The Reckoning

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 17 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one best-selling author John Grisham's The Reckoning is his most powerful, surprising, and suspenseful thriller yet.

"A murder mystery, a courtroom drama, a family saga…The Reckoning is Grisham's argument that he's not just a boilerplate thriller writer. Most jurors will think the counselor has made his case." (USA Today)

October 1946, Clanton, Mississippi

Pete Banning was Clanton, Mississippi's favorite son - a decorated World War II hero, the patriarch of a prominent family, a farmer, father, neighbor, and a faithful member of the Methodist church. Then one cool October morning he rose early, drove into town, walked into the church, and calmly shot and killed his pastor and friend, the Reverend Dexter Bell. As if the murder weren’t shocking enough, it was even more baffling that Pete's only statement about it - to the sheriff, to his lawyers, to the judge, to the jury, and to his family - was: "I have nothing to say." He was not afraid of death and was willing to take his motive to the grave.

In a major novel unlike anything he has written before, John Grisham takes us on an incredible journey, from the Jim Crow South to the jungles of the Philippines during World War II; from an insane asylum filled with secrets to the Clanton courtroom where Pete's defense attorney tries desperately to save him.

Reminiscent of the finest tradition of Southern Gothic storytelling, The Reckoning would not be complete without Grisham's signature layers of legal suspense, and he delivers every minute.

©2018 John Grisham (P)2018 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“In this saga of love and war, John Grisham has given us a sprawling and engrossing story about a Southern family, a global conflict, and the kinds of secrets that can shape all of us. From the courtrooms and jails of rural Mississippi to the war-torn Pacific, Grisham spins a tale that is at once entertaining and illuminating.” (Jon Meacham, New York Times best-selling author of The Soul of America)

“John Grisham is not only the master of suspense but also an acute observer of the human condition. And these remarkable skills converge in The Reckoning - an original, gripping, penetrating novel that may be his greatest work yet.” (David Grann, New York Times best-selling author of Killers of the Flower Moon)

“John Grisham is the master of legal fiction, and his latest starts with a literal bang - and then travels backward through the horrors of war to explore what makes a hero, what makes a villain, and how thin the line between the two might be.” (Jodi Picoult, number-one New York Times best-selling author of A Spark of Light and Small Great Things)

“The quest for justice is only the beginning in this Southern-family saga.... Grisham does so much more this time around.” (Associated Press)

Depressing

The story is set slightly after the Great Depression, and boy, is that foreshadowing at its best. This book took me from a profound sadness to an even deeper depression. In words from The Scarlet Letter, “A lie is never good.” The story on several occasions mentions Faulkner and several of his novels, and in fact this work is characteristic of Faulkner’s work: tragic characters facing no win situations with no redemption in sight. Stay away from this unless you are a glutton for misery a la “As I Lay Dying” or “The Sound and the Fury.”

An Intereresting Diversion for Grisham

Although the book is a tad too long and digesses in WWII history for a bit too long, as well, it's a fine bit of work that sustains interest throughout. Unlike a lot of those who previously reviewed this book here I had no trouble getting through the 17.5 hours of listening without problem at all. In a Shakespearean sort of way, this book is a tragedy, a continuing descent into a set of problems the characters have to live through, suffer through and finally live with as the book comes to its very troubling and surprising ending. I'd never re-read it but i'm glad I had the chance to plow avidly through it this once.

It IS John Grisham-Perhaps It Is NOT For Everybody

Sycamore Row remains one of my favorite books ever. It seems like JG wanted or needed to revisit this wildly popular novel. There are some undeniable similar threads in "The Reckoning". I did not find the work depressing at all. Others obviously did. I enjoyed the pictures JG paints with his literary skills. I am a Vietnam vet, and my father, grandfather and daughter served in the Navy. In 1942 Dad was a WWII submariner in the Asiatic Fleet. When Japan invaded the Philippines, he was sick with food poisoning in a Manila hospital. His boat, USS S-39 left Manila in a hurry, and Dad left the hospital under duress. He spent a brief time with Philippine Guerrillas and eventually joined another crew for the duration of the war. His brother's ship USS Langley was bombed in the Java Sea and Uncle Jim, whom I never got to know, was reported lost at sea, presumed dead. So you see, this book really captured my interest. I lived a little of my ancestor's lives through this novel.

I digress . . . . all that aside, I enjoyed the way Grisham presented the book in its parts. Pete Banning was a strong and resilient character that reminded me of Unbroken's Louis Zamperini. Yes, I had a idea of what the climax included, however the author kept much a surprise until the end. Speaking of endings, I wanted more closure, a bit of detail on the next year or two. I thought the principals, soldiers, sisters, fathers and mothers, girl friends, farm workers, sheriffs, judges, lawyers and Japanese Bataan Death March guards were all well developed.

Some parts may be on the dark side, and this book may not be for everyone. However, Mr Grisham has had characters leap from windows to their deaths (The Testament), hang themselves (Sycamore Row), and die other terrible ways. It is not just about the court room any more. I enjoyed the book, and was glad to finally have another JG novel in my near complete collection. So with Audible's generous return policy, why don't you take a chance and treat yourself to "The Reckoning".

Worst ending ever

I really got into this book and was constantly surprised by the twists and turns. The historical WW II recollections about the Philippines was so interesting. Sadly, the ending was sooo depressing and left me sorry that I spent so much time on this book.

Soldier's View of the Bataan Death March

The plot line wasn't all that interesting but the story about death marches, torture and camps was gripping. Grisham is a great story teller and this was no exception. The view from inside a death march was so real, educational, so horrendous, so spellbinding you feel as you were there.

The overall story was very sad and just good, but not great.

Oh, and there was a surprise ending. So you need to read to the end. When you think you have it all figured out you realize you were wrong.

Best book I’ve ever read or listened to

I’ve listened to this book twice in its entirety and loved it just as much the 2nd time around. No surprise mr Grisham is an outstanding writer and story teller. Highly recommend this one!

GOOD PEOPLE CAN MAKE BAD DECISIONS

You can tell that Grisham is a lawyer. This one covers several important legal issues. But it is heart-wrenching. An act of violence is brought on by a bad decision. The rest is disaster- for the actor and everyone else. As the daughter of a World War II veteran, it pained me to hear what happens to this war hero. As a lawyer, I understand the workings of the American tort system. Bad decisions often lead to unintended consequences and hurt the people we love the most.

Best Grisham in a long time

Engrossing story. I enjoyed the WWII history and, of course, Grisham’s understanding of the South. But the story was one of his best. I sat in my car at work and home to get a little more listening in.

read it!

audio equivalent of a page burner. Depiction of WW 11 difficult, but matches what uncles endured.

Grisham never disappoints

Kept me guessing. Why did he do it?
A time period in the South that I am glad I missed.