Gray Mountain: A Novel by John Grisham | Summary & Analysis

by Book*Sense

Gray by John Grisham | Summary & Analysis

This is a Summary & Analysis of Gray Mountain. Grisham's twenty-second legal thriller takes readers from the sky-scrapers of high-powered New York law firms to the dusty offices of a free legal clinic in small-town Virginia. Gray Mountain is both an exciting story of murder and intrigue and a thoughtful examination of the effects of the coal industry on life in Appalachia. Grisham's tight plotting, wry humor and three-dimensional characters bring the legal profession to life.

Gray Mountain begins in the tempestuous, nerve-wracking and paranoid atmosphere of Manhattan set in the confusing months after the economic blow-out in 2008. We see the offices with their ignored vistas, the busy, dirty sidewalks, the cramped apartments shared by young professionals. After a brief sojourn in her hometown of Washington, D.C., protagonist Samantha, along with the story, heads for rural Virginia. Most of the novel takes place in the small town of Brady, Virginia, which is poor and somewhat down-at-heel.

You also get the following in this Summary & Analysis of Gray
•Detailed Book Review from Experts
•Story Setting Analysis of Gray Mountain
•Gray Mountain Plot Analysis that will make you see the book from another angle.
•Pick up bits you might have missed as we decipher the novel.
•Details of Characters & Key Character Analysis
•Summary of the text, with some analytical comments interspersed
•Discussion & Analysis of Themes, Symbols…
•And Much More!

This Analysis of Gray Mountain fills the gap, making you understand more while enhancing your reading experience.

Genres: Fiction

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2014

Reviews

[Kevin Symmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Grisham seems to be an off again, on again kind of author. I've thoroughly enjoyed many of his works like The Firm, A Time to Kill and The Testament. Others I have not. Whether Mr. Grisham is simply getting older and phoning it in I'm in no position to say but I will say that Gray Mountain and the Litigator which I read recently display none of the tension, strong character development or energy of his earlier work. The main flaw I found was that I kept expecting a major plot twist or revelation to elevate this novel to the level of his earlier works. While there were several such plot twists and surprises none really "did it" for me. I did give the novel 3 stars perhaps out of a grudging respect for Mr. Grisham's body of work. I will not delve into the plot since it is convoluted and frankly confusing. If you're a Grisham die-hard you may enjoy it. I hope so!

[Barbara Lentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha is a NYC lawyer out of a job. She moves to Virginia to aid in a legal aid clinic. It mostly serves coal miners. She sees a different way of life than she knows and finds herself getting caught up in it.

[BECUE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting novel and a powerful and moving text; The author shows that the wheels of the economic machine martyr the earth and reduce man to the state of a slave. The principle of equal rights, the foundation of American democracy, is largely flouted. The action takes place in 2008 when the United States subprime mortgage crisis erupted. The main character Samantha is a 29-year-old lawyer who must move from Manhattan to Brady, Virginia, population 2,200, in the heart of Appalachia; she discovers a reality she didn't even suspect and at the same time understands that her professional life can make sense by defending the "lost" causes of the working people.

[Ann M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have often been envious, and sadly, in awe of conspicuous wealth. An interesting quote somewhere else is that people who hoard things are considered sick, unless what they hoard is money. The conditions that coal miners live in, the destruction of the environment, the disregard of human life as described in Gray Mountain made me think again. What have the super rich done in order to be so wealthy? You can’t have more than your share without taking some of someone else’s share. When a book makes you think about more than just the plot and characters, for a long time after closing the covers, then it is a worthwhile read.

[Norm Cliffton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I don’t usually write reviews but I HAD to for this one. Literally stayed up until 2am reading because every chapter ended on a cliffhanger. I don’t know how he does it but Grisham just gets it. The characters felt super real and I was actually yelling at the pages at some parts lol.

Some legal stuff went over my head ngl but it didn’t matter cause the plot was wild. Twists on top of twists. The ending?? Did NOT see that coming!!

If you like thrillers or courtroom drama or just like a good story that moves fast, read this. It’s classic Grisham. He’s still got it!!

[Rosemary Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
I have been an attorney for 45 years, and so might be expected to enjoy legal fiction, but that is not always the case. This book nailed the earthquake that went through Big Law in the wake of Lehman Brothers bankruptcy. The heroine is engaging and real. I won't give any plot spoilers except to say that if you enjoy the juxtaposition of big city women and rural America, you will be much entertained.h

[Bear · Rating 2 out of 5]

John Grisham has written a lot of popcorn books, such as The Firm, and a number of really good more serious books. like The Reckoning. This is a book in search of an actual plot, and characters you can relate to. Everyone suffers. He has a lot to say about the abuses of the coal industry and its workers, but can't come up with a narrative we would enjoy reading. No suspense or tension, and a lackluster ending. Try something else.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Not good. All the women in this book were kindhearted and compassionate. All the men were courageous and bold. The image of life in Appalachia as difficult for everyone except the coal barons. Of course there are injustices and the good guys all fight against them.

[Sheryl Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read by one of my favorite authors. This books brings awareness to the plight of the Coal workers community.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Grisham is the best.

[Robert Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

appalation mountains public lawer

[Janis · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Grisham always tells a good story. This time his main character,Samantha Kofer, takes the reader to Brady, Virginia, the heart of Appalachia coal country. Samantha has been recently laid off as the result of the collapse of the economy in 2008. With the hope that the might be rehired within a nearby the Wall Street firm which provided her with a 6 figure salary and very long hours, she takes a job as in unpaid intern at a non profit law firm in Brady. There she meets Donovan Gray whose family and land has been decimated by the corrupt Strahan Mining Company, hence the title Gray Mountain. Donavan has won a huge decision for a family which shows the carelessness of Strayhan and he pays dearly for it.
Samantha comes to the right conclusion in the end; however, she didn't seem to be as passionate as Grisham's other lawyers who always fight and win for the underdog. It will make the reader understand the devastating effects of strip mining in Appalachia in the past and should make people question the usefulness of fracking today. It is a good story, and I always enjoy reading John Grisham, but this one did not compel me turn the pages as his other novels have.

[Barb Seaberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Grisham except it is mostly women lawyers and is an expose of the coal mining industry. It's all about plot and it keeps one fairly engaged while also presenting an overview of the industry. Could be a set up for book two in a series except I don't think he does that kind of thing. A decent summer read.

[Anna Wildey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was promoted as a thriller but to my mind it was a drawn out story with much repetition and predictable text. Yes it was good to have a female heroine and the story set in Virginia coal mining towns.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry to say that I didn't enjoy this book. It starts off with an interesting story but the I found I was doing the dreaded age flipping! I eventually found myself not caring about the characters. When a major character is killed off and you don't care - it's not good!
Was expecting better.

[Norma Polan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read all John Grisham's books. Really enjoyed this one

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a great bòok, another triumph. I really like a female hero, and what a hero she is.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very engaging and interesting...I learned a lot.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A disappointing Grisham book, predictable with very few plot twists

[Connie Mollo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was not as fast paced and engaging as others I have read. The description of coal mining and strip mining was interesting. Love story was not at all exciting.

[Trisha]

Did not enjoy this book..dd not finish it.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First John Grisham I have read with a female lawyer. I enjoyed the pace and writing. Hated being left hanging at the end. Ending would work if you knew there was a second book.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

grisham goes to appalachia

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good one.

[Kurt Lemke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very smooth. Second year female associate from Big Law in New York interns in the Appilachia mountains against the Coal companies. What could go wrong?