The Appeal

**Don't read this if you haven't read (and plan on reading) The Appeal!**


I have mixed feelings about this book! It was definitely NOT one of my favorites by John Grisham. I liked the "good" characters in this book, and I disliked the bad characters in this book. I think that was how we were supposed to feel, so that's why the end was upsetting!! I assumed the bankrupt underdogs would win! Isn't that how things are supposed to happen in fictional novels??? I guess I never knew how much I appreciated a happy ending!

I really didn't like Carl Trudeau, so I enjoyed seeing his interactions with his wife. Having a trophy wife can make you a little miserable and cost you a lot of money! Money, obviously, does not buy happiness.

I loved Wes and Mary Grace, which made the ending that much worse! They seemed like really good people, and they lost everything to fight the good fight. I really wanted them to get some sort of settlement so they could live the life they desired, which was so simple compared to Trudeau's!

I'm kind of torn over Fisk. He seemed like a good family guy who got into a not-so-great situation. He ended up selling himself short. As his partner said, "The Ron Fisk I remember had great respect for the law. Justice Fisk seems determined to change all of it." It was very sad about what happened to his son.

I reread most of Grisham's novels, but I probably won't reread this one. The ending kind of ruined the book for me.

Here are some questions for you!

What did YOU think of the book?

We've seen in different books and movies that political positions are often "bought," like Fisk and Senator Rudd. Do you think that really happens?

What do you think about suing? That's kind of a tricky question.... I think it probably depends on the case. Some people do get a little carried away, but there are definitely legitimate cases where there was gross negligence. Would you have sued in the case of Fisk's son?

What kind of judges would you prefer in the supreme courts? Someone who declares themselves conservative or liberal and always makes the predictable decision, or someone like Judge McCarthy who made her decisions based on the circumstances of each case?

What Should We Read Next?

I was reading through our past suggestions, and we have a pretty good list! Here are some of our options:

Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Farris
Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson
How to take the Ex out of Ex-Boyfriend by Janette Rallison
Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
The Candy Shop War by Brandon Mull
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson
A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel

I'll let you do your own research! :) Let me know what you think!

Stay tuned for The Appeal discussion.