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" I got this book for Christmas and finished it already. I love John Grisham's writing so I was really looking forward to reading it. Although not all of the stories have lawyers as the main characer all of the stories deal with the judicial system in some way if only in a minor way. Unfortunately, many of the lawyers are a little, and sometimes alot, shady in their dealings with clients and other parties. This makes me a little sad because I want lawyers to all be good guys or to at least try to be ethical. One story, Michael's Room, made me think a bit about what Grisham was trying to say and how I feel about our judicial system. In this story the lawyer is accosted and actually kidnapped by a father that sued a doctor for malpractice several years before. The lawyer represented the doctor and his insurance company and won the case. No money for the poor family, and that is probably how you are suppose to feel. This poor family was beat up by the judicial system and this lawyer in Court. The father goes through the "lies" that the lawyer either told or facilitated during the trial. Most, however, are a matter of competeing expert opinions such as how long the father's child would live, how expensive future treatment would be and what level of care would be required. There was not even a hint of withheld documents or purjured testimony or anything like that. So the lawyer was not really lying, he was wrong. It's easy to see that 8 years after the trial but that's not really fair to the process. The family certainly had a lawyer and experts as well at trial but the jury sided with the doctor and the insurance company. Our judicial system is an aversarial system where both lawyers zealaously represent their clients and the truth should come out. I'm not going to say that the system is fool proof but what other system would you like? I know that in a close or complicated case that the best lawyer often wins not the best case. I also know that the best lawyers are often the most expensive lawyers so that rich people or comapnies with deep pockets get "better" justice. But how would you fix that? We could make all lawyers public employees and pay them all the same and just assign the cases out. Of course, the best lawyer will still win the close or complicated cases. We could make the system non-adversarial and just have one lawyer or a judge that just decides who is right but how do you do that? Then we will have stories written about how unfair that system is. I like mediation but it only works if the parties are both really willing to see the other side. I think until we enter Christ's Millenial Reign we are stuck with people doing the best that they can and a judicial system doing the same thing. I liked the book I just wanted to get on my soap box about this one thing. I wonder if Grisham, who practiced law at one time but is now a full time author, even likes lawyers. "
- Todd, 2/2/2014
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" All the stories were entertaining but the last one was outstanding, absolutely loved it! "
- Deena, 1/20/2014
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" Excellent; collection of short stories set in Mississippi "
- Joe, 1/13/2014
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" This is a collection of short stories based upon a cast of characters in Ford County, Mississippi but could be really any small town, USA. Grisham does a good job of developing the story and drawing the reader into the characters. If you've ever lived or are from a small town you will immediately relate to the stories. The stories are a fast read, I blasted through the entire book in quick sessions over a span of three days. "
- Ricky, 1/1/2014
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" This was a nice collection of short stories. It's been ages since I've read Grisham. He never disappoints "
- Tom, 12/28/2013
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" Easy to read...never read any John Grisham before but liked this! "
- Jen, 12/24/2013
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" Several short stories from one of the best writers around. Grisham tells the tale masterfully, and adds just enough irony to make you smile. This is a re-read--my first time was a few years ago. It was worth it! "
- George, 12/21/2013
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" I am usually not that interested in short stories but this has been a good choice. "
- Sheila, 12/19/2013
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" A collection of short stories based in same town as Grisham's classic "A Time to Kill". I found myself reading to get to the end of each short story; but didn't find any of them particularly memorable or intriguing. "
- Caroline, 12/18/2013
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" Terrific collection. A very easy and fun read. I think this is the best writing yet for Grisham. By the end of the last story I really had a feel for Ford County and its residents. I highly recommend this. "
- Kevin, 12/15/2013
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" The last story in this collection is the standout. John Grisham seems to have an appreciation for the "rural" intellect, but I don't think he likes his characters very much, otherwise. "
- Jo, 12/9/2013
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" Great book! Short stories that are totally different from each other but very Grisham-ish in story line an surprise. Sometimes almost too close to reality to be a novel .... "
- Eric, 11/18/2013
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" As always, Grisham is one of the "best" storytellers. "
- Mark, 11/4/2013
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" Nice collection of human interest stories by a master story teller. "
- Mike, 8/20/2013
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" In a series of seven short stories, John Grisham creates and develops a community of characters in Ford County, Mississippi. At times funny, introspective, sad, and irreverent, each story is a gem on its own. "
- Helena, 8/9/2013
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" Several short stories. "
- Joyce, 7/4/2013
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" one of the best books by Grisham "
- Nadis, 5/13/2013
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" Why did I pick up a John Grisham book? Because I thought it would be cool to read stories about Mississippi, and because that Tom Cruise lawyer movie was pretty good? This was not for me. "
- Alison, 4/23/2013
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" The stories were very interesting. I would rather have read a novel. "
- Martha, 3/4/2013
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" I think John Grisham is a great story-teller, but this book was not my favorite of his. It's his first colleciton of short stories. Maybe I just not a short-story lover, but I found the stories unsatisfying; I didn't find the characters likeable.. "
- Janine, 12/23/2012
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" Short stories about good ol' boys and their exploits in Ford County. One as poignant as the next. "
- Eileen, 9/21/2012
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" Good read. Really enjoyable. "
- J.t., 8/21/2012
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" I needed an engrossing, quick read at the lakehouse and this fit the bill. You've got to give it to him, Grisham is a good storyteller and there are some memorable ones in this little collection. "
- Idonia, 7/22/2012
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" This is a collection of 7 short stories all of which take place in Ford County, Mississippi. I liked just a couple of them, the rest I was not impressed with. "
- Yulia, 3/2/2012
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" A pleasant read with a few highlights here and there. Apart from the last story about a young man dying from AIDS it was difficult to identify with the characters. The short stories seemed more like a fly on the wall documentary. "
- Rod, 11/18/2011
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" Pretty good bunch of short stories I listened to on audio book. Enjoyed the Author as the person reading. "
- Cindy, 10/14/2011
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" I'm enjoying his collection of short stories. "
- Linda, 8/31/2011
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" Classic wonderful Grisham writing. He tells the stories of the salt of the earth with all of the shortcomings and flaws in plain view, but still treats these people with fundamental respect. "
- Patricia, 6/10/2011
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" The first and last stories were by far the best, others only so-so.
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- Babette, 5/11/2011
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" This was my very first John Grisham novel and I loved it! There were times I was laughing out loud and at other times, very saddened by the life of his down trodden characters. Fun, quick read and great for a weekend or vacation!
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- Marcia, 5/10/2011
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" read 3 of the short stories. rather dull and mildly depressing stories about people with little going for them and the crimes they commit
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- Madeline, 4/29/2011
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" audiobook. Abandoned after 4 discs. boring
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- Mary, 4/26/2011
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" So far, I've read the 1st short story. Grisham's writing has improved since his first books, or maybe he tells better stories when they don't deal with lawyers. Enjoyable.
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- Trudy, 4/25/2011
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" Don't bother unless you're bored out of your mind.
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- Jessica, 4/16/2011
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" Really shitty redneck stories. Don't waste your time.
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- Prashant, 4/7/2011
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" A good book of short stories. I had forgotten about the way people with AIDS were treated when it was first brought to light until I read the last story in the book, it angered me again. I like a story that can bring emotion like that out.
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- Carrie, 4/3/2011
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" Fun easy compilation of short stories.
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- Esther, 3/31/2011
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