I have been a John Grisham fan for about ten years now. The first Grisham book I read was A Time to Kill, which is still my favorite. Other Grisham books I have enjoyed are The Rainmaker, The Testament and
In recent years, I have been disappointed by Grisham’s output. Nevertheless, during a brief beach vacation earlier this summer, I picked up Grisham’s newest: The Associate (DoubleDay, 2009). 
(Warning: Spoilers Follow)
The Associate is about Kyle McAvoy, a promising law student who has a wild past. During his college years, he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and almost was charged (falsely) with rape. Years later, a sinister group of lawyers show Kyle a video that places him at the scene of the crime, and then they blackmail him into becoming a spy in the firm in which he works.
If I could sum up this book with one Bible verse, it would be this: “Be sure your sins will find you out.” The sins of Kyle and his friends in their twenties cause a ripple effect. The girl who claims she was raped now hates men and has turned to lesbianism. The other guys involved are trying to get on with their lives, but several are haunted by guilt.
The Associate casts a negative light on frat house parties. Grisham exposes the lifestyle that many in America have come to see as innocent fun or the proverbial “sowing your wild oats.” Grisham’s book demonstrates that some actions have consequences years after we commit them.
Still, the book is ultimately unsatisfying. The end of the book shows how Kyle is able to gain his freedom, but the perpetrators of the blackmail are never brought to justice. The ending may make the book a little more realistic, but most readers will hunger to see the criminals brought to justice.
The Associate is not Grisham’s best, but it is probably one of his better books of late. You might enjoy the fast-paced narrative if you are planning a vacation this summer.
trevin, would you go see such a thing in movie form? … if it was rated “r” because of its “adult themes”? i think i know how you may answer…but may i ask how a summer break with such a book refreshes the body and soul or “redeems the time because the days are evil”? even if you handle the material academically and for cultural awareness … perhaps it would be wise to understand that your weaker brother may be defiled by your freedom? let alone a recommendation…
hope i’m not judging here … maybe there is some remnant of my early baptist heritage that makes me think that some things are still in the category of a worldly activity.
Comment by pastor jim sharp — June 25, 2009 @ 7:13 am
Jim,
Always good to hear from you. Some people will be able to handle a Grisham book more than others. There’s nothing graphic here or explicitly described (thankfully). Lots of sin, little redemption here. (One guy has a conversion experience and begins confessing his sins, but the confession leads to other problems.) The good thing about this book is that sin’s consequences are evident.
I probably wouldn’t watch the movie if one were to be made. Of course there are better books for summer reading. I hope my review will let people know if they think it’s worth picking up or not. I could take it or leave it.
Comment by Trevin Wax — June 25, 2009 @ 11:09 am
I have read almost all Grisham books but feel that this was the worst. I wonder if grisham is only writing with screenplays in mind coz The associate was nowhere near what he has produced earlier
Comment by ashish — July 26, 2009 @ 1:19 am
The first Grisham book I read was also A Time To Kill. I think it is by far his best book. It made me become a big Grisham fan. I have to admit though, I haven’t read the Associate yet.
K.C.D
http://thewritingsofkcd.wordpress.com/
Comment by kcd75 — October 31, 2009 @ 10:11 pm