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Ambivalence really sums up my feelings toward Mr. Grisham's latest book. Depressing is another. I applaud Mr. Grisham in his attempt to analyze the hows and whys of just what happened to Ron Williamson during his hectic, confusing, and sometimes just unlucky life. From outstanding major league baseball prospect, to drug and alcohol abuser, to mentally unstable convict, to exonerated felon, Ron Williamson never really knew any peace off the baseball diamond. His dream of a major league career shattered he simply withdrew into his own private hell of dope, booze, loose women, honky tonks, and insanity. Sometimes a difficult book to follow, the darkness that Mr. Grisham maintains throughout the book is at times oppressive. How many times must Ron Williamson have to exhibit mental instability before someone, anyone, gets him real help and not just temporary "band-aid" his CHRONIC mental problems. It is a wonder that he didn't harm someone during his drunken, drug induced haze. Finally convicted of a murder he never committed, the complex judicial process to free him was very well told by Mr. Grisham. Ron's years spent on "death row" were both illuminating, sad, and frightening all at the same time. His eventual release and exoneration was the ONLY happy point in an otherwise sad biography of a profoundly unhappy life. Again, I was ambivalent about this book. I can not say I enjoyed it but I did learn from it. This is not your typical light Grisham reading so be very careful. Be ready for a heavy, dark, oppressive book that while educating about the legal system, at the same time leaves one empty about the sad state of this nation's mental health programs. This up close and personal view of America's seamy underbelly will stay with you for quite awhile.Read full review
I bought this book because I have read all of John Grisham's books. I did not like it as well as I thought I would. IT was his first nonfiction work and, to me, it was not as easy to read as the fiction works. I know it was a true story; I just found myself down while reading it. The man's story was a depressing one for me. I just felt his life was wasted in many ways. I've always had a heart for those with mental illness. I believe as a Christian that God is the only hope they have in living a life that is productive and worthwhile. IT is a testimony in itself when they overcome their weaknesses, with HIs help and medication when needed. I was glad that he was acquitted of the crime he did not commit, but wish he could have somehow learned to discipline himself more. I admire John Grisham for "telling it like it was."Read full review
This was a great book in exposing and being aware of the flaws in the criminal justice system and how one person can get lost in the shuffle. It really brought to focus the errs that we want to believe do not exist however, they do. It was a good book but was not my favorite of Grisham's. He usually writes the legal thrillers and this is what I have come to expect from Grisham. I was disappointed by Bleachers and The Painted House, not because they were bad books, but they were not Grisham's normal writing style. I wish he would stick to what brought him to the party. It's where he excels. That being said, I enjoyed the book and couldn't put it down. Definitely worth the read.
I'd seen this book advertised on various websites. So when someone lent it to me I was interested to see what it was like. The author's previous output have been fiction, which is very popular and successful, even being adapted into screenplays. This is his first non-fiction book about two individuals who were very poorly served by the criminal justice system. One of them was an aspiring baseball player, the other a young bussiness man. The aspiring baseball player developed personal problems, which were worsend with alchohol and mental illness. He also had some brushes with the law. The other man had a fairly normal life. Both were roped into murder investigations in their little town, and wrongly convicted on rape and murder charges. One received life in prison, the other went to death row. Both had to make severe adjustments to survive in the brutal prison system. Reading about this can be very depressing, especially when you see how cruel, greedy and incompetant the prison staff and officials are. Also the prosecutor comes off as being a usless, arrogant buffoon, more interested in furthering his career than correcting an injustice. Through very hard work, and the love and support of the family and friends these two men were eventually freed. The first one was so damaged by his abuse and non-treatment of his physical and mental ailments, that he had prematurely aged, and died not long afterwards. The other man moved out of state, lest the police arrest him again for an imagined crime. The state and prosecutors were sued, and settled, but piously admitted no wrong doing. I think as myself as a conservative, but this book will make you think seriously about the criminal justice and prison systems in this country. It details the laziness and stupity of local law enforcement, who'd rather alter evidence and use a supsect confession, than do actual hard work to arrive at a conviction. Or a corrupt and brutal prison were most of the staff differ from in inmates only in they go home at night. The description of that prison was so harrowing as to make Dachau seem like Club Med! While it is REALLY depressing, it is an essential read, in that it shows that criminals are not the only ones that are a danger to society.Read full review
I'm a mother of two under two and full time career woman who was once an avid reader. I actually made a life out of dissecting important works of literature! I professed to love James Joyce, Shakespeare, Lord Byron, but I read Grisham, Kellerman, and Patterson in the closet so that my friends and colleagues would never see what I was REALLY reading. But as I said...I am now a mother of two under two...and Dr. Suess and Baby Einstein have become my important works of literature, and I am lucky to go to the bathroom alone, let alone read in the closet any longer. All of that said, I delved into the new Grisham hardback simply assuming it was a luscious, self-indulgent novel that I so deserved in the moments between changing diapers, playing with dinosaurs, singing Itsy Bitsy Spider, and wondering how I got peanut butter in my hair...again. I was wrong...about the novel, the self-indulgence, and the moments. I was riveted from the first page and at once sickened and hopeful throughout the read. Grisham moves effortlessly from story teller to truth seeker. Good writing elicits thought...Great writing demands examination of thought. This book has caused me to re-examine questions that I thought long-since answered in my own mind. Grisham does this without suggestion or moral indignation. This is a book that must be read. But...do not read it if: *you are looking for a mindless story *you are not willing to forsake sleep, food, and the morning paper just to get through this book *you are not prepared to examine your own beliefs and ideas regarding the dealth penalty (I was not...) *you want to keep your image of John Grisham as the author who creates characters simply perfect for Tom Cruise, Denzel Washington, and John Cusak I truly cannot tell you if it is Grisham's writing or the life of this true account itself that kept The Innocent Man my constant companion for 48 hours. But I do know this, I would be compelled to loan you my copy if it weren't for the jelly stains, the green crayon scribbles on pages 78-121, the unmentionable "goop" found just under the back cover, and the tear-stained last page.Read full review
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