How did John Grisham get so popular?

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
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The guy must have a great agent because I don't think he's that good of an author.

I'm reading William Lashner's latest book (he's another attorney who writes in the same genre) and he's a hundred times better that Grisham.
 

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: XZeroII
Give more detail as to why you think that.

I'm no literary critic. Just contrasting his work with other authors I've read in the same genre like Harlan Coben, William Lashner, Dick Francis, etc.

I just think that his success is out of whack with his talent.
 

Schadenfroh

Elite Member
Mar 8, 2003
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i only read one of his books, street lawyer or something like that, as a school project, i thought i would hate it but it turned out to be not so bad.
 

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
he actually started out critically panned.
His first book, A Time to Kill, was criticized as horrendous and inimaginative (or something like that)

it wasnt until 3 years later, when The Firm came out, that he started receiving critical acclaim.

 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Well, he isn't as skilled as some other legal authors, but you can more easily relate to his "writing." I grew up in the South, and understand is point of view, as well as how he incorporates classes and the like in his book. Evidently, it is a book that doesn't appeal to you because it is close enough to your roots or the like. I read tons of legal and war novels, and each author has a particular audience. Some people may get popular, but their popularity stems from their marketability(as you stated) and if they somehow appeal to a broader audience in their next book.
 

Yossarian

Lifer
Dec 26, 2000
18,010
1
81
He's easily readable, has likable protagonists, and shows them using the law for "good", generally to screw the system or some big evil company.
 

Farmall

Senior member
Jul 16, 2000
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Originally posted by: guyver01
he actually started out critically panned.
His first book, A Time to Kill, was criticized as horrendous and inimaginative (or something like that)

it wasnt until 3 years later, when The Firm came out, that he started receiving critical acclaim.


Actually "The Firm" was his first book, going by what it said on the cover. Grisham has written several books that I would classify as good reads, some of his books have not been so great. That probably holds true for every author out there.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Farmall
Originally posted by: guyver01
he actually started out critically panned.
His first book, A Time to Kill, was criticized as horrendous and inimaginative (or something like that)

it wasnt until 3 years later, when The Firm came out, that he started receiving critical acclaim.


Actually "The Firm" was his first book, going by what it said on the cover. Grisham has written several books that I would classify as good reads, some of his books have not been so great. That probably holds true for every author out there.

No, A Time to Kill was his first book. You can't read. It came out two years before the firm. I HATE when people correct someone and they misinformed theirself.

Link to proof of my assertation.
 

PoPPeR

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2002
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The Firm was not his first book. He did in fact write A Time To Kill before The Firm, and no one liked it. When he released The Firm and it got universal praise or whatever, people went back and started reading A Time To Kill again and suddenly everyone liked that as well.
 

Farmall

Senior member
Jul 16, 2000
440
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Originally posted by: Millennium
Originally posted by: Farmall
Originally posted by: guyver01
he actually started out critically panned.
His first book, A Time to Kill, was criticized as horrendous and inimaginative (or something like that)

it wasnt until 3 years later, when The Firm came out, that he started receiving critical acclaim.


Actually "The Firm" was his first book, going by what it said on the cover. Grisham has written several books that I would classify as good reads, some of his books have not been so great. That probably holds true for every author out there.

No, A Time to Kill was his first book. You can't read. It came out two years before the firm. I HATE when people correct someone and they misinformed theirself.

Link to proof of my assertation.

I really appreciate your kind words, but contrary to your assumptions I can read quite well. If you would have read my post I stated "Going by what it says on the cover" It was a book on tape - maybe there is some bad info printed on the cover. Must be some bad info on the cover of the book on tape I just got done with. If I had a cam I would take a picture of it for you so you wouldn't be able to "read" either.
 

Jombo

Golden Member
Aug 19, 2001
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i used to love Grisham, i picked up the firm around the time i started reading again, all thanks to Michael Crichton and Jurassic Park..

i saw a familar pattern in his books, the protaganest is in some grave situation, must work his way through it or try to beat the system to get a huge payoff at the end. of course each book had its own twist..

The painted house was different for him, and was good to see him write something other than law stuff. i didn't like the summons too much since the main character was an idiot scared out of hit wits.

as for time to kill, i find that interesting. that and king of torts are the only books i haven't read yet. fickle critics eh?
 

Miramonti

Lifer
Aug 26, 2000
28,651
100
91
I loved 'the painted house'. Some might think its a little slow but the character development and 1st person narrative was outstanding.
 

Mill

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
28,558
3
81
Originally posted by: Farmall
Originally posted by: Millennium
Originally posted by: Farmall
Originally posted by: guyver01
he actually started out critically panned.
His first book, A Time to Kill, was criticized as horrendous and inimaginative (or something like that)

it wasnt until 3 years later, when The Firm came out, that he started receiving critical acclaim.


Actually "The Firm" was his first book, going by what it said on the cover. Grisham has written several books that I would classify as good reads, some of his books have not been so great. That probably holds true for every author out there.

No, A Time to Kill was his first book. You can't read. It came out two years before the firm. I HATE when people correct someone and they misinformed theirself.

Link to proof of my assertation.

I really appreciate your kind words, but contrary to your assumptions I can read quite well. If you would have read my post I stated "Going by what it says on the cover" It was a book on tape - maybe there is some bad info printed on the cover. Must be some bad info on the cover of the book on tape I just got done with. If I had a cam I would take a picture of it for you so you wouldn't be able to "read" either.

I would love to see your picture or even the serial number of the book on tape so I could order or find it myself. My allegation is that you can't read and just need to admit it. I mean why are you listening to a book on TAPE anyways? :p
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,997
126
Why is Wheel of Fortune more popular than Jeopardy? Grisham got popular because he does books with training wheels. Reading Grisham is sort of like watching a ball game on TV while listening to music and doing something else at the same time. You don't need to pay much attention to know the score and hear the beat. It's eye candy for readers, no brain required and instantly forgettable. As a writer he's only a step above a junior high school kid taking his first creative writing class, his characters are incredibly transparent and the plots are instantly predictable. But that's why he sells, he's not above anyones head.
 

ThePresence

Elite Member
Nov 19, 2001
27,727
16
81
Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Why is Wheel of Fortune more popular than Jeopardy? Grisham got popular because he does books with training wheels. Reading Grisham is sort of like watching a ball game on TV while listening to music and doing something else at the same time. You don't need to pay much attention to know the score and hear the beat. It's eye candy for readers, no brain required and instantly forgettable. As a writer he's only a step above a junior high school kid taking his first creative writing class, his characters are incredibly transparent and the plots are instantly predictable. But that's why he sells, he's not above anyones head.

Right on. It's like reading the Hardy Boys all over again. :)
 

JEDI

Lifer
Sep 25, 2001
29,391
2,737
126
Originally posted by: Riprorin
The guy must have a great agent because I don't think he's that good of an author.

I'm reading William Lashner's latest book (he's another attorney who writes in the same genre) and he's a hundred times better that Grisham.

he's in bed w/tom cruise.
 

alkemyst

No Lifer
Feb 13, 2001
83,769
19
81
People that read are idiots...so old school. I get my knowledge served to me in a cookie baked by an alien named "Boki", they are mighty tasty. You don't want to ask how I post though...
 

jjones

Lifer
Oct 9, 2001
15,424
2
0
Originally posted by: GagHalfrunt
Why is Wheel of Fortune more popular than Jeopardy? Grisham got popular because he does books with training wheels. Reading Grisham is sort of like watching a ball game on TV while listening to music and doing something else at the same time. You don't need to pay much attention to know the score and hear the beat. It's eye candy for readers, no brain required and instantly forgettable. As a writer he's only a step above a junior high school kid taking his first creative writing class, his characters are incredibly transparent and the plots are instantly predictable. But that's why he sells, he's not above anyones head.
I agree. I've read several of his books in the hopes that I would find something of substance which must be the reason for his fame. Unfortunately that never happened and, plain and simple, he's just not a very good story teller. Any of his books I run across now I just pass over.