The Appeal

[Official John Grisham Community]

What do you think about The Appeal?

[Mel]

I am currently reading this now. If you want I will let you know what I think of it.

[Rob Bennett]

It ended much differently than i expected. I must admit, its somewhat refreshing for things to reflect reality where the good guys don't always win.

[Lowe Ann Elliott]

My least favorite of all the books. Not a good ending!

[Shari Malcomb]

I'm so p*ssed, I've actually joined a discussion group to get it off my chest! I love Grisham's work, all of it, and even think that The Appeal is exceptional in every particular. The ending,however, was a real punch in the gut. Yes, that does sound melodramatic, I'm sure, but it's what it felt like. I read Grisham for reasons, a very important one being satisfaction at the end of his books. I don't need a dose of reality, that's not why I read FICTION, I want to believe that somewhere there is justice for all. Come on, John, get UN-real!

[KnuckDogg]

I kinda feel the same way about his book, "The Partner". I didn't like the way that book ended, either.

Shari Malcomb said:

I'm so p*ssed, I've actually joined a discussion group to get it off my chest! I love Grisham's work, all of it, and even think that The Appeal is exceptional in every particular. The ending,however, was a real punch in the gut. Yes, that does sound melodramatic, I'm sure, but it's what it felt like. I read Grisham for reasons, a very important one being satisfaction at the end of his books. I don't need a dose of reality, that's not why I read FICTION, I want to believe that somewhere there is justice for all. Come on, John, get UN-real!

[KnuckDogg]

I don't like the way this book ended at all. But I'm reading it as I type this.

[I hate "The Appeal"]

Stop, put the book down now! Tear off each page and wipe ur #$!@ with it. I really don't know what else to say. Horrible ending, the worst.

[Elena]

Why couldn't Trudeau's head been chopped off as he rode on the highest point on his yacht????? Some wires should have been hanging low or something to make his nonsense and greed come to an end!
I am so disappointed with the ending of this book that I can't put it into words. I was so excited reading the book and expecting a different end because in reality the bad guy always gets the upper hand, so I really believed that Grisham would give this a wonderful twist. So I am just utterly disappointed. Either the book should have been longer so we can see the eventual fall of Trudeau or Grisham should have given us a glimpse of an alternate ending in his author's notes. We really needed another couple of chapters so we can see something terrible happen in Trudeau's life and see Fisk have a change of heart and sue the doctor or bat manufacturer.

[Mary M Roach]

Elena said:

Why couldn't Trudeau's head been chopped off as he rode on the highest point on his yacht????? [snip] I was so excited reading the book and expecting a different end because in reality the bad guy always gets the upper hand, so I really believed that Grisham would give this a wonderful twist. [snip]

I disagree, I thought it was the perfect ending. In reality, the bad guy doesn't always get the upper hand, and in fiction, the good guy doesn't always win (unless it's a series). The part I liked best was that Fisk didn't even trust his own judgement at that point, and I could really relate to that. Sometimes in life most of us do reach a point where we're not sure we're thinking clearly on the issues. That part really resonated with me.

The other interesting thing about the novel is that it made me rethink my "stand" (for whatever that's worth to anyone) on tort reform. While I think SOMETHING needs to be done, now I'm not so sure what that would be. Mr. Grisham paints a clear picture of the problems with elected judges. However, I can think of something worse than a judge who can be manipulated out of office and replaced with one who is bought and paid for: a judge who is bought and paid for, and can't be voted out. But I'll be the first to admit I don't really know enough about elected judges. In past elections, I've not voted on the judicial candidates because I don't really know anything about them and I hate to vote on the basis of the labels. I don't even know where to begin to do meaningful research on judicial candidates, and I surely don't have the time nor the desire to make a career of it, but I would like to do a better job as a voter in the future.

[Cyn]

I must say, I feel like I wasted 48 (approx) hours of precious time!!!! The ending for The Appeal is the most ridiculous ending ever. If I wanted to read a bio of someone with at sad story I would buy that. I have read all of Johns books but this will be the last!!!!!!!!!!!! I am going through a divorce and wanted to read a nice thriller, one you never know the ending until it is over. Not ever expecting the reality! We know there are billionaires out there that are such crooks! Hello!! I picked up a FICTION for a reason! I know we women PMS and can write something and change our minds later, at times, what was wrong with JG???? If he is going through a bad moment himself, why write a book? Write it and let your Wife write the ending. Soo soo dissapointed, I almost didnt feel like reading the last 4 pages!! ESPECIALLY IN THIS ECONOMY WHY IN THE WORLD DO WE WANT TO KNOW HOW THE ANOREXIC TROPHY WIFE, LOVELESS MOTHER AND FATHER LIVE??? AMIDST ALL OF THEIR LUXURIES!!! A MEGA YACHT? GIVE ME A BREAK... Again, JG just lost a fan!!!!!!! And I will surely throw this book away and let as many people know not to buy the book or others for the matter. Extreme? Yes, It is the times we live in.

[Walt Thompson]

I agree that the ending was not, in any way, upbeat. I was initially disappointed in the book. However, on further consideration, I realized that a number of story threads were left open. To wit:
1. The in house counsel's memo documenting the ecological sins of Krane Chemical, and suggesting a clean up program. What would happen if the memo were to find its way to the media?
2. Now that Jeanette and the rest of Krane Chemical's victims have been effectively screwed by the legal system, suppose that one, or more of the victims decides to even the score.

How might one go about "evening the score"? A couple of limpit mines attached to the hull of that ostentatious mega yacht would be a good start.

[Carlie]

My favorite line is "And occasionally, he turned around and glanced at the defectively designed and unreasonably dangerous product in the rear seat." Love it!