Summary
The Rainmaker is John Grisham's sixth novel, a legal thriller that solidified his reputation as a master of the genre. Published in 1995, the novel quickly became a #1 New York Times bestseller, selling an astonishing 300,000 copies in its first four days. This story follows a young lawyer's David-versus-Goliath battle against a powerful insurance company, showcasing Grisham's keen insight into the American legal system and the often daunting fight for justice. The novel's protagonist, Rudy Baylor, has become one of Grisham's most beloved characters—in fact, the author himself has stated that out of all his protagonists, Rudy is the one he would most like to be. Grisham’s connection with the character, coupled with his vivid storytelling and sharp critique of corporate greed, makes The Rainmaker a standout in his extensive bibliography.
In 1997, The Rainmaker was adapted into a critically acclaimed film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Matt Damon as Rudy Baylor. In 2024, the USA Network announced plans to develop a television series based on the novel, featuring John Slattery as one of the key characters.
Plot
The Rainmaker opens with Rudy Baylor, a recent law school graduate in dire straits when his job offer falls through. Desperate for work, he signs on with a shady lawyer, J. Lyman “Bruiser” Stone, and is tasked with recruiting clients from hospitals for personal injury lawsuits. During this time, he takes on two cases—a revised will for his landlady and a potentially lucrative insurance bad faith case for the Black family, whose son Donny Ray is dying of leukemia.
As Stone's firm faces mounting legal troubles, Rudy decides to establish his own practice with Deck Shifflet, a former insurance assessor. They file a lawsuit against Great Benefit Life Insurance on behalf of the Blacks, claiming the company wrongfully denied coverage for a bone marrow transplant that could have saved Donny Ray's life. In a flash, the novice litigator Rudy finds himself pitted against a team of experienced and ruthless lawyers from a powerful firm.
The trial begins shortly after Donny Ray's death. Rudy uncovers a massive scheme by Great Benefit to deny all insurance claims regardless of merit. A former employee testifies that this practice generated an additional $40 million in revenue for the company. The jury awards the Blacks an unprecedented $50.2 million in damages. However, Great Benefit quickly declares bankruptcy to avoid paying, leading to further legal action that ultimately forces the company out of business.
