Book Review-Newer Books 34

Review—The Associate by John Grisham

John Grisham wrote the novel The Associate. Doubleday Books published the novel; the book has 373 pages.

From Pennsylvania to New York, a young man, Kyle McAvoy, graduates at the top of the Yale law school and heads for a top-level position at a Wall Street firm. Kyle grew up in his father’s small-town law practice, helping and absorbing all things that concern the law. Kyle led a very typical undergraduate college lifestyle, where alcohol, some drugs, and lots of intimate fun abounded. Now as he enters the professional world an event comes back to haunt him and his friends.

Government technology, especially military grade instruments and software are very high dollar, big business. The firm Kyle works for is representing a company involved in a lawsuit over such matters; billion dollar issues are at hand. One day, just as he is about to graduate and decide his future, Kyle is hauled in front of men claiming to be law enforcement and shown a blast from the past. A video of a party where two of his fraternity brothers are having carnal knowledge of a known party girl and Kyle is half-passed out nearby. At times it appears she may be unconscious, and at other times, not so much. This girl, known to be a poor student and open partier, later claimed rape but the charges are dropped. These men are blackmailing Kyle to get information about the company being represented and he is being coerced to commit crimes that can cost him his future. Will he fold or fight?

This is one of many novels by John Grisham that surround the honor and problems of the legal and government systems. There is a murder and some danger, however, the technology tends to be the most interesting part. This particular book is slow moving and way too similar to a previous book, The Firm, and not as exciting or entertaining. The characters are lackluster and need more animation to promote interest in their problems and issues. During the whole book, I expected more, that of which was only delivered near the last 20 pages. Not a story or characters that I want to see more of.