Items related to The Brethren
Synopsis
In a minimum-security prison, three inmates - former judges calling themselves the Brethren - practice law, dispense jailhouse justice, and hatch money-making scams. From the author of "A Time to Kill", "The Firm" and "The Testament", comes this exciting new crime novel.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
John Grisham's novels have all been so systematically successful that it is easy to forget he is just one man toiling away silently with a pen, experimenting and improving with each book. While not as gifted a prose stylist as Scott Turow, Grisham is among the best plotters in the thriller business, and he infuses his books with a moral valence and creative vision that set them apart from their peers.
The Brethren is in many respects his most daring book yet. The novel grows from two separate subplots. In the first, three imprisoned ex-judges (the "brethren" in the title), frustrated by their loss of power and influence, concoct an elaborate blackmail scheme that preys on wealthy, closeted gay men. The second story traces the rise of presidential candidate Aaron Lake, a puppet essentially created by CIA director Teddy Maynard to fulfill Maynard's plans for restoring the power of his beleaguered agency.
Grisham's tight control of the two meandering threads leaves the reader guessing through most of the opening chapters how and when these two worlds will collide. Also impressive is Grisham's careful portraiture. Justice Hatlee Beech in particular is a fascinating, tragic anti-hero: a millionaire judge with an appointment for life who was rendered divorced, bankrupt, and friendless after his conviction for a drunk-driving homicide.
The book's cynical view of presidential politics and criminal justice casts a somewhat gloomy shadow over the tale. CIA director Teddy Maynard is an all-powerful demon with absolute knowledge and control of the public will and public funds. Even his candidate, Congressman Lake, is a pawn in Maynard's egomaniacal game of ad campaigns, illicit contributions, and international intrigue. In the end, The Brethren marks a transition in Grisham's career toward a more thoughtful narrative style with less interest in the big-payoff blockbuster ending. But that's not to say that the last 50 pages won't keep your reading light turned on late. --Patrick O'Kelley
From the Publisher
This collector's edition is signed by John Grisham. Each copy is leather-bound, stamped in gold foil front and spine, has marbleized printed ends, satin ribbon marker, glassine wrap around the book, and individually slipcased in a one-piece cloth case slipcase and shrinkwrapped. Only 500 copies in print.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCentury
- Publication date2000
- ISBN 10 0712680012
- ISBN 13 9780712680011
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages336
- Rating
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. First. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38332724-6
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. First. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Seller Inventory # GRP7527790
Quantity: 2 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardback. Condition: Fine. Seller Inventory # GOR011080303
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: Cathy's Half Price Books, Havertown, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Good. Shows some light wear from age and use. Interior is good with sound binding and no marks, damage or labels. We Ship Daily! Satisfaction Guaranteed!. Seller Inventory # 162765
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less 1.45. Seller Inventory # G0712680012I3N00
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: The Maryland Book Bank, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
hardcover. Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Used - Very Good. Seller Inventory # 3-W-1-0705
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: AwesomeBooks, Wallingford, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. . Seller Inventory # 7719-9780712680011
Quantity: 3 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: Irish Booksellers, Portland, ME, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. SHIPS FROM USA. Used books have different signs of use and do not include supplemental materials such as CDs, Dvds, Access Codes, charts or any other extra material. All used books might have various degrees of writing, highliting and wear and tear and possibly be an ex-library with the usual stickers and stamps. Dust Jackets are not guaranteed and when still present, they will have various degrees of tear and damage. All images are Stock Photos, not of the actual item. book. Seller Inventory # 26-0712680012-G
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Seller: Ammareal, Morangis, France
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Bon. Traces d'usure sur la couverture. Traces d'humidité sur les premières et dernières pages. Edition 2000. Ammareal reverse jusqu'à 15% du prix net de cet article à des organisations caritatives. ENGLISH DESCRIPTION Book Condition: Used, Good. Signs of wear on the cover. Traces of humidity on the first and last pages. Edition 2000. Ammareal gives back up to 15% of this item's net price to charity organizations. Seller Inventory # E-955-895
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Brethren
Published by
Cornerstone, United Kingdom, London, 2000
ISBN 10: 0712680012
ISBN 13: 9780712680011
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. In a minimum-security prison, three inmates - former judges calling themselves the Brethren - practice law, dispense jailhouse justice, and hatch money-making scams. From the author of "A Time to Kill", "The Firm" and "The Testament", comes this exciting new crime novel. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003146572
Quantity: 9 available