The Lincoln Lawyer-A Book Review and A Lesson Before Dying
I've been spending a bit of time listening to audio-books this week. I get a bit of work done around the house and listening to some good books at the same time. When I try to listen at night I usually fall asleep and loose my place but it is relaxing to go to sleep with some of these readers.
The first book is The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly. This is his first legal thriller. I will be back to find more books from this author. I am a huge fan of legal thrillers of this type. The book was narrated by Adam Grupper who did a really good job. The story centers around attorney Mickey Haller who is a cynical defense lawyer who works out of a Lincoln Town car. He mainly defends clients who can't afford to pay him much and have little chance of winning in court. Mickey is not liked by the cops or the prosecutors and sometimes not even by his own clients. And he usually wins his cases. Or gets them the best deal! Then he is hired by a very wealthy family to defend the son who is charged with brutally beating a woman. He feels like he is finally defending a client who is innocent. But he's wrong. And what he uncovers almost gets him killed. It is a fast paced thriller. The ending is satisfying and I wanted more. One of those kinds of books!
Next, a short listen, was A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines. This was an adapted version of the novel and put on with a full cast, in front of a live audience. I think that added to my enjoyment of the book. And it was short. So I buzzed through it in just one afternoon. The setting for this story is a small Louisiana town in the 1940's where it still mattered if your skin was black. The main character is Jefferson, a young black man who is falsely convicted of murder. But that didn't matter. He was going to be put to death by electrocution. His godmother gets Grant Wiggins, the plantation schoolteacher to visit Jefferson on a regular basis and help him accept his death "like a man." The two men form a deep connection and in the end Jefferson is put to death. A very compelling story. I may have to search out the full novel to read one day.
Have you read or listened to either of these? Or anything by these authors?
Next, a short listen, was A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines. This was an adapted version of the novel and put on with a full cast, in front of a live audience. I think that added to my enjoyment of the book. And it was short. So I buzzed through it in just one afternoon. The setting for this story is a small Louisiana town in the 1940's where it still mattered if your skin was black. The main character is Jefferson, a young black man who is falsely convicted of murder. But that didn't matter. He was going to be put to death by electrocution. His godmother gets Grant Wiggins, the plantation schoolteacher to visit Jefferson on a regular basis and help him accept his death "like a man." The two men form a deep connection and in the end Jefferson is put to death. A very compelling story. I may have to search out the full novel to read one day. 
I love Michael Connelly, especially his Harry Bosch books. Mickey is Harry's half-brother and he has been appearing in the later Bosch books, too. I've only heard of the other book you mention.
ReplyDeleteI must start reading some of the other Michael Connelly books!!
DeleteI've heard of both but read neither. Did you see the movie based on The Lincoln Lawyer?
ReplyDeleteI am not much of a movie person. I did not see the movie. But, now I am interested in seeing it.
DeleteMichael Connelly's name sounds really familiar, but when I consulted Google ... no, I've not read anything of his. The concept of Lincoln Lawyer sounds intriguing, for sure.
ReplyDeleteA Lesson Before Dying sounds a lot like the Green Mile.
I think you might like The Lincoln Lawyer.
DeleteI think years back I read a Lesson on Dying. Hadn't heard of the other book thought, but great reviews!
ReplyDeletebetty
Thank you Betty!
DeleteI didn't listen to but read A Lesson before Dying and thought it was a very thought provoking while disturbing read. I'm anxious to take a look at this legal thriller.
ReplyDeleteI think you would like this thriller!
DeleteI've listened to more audiobooks than I have read print ones this year. I haven't read a book by Connelly in a very long time. I'll check out this version of the Gaines book.
ReplyDeleteI've been listening more than reading too!
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