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Laying aside his law dramas for another break (like he did with "A Painted House" and "Skipping Christmas"), John Grisham instead brings us "The Broker" an espionage filled spy story...Sort of. The protagonist is Joel Backman, a former high-powered Washington stockbroker that's hiding some big secrets and is now serving a 20-year prison sentence is solitary confinement. In the waning hours of his 4-year and HIGHLY unsuccessful presidency, Arthur Morgan is pressured by the head of the CIA to pardon Backman. The plan is to smuggle Backman out of the country and sit back and watch to see just who kills him. The CIA believes that the Russians, Chinese, Israelis, and Saudis all have reasons to go after the man. Within a few hours, Backman is transferred out of prison and into Italy...He's quickly given a fake background and a fake name (Marco) and soon begins adjusting to life in Italy. Sure, he's not allowed to have contact with anyone from his past life nor is he allowed to travel anywhere but anything beats prison. One reviewer of this book said "It has major motion picture written all over it" and that's true. It has potential to be a great movie, despite the fact that it's only a good book. It's entertaining and I'm really fond of the protagonist, but it goes on a little too long I guess. Having said that, I must suddenly contradict myself. I felt the novel ended too abruptly; I wanted to know more about Backman and just kind of cuts the audience off. Whatever though. It's a pretty good book that's worth reading that's better than some of Grisham's other recent literary efforts ('The Summons' & 'The King of Torts').Read full review
So you've read this is Grisham's return to legal thrillers after inexplicable diversions like Bleachers. Hate to tell you - it's anything but. We shoot off the docks with grand Hollywood-style razzmatazz involving the CIA, the president of United States, and the dubious pardon of a certain high-stakes deal agent sent to Europe as a sitting duck for assassins to get him. Makes you buckle up for some breathless action. Then just a few dozen pages later this whole sensational setup goes thud as our protagonist (and Grisham) get smitten with Italiana. We take long languid walks through Bologna's porticoed sidewalks and piazzas. Read ornate descriptions of the city's basilicas, towers, frescoes, marble crypts. There's even time to learn the legend surrounding the naked bronze statue of the Roman god Neptune at the Fontana del Nettuno from the 1500s. Our little broker is savoring the food, the language, the history. Problem is, we're not because nothing's happening. As a storyteller Grisham is in full bloom, which would've been super if only he had a story to tell. Recommended for italophiles, rest of us should seek our thrills elsewhere.Read full review
I decided to write this review after having first of all read the book, and then the other reviews that were written about it. I'm a huge fan of John Grisham, by the way, and have read just about every one of his books, and some of the reviews I felt were just a tad bit unfair. It is a departure from some of his books, and the end is a little bit disappointing, but I loved the part about Italy, though, especially the description of all the food! (Can anyone tell I possibly have a weight problem?) The truly amazing thing about this book, though, was how the protagonist Joel Backman, could eat out twice a day with Luigi, and still outrun the C.I.A. and an Israeli hit team from the Mossad! (Maybe there's hope for us all!) On the other hand though, considering the present state of the C.I.A., maybe that's not so surprising after all. My favorite quote from the book is when the departing president tells the director of the C.I.A.: "You couldn't find a terrorist if he advertized on a billboard!" (Does art imitate life or what?) Mr. Grisham could have done better with his plot, but he does a tremendous job with selling Italy. (Maybe if I can write a book like this, I could go back there) The Italian tourist industry gives him four stars!!!Read full review
I've read other Grisham books, and he always impresses me with they way he crafts a story, and the way he has an empathy with his characters. He's also very skilled in the way he can keep the reader's interest going through various twists and turns. There are times when the continuity and suspension of disbelief are a little strained. Like when the old spymaster at the CIA sets the plot in motion by springing a convicted lobbyista and lawyer out of prison and transplants him in Italy, complete with language tutor. There doesn't seem to be a reason for this turn of events, and even the field operatives, don't get why the operation is happening. But on the other hand Grisham is constantly rooting for the hero, a rumpled lobbyist/attorney who is acting as unwitting bait for a supposed bevy of international spooks and assasins who will off him, because they may suspect him being part of a previous dealings with advanced surveillance technology and national security. But our hero is no dummy, and after four years in the slammer, with almost no resources, he's able to slowly gain friends and allies, make use of some hidden resources and gain his way towards freedom. Grisham as always takes swipes at the establishment and their stupidty and hypocracy. He doesn't suffer fools lightly. A good, fun, quick read.Read full review
While it seems to be a sad fact that former attorney turned artful author John Grisham is writing less in this decade, his output seems not to have diminished his ability to weave a great story. This intercontinental tale of intrigue, colored by Grisham's knowledge of both the law and those who both protect and break it, clearly rises to the level of the majority of Grisham's works. Settling back to read a well-developed and artfully crafted novel should be a singular treat and, as is with the case of John Grisham's body of work, The Broker is no exception. While purchasing a hardbound edition of any book can often be a blow to one's wallet, finding a first edition copy available at paperback prices is tantamount to finding a literary gold nugget! Thus, not only does one get the pleasure of a Grisham work to savor, but one also has the marvelous opportunity to add a hardbound, first edition work to your library. Such books are akin to the making of a fine cognac - it take years for the full richness to be realized and, thus, hardbound books by excellent authors can become a portion of your legacy to those generations who follow you in life. Be forewarned that Grisham's work can be addicting so purchasing your own copy of The Broker in all its hardbound glory could be the start of a marvelous, rewarding habit!Read full review
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