Book Review: John Grisham's The Associate
By Trevin Wax on Jun 25, 2009 in Book Reviews | 
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I have been a John Grisham fan for about ten years now. The first Grisham book I read was A Time to Kill, which is still my favorite. Other Grisham books I have enjoyed are The Rainmaker, The Testament and
In recent years, I have been disappointed by Grisham’s output. Nevertheless, during a brief beach vacation earlier this summer, I picked up Grisham’s newest: The Associate (DoubleDay, 2009). 
(Warning: Spoilers Follow)
The Associate is about Kyle McAvoy, a promising law student who has a wild past. During his college years, he found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and almost was charged (falsely) with rape. Years later, a sinister group of lawyers show Kyle a video that places him at the scene of the crime, and then they blackmail him into becoming a spy in the firm in which he works.
If I could sum up this book with one Bible verse, it would be this: “Be sure your sins will find you out.” The sins of Kyle and his friends in their twenties cause a ripple effect. The girl who claims she was raped now hates men and has turned to lesbianism. The other guys involved are trying to get on with their lives, but several are haunted by guilt.
The Associate casts a negative light on frat house parties. Grisham exposes the lifestyle that many in America have come to see as innocent fun or the proverbial “sowing your wild oats.” Grisham’s book demonstrates that some actions have consequences years after we commit them.
Still, the book is ultimately unsatisfying. The end of the book shows how Kyle is able to gain his freedom, but the perpetrators of the blackmail are never brought to justice. The ending may make the book a little more realistic, but most readers will hunger to see the criminals brought to justice.
The Associate is not Grisham’s best, but it is probably one of his better books of late. You might enjoy the fast-paced narrative if you are planning a vacation this summer.
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trevin, would you go see such a thing in movie form? … if it was rated “r” because of its “adult themes”? i think i know how you may answer…but may i ask how a summer break with such a book refreshes the body and soul or “redeems the time because the days are evil”? even if you handle the material academically and for cultural awareness … perhaps it would be wise to understand that your weaker brother may be defiled by your freedom? let alone a recommendation…
hope i’m not judging here … maybe there is some remnant of my early baptist heritage that makes me think that some things are still in the category of a worldly activity.
pastor jim sharp | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
Jim,
Always good to hear from you. Some people will be able to handle a Grisham book more than others. There’s nothing graphic here or explicitly described (thankfully). Lots of sin, little redemption here. (One guy has a conversion experience and begins confessing his sins, but the confession leads to other problems.) The good thing about this book is that sin’s consequences are evident.
I probably wouldn’t watch the movie if one were to be made. Of course there are better books for summer reading. I hope my review will let people know if they think it’s worth picking up or not. I could take it or leave it.
Trevin Wax | Jun 25, 2009 | Reply
the associate was a let down
poor ending
written forsummer fare only
i feel the author did an amazing amount of research for a
book i felt was unfinished
rosemarygibbons | Aug 14, 2009 | Reply
The implausibility of the scenario that Mr. Grisham hangs his latest turgid exercise in paranoia on dooms this luke warm effort from the start. As the protagonist doesn’t even appear in the video that serves as the leverage to force the subsequent plot, I think even a high-school drop-out would be smart enough not to be forced into considering multiple felonies to cover up what would be only a slight ripple in a carefully arranged career arc. Of course, all the usual whipping boys that Mr’ Grisham loves to preach against are here, the soulless big law firm which devours its young, the basically incompetent Federal law enforcers, and of course his omnipresent condemnation of greedy corporations. All probably true, but so trite at this stage of his career that one wonders if this book would have even seen the light of day if not for his 250 million and counting hamburger chain-style sales figures. But if you like predictability, shallow characterization, and a compact prose reminiscent of Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, you are sure to be very satisfied….JJ
Jeff Johnson | Aug 16, 2009 | Reply
I just finished reading “The Associate” at 2:30 AM this morning. What a waste of time. I have read a few of Grisham’s earlier books and throughly enjoyed them. But the ending of this book is much worse than “unsatisfying”. My immediate impression was that the ending was rushed and incomplete because the author had lost interest and maybe was just completing his contractual obligation to trhe publisher. I have seen a lot of bad movies (this would be one), but this is a much worsesituation because it wastes so much time. I should have looked for a review before I started reading.
Vj Piarulli | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Total waste of time and $10!!!!!
The ending sucked!!!! Talk about pussying out of a story!!!!
pat banana | Nov 30, 2009 | Reply