Feb 24, 2006 12:56 PM
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(Updated Feb 24, 2006 12:56 PM)
John Grisham is a master when it comes to spinning interesting tales from seemingly boring court room incidences. The chamber is yet another of his court room sagas although an old one I m sure many would have read it especially Grisham fans. But I just could not stop myself from penning a few words about this novel.
Being a Grisham fan, I must say I was a bit dissapointed with this on specially when comparing with his other works like The Firm and The Client. This one is more on the lines of The Street Lawyer and tries to pose some questions. This book of his dwells upon capital punishment and poses serious questions on the moral implications of Death Penalty.
Sam Cayhall is a racist, a member of the Ku Klux Klan ( a group fighting for white supremacy in US). He is accused of a bombing in the late 1960s. The trial goes on and after two mistrials and more than 10 years the jury finally confines him to MSU or the maximum security Unit. After almost 10 years the court all of a sudden lifts the stay on his death penalty and he is scheduled to be executed in the gas chamber at the end of 4 weeks. With all hopes gone it is almost certain that he ll be gassed.
Enter Adam Hall a lawyer who also happens to be his grandson. Adams father had dissapeared along with his wife and children after Sam was accused of the bombings and commits suicide when the news of Sam being given Death Penalty breaks out. Young Adam who till now is ignorant about his family is told the sad story by his aunt. Adam decides that he ll take up Law and fight for his Grandfather and so he ends up being a lawyer and now there he is barely out of his law school fighting for a gone case.
As Adam confronts his grandfather many skeletons tumble from the closet of a family riddled with secrets and lies. But they have only weeks to plot a strategy to pull Sam out of trouble nd try to salvage a lost cause.
Grisham manages to keep the intersest some what but I do feel this book is a bit too lengthy and at times dragging. There definitely are some great emotional moments like Adams aunts description of Sam shooting a Black American back in the 1950 s. And of course towards the end when Sam repents for his follies. Wat is evident throughout is Grisham s talent as a story teller.
Now as I mentioned this one is not on the lines of his other legal thrillers. This infact cannot be tearmed as a thriller. It definitely is too lengthy and does nt have the suspense. You expect something to happen but nothing does. For Grisham fans this would be an OK sort of book but for starter, I would advice not to start with this one. The firm, The client or for that matter The Pelican Brief would be a better idea.
