By John Grisham
5 Stars
The Rainmaker, authored in 1995 by John Grisham, is a courtroom thriller revolving around Rudy Baylor, a young law student struggling to make ends meet, and a peculiar, seemingly insignificant case that crosses his path. Presented with the case of Donny Ray Black, a terminally ill man afflicted with leukemia, whose family has been denied their insurance claims by an influential insurance company, Great Benefit, he strives to win his first-ever prominent case. The plot depicts Rudy's evolution in work ethic, knowledge, and moral compass as he seeks justice for Donny Ray's family by uncovering the company's elaborate, multibillion-dollar hoax.
In my opinion, this novel is a must-read. With a smooth, fluid amalgamation of factual information, suspense, and character development throughout the book, John Grisham has done an excellent job of portraying the main character, Rudy Baylor, realistically. Without embellishing his struggles, the author demonstrates the experiences of a young student thrown into the real world: poverty, lack of time, and stress. In addition, the main theme of the novel brings awareness to real-life concerns, such as the multitude of insurance scams or the lack of quality health services, that are rarely addressed in today's current affairs or media.
I would generally recommend this book to an audience with an interest in legal affairs, as the majority of the plot consists of court scenes, where many legal terms are used. Readers with a preference for a fast-tracked plot may not enjoy this book as much as readers with a penchant for detailed narratives, due to the slow-moving pace of the novel.
Reviewed by Parthvi
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