Sycamore Row

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 20 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Thriller/Suspense, 2014

John Grisham takes you back to where it all began...

John Grisham's A Time to Kill is one of the most popular novels of our time. Now we return to that famous courthouse in Clanton as Jake Brigance once again finds himself embroiled in a fiercely controversial trial - a trial that will expose old racial tensions and force Ford County to confront its tortured history.

Seth Hubbard is a wealthy man dying of lung cancer. He trusts no one. Before he hangs himself from a sycamore tree, Hubbard leaves a new, handwritten, will. It is an act that drags his adult children, his Black maid, and Jake into a conflict as riveting and dramatic as the murder trial that made Brigance one of Ford County's most notorious citizens, just three years earlier.

The second will raises far more questions than it answers. Why would Hubbard leave nearly all of his fortune to his maid? Had chemotherapy and painkillers affected his ability to think clearly? And what does it all have to do with a piece of land once known as Sycamore Row?

In Sycamore Row, John Grisham returns to the setting and the compelling characters that first established him as America's favorite storyteller. Here, in his most assured and thrilling novel yet, is a powerful testament to the fact that Grisham remains the master of the legal thriller, nearly 25 years after the publication of A Time to Kill.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2013 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)2013 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

Praise for the novels of John Grisham

"John Grisham is about as good a storyteller as we've got in the United States these days." —The New York Times Book Review

"John Grisham is exceptionally good at what he does—indeed, right now in this country, nobody does it better." —Jonathan Yardley, The Washington Post

"Grisham is a marvelous storyteller who works readers the way a good trial lawyer works a jury." — Philadelphia Inquirer

"John Grisham owns the legal thriller." —The Denver Post

"John Grisham is not just popular, he is one of the most popular novelists of our time. He is a craftsman and he writes good stories, engaging characters, and clever plots." — Seattle Times

"A legal literary legend." — USA Today

Grisham in top form!

It was 20 hours long and never wanted to finish. Narrator excellent. A radio play!

wonderful story with plenty of surprises

The narrator was the best I've heard, perfectly performed. Edge of your seat suspense, and touched on every emotion. Loved it!

Great book

Great book. Interesting characters and story line with lots of twists and turns. Highly recommend.

Incredibly engaging and entertaining!

Would you listen to Sycamore Row again? Why?

Sure! -I already have. Sycamore Row is a great yarn with excellent character development, unanticipated plot twists, and tidy, meticulous disposal of all leads and loose ends.

I know that using "the N-word" is historically accurate, but it still hurts to hear it used.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lettie Delores Lang -a kind and tenacious Southern Lady.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

Mr. Beck's ability to portray a range of characters -with accents and feelings intact is just incredible!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Harry Rex is brilliantly written. I loved getting re-acquainted with both Judge Ruben Atlee and with Jake Brigance.

Any additional comments?

Mr. Grisham could have been a bit more sympathetic towards Seth's two children and in so doing, created a bit more of a conflict. These two characters -along with Ramona's husband, Ian were a bit flat and portrayed without *any* redeeming characteristics. No one is *ever* all-good or all-bad.

Never disappointed with a John Grisham book

If you could sum up Sycamore Row in three words, what would they be?

Great story! It did get a little slow about 3/4 way into the book, but loved the outcome.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Although, Lucien Wilbanks has been disbarred, he sees that he is successful to get the crucial story for Jake. Portia also plays a very inspiring role.

Powerful story

Classic Grisham work a compelling and powerful story that taught me a lot about history.

Definitely worth buying!

Would you consider the audio edition of Sycamore Row to be better than the print version?

Yes, I liked this story line being read, it was great to have while driving.

What other book might you compare Sycamore Row to and why?

None, I haven't read this type of book in a long time

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I didn't have time to but I definitely looked forward to my long drives, couldn't wait to hear what happened next. Towards the end I listened to it in bed because I couldn't wait to hear the ending.

Any additional comments?

Voice was nice to listen to, that always makes a difference for me when choosing a book in audio.

Great story with great characters

The story took you along some surprising turns. The narrator was excellent. The ending a surprise. I have recommended this book to my friends.

Family History vs History of the South

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Of course! I would start by saying that it doesn't stack up to A Time To Kill. However, the storyline and characters are engaging and keeps track with Grisham's ability to place you right there in the courtroom.

What other book might you compare Sycamore Row to and why?

I would say A Time To Kill based only on racism being the elephant in the courtroom. Jake as the lawyer, defending a will with that every white person in the county is opposing.

What does Michael Beck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Well, for one, his Jake voice sounds JUST LIKE MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY!! This helped a great deal with character visualization. Could've been watching the movie in my head!!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I enjoyed the relationship between Harry Rex and Jake. Harry Rex is my favorite character so pretty much anything that came out of his mouth is my favorite. As far as moving, and without giving anything away, the case's LAST day in trial was my moving moment. That's all I'll say about it.

Engrossing

Enjoyed this book very much. Likeable characters, excellent narration. Loved the ending. Can't wait for more from Grisham.