The Appeal

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A “chilling and timeless” (The Washington Post) political and legal thriller that will leave readers unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.

“Fascinating . . . filled with deadly accurate characterizations by an author who knows both the law and politics from the inside.”—Los Angeles Times

In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town’s water supply, causing the worst “cancer cluster” in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.

Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?

The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.©2008 Belfry Holdings, Inc.; (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Building a remarkable degree of suspense . . . Grisham delivers his savviest book in years.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“A novel that could become its own era–defining classic. John Grisham holds up that same mirror to our age as Tom Wolfe’s Bonfire of the Vanities.”—The Boston Globe

“An intricately detailed, involving story . . . The ending may surprise you.”—People

“Stirring popular fiction that doubles as an important public–service announcement.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Packs a wallop.”—USA Today

“A clever story and thoughtful plot . . . Grisham confronts in stark relief the dangers of electing judges in an era of big-money politics.”—Seattle Times–Post Intelligencer

Loved it

This is the first review I've written but I felt I needed to come to Grisham's defense. I too was a bit unhappy with the ending but that's because I prefer happier ones However, I think it ended on a realistic note.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the characters and Michael Beck's narrative performance was excellent as usual. It felt good to be immersed, once again, in a Grisham courtroom drama. I've read or listened to all of his courtroom books and this one does not disappoint.

Much of what happens in this book rings true. During my lifetime, our country has drifted far from the integrity and compassion that I once believed us to posses in abundance. The unbridled greed, win at all costs, situational ethics and extreme focus on me, me, me is way out of hand and it feels good to listen to a tale of the fight for right. Thanks Mr. Grisham and keep up the good work.

Grisham is Back

My favorite Grisham book previously was the partner, this is even better. Great story and charactors. Easy listening, story was always moving. Narrator was perfect. I do a lot of driving for work, at times I did not want to leave the car to go on my next sales call.

Reality

I just finished this book. After reading most of the reviews so far, I am amazed that no one "gets it". There is no ending. The events in this story go on repeating themselves over and over. The rich get richer. The back room plotting and fixing that determine the candidate, his platform, and to whom he will appeal go on, bolstered by the 24 hour news cycle. Good people are harmed, some are compensated, all must cope. It is called life. This is the first review I have submitted.

Not Grisham's best work

It's hard to talk about this book without giving something away. I thought I had the ending pegged about halfway through but I was wrong on one major detail. Can't talk about it though because it would be a spoiler. This novel did have a decidedly anti-conservative slant. Perhaps Grisham was using hyperbole to make a point. But he overdid it. The political maneuvering in this story was very interesting and a lot more believable than the legal and judicial scenarios. Everyone leans towards one end (or the middle) of the political spectrum. At the same time, most of us will allow that those who think differently than us are not inherently evil in the way we might think a child molester is evil. This book painted many folks along the spectrum as inherently evil and the plot development and story suffered as a result. Michael Beck did his usual great job of narration, but even he wasn't able to rescue the tale. I'm often tempted to relisten to Grisham novels as I did with The Broker. It was just as good the second time around. I may listen to The Rainmaker again, because that was a great story with some similarity to this most recent novel. Sadly though, not even a rainmaker could broker The Appeal into a repeat listen. (Sorry about that.)

One of my favorite Gresham books

It's hard to write a review and not ruin it if you have not read the book. presumably, if you're here you are going to listen to it and I think these books come to life with narrators like Scott brick or Michael Beck. This particular book is different from all other novels in that it's a bit more realistic. still a fun novel of fiction but with a twist. Life is not always fair, the good guy doesn't always win, and this book does an exceptional job telling a story in a way that isn't predictable. I wish I could be more specific but I don't want to ruin it if you have not listened to this book. other than the Jake burnance series, this is by far my favorite grisham story