Clanton, Mississippi. 1990. Jake Brigance finds himself embroiled in a deeply divisive trial when the court appoints him attorney for Drew Gamble, a timid sixteen-year-old boy accused of murdering a local deputy. Many in Clanton want a swift trial and the death penalty, but Brigance digs in and discovers that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Jake’s fierce commitment to saving Drew from the gas chamber puts his career, his financial security, and the safety of his family on the line.

I know many people like John Grisham’s novels, and I did enjoy the main plot of it. I was eager to see how Brigance would get Drew  acquitted in the court. However, I was less enthralled by Grisham’s world building showing the small-town happenings which felt like he was repeating things we already covered in the previous chapter while the characters are catching up on the gossip chain. It slowed the pacing. Nor was I interested in Jake’s other law case, it felt like unnecessary padding.

However, the content is not what makes this a memorable book for me. I had started reading this in the beginning of January for my grandfather who had been finding it hard to read without getting tired. Since reading aloud helps elders keep their cognitive faculties, I started reading it to him a chapter a day. It didn’t inspire character analysis or conversation like book club. But it was nice to spend the time with him. It was always a gift to spend time with him.

He died yesterday, Feb 25th at 6:29. I was lucky to be with him. Lucky to have him for 25 years, and share so many things together. Including this novel. Just like my grandmother, a teacher and reading specialist, who taught me to read and started this whole journey in the first place.

As much as books transport us to new places, people we love do the same.

Is there any special book or person that inspired your love of reading or you share a special literary memory? Comment below