| Product: |
The Rainmaker - John Grisham |
| Date: |
04.09.01 (111 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Compelling, Complex, Riveting
Disadvantages: None
If you have read any of Grisham's stuff you will know that he concentrates on the legal profession..
In many ways the Rainmaker is no different but at the same time it is.
This book is not about a bright top of the class lawyer that gets snapped up by a good firm. It is also not about wealthy lawyers who change their views on who they want to help......
The Rainmaker is about a young lawyer who has had to work hard throughout his time at law school to finance himself... He obtains an average grade...manages to secure a job before graduation.....and then..... BOOM...the rug is taken from under his feet.
Rudy Baylor (the lawyer) finds that the company he is about to work for is to be taken over and that the new company is a high profile firm that does not take on average lawyers.
The offer of a job falls through and Rudy finds that he has to fratically find a new job.
Before Rudy graduated one of his classes was about issues that elderly people have with the law. As part of his class he was required to attend a neighbourhood group for the elderly and offer advise.
Two of these cases were interesting and one could be quite lucrative. When his job falls through he hopes to use these cases as a tool to get people to employ him.
The first case is a straight forward insurance case.... the second is the drawing up of a will, for a wealthy elderly woman.
During his time at law school Rudy worked in a cafe. The owner is known as someone that may not have all things above board but he is a fair employer. The owner is also best buddies with a less than reputable lawyer.
Rudy manages to find himself a job in a law firm that has been built up by someone thatfound himself in a similar position as Rudy years earlier.......but all does not go well...... the building goes on fire and a security guard killed and Rudy has got to answer some questions.
Almost before he know what has h
appened Rudy has to get some advice from his employers lawyer friend. During the conversation Rudy finds that his boss in the cafe has arranged for a job for Rudy with his lawyer friend.
The deal and conditions are not the best to say the least and Rudy even has problems with regards to the ethics that the firm holds. But it is a stepping stone and he will be able to work for the bar exam.
Rudy is told to be quite pushy about gain new clients and is often told to stake out hospitals.
Rudy starts an unlikely friendship with a colleague in the firm that has failed the bar numerous times but seems willing to show Rudy the ropes...
As a said earlier the chief lawyer in the firm is less than reputable and there is a feeling that the feds are closing in on the lawyer.
Rudy has just past the bar exam and his colleague tips him off that the firm may be closed and all assets and cases seized by the federal agency. The head lawyer disappears and the office closed.
Prior to this event Rudy and his colleague they decide to scavenge what they can from the firms cases and set up in business for themselves.
Remember that old wealthy woman? Well Rudy has by this time moved into s small flat above her garage in exchange for a reasonable Rent and Gardening help.
As for the second case that Rudy had it would seem that there is more to that than meets the eye. The delay in an insurance payout has left a young man seriously and terminally ill.
Rudy decides to persue justice in this case.
As it unfolds it becomes apparent that the lawyers for the defence of this case, just so happens to be the firm that failed to honour his first job.
Can Rudy, the little man, overcome this coporate giant and gain a sweet revenge?
...Just when you think it can not get any more complexed..... Rudy begins to fall for a girl who gets beaten by her boyfriend...
They met when he was staking
out hospitals for new clients. Rudy gets emotionally attached and it culminates in a rather devasting finish.
In order not to give it all away, I suggest that you find out by reading the book whether Rudy triumphs against the Insurance firm. Does he get the girl? And how does this all tie into the wealthy widow that he rents from?
So there is the basic plot without giving yoo much away. I have been critised already on this so I will fill you in on why I like the book.
I believe it is different from the high flying intelligent lawyer books of Grisham's. It's about the underdog & personal justice. As I have said it is complex and Grisham keeps you guessing as there are quite a few twists in the tale. Just when you have it sussed there is another wee twist. This aspect of the book means that it is hard to put down!
Happy Reading!!!!!!
Summary:
|
|
