Type of bind: Hardcover
Format: Bargain Price
Label: Doubleday
Manufacturer: Doubleday
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 354
Printing Date: February 05, 2002
Publishing house: Doubleday
Release Date: February 05, 2002
Sale Popularity Level: 421475
Studio: Doubleday
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Once Judge Atlee was a powerful figure in Clanton, Mississippi--a pillar of the community who towered over local law and politics for forty years. Now the judge is a shadow of his former self, a sick, lonely old man who has withdrawn to his sprawling ancestral home. Knowing the end is near, Judge Atlee has issued a summons for his two sons to return to Clanton to discuss his estate. Ray Atlee is the eldest, a Virginia law professor, newly single and still enduring the aftershocks of a surprise divorce. Forrest is Ray’s younger brother, who redefines the notion of a family’s grey sheep.
The summons is typed by the judge himself, on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for Ray and Forrest to appear in his study. Ray reluctantly heads south to his hometown, to the place where he grew up and now prefers to avoid. But the family meeting does not take place. The judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret known only to Ray.
And perhaps someone else.
Amazon.com:
Law professor Ray Atlee and his prodigal brother, Forrest, are summoned home to Clanton, Mississippi, by their ailing father to discuss his will. But when Ray arrives the judge is already dead, and the one-page document dividing his meager estate between the two sons seems crystal clear. What it doesn't mention, however, is the small fortune in cash Ray discovers hidden in the old man's house--$3 million he can't account for and doesn't mention to brother Forrest, either.
Ray's efforts to keep his find a secret, figure out where it came from, and hide it from a nameless extortioner, who seems to know more about it than he does, culminate in a denouement with an almost biblical twist. It's a slender plot to hang a thriller on, and in truth it's not John Grisham's best in terms of pacing, dramatic tension, and interesting characters (except for Harry Rex, a country lawyer who was the judge's closest friend and in many ways is the father Ray wishes he'd had. He's so vivid he jumps off the page). But Grisham's legions of fans are likely to enjoy The Summons even if it lacks the power of some of his classic earlier books, like The Firm, The Brethren, and The Testament. --Jane Adams
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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This book has produced a mixed bag of reviews, like any substantial work. I rarely read thrillers, although I loved the immersion of "workaholism" that drenches the very first third of The Firm. The Summons is a good and serious read. It's depiction of the Deep South rings true and the characters are quite good (stock can equal universal and be satisfying). Its technical description of legal processes is straight on, as we expect from the author. It is also a very sly morality tale. The Oedipal dilemmas are timeless. This book actually reminded of Faulkner in these regards. One review referred to it as a Mystery Commedy ... like Faulkner's Intruder in the Dust. I believe that the literary reputation of this book will grow over time.
Rated by buyers 
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I have read several Grisham book about legal-eagles but none so engrossing and intriguing as this One! I got bogged down a few times in his description of places and persons, yet all-in-all it kept me reading quickly until I came to his lengthy but surprising end! After slowing down to postpone the ending, I sort of expected somewhat the final end! I was still surprised.
I am also surprised at the variety of opinions expressed in the reviews. Grateful that I stuck it out even learning a bit about his unique style of writing! Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood
Rated by buyers 
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John Grisham grew up in the south and was educated at various schools in Mississippi. The father of the main character in this book, Judge Atlee, has a painting of Nathan Bedford Forrest in his study. One can only assume that Judge Atlee being from Mississippi and having such a picture would view the civil war from the Southern perspective. Most of the battles of the civil war have two names, the Northern name and the Southern name. When referring to these battles Grisham has the judge using the Northern names. That is just plain sloppy. No southerner would say Antietam or Bull Run, those were the battles of Sharpsburg and Manassas respectively. And that little detail is only the beginning the problems with this book.
Rated by buyers 
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Instead of repeating the comments of the other reviewers, I'll simply keep it short and to the point.
At the end of the book, I was left thinking..."that's it??? I could have written a much better ending myself"!
Very unlike most Grisham novels. Don't waste your time.
Rated by buyers -
As a huge fan of The Firm this book was a disappointment. There are no thrills and no suspense. Spend your time/money elsewhere.
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