The Appeal

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 12 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

In a crowded courtroom in Mississippi, a jury returns a shocking verdict against a chemical company accused of dumping toxic waste into a small town's water supply, causing the worst "cancer cluster" in history. The company appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, whose nine justices will one day either approve the verdict or reverse it.

Who are the nine? How will they vote? Can one be replaced before the case is ultimately decided?

The chemical company is owned by a Wall Street predator named Carl Trudeau, and Mr. Trudeau is convinced the Court is not friendly enough. With judicial elections looming, he decides to try to purchase himself a seat on the Court. The cost is a few million dollars, a drop in the bucket for a billionaire like Mr. Trudeau. Through an intricate web of conspiracy and deceit, his political operatives recruit a young, unsuspecting candidate. They finance him, manipulate him, market him, and mold him into a potential Supreme Court justice. Their Supreme Court justice.

The Appeal is a powerful, timely, and shocking story of political and legal intrigue, a story that will leave listeners unable to think about our electoral process or judicial system in quite the same way ever again.

©2008 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2008 Random House, Inc.

Power easily purchased

Book opens ones eyes as to how easy “big money” can purchase state courts and politicans in general. No wonder so many jury trials are overturned by higher courts. I would highly recommend this book.

Perfect book.

This is actually my favorite John Grisham book it has amazing stakes Incredible characters interesting premise interesting law and it makes you think about the world. I cannot recommend it to friends and family enough

Lawyers vs Corporate Tycoon

Big business meddles in a small town, and everyone involved gets skewed. Interesting characters, plot moves at a great place, twist and turns until the end.

Not the best

This book seemed tedious - maybe more to do with reader than with writer. He was slow and pedantic as if every word was an effort to explain something complicated to an idiot. The worst part was his attempt at southerners in general and southern children in particular. They sounded like cartoon hillbillies.
I don't recommend this book with this voice.

My Favorite Grisham

Would you consider the audio edition of The Appeal to be better than the print version?

I definitely liked the audio better than the printed version. The narrator's voice was perfect for a Mississippi-based novel. He does the northern character voices as well as he does the southern characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Paytons (collectively). They bring to light the not-so-glamorous side of a lawyer's work. Sure, they win the verdict, catalyzing the novel, but they were almost bankrupt before that happened.

Which character – as performed by Michael Beck – was your favorite?

Carl Trudeau. He is, effectively, the antagonist of the novel. Michael makes you despise him and yet still understand why he does what he does.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"The Logical Conclusion of Citizens United."

frightening story

the story was interesting and entertaining and frightening. it shows how powers is being wielded by a few to enhance their own situations. it may be fictional but has a strong resemblance to the truth undermining our democracy.

A Bit Nihilist For My Taste

I'm a big fan of Grisham, especially his books Sycamore Row and The Reckoning. This isn't a poorly told story, just a bit nihilistic for me.

The Appeal

Although there were a few good parts most of it was time and space filling words.
A totally unexpected and bad ending.

More Real Than Most Imagine

While reading, my disgust of politics heightened. Like other of Grisham’s work, I was hooked and am always intrigued with his ability to write such stories. Not my favorite of his work, but this one brings home the corrupt political system of our country and how people can be bought with possibilities of fame, fortune, and power.

Once again

Once again I’m very satisfied by John Grisham. I highly recommend his books. Very interesting to listen and very educational on the law and legal procedures.