The Litigators

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

The classic legal thriller and huge bestseller from master of the genre John Grisham.

David Zinc has it all: Big firm, big salary, life in the lawyer's fast lane.

Until the day he snaps and throws it all away.

Leaving the world of corporate law far behind, he talks himself into a new job with Finley & Figg. A self-styled 'boutique' firm with only two partners, Oscar Finley and Wally Figg are ambulance-chasing street lawyers who hustle nickel-and-dime cases, dreaming of landing the big win.

For all his Harvard Law Degree and five years with Chicago's top firm, Zinc has never entered a courtroom, never helped a client who really needed a lawyer, never handled a gun.

All that is about to change.

©2011 Belfry Holdings Inc. (P)2011 Random House Audio

Worth it in the end

Grisham usually develops his story line and characters very thoroughly and grips the reader in a problem -- usually a David and Goliath -- that needs to be resolved.

The Litigators was less compelling and engaging with regard to both these aspects. However, it was definitely worth persevering with because the resolution was, as usual, satisfying and clever. The reader, Dennis Boutsikaris, although professional, had a drawl and flat tone that contributed to a book that I felt largely lacked Grisham's usual vibrancy and energy.

A slow starter gained pace finished in a hurry

I've been disappointed in John Grisham's later novels but managed to stay with this one to the end. He goes into great detail in bulding his unattractive characters and the lengths they go to to cling onto the coat tails of the big firms, but somehow he scrapes in towards the end.

It was an eye opener to the world of 'ambulance chasers' who have created a monster in the legal system causing bona fide companies and professionals much angst as they are led to the slaughter of their expertise and characters for megabucks by these unsavoury lawyers. That said, it was a good yarn.

OK But Not Grisham's Best

The novel starts out with a different twist and grabs your attention. Unfortunately not all that far into it the story starts to take on the direction of The King of Torts with a subplot in the background leaning to The Rainmaker. The Litigators is at best an OK, strictly entertainment read. Much of the time you find yourself despising the majority of characters, thank goodness there's a couple of lawyers with a conscience thrown in to keep you from becoming totally cynical on the legal profession. This will never rate of there with some of John Grisham's top works, it does not get you thinking and anticipating the outcome like A Time to Kill, The Chamber or The Confession. If you're a John Grisham fan you'll find it to be an OK read, if you're not a John Grisham fan you might find yourself thinking it was a waste of your time.
John Grisham is a very good writer and this is a fun read with interesting characters but just not the best book Grisham has written.

Dennis Boutsikaris was excellent with the delivery of the story

A good partnership

Another brilliantly written book and the narration by Dennis Boutsikaris did it justice. I am now on the look out for other books that Dennis Boutsikaris has recited.

Fairly dry.

I expected a little bit more action from this, especially after the beginning, which was intriguing. Got lost in the middle with all the paperwork, but listened to the end just to find out what happened. All in all, a fairly flat book, both in terms of the content and the performance.

Got better as it went along.

What made the experience of listening to The Litigators the most enjoyable?

Not knowing where the story was going, which was a nice change

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Litigators?

finding the toy responsible for making the boy sick

Which character – as performed by Dennis Boutsikaris – was your favorite?

I can't remember her name but the 96 year old in the bar that David Zinc drinks with.

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

A David and Goliath tale with a twist, you don't always have to win to win.

Perfect

Best Grisham book in my opinion. Very easy to listen too with several key themes crossing over each other neatly, all linked by our hero Davis Zink. More light hearted humour than previous books which I enjoyed. I actually found myself laughing out loud at some of ‘Wally’s’ antics. Also a perfect ending. Loved it.