Helpful Score: 5
Mr. Grisham, you've done it again. I don't think I've enjoyed a book as much as I did the early ones lately, but this one got consumed in two days; no dishes wash, dusting done, dog didn't get walked kind of book. Keith Shroeder is a minister who is visited by Travis Boyette, a serial rapist with an inoperable brain tumor and a crime on his conscience. A man in the great state of Texas is due to be put to death for the crime that's been worrying him. The story is that of Keith and Travis, and Donte, the man set for execution in 48 hours, his lawyer and many interesting minor characters. All come together for a gripping story that teaches the reader about the death penalty, showing how it might go horribly wrong. Will he convince Boyette to confess? Will it matter to the prosecutors? Read it and see. Five stars without a doubt.
Helpful Score: 3
I couln't put this book down from page 1. If I didn't have to go to work, I would have read this book in 24 hrs for sure. But since I have to go to work, it took me a week...I could see this becoming a movie in the coming years.
You get to know and love the caracters linda like you were with them living their lives,which I admire in a book. I would read this again and again, its a keeper!!
You get to know and love the caracters linda like you were with them living their lives,which I admire in a book. I would read this again and again, its a keeper!!
Helpful Score: 3
I have not read John Grisham in a long time since his earlier hits. But the storyline on this one interested me so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did -- this was a VERY GOOD book, very emotional. I think it accurately portrays how pathetic humankind can be in so many ways. I highly recommend!
Helpful Score: 1
What a waste of a credit and time! What a disapointment that Grisham uses this novel to stereotype everyone and every thing that Grisham dislikes about actual life.
In the hopes of the phenomena that circulated Dan Brown's novel THE DAVINCI CODE will do the same with THE CONFESSION, Grisham uses this fiction story to promulgate his anti-death penalty campaign, that everyone from Texas is a gun-toting, wreckless idiot; that race relations will always be divided in the South, that the Baptist faith is comprised of nothing but zealots, and that someone else is to blame for a person's wanton behavior.
Capitalizing on his past popularity at having written good fiction, Grisham tarnishes his reputation with this novel, because it is nothing but a soapbox overloaded with every conceivable literary convetion previously written. Grisham's THE INNOCENT MAN was well-written, thought-provoking, and did a much better job of advertising Grisham's anti-death penalty campagin, but then, that was a true story, not one so contrived and forced as is evident in this latest novel.
I have read every one of Grisham's published works as soon as they were released. I am glad that I did not waste my money on this novel, only losing a credit, which I feel I can recover. Where I have never questioned whether I would read Grisham's latest publication, I doubt I will read Grisham's any further works.
In the hopes of the phenomena that circulated Dan Brown's novel THE DAVINCI CODE will do the same with THE CONFESSION, Grisham uses this fiction story to promulgate his anti-death penalty campaign, that everyone from Texas is a gun-toting, wreckless idiot; that race relations will always be divided in the South, that the Baptist faith is comprised of nothing but zealots, and that someone else is to blame for a person's wanton behavior.
Capitalizing on his past popularity at having written good fiction, Grisham tarnishes his reputation with this novel, because it is nothing but a soapbox overloaded with every conceivable literary convetion previously written. Grisham's THE INNOCENT MAN was well-written, thought-provoking, and did a much better job of advertising Grisham's anti-death penalty campagin, but then, that was a true story, not one so contrived and forced as is evident in this latest novel.
I have read every one of Grisham's published works as soon as they were released. I am glad that I did not waste my money on this novel, only losing a credit, which I feel I can recover. Where I have never questioned whether I would read Grisham's latest publication, I doubt I will read Grisham's any further works.
Helpful Score: 1
It was like all the author had was a good idea for a story and didn't take the time to really flesh out what the impact would really be on the characters. The characters were very superficial and uninteresting.
Helpful Score: 1
I've enjoyed many of Mr. Grisham's novels, but this one really missed the mark. I appreciate that he was trying to make a point by telling this story, but despite the high stakes for the characters, I had a hard time staying interested. The narrative was slow-moving and none of the characters seemed very round. I finished the book, but I don't think it was a great use of my time. I'd have been better off rereading one of Mr. Grisham's other novels.
Helpful Score: 1
This is another exellent Grisham novel involving a young man on death row, his lawyer who's fighting with all he has to get his client a stay, the felon who is on the loose for other crimes & the young pastor who hears the felon admit he did the crime the young man on death row was convicted of. Add to all this the state of Texas & your have a very realistic & tense drama. What will each of the people involved do? I appreciated the roll of the pastor & his part in the story. I highly recommend this book.
Oh my gosh!! A race against time to save the life of an innocent man on death row will keep you on pins and needles as the team trying to save his life face one legal obstacle after another. Even after the real killer confesses, are the authorities willing to listen?.
I enjoyed reading The Confession because it is a fast-paced, suspenseful typical John Grisham story. It deals with a confession to a pastor by a serial rapist/killer that he committed a crime for which the wrong man has been blamed and is about to be executed for the rape/murder. The pastor is led on a frustrating journey by the diabolical killer to save the life and stop the execution of the wrongly accused man.
Fabulous, riveting page-turner! Could not put it down! Whatever one thinks about the death penalty, this book will make you consider long and hard this explosive issue.
Intense page turner. Grisham's agenda is obvious and he makes the case with a great story.
Good Book. Not as good as other by this author but I still enjoyed it
Another nail biter by John Grisham. Well written, and full of drama.
This book was not one of my favorites.
I absolutely love Grisham. He is a genre in his own right, I can't find an author the I enjoy half as much as I enjoy Grisham! I enjoyed this story, but I must admit I wasn't too pleased with the way things turned out, but overall it was brilliant writing and a great plot and it held my interest from the first page! I like to read books that I literally can't put down and this didn't disappoint!
This book was typical Grisham reading - mostly interesting enough to keep me turning pages. Maybe I have read too many of his books - they just don't seem to be as enjoyable as they used to be. Sometimes this one just seemed to drag, but totally believable. It could happen.
John Grisham did it again! This time with an extremely moving and thought-provoking novel.
The story was okay, but it seemed to drag on and I was rather disappointed overall.
A good story but not as riveting as his past books. Worth reading
Classic Grisham; held me in suspense and stunned me at times.
With 24 published books under his belt, John Grishams newest release is by far the most disturbing but riveting story Ive read in a long time. Grisham is an author who I know will pull out all the stops to deliver a well-told story that draws me in. This story was disturbing to me because the idea that an innocent man is convicted on such flimsy evidence and a forced confession appalls me on so many levels. Worse is that he spends the next nine years living in the most deplorable of conditions on death row in virtual solitary confinement. The perks and benefits of freedom that most of us enjoy and usually take for granted is keenly felt by me knowing Donté lives in conditions worse than that of a caged animal and is facing death. The story held me captivated and riveted to the edge of my seat in tense anticipation of what would happen next. Is Travis Boyette really the killer or another wacko seeking notoriety? Will he get to Texas on time to stop the execution? Even if he gets to Texas, will the authorities listen to him?
I did not like Travis Boyette one bit. I felt like he was messing with people and playing games, especially when he would waffle back and forth with Pastor Schroeder about coming forward and admitting his guilt. Boyettes interest and inappropriate comments about the Pastors wife gave me the creeps and I was on edge thinking he was going to attack her.
I really liked Keith Schroeder, the Kansas Lutheran minister to whom Travis Boyette confides. I could really feel the anxiety he was feeling wanting to do the right thing but not sure what that is. I admired his resolve to personally take Boyette to Texas, though it could mean legal trouble for him down the road as he would be obstructing justice by helping Boyette abscond while on parole.
I liked Dontés lawyer, Robbie Flak. He is like a pit-bull in his defense of Donté. He goes the extra mile, working tirelessly to stop the execution and though he comes across as a bit fanatic at times, its obvious to the reader that he is devoted to his profession and that its more than just a job for him.
Whether you support or oppose the death penalty, this story will make you think, it will disturb you, it will give you hope and it will disappoint you. Most of all, it will keep you holding your breath, turning each page to see what happens next.
I did not like Travis Boyette one bit. I felt like he was messing with people and playing games, especially when he would waffle back and forth with Pastor Schroeder about coming forward and admitting his guilt. Boyettes interest and inappropriate comments about the Pastors wife gave me the creeps and I was on edge thinking he was going to attack her.
I really liked Keith Schroeder, the Kansas Lutheran minister to whom Travis Boyette confides. I could really feel the anxiety he was feeling wanting to do the right thing but not sure what that is. I admired his resolve to personally take Boyette to Texas, though it could mean legal trouble for him down the road as he would be obstructing justice by helping Boyette abscond while on parole.
I liked Dontés lawyer, Robbie Flak. He is like a pit-bull in his defense of Donté. He goes the extra mile, working tirelessly to stop the execution and though he comes across as a bit fanatic at times, its obvious to the reader that he is devoted to his profession and that its more than just a job for him.
Whether you support or oppose the death penalty, this story will make you think, it will disturb you, it will give you hope and it will disappoint you. Most of all, it will keep you holding your breath, turning each page to see what happens next.
Right man goes free, wrong man in jail. The rest is John Grisham's excellent mystery. A must read for Grisham lovers.
Riveing story. Had me holding my breath at points, waiting in anticipation for each sentence
Very interesting book. I don't usually read a book more than once, yet, i have read this about 4 times. It has a lot of surprises (the first time i read it) and it even makes me shed a tear every time i read it. Very good book.
This novel was disappointing. It certainly did not compare favorably to other books written by John Grisham.
This was another great Grisham novel. It pulls the reader in and makes you want to keep going long after you planned. There were a few facts that annoyed me and that usually doesn't happen with his books, however.
This is another well written book by John Grisham. The enitre book is devoted to the death penalty and the Confession. Unfortunately, the last 25% of the book was boring. The author spent too much time wrapping up the story. The book could have finished 100 pages earlier. Overall, it is a very good book.
After the first few pages, I couldn't put this book down. One of Grisham's better reads.
Another good one from Grisham.
I have read every John Grisham book, and this was his worst. The characters are shallow and one dimensional, and that problem goes beyond just the lead characters to almost every actor in the book. The entire setting is a cliche, without any real understanding or effort at development or thorough description. The story line offers no real suprises or twists, just a steady drumbeat on a single theme.
In reading a book, I hope to be informed of new places, or to learn of new cultures, lifestyles, occupations, etc. Another potential is to be entertained, or taken away from worldly cares or concerns. This book fails from both a journalist's and a novelist's perspective.
I am opposed to the death penalty and would vote to abolish it if that option was presented as a straight option up-or-down vote. This book does not advance that cause, being nothing more than a preaching screed with ugly overtones and strong personal bias shallowly concealed as literature.
Here in his own words is a passage from the author's note that completes this lecture. "There are mistakes in this book, as always, and as long as I continue to loathe research, while at the same time remaining perfectly content to occasionally dress up the facts, I'm afraid the mistakes will continue. My hope is that the errors are insignificant in nature."
They were not, and were compounded by bad storytelling.
For a primer on how return to writing meaningful books about sensitive, complex issues in our lives, I would point Mr. Grisham to "Cast of Shadows" by Kevin Guilfoile. Or perhaps even "A Painted House".
In reading a book, I hope to be informed of new places, or to learn of new cultures, lifestyles, occupations, etc. Another potential is to be entertained, or taken away from worldly cares or concerns. This book fails from both a journalist's and a novelist's perspective.
I am opposed to the death penalty and would vote to abolish it if that option was presented as a straight option up-or-down vote. This book does not advance that cause, being nothing more than a preaching screed with ugly overtones and strong personal bias shallowly concealed as literature.
Here in his own words is a passage from the author's note that completes this lecture. "There are mistakes in this book, as always, and as long as I continue to loathe research, while at the same time remaining perfectly content to occasionally dress up the facts, I'm afraid the mistakes will continue. My hope is that the errors are insignificant in nature."
They were not, and were compounded by bad storytelling.
For a primer on how return to writing meaningful books about sensitive, complex issues in our lives, I would point Mr. Grisham to "Cast of Shadows" by Kevin Guilfoile. Or perhaps even "A Painted House".
This book was so boring I literally had to skip pages to get to the end. I forced myself to finish it. I recommend reading the 1 star reviews on Amazon. They said it a lot better than I could.:)
This is not one of GRISHAM'S best. I found it extremely tedious .
One of Grisham's better books.
I haven't enjoyed the last several Grisham books, so started this one with my fingers crossed. Glad to see he has his grove back~ I couldn't put it down!!
A great book by Grisham. He has an authentic way of making the reader feel the emotions that the characters are portraying - I felt the hurriedness of the moments as people were trying to save the life of a man on death row, the conflictions of the preacher, etc. I also felt heartbreak for some and disgust for others. Incredible book that makes you consider your thoughts on the justice system and the death penalty. Recommend!
Story line seemed real and disturbing.
the wrong guy is in jail facing the death penalty, the guilty guy is stay away in the society. I didn,t find the book is not interesting
Another great book by Grisham. You don't see it coming...but it finally does!
Excellent readable story...a bit preachy about the death penalty towards the end but a good read nonetheless.
John Grisham has done it again! He has the ability to grab you by the throat and not let go! This book was sometimes difficult to read because of the deep emotion involved. I find myself re-thinking my views of the death penalty after reading this. Mr. Grisham has the ability of making you look at an issue from several angles and really makes you THINK while reading his books. I will not stop thinking about these characters anytime soon.
It's a Grisham.
Best Grisham book in a while. Definite shows you about the death penalty. If you liked a Grisham story before, this is a must read. I loved the last hundred pages that was the best part.
I did not read the book. I got it for someone else.
