What do You think about The Summons (2005)?
This was the 1st John Grisham book that I've read----after hearing rave reviews on him as an author. Thank goodness, he has written other books. The Summons was slow to start, long, boring and the characters were poorly developed. I kept thinking that it has to get better. The plot of what to do with $3 million dollars that 1 of 2 brothers found hidden in their dead father's home should have easily been dealt with in less than 300 pages.... I actually read this in book form and it was 373 pages. I just kept thinking that it had to get better. Upon finishing the book, the final pages gave it an easy decision to rate this one 2 stars...don't waste your time. On a brighter note......does anyone have any John Grisham books you would recommend? I'd love to give him another chance :)
—Kathy
When I first looked at the book, I first noticed a dull scene of a car driving to infinity as the sun reached the end of the horizon. But, as I read through the book, I grew more interested in the plot and just couldn’t put down the book. I found this book unique in its content and also the characters seemed so life-like. The book I am talking about is “The Summons” by a wonderful author named John Grisham.I give this book a decent four stars because of its surprising characters and powerful storyline that has a fascinating plot that has all the characters entangled in a complex situation. The part of the story when Ray plans to transfer the money into his car literally gave me chills down my spine. This book is a wonderful piece presented by Grisham in which he has made the story in such a way that it makes you feel like you’re part of the plot yourself! By hearing the story in such a way of a dying father with two sons, one may think of how melodramatic this story would be. But, the twists and turns introduced in the book by Grisham compel you to think twice. He has organized the characters well enough and has narrated the mystery of the money with great dexterity.I enjoyed reading this book and I strongly believe that John Grisham knows how to create the best storylines ever!
—Fatema
For those who expect the Grisham evident in The Rainmaker, The Runaway Jury, The Pelican Brief and The Chamber...you'll be GREATLY DISAPPOINTED! So, what did he do this time? He got two sons fighting over an inheritance. One is a Professor, while the other is a drug addict. He gave them plain names : Ray, Forrest. There's no court battle here or the kind of case that would attract the media and lead to people forming teams in support of one brother over the other. And you know what, I respect that! As a Writer, you'll have fans love and detest some of your books, but it is very rare to have them understand your characters, and that's what this book expects of a reader. There's nothing special about the characters, they are people you'd pass by on the streets. And Grisham does not attempt to make them extraordinary, he just works on one brother's desire to have his opinion matter, and this leads you in a wild goose chase with the other brother in trying to figure things out. Envy is one of the motives in any crime, and it builds up when it's fueled. In this story you have Forrest who was the addict, and would not inherit anything from his father's estate. He decides to change things, to write up a new will and see how his perfect brother, Ray, would do. I would admit that there was no adrenaline rush in this story, and the mega-Grisham fan in me was disappointed. It's a good read, not among his best works, but a good read because it stands far out from the rest.
—Dora Okeyo
