A Time to Kill

by Christopher Tribble (Adapter), John Grisham

When a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, kills the two white men who raped his daughter, the town of Clanton, Mississippi is filled with anger and violence on all sides. This makes for a dangerous case for young lawyer Jack Brigance, but he'll do anything to defend his client and his own life.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Legal Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Media Tie In, Crime

89 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2000

Reviews

[Camille]

I read this for my English Course and I really enjoyed it. It was very short, a simple adaptation. I had watched the movie a couple years ago and loved it. I liked the strength and determination on Jake's character, the need to win, the need to show everyone the truth. It made me feel nervous at some parts even though I already knew how it ended.
I loved all of Jake's speeches, the way he talked and explained himself was incredible.

Really good book, easy to read.

[Dani]

Buen libro para practicar una lectura fácil en inglés

[Barbara Jones]

Excellent book!

[Max Kramer]

A bowl of vomit

[sheen]

He’s such a good writer, and that’s why I am collecting his books to fill my bookshelf at home. This is his first book released, but this was the third book of him I read I guess… The Street Lawyer, then The Firm, and right, I’ve read it third on the list. Grisham really is read-till-the-end writer, I mean you won’t be able to put down his books because it’s always fill of thrill, excitement, controversy etc… that you want to discover the beginnings-to-endings of each mysterious-written-scenes.

This book must be read by countries that practices racism since it discusses clearly the effect of it. Imagine a little black kid raped by white-teen and yet justice-for-white-people prevails? That’s disgusting… and yes, the title is perfect! Have you ever thought when-or-what is the right time for you to kill anyone? Carl Lee, a portrait of loving father. He can do everything and anything for the sake of his family, his daughter Tonya (the little girl who was raped). I can’t question his principle in the killing James and Billy (the rapists), it’s a natural act of a parent. But I am not agreeing either in putting-justice-in-your-own-hand… and the effect of black-and-white-people war is presented, that many officials takes advantage-to like Rufus Buckley.

I never expect the happy-ending of the book honestly, since all scenes are reality-based. I’m expecting Carl Lee to be jailed because of killing the rapists. But Jake’s strategy in pointing-out-the-emotional-act of Carl Lee to the jury, AMAZING!!!! A biased-strategy I can say but effective, since the jury agreed they’ll do the same Carl Lee did to protect their little girls… An emotional book of Grisham!!! And for that, another 4 stars!!!

[Bianca]

This book was very confrontational- it made you ask yourself, the reader, hard questions that you mightn't want to but have to to fully understand the book and what the Author is trying to tell you.

It's a wonderfully written book that left me feeling inspired and touched- I'm glad I read it and I suggest anyone with any interest in crime, Mid-20th century America or race issues in America to read it.

[Sally]

Pretty heavy stuff... I saw the film at its time of release because yay, Sandra Bullock! Always loved her. And I did enjoy it, but then I read the book and, considering I was only 14 or 15, that was a bit too much.

[Matt]

First Grisham book I have read. I thought the character development was great, and his potrayal of the South was also very good. A great story line, and I found it hard to put down in most places. I will be reading more Grisham.

[Lynne]

john grisham may be a supermarket fiction whore, but for good reason.

[Angelic]

The movie was grrreat but still did the book no justice!

[Tracy]

It's been a long time since I read this book but I read several others by Grisham and this was always my favorite. It seemed less like a book written to become a film and more like simply a book.

[Avel Rudenko]

Wonderful read! John Grishams's first Book...Just a masterpiece...and is followed by a movie by the same name. In short, it is a story of blacks getting mistreated by bully whites.

[Namiko]

I was sometimes too upset to keep reading. I hate to read people attack and hurt weak people. I agree with the jury's decision.

[Juan Escalante]

Genial. A pesar de que la leí en formato Penguin Readers, me pareció muy buena. No lo puse las 5 estrellas porque la partes del juicio se me hicieron un poco pesadas, pero igual muy buen libro :D

[Joan]

I could have enjoyed the ending but the fudge the stuff that led to it was too damn painful.

[Fran]

My favorite John Grisham book. It is riveting, cruel, and yet justice does prevail albeit at a great cost.

[So Na]

American English (2 week) Upper Intermediate (2300words) /Contemporary/