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The Street Lawyer
Michael Brock is a man in a hurry. He's in the fast lane at Drake & Sweeney, a giant Washington law firm. He's a rising star, with no time to waste, no time to toss a few coins into the hands of beggars. No time for a conscience.
But a chance violent encounter with a homeless man stops him cold. The fallout propels him onto a trail of corruption and illegality which leads straight back to Drake & Sweeney. To get to the truth, Michael will have to dig deep into some of his own firm's dirtiest secrets...
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 1998
2961 people are currently reading
28844 people want to read
About the author
John Grisham
480 books88.8k followersJohn Grisham is the author of more than fifty consecutive #1 bestsellers, which have been translated into nearly fifty languages. His recent books include Framed, Camino Ghosts and The Exchange: After the Firm.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he's not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John lives on a farm in central Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,377 reviews
May 20, 2024
Up and coming corporate lawyer Michael Brock is held hostage alongside eight other lawyers by what appears to be a homeless and deranged black man. After the siege comes to the tragic expected end, Michael just can't let it go; and eventually finds himself looking into the plight of the hostage taker and what drove him to choose the law firm he works at as a target. The only way Michael can come to terms with the reality of the urban existence for many and the ongoing homeless epidemic is to become a street lawyer, but this will me giving almost up everything he has worked for, including is personal relationships!
The one thing two of my favoured writers Stephen King and John Grisham have in common is that they both continually dive into the plight of the American disenfranchised in their storytelling; this is a superb read, that is built round the story of a white lawyer not accepting the 'crazy black man' trope; and around how American capitalism creates and persecutes its homeless. My favourite Grisham to date; I just love the big bucks mainstream storytellers telling real stories about real America. A 9, yes 9 out of 12, Four Star cracker of a read.
2024 read
The one thing two of my favoured writers Stephen King and John Grisham have in common is that they both continually dive into the plight of the American disenfranchised in their storytelling; this is a superb read, that is built round the story of a white lawyer not accepting the 'crazy black man' trope; and around how American capitalism creates and persecutes its homeless. My favourite Grisham to date; I just love the big bucks mainstream storytellers telling real stories about real America. A 9, yes 9 out of 12, Four Star cracker of a read.
2024 read
March 2, 2020
“You spend more on fancy coffee than I do on meals. Why can’t you help the poor, the sick, the homeless?”
― John Grisham, The Street Lawyer
This book was so very good. I am a big Grisham fan but certain books are better then others and this one was near flawless.
I liked the lead character, Michael very much and loved the story line. It is a page turner from start to finish and I loved that the homeless angle was flawlessly woven into the story line.
Some things never change..some bad guys, a nasty law firm. But the pacing on this one is excellent and you cannot put the book down. It is up there along with The Firm, Runaway Jury, A Time to Kill and The Rain Maker as one of his best.
― John Grisham, The Street Lawyer
This book was so very good. I am a big Grisham fan but certain books are better then others and this one was near flawless.
I liked the lead character, Michael very much and loved the story line. It is a page turner from start to finish and I loved that the homeless angle was flawlessly woven into the story line.
Some things never change..some bad guys, a nasty law firm. But the pacing on this one is excellent and you cannot put the book down. It is up there along with The Firm, Runaway Jury, A Time to Kill and The Rain Maker as one of his best.
February 28, 2020
An entertaining thriller from John Grisham. Also an excellent introduction to the plight of the homeless on the streets of D.C.
August 30, 2022
من لا يؤدبه الضمير؛تؤدبه الحياة حين تدور
و الضمير الحي قد تصيبه غشاوة و قد يغفو او يتغافل؛ لكنه لا يموت
و عبر احد مواقف الرهائن؛يؤكد لنا جريشام في تلك الدراما القانونية انه لا قوة؛تفوق قوة الضمير! ا
و الضمير الحي قد تصيبه غشاوة و قد يغفو او يتغافل؛ لكنه لا يموت
و عبر احد مواقف الرهائن؛يؤكد لنا جريشام في تلك الدراما القانونية انه لا قوة؛تفوق قوة الضمير! ا
January 11, 2024
This book was donated to my Little Free Library Shed.
But…
After the disappointment of “The Exchange,” I wasn’t sure I wanted to plunge myself into another Grisham. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Still…
I have found his earlier books to be quite satisfying.
So…
I began reading.
Michael Brock was an associate at one of Washington D.C.’s top firms, Drake & Sweeney.
He didn’t have time to notice what was going on in the outer world, with having to be concerned about billings for the firm.
But…
One day that would change when “Mister” strove in and took him and 8 other fellow attorneys as hostages.
Mister died, and Michael may have escaped the event unscathed; but, something changed in him.
Thus…
Opening the door for him to become an advocate “street lawyer” for the homeless. (Hence: the title of the book.)
“The frightening part of homelessness is what you don’t see on the street. About half of all poor people spend seventy percent of their income trying to keep the housing they have. …There are tens of thousands of people in this city who are clinging to their roofs; one missed paycheck, one unexpected hospital visit, one unseen emergency and they lose their housing.”
What Michael learns under the tutelage of street lawyer, Mordecai Green, helps him realize leaving the firm to work on behalf of the homeless is what he was needing in his life.
And…
Then there is that file that tells the full story as to why Mister was at his original law firm, in the first place.
“The trend in urban America is to criminalize homelessness. …Can’t beg, can’t sleep on a bench, can’t camp under a bridge, can’t store personal items in a public park, can’t sit on a sidewalk, can’t eat in public. …The cities selectively enforce general laws, such as loitering, vagrancy, public drunkenness. They target the homeless. Sweeps are common. …shovel up all the homeless, dump them somewhere else.”
This story was published in 1998, and yet, the circumstances of the homeless that are shared here, feels as if it were written today.
Grisham does a fine job of casting a young, idealistic lawyer as the underdog and pitting him against a big, powerful opponent with money and resources…
While…
Providing readers with a quick plot line with social issues that give this story relevance.
And…
This story is truly character-driven.
Although…
Michael’s transition from top firm associate lawyer on track for partner to street lawyer, may feel rushed, it is still readable.
Because…
As readers we are rooting for the underdog, and we like what we are seeing when we do.
This may not be the courtroom drama readers will come to expect of Grisham…
But…
The page-turning is quick and the story moves along, especially for the inevitable showdown with his former firm.
November 28, 2016
Potpuno sam subjektivna kada je u pitanju Grišam... Najpre sam godina bila njegov prevodilac, a potom i urednik... I apsolutno je nenadmašan i maher kada su u pitanju "legal" trileri... :) Ovu knjigu sam prevela pre 15 godina i nedavno je doživela novo izdanje kod drugog izdavača...
August 4, 2008
Prosperous people should feel guilty because there are homeless people in our cities. That is the main message in this Grisham novel.
In the book are perfectly normal people who become homeless because they are down on their luck. Strangely, no mention is made of the primary sources of homelessness: drugs and mental illness. No, according to The Street Lawyer, the problem of homlessness is caused by the selfish prosperity of our country.
Besides the misled preachiness of the story, it's also rather boring.
In the book are perfectly normal people who become homeless because they are down on their luck. Strangely, no mention is made of the primary sources of homelessness: drugs and mental illness. No, according to The Street Lawyer, the problem of homlessness is caused by the selfish prosperity of our country.
Besides the misled preachiness of the story, it's also rather boring.
April 9, 2019
One of Grisham's most inspirational novels, and among those that turned me into a Grisham fan.
It is clear that the author was disturbed by the plight of the homeless and decided he would write a fictional vehicle to raise awareness of this problem. What makes the story more striking is the contrast presented by the protagonist's own affluence, and the price he must keep to maintain it.
The story starts out with a bang, literally, an event so traumatic that the main character, Michael Brock, is forced to reflect upon his life and on those of others much less fortunate.
In terms of writing, the style is engaging, the first person narration candid, the story upbeat and heartwarming. However, there are two risks Mr. Grisham took in writing this novel.
1) A political stance is taken within a work designed for entertainment. This will alienate those who do not agree with the views the story is clearly expressing.
2) Exacerbating the first point, is that events take on extreme turns during the course of the story, so much so that some credibility is lost. But there is always a degree of "suspension of disbelief" when reading fiction, the amount of it depending on the genre and the author's reputation. Grisham may have come close to the edge in this one.
Still, I congratulate him for taking these risks,, and of course as a multi-million selling international author, one could say he could well afford to. But then again who else can, even though many in his position never do.
I gave it 5 stars, and I acknowledge that this rating is based on a very personal and subjective judgement. This book moved me.
It is clear that the author was disturbed by the plight of the homeless and decided he would write a fictional vehicle to raise awareness of this problem. What makes the story more striking is the contrast presented by the protagonist's own affluence, and the price he must keep to maintain it.
The story starts out with a bang, literally, an event so traumatic that the main character, Michael Brock, is forced to reflect upon his life and on those of others much less fortunate.
In terms of writing, the style is engaging, the first person narration candid, the story upbeat and heartwarming. However, there are two risks Mr. Grisham took in writing this novel.
1) A political stance is taken within a work designed for entertainment. This will alienate those who do not agree with the views the story is clearly expressing.
2) Exacerbating the first point, is that events take on extreme turns during the course of the story, so much so that some credibility is lost. But there is always a degree of "suspension of disbelief" when reading fiction, the amount of it depending on the genre and the author's reputation. Grisham may have come close to the edge in this one.
Still, I congratulate him for taking these risks,, and of course as a multi-million selling international author, one could say he could well afford to. But then again who else can, even though many in his position never do.
I gave it 5 stars, and I acknowledge that this rating is based on a very personal and subjective judgement. This book moved me.
April 10, 2019
People here claiming a white upper class lawyer (from Yale remember) in the 1990s is racist because he (Michael Brock, the character remember, not the author John Grisham) noted how basketball was popular and Washington D.C. jails and juries would be majority black, need to have their SJW cards revoked and get off their high horse and soapboxes.
It continues to amaze me the incompetence of readers and lacking insight and nuance.
If you can't handle facts even today in your snowflakey world then best not to read anything pre-2020 that isn't written but a certified Marxist lefty gender fluid furry.
This is why we can't have nice things.
It continues to amaze me the incompetence of readers and lacking insight and nuance.
If you can't handle facts even today in your snowflakey world then best not to read anything pre-2020 that isn't written but a certified Marxist lefty gender fluid furry.
This is why we can't have nice things.
May 26, 2020
A stand alone legal novel by John Grisham first published 1998.
I really enjoyed this. It’s a novel full of moral rectitude and the question it asks is ‘why, in the world’s most affluent nation, is there so much poverty’?
It’s all a bit black and white but the message is still strong for all that. The homeless are portrayed as down trodden innocents where as the legal profession are, for the most part, portrayed as money grabbing whores.
Michael Brock works in one of the nation most powerful legal firm. He makes a gross amount of money but the pursuit of all this money has made Michaels marriage a joke.
On this particular day Michaels life is about to change for ever. When entering the elevator to his office floor Michael is followed by a large smelly man dressed in lots of very dirty old cloths. This man then proceeds to follow Michael to his office where he pulls a gun and holds a handful of staff members for interrogations. In the midst of the alteration a swat team arrives and shoot the man in the head. Michael survives incident but as he stands in the office covered in the mans blood and brains he knows he will never be the same again.
With a need to understand why all this happened Michael finds himself in the offices of a legal team that is dedicated to providing legal assistance to homeless people. It doesn’t take Michael long to decide that this is what he should be doing, and so, much to his families consternation and the end of his marriage Michael leaves his well paid job to go work for the homeless.
For all its commentary on the plight of the homeless this is still a legal thriller with all the twists and turn that you would expect.
So in summation, this is a legal thriller with lots of heart.
A terrific 4 star read.
I really enjoyed this. It’s a novel full of moral rectitude and the question it asks is ‘why, in the world’s most affluent nation, is there so much poverty’?
It’s all a bit black and white but the message is still strong for all that. The homeless are portrayed as down trodden innocents where as the legal profession are, for the most part, portrayed as money grabbing whores.
Michael Brock works in one of the nation most powerful legal firm. He makes a gross amount of money but the pursuit of all this money has made Michaels marriage a joke.
On this particular day Michaels life is about to change for ever. When entering the elevator to his office floor Michael is followed by a large smelly man dressed in lots of very dirty old cloths. This man then proceeds to follow Michael to his office where he pulls a gun and holds a handful of staff members for interrogations. In the midst of the alteration a swat team arrives and shoot the man in the head. Michael survives incident but as he stands in the office covered in the mans blood and brains he knows he will never be the same again.
With a need to understand why all this happened Michael finds himself in the offices of a legal team that is dedicated to providing legal assistance to homeless people. It doesn’t take Michael long to decide that this is what he should be doing, and so, much to his families consternation and the end of his marriage Michael leaves his well paid job to go work for the homeless.
For all its commentary on the plight of the homeless this is still a legal thriller with all the twists and turn that you would expect.
So in summation, this is a legal thriller with lots of heart.
A terrific 4 star read.
May 6, 2023
Michael Brock werkt voor een grote advocatenfirma, waar massa's geld te verdienen valt. Op een dag echter komt een man binnen in een vergaderzaal, waar Michael en nog een aantal anderen aanwezig zijn. De man heeft een wapen en gijzelt de aanwezigen. Het is niet meteen duidelijk wat hij wil, maar hij is geïnteresseerd in hoeveel men daar verdient etc. Uiteindelijk kan de man overmeesterd worden, er hijzelf is de enige die gedood wordt.
De zaak laat Michael niet los, hij wil weten wie de man was, en wat zijn motief zou kunnen zijn. En zo komt hij terecht bij het wereldje van de daklozen en de straatadvocaten. Meer nog, hij ontdekt dat zijn eigen firma iets te maken heeft met de ontruiming van een gebouw waar daklozen woonden, en die dus geen plaats meer hadden om te slapen in de ijzige februarikou, voor sommigen met noodlottige gevolgen. Michael steelt een dossier uit het kantoor met de bedoeling het later terug te leggen, maar door omstandigheden lukt hem dit niet. Als de diefstal ontdekt wordt, begint voor Michael een heel gevaarlijke tijd, want het bevat informatie die vanuit het standpunt van de advokatenfirma maar beter het daglicht niet kan zien. Maar Michael beseft ook de waarde van de documenten die hij in handen heeft. De strijd kan beginnen...
Ik heb genoten van dit boek. De wereld van de daklozen in Washington wordt beeldend beschreven, en het is niet moeilijk om je in de gevoelswereld van Michael en de andere personages in te leven. Vlot leesbaar ook.
De zaak laat Michael niet los, hij wil weten wie de man was, en wat zijn motief zou kunnen zijn. En zo komt hij terecht bij het wereldje van de daklozen en de straatadvocaten. Meer nog, hij ontdekt dat zijn eigen firma iets te maken heeft met de ontruiming van een gebouw waar daklozen woonden, en die dus geen plaats meer hadden om te slapen in de ijzige februarikou, voor sommigen met noodlottige gevolgen. Michael steelt een dossier uit het kantoor met de bedoeling het later terug te leggen, maar door omstandigheden lukt hem dit niet. Als de diefstal ontdekt wordt, begint voor Michael een heel gevaarlijke tijd, want het bevat informatie die vanuit het standpunt van de advokatenfirma maar beter het daglicht niet kan zien. Maar Michael beseft ook de waarde van de documenten die hij in handen heeft. De strijd kan beginnen...
Ik heb genoten van dit boek. De wereld van de daklozen in Washington wordt beeldend beschreven, en het is niet moeilijk om je in de gevoelswereld van Michael en de andere personages in te leven. Vlot leesbaar ook.
June 16, 2025
Not Grisham's strongest writing, but he was tackling a very large set of themes here (mainly systemic poverty and homelessness, as well as racism and classism). In that, he did a good job simplifying some of the biggest barriers and demonstrating the cycle of systemized and oppressive poverty. However, I did find it a little annoying that Michael had no friends or family who would even sympathize with his life choices and what led him to these choices. It's all neatly explained away, but I find it hard to believe that his immediate family didn't even want to hear him out.
Michael had an opportunity to redirect his talent into something he believed in, something bigger than himself, and something that he could grow into a powerful and impactful force for good. It was a little too much contrast between this life that awaited him and the life he left behind, the one motivated by personal and corporate greed. This is what I mean when I say it wasn't Grisham's best writing. It lacked suggestion and subtlety. Instead, it's bashed in with a heavy hammer. But because he really worked hard to bring these social issues to light with some degree of effectiveness, I give him a 3.75 and round up to 4.
Michael had an opportunity to redirect his talent into something he believed in, something bigger than himself, and something that he could grow into a powerful and impactful force for good. It was a little too much contrast between this life that awaited him and the life he left behind, the one motivated by personal and corporate greed. This is what I mean when I say it wasn't Grisham's best writing. It lacked suggestion and subtlety. Instead, it's bashed in with a heavy hammer. But because he really worked hard to bring these social issues to light with some degree of effectiveness, I give him a 3.75 and round up to 4.
August 22, 2019
Boring. Preachy. Heartbreaking. Disgusting.
What was particularly disgusting was the protagonist's racism. There were remarks about a jury consisting of "12 black faces" ('cause there can't possibly be any white people in DC, right?) and the incredulous thought "a handsome white boy thrown in the pit!" and "the shoes in question were old Nike cross-trainers. They were not basketball shoes, and should not have appealed to [him.]" (because ALL black people play basketball, right?) Ugh.
Michael Brock may have developed a conscience by accident, but he failed to develop a personality. He was a flat and boring character who babbled and whined incessantly. Was I supposed to feel sorry for him? I didn't. Not for a second.
I am a Grisham fan - or at least I was once upon a time - but I would not recommend this book to people looking for a thriller. The facts about homelessness are heartbreaking, and the struggles of the 14th Street Legal Clinic inspire sympathy, but other than that it's not worth reading.
What was particularly disgusting was the protagonist's racism. There were remarks about a jury consisting of "12 black faces" ('cause there can't possibly be any white people in DC, right?) and the incredulous thought "a handsome white boy thrown in the pit!" and "the shoes in question were old Nike cross-trainers. They were not basketball shoes, and should not have appealed to [him.]" (because ALL black people play basketball, right?) Ugh.
Michael Brock may have developed a conscience by accident, but he failed to develop a personality. He was a flat and boring character who babbled and whined incessantly. Was I supposed to feel sorry for him? I didn't. Not for a second.
I am a Grisham fan - or at least I was once upon a time - but I would not recommend this book to people looking for a thriller. The facts about homelessness are heartbreaking, and the struggles of the 14th Street Legal Clinic inspire sympathy, but other than that it's not worth reading.
August 6, 2018
With this being a John Grisham novel I had better expectations for it. It was slow in developing and moved kind of slow and methodically for me. The ending came rather quickly, but finished up with a good message and a feel-good ending.
August 27, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the complexity of this incredible story. It draws us into the gut wrenching, heartbreaking and devastation of what the homeless have to endure.
I loved the complexity of this incredible story. It draws us into the gut wrenching, heartbreaking and devastation of what the homeless have to endure.
July 8, 2021
Oh Nooo!
Was this going to be another privileged, self-centered, materialistic and narcissistic white lawyer who "sees the light" story? Well, in the beginning yes.
The beginning of this one started out with shallow character development for the protagonist lawyer who is on the fast track to lawyer stardom and partnership with the best firm in the world, A-men! And then!!!!!!
It was a struggle at times to read this story due to the formulaic trajectory of said lawyers path after a come-to jesus occurrence. But the last half moved on from the do-good compulsive behavior and got down to some serious lets kick some evil/establishment booty. the last half was a 4 star for sure.
3 stars
Was this going to be another privileged, self-centered, materialistic and narcissistic white lawyer who "sees the light" story? Well, in the beginning yes.
The beginning of this one started out with shallow character development for the protagonist lawyer who is on the fast track to lawyer stardom and partnership with the best firm in the world, A-men! And then!!!!!!
It was a struggle at times to read this story due to the formulaic trajectory of said lawyers path after a come-to jesus occurrence. But the last half moved on from the do-good compulsive behavior and got down to some serious lets kick some evil/establishment booty. the last half was a 4 star for sure.
3 stars
July 19, 2020
While I was browsing my Goodreads account, I came across one of my first book reviews. Thinking of rereading it again because this is one of the books that inspired me to become a lawyer.
Felt slightly embarassed reading the reviews I wrote almost 7-8 years ago. Haha. But anyway, now that I am a lawyer, have I found the purpose of my chosen profession? Guess it’s too early to tell.
——
Review posted on April 1, 2010:
“Privileged people don't march and protest; their world is safe and clean and governed by laws designed to keep them happy.”
--J. Grisham, The Street Lawywer
This is the first John Grisham book I've read. The novel is about a rich lawyer trying to find the purpose of his job as an attorney. It describes a life of a RICH LAWYER WITH A CONSCIENCE.
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
It's always my dream to be a lawyer and this book had been useful to me because it settled my character and belief as a future attorney -- That "MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING AND MONEY DOES NOT DEFINE WHAT A LAWYER DOES" ;)
Felt slightly embarassed reading the reviews I wrote almost 7-8 years ago. Haha. But anyway, now that I am a lawyer, have I found the purpose of my chosen profession? Guess it’s too early to tell.
——
Review posted on April 1, 2010:
“Privileged people don't march and protest; their world is safe and clean and governed by laws designed to keep them happy.”
--J. Grisham, The Street Lawywer
This is the first John Grisham book I've read. The novel is about a rich lawyer trying to find the purpose of his job as an attorney. It describes a life of a RICH LAWYER WITH A CONSCIENCE.
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
It's always my dream to be a lawyer and this book had been useful to me because it settled my character and belief as a future attorney -- That "MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING AND MONEY DOES NOT DEFINE WHAT A LAWYER DOES" ;)
September 15, 2016
This book didn't feel like your typical Grisham courtroom drama, it just had a different feel to it, but in a good way.
The Street Lawyer takes place in Washington DC, Michael Brock is working for a big law firm that pays big money. Until one day a homeless man enters the firm and takes Brock and many other lawyers hostage. The police take out the suspect, but afterword's Michael discovers something going on in the very firm he's been working for. So Brock has a change of heart, he quits the firm and takes to the streets, now working for a lower firm that help homeless people and doesn't pay Michael as much money.
While reading this it broke my heart when introduced to the life of homeless people, even though the book was fiction, but that's the kind of stuff you see every day.
Another winner by Grisham!
The Street Lawyer takes place in Washington DC, Michael Brock is working for a big law firm that pays big money. Until one day a homeless man enters the firm and takes Brock and many other lawyers hostage. The police take out the suspect, but afterword's Michael discovers something going on in the very firm he's been working for. So Brock has a change of heart, he quits the firm and takes to the streets, now working for a lower firm that help homeless people and doesn't pay Michael as much money.
While reading this it broke my heart when introduced to the life of homeless people, even though the book was fiction, but that's the kind of stuff you see every day.
Another winner by Grisham!
August 31, 2024
Nel suo genere di “legal thriller”, questo romanzo pubblicato da John Grisham nel 1998, rappresenta uno dei migliori esempi di narrativa sociale, legando in maniera magistrale la vita pubblica e privata del giovane avvocato rampante Michael Brock legato professionalmente a uno dei più grossi studi legali di New York alle problematiche personali, sociali e legali dei “senzatetto”, una realtà che comincia ad essere un problema molto attuale e di non facile soluzione anche da noi. Poco incline a leggere la saggistica e le riviste d’attualità, ho trovato questo romanzo semplicemente perfetto per comprendere questo tema e nello stesso tempo apprezzare il racconto degli sconvolgimenti personali e professionali del protagonista, sballottato suo malgrado in una realtà fino a quel momento da lui ignorata.
January 24, 2009
I personally have become a recent fan of John Grisham’s book and to any of those fans out there, this is a book that will not disappoint you. Even for those who aren’t John Grisham fans, this book is a must read. Grisham captures the life of the impoverished and needy in downtown D.C. and he shows how the law treats different class’s different ways. This book is not only a page turner but a fast page turner. I found myself rushing at times, anxious to read on and discover more about this mysterious and dangerous case that Brock was working on. Grisham uses a narrative style that lets the reader into the main characters thinking and it help the reader discover the characters own traits and how he is affected by the events around him. Grisham used descriptive language beautifully in this book and I felt the words were jumping off the page for me to see them played out right in front of me.
This book is not only compelling and exciting but it’s advocating for those who don’t have a voice themselves. Grisham uses the microphone he’s been giving through pages and words to illustrate the need our country has and the situations of many underprivileged people in our county. One thing that I’ve always liked and I’m sure others enjoy too, is the themes and moral lessons Grisham always has in his novels and how they all have a redeeming quality to them. Overall, I think this book was extremely well done and is one of Grisham’s finest. I highly recommend this book to all readers. Grisham, like always, captivated me with his exciting plots and deep description, making this one of the best books I have ever read. If you have the opportunity, give Street Lawyer a chance, you won’t regret it.
This book is not only compelling and exciting but it’s advocating for those who don’t have a voice themselves. Grisham uses the microphone he’s been giving through pages and words to illustrate the need our country has and the situations of many underprivileged people in our county. One thing that I’ve always liked and I’m sure others enjoy too, is the themes and moral lessons Grisham always has in his novels and how they all have a redeeming quality to them. Overall, I think this book was extremely well done and is one of Grisham’s finest. I highly recommend this book to all readers. Grisham, like always, captivated me with his exciting plots and deep description, making this one of the best books I have ever read. If you have the opportunity, give Street Lawyer a chance, you won’t regret it.
May 24, 2009
This is one of my favorite books of all time. Not only does one of the most admirable characters I've ever come across, it has a meaningful moral lesson thrown in for good measure.
July 30, 2018
Another JG masterpiece....Sometimes tense, sometimes heartwarming, always a page turner. The setting is Washington D.C. (the district) with focus on an old and very large, prestegious D.C. law firm. One of the staff, young attorney Michael Brock, is onto the firm's misbehavior and does some digging on his own. His actions are not without potentially severe consequences as well. Michael, who will soon be going through his own divorce, seeks counsel from the local 'homeless' lawyer's office.
His life is about to change dramatically.
As usual, many twists and turns, ups and downs, and another incredible read.
His life is about to change dramatically.
As usual, many twists and turns, ups and downs, and another incredible read.
September 25, 2012
One of my favourite authors is John Grisham. His books are one of the reasons that I decided to study Law for my degree. Even though his portrayal of the law and the job that comes with it is slightly exaggerated and intense, I believe there is truth behind his novels. He is an American lawyer specialising in Criminal law. This is evident within his novels as he is best known for his legal thrillers. I have read the majority of his books and out of all of them, The Street Lawyer has by far been my favourite read.
The Street Lawyer is a story of a wealthy, successful lawyer in Washington DC, Michael Brock. One day at work within his law firm, Drake and Sweeney, they are challenged by a homeless old man who walks into the office armed. The old man is shot by the police and Michael, in shock by this, investigates and soon realises that his law firm had made the old man homeless. With his marriage breaking up in his personal life and the trouble surrounding him in his professional career, he decides he can no longer work for the law firm. He meets Mordecai Green, who runs a law firm which helps the homeless, and decides to join him. Michael goes against his law firm and steals evidence from them which proves that the company evicted the old man and other tenants. Michael leaves his wife and begins work in a shelter for the homeless. His company realise that he knows the truth and do everything possible to try and stop him from revealing their dark secrets, resulting in his arrest. The book then builds on the case where Mordecai Green defends him.
The book is gripping in the sense that you don't know what the company are going to do next. They are so desperate to keep their secrets hidden and it is scary to read how far they are prepared to go to stop Michael, their ex co-worker and friend. The most appealing aspect of the book to me is not just the law system and the corruptions which surround it, but also the storyline regarding the homeless. In reality, a growing number of people in big cities are homeless. Some lose their jobs and cannot afford to live; some leave their home or are forced to leave their home to avoid domestic violence and abuse. Whatever the reason, the sad truth is that the local governments have shelters but they are usually crowded. Charities run hostels and soup kitchens where they offer hot food but even they are crowded and, sadly, some end up on the streets and survive by begging. Young people tend to find seeing someone on the streets somewhat amusing and I think the reason for this is that they are not educated behind the reasons of what can put a person in this position. The systems to provide shelter are long winded by paperwork and old-fashioned traditions, leaving the homeless helpless and lost. Unfortunately, this happens more than we, as society, like to acknowledge and it is easy to forget. So I like this book because it broadens your mind about everyday life occurrences and shows you the ugly truth which society tries to avoid.
I would say this book is appropriate to read from the ages of 11 and above. I read this book at a very young age myself and it really makes me grateful to my teachers who made it possible for me to read. The Street Lawyer always reminds me that education is a powerful instrument which can make a difference in your development, both academically and socially. Reading not only develops your imagination but can change you as a person. If mature reading can be instilled into an individual from a very young age, it will have a positive effect on their future aspirations.
I believe this book can be used to make older students discuss attitudes toward the poor and homeless, developing their social awareness skills. The book teaches you about helping those in need and looking beyond the face surface of situations. It can also be used for students to begin thinking about their future aspirations and maybe if they want to carry out a career in law or even anything else. Students can also be asked to carry out role-play activities in relation to the conversation between the characters in the book. This will involve working together in pairs or in a group with the aim of creating a scene from their own interpretation and understanding of the book. There is a certain emphasis on the media within the book so the book can be used to promote interest in one of the powerful sources of society which acts as a social change. Students can be divided into groups to talk about the media, focusing on the power of the media and how their intervention changed the course of events. This can lead to intellectual discussions and also may get young adults to engage in conversations over every day events and how they are portrayed in the news and newspapers today. This book can be used with young people for many activities. Reading this book can be viewed as both relaxing and fun, but at the same time educational. It is insightful, interesting and thrilling, all at the same time.
The Street Lawyer is a story of a wealthy, successful lawyer in Washington DC, Michael Brock. One day at work within his law firm, Drake and Sweeney, they are challenged by a homeless old man who walks into the office armed. The old man is shot by the police and Michael, in shock by this, investigates and soon realises that his law firm had made the old man homeless. With his marriage breaking up in his personal life and the trouble surrounding him in his professional career, he decides he can no longer work for the law firm. He meets Mordecai Green, who runs a law firm which helps the homeless, and decides to join him. Michael goes against his law firm and steals evidence from them which proves that the company evicted the old man and other tenants. Michael leaves his wife and begins work in a shelter for the homeless. His company realise that he knows the truth and do everything possible to try and stop him from revealing their dark secrets, resulting in his arrest. The book then builds on the case where Mordecai Green defends him.
The book is gripping in the sense that you don't know what the company are going to do next. They are so desperate to keep their secrets hidden and it is scary to read how far they are prepared to go to stop Michael, their ex co-worker and friend. The most appealing aspect of the book to me is not just the law system and the corruptions which surround it, but also the storyline regarding the homeless. In reality, a growing number of people in big cities are homeless. Some lose their jobs and cannot afford to live; some leave their home or are forced to leave their home to avoid domestic violence and abuse. Whatever the reason, the sad truth is that the local governments have shelters but they are usually crowded. Charities run hostels and soup kitchens where they offer hot food but even they are crowded and, sadly, some end up on the streets and survive by begging. Young people tend to find seeing someone on the streets somewhat amusing and I think the reason for this is that they are not educated behind the reasons of what can put a person in this position. The systems to provide shelter are long winded by paperwork and old-fashioned traditions, leaving the homeless helpless and lost. Unfortunately, this happens more than we, as society, like to acknowledge and it is easy to forget. So I like this book because it broadens your mind about everyday life occurrences and shows you the ugly truth which society tries to avoid.
I would say this book is appropriate to read from the ages of 11 and above. I read this book at a very young age myself and it really makes me grateful to my teachers who made it possible for me to read. The Street Lawyer always reminds me that education is a powerful instrument which can make a difference in your development, both academically and socially. Reading not only develops your imagination but can change you as a person. If mature reading can be instilled into an individual from a very young age, it will have a positive effect on their future aspirations.
I believe this book can be used to make older students discuss attitudes toward the poor and homeless, developing their social awareness skills. The book teaches you about helping those in need and looking beyond the face surface of situations. It can also be used for students to begin thinking about their future aspirations and maybe if they want to carry out a career in law or even anything else. Students can also be asked to carry out role-play activities in relation to the conversation between the characters in the book. This will involve working together in pairs or in a group with the aim of creating a scene from their own interpretation and understanding of the book. There is a certain emphasis on the media within the book so the book can be used to promote interest in one of the powerful sources of society which acts as a social change. Students can be divided into groups to talk about the media, focusing on the power of the media and how their intervention changed the course of events. This can lead to intellectual discussions and also may get young adults to engage in conversations over every day events and how they are portrayed in the news and newspapers today. This book can be used with young people for many activities. Reading this book can be viewed as both relaxing and fun, but at the same time educational. It is insightful, interesting and thrilling, all at the same time.
October 31, 2014
I think Grisham should always write in the first-person. His stories are livelier and more realistic from the first-person perspective. This novel is somewhere in the middle of his works, and it shows signs of becoming formulaic, but it still feels fairly fresh. The only reason that I'm giving it three stars and not four is that I didn't appreciate the racism implicit in ideas about homelessness in Washington D.C. Obviously, facts are facts, but there is a way to handle them without being sided one way.
However, I really like Michael Brock, the main character from whose perspective the story is told. I like Mordecai Green, the street lawyer from whom Michael learns, and I appreciate Grisham's obvious respect for the "real Mordecai Greens" as he calls them in his thank yous. The book is entertaining, but it's also educational and eye-opening. Working at a public library located downtown in a suburban city, I encounter homeless people and poor people often. I've become familiar with some of their ways and their struggles. I both empathize and sympathize. I'm sure, though, that most of Grisham's readers, like him, never knew much or understood much or even cared much about the homeless. This book is a way to show people the truth about the plights of the homeless around the country, starting with the nation's capital.
I recommend this book to Grisham fans, to readers who enjoy books about lawyers, and to anyone interested in learning more about the homeless and the people who work for and with them.
However, I really like Michael Brock, the main character from whose perspective the story is told. I like Mordecai Green, the street lawyer from whom Michael learns, and I appreciate Grisham's obvious respect for the "real Mordecai Greens" as he calls them in his thank yous. The book is entertaining, but it's also educational and eye-opening. Working at a public library located downtown in a suburban city, I encounter homeless people and poor people often. I've become familiar with some of their ways and their struggles. I both empathize and sympathize. I'm sure, though, that most of Grisham's readers, like him, never knew much or understood much or even cared much about the homeless. This book is a way to show people the truth about the plights of the homeless around the country, starting with the nation's capital.
I recommend this book to Grisham fans, to readers who enjoy books about lawyers, and to anyone interested in learning more about the homeless and the people who work for and with them.
August 12, 2015
The book is great and moves for the first couple of chapters... And then falls off a cliff and remains stale and boring. This book had potential, and while it is excessively preachy about the sins of rich folk, the message still could've made a good book. The problem was that I didn't care about any of the people. The main character is whiney and obnoxious so its hard to even care about the supposed transformation he's going through to become a "better person." Whether you believe that the books definition of better person is true or not, it's hard to care about the character when you just want them to shut up.
Further, the book spends an excessive amount of time on the characters failing marriage and the issues with his ever charming wife (not that he's an angel either), but ultimately that entire plot line is pointless. Just more of him whining and then they don't even get back together. I understand it's supposed to show the additional stress he's under, but it completely detracted and pulled attention away from the preachy rhetoric, which was supposed to be the point of the book.
Ultimately, if you're a liberal and want to read a book and go yeah screw rich people, or if you're a self depreciating rich person that wants to feel guilty about not doing enough charity work, than this book is for you. If not then you'll probably hate yourself for the hours of your life you'll waste trudging through this 400 pg preachfest.
Further, the book spends an excessive amount of time on the characters failing marriage and the issues with his ever charming wife (not that he's an angel either), but ultimately that entire plot line is pointless. Just more of him whining and then they don't even get back together. I understand it's supposed to show the additional stress he's under, but it completely detracted and pulled attention away from the preachy rhetoric, which was supposed to be the point of the book.
Ultimately, if you're a liberal and want to read a book and go yeah screw rich people, or if you're a self depreciating rich person that wants to feel guilty about not doing enough charity work, than this book is for you. If not then you'll probably hate yourself for the hours of your life you'll waste trudging through this 400 pg preachfest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2023
A much better read than The Appeal and a great plot based on the homeless
February 15, 2021
*Review Coming Up 🤞
December 30, 2022
A mediocre effort, this one from Grisham. A pretty standard setup gives us a young lawyer who, via a privileged upbringing and Yale, is working eighty hours a week at a posh Washington law firm. His work is at the dull end of the spectrum but he’ll be a partner in three years and then he’ll be pulling in the really big bucks. But a dramatic event at work one day changes all that, changes his whole life in fact. He starts to look at things in a different way and is tempted to his swap plush leather chair in antitrust for a cheap plastic one working as a public interest lawyer in the rough end of town.
At heart this is a look at how the homeless in America fare. A job helping them claim wages owed or providing a road to clearing their debts through bankruptcy proceedings isn’t hugely stimulating, but it’s certainly worthy. And that’s really the issue with this tale, there are just too many small stories here and the case central to the plot rather gets lost in the noise. It all lacks the ever present sense of jeopardy that keeps his best stories running at a high tempo.
At heart this is a look at how the homeless in America fare. A job helping them claim wages owed or providing a road to clearing their debts through bankruptcy proceedings isn’t hugely stimulating, but it’s certainly worthy. And that’s really the issue with this tale, there are just too many small stories here and the case central to the plot rather gets lost in the noise. It all lacks the ever present sense of jeopardy that keeps his best stories running at a high tempo.
January 15, 2012
WOW! I loved this book!! But for more reasons than the story itself. Published in 1998, before the current financial collapse, Grisham based this story around the homeless. If the homeless population was bad then, I can only imagine what it is presently. People in general look at the homeless as lazy and uneducated not worthy of their time or money. Nothing could be farther than the truth. The government talks a good talk but spends more money fighting the issue rather than helping.
I loved Michael Brock - what a great man he turned out to be. And we need more Hectors and Megans. And, as Grisham wrote in his Author's Notes, thank you to all the Mordecai's out there.
This is a great book to read if you ever wondered how people became homeless. What an eye opener. The story kept me enthralled. I didn't want to put it down.
I loved Michael Brock - what a great man he turned out to be. And we need more Hectors and Megans. And, as Grisham wrote in his Author's Notes, thank you to all the Mordecai's out there.
This is a great book to read if you ever wondered how people became homeless. What an eye opener. The story kept me enthralled. I didn't want to put it down.
October 7, 2024
a moral story of wealthy lawyer who have shocking and traumatic experience that turns his world upside down.
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