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Ellie Mae is a character from the Beverly Hillibilies. Harry Rex is insulting Ellen Roark by calling her that. Elly Mae was a kind of a hick, or a back woods girl who wasn't too bright all the time.

I truly enjoyed all but the beginning of A Time to Kill. I could see that Grisham's style was a little rawer--and perhaps that was what made it interesting.

I found the beginning too shocking. I actually had to keep reading to settle down. I don't think I'll read the book again because of the graphic beginning.

Vova, good for you. You'll learn the language faster and with this method as well as some of the common phrases and references.

Jessica, I agree. I think Grisham could have been less descriptive at the beginning. I can understand the want for shock value, but I would have been just as outraged and sickened if the act had been implied. Most of us don't need a spoon feeding of this type, our minds work perfectly well.

Dusty, I think, since this was his earliest work, he may have thought he needed the shock value. Those of us who avoid rape stories or scenes would avoid this book if they knew how it started. I didn't know or I would not have read it.

Once I was past that part, I had to read the rest of the book to finish it. I did not want that opening scene in my mind.

As I said, enjoyed it, but...

"A time to kill" is a gr8 novel by grisham. Shock value wasn't implied nd it sincerely provided d base 4 plot. And the characters (Jake, Carl lee, Roark, Harry, Lucien,etc.) were so well developed. U vl love them throughout. It is not Black vs White. It is justice vs injustice. And u vl love the court. At the end realization vl hit u under throat, and u can't help thinkin anythin' bt dis buk, its characters, incidents, nd next by Grisham...

Grisham taking revenge in writing against the injustices that he understand saw in the US Deep South a place were he was born and practised Law. A bunch of rightwing conservative States.(Texas,Alabama, Mississipi, Lousiana, Georgia)

I think while it was early Grisham, it was my favorite. I agree that it was a story about justice verses injustice.

Grisham has said that A Time to Kill was his favorite of his books because it is the only one got to linger over in its creation. It published small. The Firm was published big and took off like a rocket because the movie rights sold before publication. His major publisher bought the rights to A Time to Kill and republished it big, and it took off like a rocket. I consider it to be an modern day To Kill a Mockingbird. The publisher was pressing him to come with another book while he was hot. The article I read said that he wrote The Pelican Brief in two months. Since reading that, I have considered Grisham to be a genius.

A Time to Kill is my favorite Grisham novel. It is truly justice vs injustice. I found the character development to be very good. The court room scene was riveting. I would highly recommend this book to everyone even if the beginning is shocking. The story was shocking. The beginning gives that gut wrenching resolution that something needs to be done.

Jessica wrote: "I truly enjoyed all but the beginning of A Time to Kill. I could see that Grisham's style was a little rawer--and perhaps that was what made it interesting.

I found the beginning too shocking. ..."

I think you need to actually read through readings from the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. This novel is based on true events. It might help to actually look up the actual EVENT!!!!!!!!!!

I'm from Alabama and this is my absolute favorite Grisham novel. It feels real. His later books seem to be written with the goal of writing best-sellers, which they were. But A Time To Kill reads like he's feeling it, not just plotting out a story for entertainment's sake.

Wanda wrote: "I'm from Alabama and this is my absolute favorite Grisham novel. It feels real. His later books seem to be written with the goal of writing best-sellers, which they were. But A Time To Kill reads l..."

Wanda I so agree. This book felt like it came from the heart. It is my absolute favorite as well.

Glad we agree. I was reading another thread here earlier about the possibility of replacing To Kill A Mockingbird in schools' reading cirriculum (sacrilege!). If they do decide to replace TKAM I think ATTK tells the same story but in a more modern setting.

Wanda wrote: "Glad we agree. I was reading another thread here earlier about the possibility of replacing To Kill A Mockingbird in schools' reading cirriculum (sacrilege!). If they do decide to replace TKAM I th..."
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Absolutely. It has many of the same premises as TKAM. I think our youth should read this book. Maybe it would give them a new outlook on moral and racial injustice.

Interesting comment there about Grisham writing simply to produce a best seller, and no longer writing from the heart. I have found this with other, major authors, and have complained that they no longer write for their readers, but for themselves (or their publishers maybe?)

Michael, I agree. I just read Grisham's The Confession and really struggled to get thru it! While I appreciated the basis for the story, he was way too long winded and rambling. Felt he was just trying to fill the pages to make the publisher happy. I skipped huge section and still knew what was happening. Read ATTK so long ago, maybe I'll re-read for a comparison!

I loved this book... The beginning scene made me really mad and I wanted to keep reading to findout what happeneds to these redneck sumbags, then when I foundout I had to keep keeding to see if Carl Lee would walk free.. I thought it was truly amazing. One of my favorites. I did not like the movie as much though. I think that the Client was his best movie made from a book.

RubyGrace wrote: "I loved this book... The beginning scene made me really mad and I wanted to keep reading to findout what happeneds to these redneck sumbags, then when I foundout I had to keep keeding to see if Car..."

I would love to see The Last Juror become a movie. It is one of my favorite Grisham stories though I would guess that it was not as commercially successful as many of the others. Grisham, like a lot of popular authors, gets a bit formulaic ... then BOOM, they knock another one out of the park. I'd say The Last Juror is a four-bagger with a smaller story ... let's call it an inside the park homer.

A Time to Kill would make an acceptable substitution for To Kill a Mockingbird in the schools, that is if the idiots in charge are mindset on replacing the classic. Think about it, though, no one can really make a case for kicking Atticus Finch out of the classroom. And, moviewise, Matthew McConaughey was good in ATTK, but Gregory Peck was venerable in TKAM. I used venerable knowing full well that there is no superlative adjective adequate to describe his performance.

Julie wrote: "Ellie Mae is a character from the Beverly Hillibilies. Harry Rex is insulting Ellen Roark by calling her that. Elly Mae was a kind of a hick, or a back woods girl who wasn't too bright all the t..."

Yes, but Miss Clampett's cousin aspired to be either a brain sturgeon or a movie director. Check your records. He succeeded at the latter with Ode to Billy Joe and another movie or two. Imagine the ciphering he had to do to keep up with his directorial earnings. He gets points, too, for sticking with his country peers and using Roscoe P. Coltrane as his villain in Ode to Billy Joe.

Dick wrote: "Julie wrote: "Ellie Mae is a character from the Beverly Hillibilies. Harry Rex is insulting Ellen Roark by calling her that. Elly Mae was a kind of a hick, or a back woods girl who wasn't too br..."

Donna Douglas (AKA Dot Bourgois) played Elly May Clampett on TV. She is from Baton Rouge, where I spent my first 42 years. She, too, gets points for sticking with her country peers and allowing Elvis Presley to costar in her movie, Frankie and Johnny, in 1966.

Dick wrote: "A Time to Kill would make an acceptable substitution for To Kill a Mockingbird in the schools, that is if the idiots in charge are mindset on replacing the classic. Think about it, though, no one ..."

I disagree. The reason I think TKMB is so powerful a read in school is because the protagonist is a young girl, relatable to the young readers. It's about coming of age as much as it is about the history of the South. I love Grisham and I loved ATK, but I would be very sad if it replaced TKM in schools. I do notthink it is in the same literary catagory at all just because they are both about injusticein the south. Just my opinion.

I loved this book as well!

I lived in the city that the Movie was filmed and got to see a lot of the filming. This movie is very close to the book which made it exciting to watch!

Yes, the rape scene was difficult to read and was extremely raw and emotional.

But then again, rape is raw and emotional for ANYONE, especially a young girl.

As readers, had John Grisham just glossed over the rape scene, or just alluded to what happened, do you think you would have felt the same gut wrenching emotions and strong ties with Carl? Would you truly have wanted to see him walk free? After all, he did, in cold blood, kill two men. Would you have stood up and cheered "YES!" at the end when he walks out a free man?

Julie wrote: "Ellie Mae is a character from the Beverly Hillibilies. Harry Rex is insulting Ellen Roark by calling her that. Elly Mae was a kind of a hick, or a back woods girl who wasn't too bright all the t..."

Ellie Mae was bright, she just wasn't worldly. I love Ellie Mae. Jethro on the other hand, is an idiot. He thought that with a 6th grade education he could be a brain surgeon.

Dick wrote: "Grisham has said that A Time to Kill was his favorite of his books because it is the only one got to linger over in its creation. It published small. The Firm was published big and took off like ..."


I have to agree with your assessment 100%. I do think it is the present day equivalent to "To Kill a Mockingbird" which I consider one of the best books ever written.

I am not a big Grisham fan but this book is one of the best I have ever read. Yes the beginning is hard to read but after you get past the rape the rest of the book is great. I live in the south and can imagine this happening in the 50's, 60's or 70's. I did not like the character Ellen Roarke. The movie is awesome by the way. And I agree that this is the equivalent to To Kill a Mockingbird.

I'm not a Grisham fan, but I did like this book, the client and the pelican brief.

Jessica wrote: "I truly enjoyed all but the beginning of A Time to Kill. I could see that Grisham's style was a little rawer--and perhaps that was what made it interesting.

I found the beginning too shocking. I ..."

It was really graphic. I did not like it. I know this stuff happens , but I do not need to dwell on details.

A Time to Kill is the first John Grisham Book I ever read and till now, It remains my favourite John Grisham pick. Graphic and filled with real emotion.

Lynette wrote: "A Time to Kill is the first John Grisham Book I ever read and till now, It remains my favourite John Grisham pick. Graphic and filled with real emotion."

mine too! I feel the same about it.

I cried reading A Time To Kill. From the very beginning, it's already a shocker. I love how it was written and what it signifies. I love how it argues the issue on equality. This is one book you coudln't just put away without finishing.

Its been a long time since I read this book,but one of the things that stick in my mind after all this time is a scene from the movie when Jake Brigance(played by Matthew McConaughey)is in the court he asks the jury to close their eyes and imagine a little girl,He then describes in details of how the rape occurs. slowly building up the story. then he snaps." now imagine her as white".I don't think anymore needs to be said.

Lisa wrote: "Its been a long time since I read this book,but one of the things that stick in my mind after all this time is a scene from the movie when Jake Brigance(played by Matthew McConaughey)is in the cou..."

Also did you know Grisham based the story on a witness statement he had to take of a young rape.

I really liked A Time To Kill. It was my third Grisham (first I read The Client, then The Rainmaker) and I was shocked by the beginning. But, even after, I can't put it off.
ATTK is, as other have said, a story about justice and unjustice.
I remember the scene in the movie! I think in the book that part was done by a woman in the jury.
Tough I liked Grisham, I couldn't get through The Brethren. Couldn't read more than an hundred pages... it was too slow for me.

I can not wait to get the latest Grisham,The racketeer,I think it is this week that it comes out 23rd
you can read
except

Lisa wrote: "Its been a long time since I read this book,but one of the things that stick in my mind after all this time is a scene from the movie when Jake Brigance(played by Matthew McConaughey)is in the cou..."

Oh! that was my fave part as well! The movie was well made, IMO. That brought me to tears, both while reading the novel and watching that scene

Nancy wrote: "A Time to Kill is my favorite Grisham novel. It is truly justice vs injustice. I found the character development to be very good. The court room scene was riveting. I would highly recommend this ..."

I agree with you Nancy gripping from beginning to end..The start was hard to read but it built up your hatred for them and your need to see justice done...Excellent all the way through

I've read most of Grisham's work but this is still my favorite.

My first job was at a book store in high school. I remember reading this book, and vividly being able to see and feel what the characters were going through. I have read other Grisham books, but this one has always resonated with me because of the way that he blended the old south unfortunately with things that are still happening today. His book was not shock for me-it was an eye opener.

This one beats 'The Firm' by a narrow and all other books by John by a huge margin.

I think this is one of his best books. The beginning was shocking - but that's how it was. I had read Grisham books before "A Time to Kill" and have read many since. And except for "Skipping Christmas" and "Playing for Pizza", it still remains in my mind as one of the best Grisham's.

A Time To Kill - By far Grisham's best! (And I have read most of his books)

I've read all of JG's books and A Time To Kill is still one of my favorite. This book originally bombed on bookshelves but soared when rereleased. Love this book. Couldn't put it down.

Dusty wrote: "Vova, good for you. You'll learn the language faster and with this method as well as some of the common phrases and references.

Jessica, I agree. I think Grisham could have been less descriptive..."

It was Grisham's first book based on a real case he witnessed (don't know if he was involved as a lawyer), so I assume that the details were so gruesome and raw that he felt he needed to "show" his readers what this little girl went through. his first attempt at a novel, he may have learned some things along the way.
But that is my guess.
Good story though.