The Street Lawyer

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

Michael was in a hurry. 

He was scrambling up the ladder at Drake & Sweeney, a giant D.C. firm with 800 lawyers. The money was good and getting better; a partnership was three years away. He was a rising star with no time to waste, no time to stop, no time to toss a few coins into the cups of panhandlers. No time for a conscience. 

But a violent encounter with a homeless man stopped him cold. Michael survived; his assailant did not. Who was this man? Michael did some digging, and learned that he was a mentally ill veteran who'd been in and out of shelters for many years. Then Michael dug a little deeper, and found a dirty secret, and the secret involved Drake & Sweeney. 

The fast track derailed; the ladder collapsed. Michael bolted from the firm and took a top-secret file with him. He landed in the streets, an advocate for the homeless, a street lawyer. 

And a thief.

©1998 Belfry Holdings, Inc (P)1998 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Compelling...if there's any justice, The Street Lawyer will be his biggest hit yet." (Entertainment Weekly)

 A Main Selection of the Literary Guild and the Doubleday Book Club  

"The plot surges forward, pulling us along as we turn those pages a mile a minute." (San Francisco Chronicle) 

"An entertaining read with an important theme." (Chicago Sun-Times) 

Another Grisham Classic. Great read..

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

I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in the law and how there are honest lawyers around.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Street Lawyer?

The way that the main character was able to put the welfare of the people he wanted to help above becoming rich from a profession known to generate high income.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

Great narration with emphasis on the parts that needed it.

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

Yes indeed.. It kept me interested throughout the entire novel.

Any additional comments?

If you like John Grisham, this is another of his must reads. Highly recommended. As a matter of fact, I've listened to it twice since purchasing it :-)

My favorite John Grisham book!

The Street Lawyer is my favorite John Grisham book and the narrator, Michael Beck is one of the best. He captures John Grisham’s character like no other. The story is about lawyer who leaves a well paid law firm to become a street lawyer and finds his passion helping ppl who don’t have a voice. This is an amazing story that you won’t regret choosing.

Grisham as good as ever.

Love John Grisham and his ability make legal maneuvering an exciting adventure. Michael Beck's performance is the A list performer as much as an actor in a movie.

Brilliant

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

I urge anyone to try this book

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved all the characters, couldn't get enough.

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

A great narration, it was a memorable performance!

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

It felt as if the characters really existed.

Good for Abridged...

I really enjoyed this book, and the narrator did a good job. However, you lose so much in terms of getting to know the secondary characters with abridged books, so the subplots were rather un-satisfying. This book was also a bit predictable, but enjoyable none-the-less.

Enjoyed to the fullest

John Grisham did it again...this kept me wanting more...listening for what will come next...can he get out of this situation. The narrator is also one of my favorites, even if the story is not good I could listen to him and still enjoy the audio-book.

The master... not at his best, but gripping

Plan to finish it in one day. Not possible to stop in the middle. Unforgettable characters. Dramatic music is very +/- for me but does not spoil it.

Boring

I’m a JG fan, but this one hit a few road bumps and just wasn’t as exciting as his previous books.. nothing jumped out , not the page turner like I expected from JG... the narrator was awesome , if it wasn’t for him I probably would t have finished it

Nicely done Mr. Grisham

While this was a straight forward and somewhat predictable tale, it had guts and plenty of Grisham's cleverness. More proof that your protagonist doesn't have to be in extreme peril to make for a excellent story.

Terrible Grisham

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

No one.

What was most disappointing about John Grisham’s story?

Mawkish story written in the most simplistic way. The book seems like an early effort by the author to develop the writing style he became famous for. The music was a terrible addition to the prose.

What aspect of Michael Beck’s performance would you have changed?

Beck was fine. He is a masterful reader, but there was only do much he could do with the story.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

Any additional comments?

I didn't realize this version was condensed. Audible should have made that clear.