The Firm by John Grisham Book Talk
Title: The Firm
Author: John Grisham
Page Count: 501 Pages
Genre: Legal Thriller / Mystery
Released: February 1, 1991
Movie Adaptation: 1993 Film, Streaming on HBOMax, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video
Summary:
Graduating at the top of his class at Harvard Law, Mitch McDeere had his pick of the litter for jobs. With offers coming in from Wall Street, he humored an interview with a smaller firm, Bending, Lambert & Locke, in Memphis. Lured in by the promises of a high salary, a BMW, a low mortgage, and a promise to pay off his student loans, Mitch signs on. What he didn’t know is that he also signed on to a life with the FBI breathing down his neck and a fight for his life.
My Thoughts:
John Grisham could not write a bad book if he tried. The Firm is a captivating story that will keep every reader glued to every page. This book is fantastic for any reader looking for a goody mystery. Mitch McDeere is not a perfect person, making him a fantastic protagonist to follow.
The stakes in this story continuously rise, making it easy to maintain momentum while reading. From picking up on red flags that the main characters missed when they were distracted with their new money and status to predicting what Mitch can do next in his fight to survive, this story feels interactive. The Firm also confirmed that I would never want to be a lawyer. Even without the sketchy people Mitch finds himself around, his career choice is damaging to his family. The absurdly long hours, social responsibilities, and immense pressure is reason enough to choose a different career path in my book. This book also challenges what we as a society tend to prioritize. Despite being published in 1991, the sentiment is still relevant today. It is all too common to place extreme importance on money. Nowadays it is encouraged to monetize everything you do, turning hobbies into side hustles to bulk up your bank account. Mitch McDeere’s fictional story works to warn readers about the consequences of that path. Money is great but it should not be an individual’s top priority to make more money for the sole purpose of throwing it around.
McDeere’s story also serves as a warning to be cautious of your surroundings. Sometimes, when something feels too good to be true, it is. It is better to err on the side of caution in unfamiliar situations.
The Firm was also adapted into a film in 1993, starring Tom Cruise, and is currently streaming on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBOMax. I have not yet seen it, but I am excited to get around to it. This is definitely a book that would translate well to the screen.
This is a book I would definitely read again. I highly recommend it for fans of John Grisham and legal thrillers.
Have you read The Firm? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!
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