegal or face unacceptable results to his personal life. A not too likable person from the moral point, but a human being faced with his own foibles. How he resists and overcomes is the story. The results are worthy of discussion as to their morality.
