Book Review: The Broker
John Grisham wrote one of the finest novel and I have loved his work. Hence, I picked up another edition of his thriller – ‘The Broker’. Based on the review, it sounded very good and secretive, but honestly, I didn’t find it that good compare to his earlier books like A Time To Kill, Runaway Jury to name a few. The story starts with a bang, it instantly grips the reader with many questions. But as the story develops it reaches a stagnant stage where the reader (at least me) felt bored and lost interest. The only thing kept me reading was the big secret. Obviously I won’t reveal here what it is. For that, please read ‘The Broker’ 😀 Broker talks about Joel Backman is “the Broker” who is one of the big broker-lobbyist in Washington DC, USA. He is well connected with influential people within the government and made big money in a very short span time. Due to fall in some deal, he was convicted and pledge guilty leading to life sentence. Due to political changes and change in Presidency leads to Joel Backman getting pardoned against his charges on the last day of existing President of United States, making him a free man. As he is leaving the jail, CIA takes control of his exit and help him get out of the country to avoid trouble due to pardon. Apparently Joel is also puzzled as why he is given the pardon and what will happen next. Once he leaves the country, he is transferred to Italy with a handler who helps Joel to become the local Italian guy with fancy clothes, information on the behavior of Italians and lessons to speak the local language. The story unfolds his struggle to become accustomed to Italy and learning their way of living.
Simultaneously, he is also searching for answers to questions like why he is here? Why was he pardoned? Who is attacking him, Israeli, Arabs or Russian? Maybe Chinese? Confusing, isn’t it! What was the big deal which leads to Joel plea guilty? Who has the product? The answer to all these questions, or maybe some more are in the book.It is not that bad, but it isn’t that interesting either. The book has enough material to be a suspense thriller, but lots of pages are on Italian lessons and cappuccino is kinda waste of time. Also with such a puzzling start, end is more confusing and with no impact. Though author added twist with unfinished end or you can say end where one decides the outcome, but it didn’t look that big or effective. In some way, it was the mild end with less suspense in end or maybe the end was suspense. For Me, the book didn’t end well and was quite a drag. The same story with less pages might have been more interesting than long pages of nothingness.
Anyways, it wasn’t that bad. You can read it if you like suspense and stories on government conspiracy. No comment on writing style or the way story unfolds as it has been just like what you can expect on John Grisham novel.
Read to learn the Italian way of living and also for lessons in Italian.
