The Chamber

A Novel

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Alexander Adams

In Chicago’s top law firm, a young lawyer stands on the brink of a brilliant career. Now twenty-six-year-old Adam Hall is risking it all for a death-row killer and an impossible case: Sam Cayhall is a former Klansman and unrepentant racist facing the death penalty for a fatal bombing in 1967. Cayhall has run out of chances—except for one: a determined lawyer who just happens to be his grandson.

While the executioners prepare the gas chamber, while the protesters gather, and while the TV cameras wait, Adam has only days, hours, minutes to save his client. For between the two men is a chasm of shame, family lies, and secrets—including the one secret that could save Sam Cayhall’s life . . . or cost Adam his.

©1994 John Grisham (P)1999 Random House, Inc., Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Totally hypnotic . . . full of booming, echoing prose . . . Scenes unfold and unfold and you can’t stop reading.”—The Washington Post

“Compelling . . . powerful . . . The Chamber will make readers think long and hard about the death penalty.”—USA Today

“The Chamber does grab hold and it doesn’t let go.”—The Boston Globe

Walk in his shower shoes

What did you love best about The Chamber?

I like any book that can help us to see into another person. Even a fictional person. Racism and hate and understanding and forgiveness and tolerance. There are some very harsh elements, there would have to be for the story to take place primarily on death row. I felt for the characters. I like a book that may help me see the other side of an argument in a new light.

What does Michael Beck bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was very good. I enjoyed his voice. I only once or twice thought his intonation was off and that is really nitpicking because he was good.

Any additional comments?

This was one of the first books that I got on my Audible acct. way back in 2002. It is now 2012. Ten years of listening and I thought I would listen to all of them over and write a quick review (finally) for each one. At the time that I got this book, I was also listening to Jonathan Kerlerman and Robert Ludlum. My tastes have changed, I do not like horrible killings and rapes that have a lot of details. I would rather have a light heart warming story. I have kids now and life is complicated enough. When I read I want to escape to a simple story with conflict that may be resolved. Though this book does not have a simple conflict, and the subject matter is hard, the story is still heart warming. There are harsh words and it is impossible to tell a story that includes racism with out using dialog that I would rather not hear but I'm glad I read the book 10 years ago, and I'm glad I read the book today.

Well written, thought provoking book

This book was well written with deep, complex and real characters. Topic is difficult and thought provoking. Narrator was EXCELLENT!!

beautiful story

such a poignant story! a masterful creation of love repentance kindness and moving past one's family history to create one of your own

Another classic Grisham...well worth the read

Pretty sure only Grisham can make you fond of a racist murderer to the point of nearly shedding a tear at the end of the book.

As an opponent of the death penalty I found subject matter very interesting as well.

The ending left a little to be desired. Performance was outstanding...even the singing was on point! 😀

Awesome

Where does The Chamber rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Right at the top

What about Michael Beck’s performance did you like?

I loved the performance it kept me on the edge of my seat!!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Unsure

Disappointed

Love John Grisham - but this book was subpar for him. It didn't grab me like most of his books do and I forced my way through the book.

Sometimes a happy ending isn't the point

Very suspenseful and thought provoking
Can love transcend truly evil deeds?
Gresham whacks another homer over the wall!

It was okay

I thought that the story had the potential to create more suspense & drama, but it fell flat. I spent the majority of the story expecting something more to happen, and then it wouldn't. Don't get me wrong, it's still an interesting story with good character development. But don't expect suspense or twist & turns. It's not that kind of story.

Narrator

Michael Beck has a way of making this story come alive. Hope to find Michael Beck narrating other books
This book was great

Intriguing story that could use a twist

The details in the writing make the story so real but a twist by the villain would have really made it soar. Instead it’s a brutal mundane day in the world. Not to say the story isn’t compelling but rather it’s practically the regular liberal take on the death penalty.