58 pages • 1 hour read
John GrishamA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The closest character the narrative has to a “protagonist”—though a morally questionable one at times—is Keith, one of the Biloxi “boys.” The narrative starts by aligning him with his childhood friend Hugh, emphasizing their similarities:
Their families lived two streets apart. Their parents and grandparents knew each other well. They went to the same Catholic church, the same schools, played in the same streets, sandlots, and beaches, and fished with their fathers in the Gulf on lazy weekends (8).
However, the boys’ paths eventually diverge. Keith follows the path of his father, Jesse, becoming a lawyer and, later, assuming Jesse’s DA position after his death. It’s when Keith starts to come into this position of power that he starts to show morally dubious traits—a hint that power can corrupt. Keith’s mission to avenge his father’s death drives the remainder of the narrative. It also drives his own rise to power; for example, he’s determined to become AG so that he can speed Hugh’s execution. The idea of pursuing political office in the interest of killing another man is uncomfortable, if not downright abhorrent. Keith’s bloodlust becomes even more questionable when Hugh petitions the governor for clemency. When the governor consults Keith on the topic, Keith says: “I want him executed” (445).
By John Grisham
A Painted House
John Grisham
A Time For Mercy
John Grisham
A Time to Kill
John Grisham
Bleachers
John Grisham
Calico Joe
John Grisham
Camino Island
John Grisham
Gray Mountain
John Grisham
Playing For Pizza
John Grisham
Skipping Christmas
John Grisham
Sooley
John Grisham
Sparring Partners
John Grisham
Sycamore Row
John Grisham
The Appeal
John Grisham
The Brethren
John Grisham
The Chamber
John Grisham
The Client
John Grisham
The Confession
John Grisham
The Firm
John Grisham
The Guardians
John Grisham
The Innocent Man
John Grisham
Books on Justice & Injustice
View Collection
Challenging Authority
View Collection
Family
View Collection
Fathers
View Collection
Friendship
View Collection
Historical Fiction
View Collection
Horror, Thrillers, & Suspense
View Collection
Loyalty & Betrayal
View Collection
Mystery & Crime
View Collection
Power
View Collection
True Crime & Legal
View Collection
YA Horror, Thrillers, & Suspense
View Collection
YA Mystery & Crime
View Collection