Helpful Score: 3
"The Dreams of Ada" is a great follow-up to Grisham's "An Innocent Man". This true story is very well told to the point where it will haunt you just as Grisham's non-fiction piece from the same town and the same investigators. Robert Mayer weaves the story as only a true professional could. Very powerful expose on the Ada, Oklahoma system of justice.
'Dreams of Ada' is the best true crime book I have ever read. Another reviewer referred to it as a 'follow-up' to the John Grisham book 'The Innocent Man.' That is totally incorrect. Although that book is also set in Ada, OK, it was written after 'Dreams' and is about a totally different crime. It appears Grisham borrowed heavily from descriptions and impressions of Ada previously used by Mayer.
'Dreams' gives me chills each time I read certain sections. But it doesn't get that effect with any brutal or grisly descriptions of a crime or with any shock value. It's a fairly straightforward account of the kidnapping and murder of a most ordinary young lady. She was working in the wrong convenience store at the wrong time. What evokes chills is how the criminals (or perhaps NOT criminals) were convicted. A peculiar young man is questioned and begins to spout what he describes as a dream of the crime.
Unfortunately for him, and possibly for the victim's family, some of his details are dead on - yet it is almost impossible that he was involved. He and a sidekick are presently convicted, but their case is being reviewed. The book allows the reader to draw their own conclusions - if they can. A most disturbing view of a crime which may never be solved.
'Dreams' gives me chills each time I read certain sections. But it doesn't get that effect with any brutal or grisly descriptions of a crime or with any shock value. It's a fairly straightforward account of the kidnapping and murder of a most ordinary young lady. She was working in the wrong convenience store at the wrong time. What evokes chills is how the criminals (or perhaps NOT criminals) were convicted. A peculiar young man is questioned and begins to spout what he describes as a dream of the crime.
Unfortunately for him, and possibly for the victim's family, some of his details are dead on - yet it is almost impossible that he was involved. He and a sidekick are presently convicted, but their case is being reviewed. The book allows the reader to draw their own conclusions - if they can. A most disturbing view of a crime which may never be solved.
I found this book tedious and difficult to enjoy. It is obvious the author is milking the story for every thing is worth but I felt it could have been told sooner, without so much extension. He writes well but it is not my cup of tea to read on forever for a story that basically has been told earlier. Yes, the injustice of a small town and the harsh reality of a brutal crime are intermingled. Too long but thankful that through this wonderful club I was able to read it in the first place (but after a while I did skipped and jumped, skipped and jumped) but in my opinion the hight ratings were somewhat misleading for it is not a masterpiece of the genre. 3 Stars at the most!
Great read! Interesting book, would recommend it to others!
