The Litigators

The Litigators

John Grisham

ISBN: 978-0345530561

I love John Grisham's writings. However I must admit some of this literary risks fell flat with me. This book resurrected the old glory of John Grisham. I could see the character's in movies, played by a-list actors. Turned page after page propelled to finish up the story. There was not a whole lot of guess work in this book, it was straightforward. However, I enjoy reading a Grisham in between deep literary foray's to give my mind a break while still staying in the realm of the educated and coherent. I think this is pure Grisham and as I recommend his book this is at the top of my list.

Beautiful Ruins

                                                                   

Beautiful Ruins

Jess Walters

ISBN: 9780061928178

One of the best ways I can describe this book is, layers. Layer upon layers. I think one reviewer said the book was a miracle in writing. I would have to say I am amazed that this book came out of the mind of one person. I can see a whole round table of people not arriving at as great a masterpiece as this one writer has achieved. Amazing.

To me the story was about the mundane and the miraculous intertwined as a tapestry. How often do we all search for meaning in things in our life that look like a big pile of ruins. This book resurrects the ruin and helps you see their original purpose or redeemed purpose. 

This book was chalk full of amazing quotes, if you dare to read them you will get a gist of the actual story line devoid of the brilliant characters.

"There are only two good outcomes for a quest like this, the hope of the serendipitous savant - sail for Asia and stumble on America - and the hope of scarecrows and tin men: that you find out you had the thing you sought all along." Kindle loc. 4835

"Stories are people. i am a story, you're a story....your father is a story. Our stories go in every direction, but sometimes if we're lucky, out stories join into one, and for a while we're less alone." Kingle loc. 1131

"This is what happens when you live in dreams, he thought: you dream this and you dream that and you sleep right through you life." Kindle loc. 3728

There would seem to be nothing more obvious, more tangible and palpable than the present moment. And yet it eludes us complete,. All the sadness of life lies in that fact. - Milan Kundera Kindle loc. 5555

If you dared to read those quotes. Those were the undercurrent of the messages in this book. Now, brilliantly weaved around it is a myriad of stories. Set in multiple countries, over decades. Multi generations, a historical novel, yet only briefly. Old Hollywood. Reality TV. A love story. Movie stars. A career pursuit. War. Peace. Secrets. Lies. Add the characters wrap them around the messages and scene's....... This book has it all in a way you've never seen it before.

You might feel like I have given too much away. That's the amazing glory of this novel. I think I just opened a teeny crack in. 

Highly recommend.