The Rainmaker (novel)
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LC Class | PS3557.R5355 R35 1995 |
The Rainmaker is a 1995 novel by John Grisham,[1] his sixth.[2]
Plot
The book's title is derived from a lawyer who wins spectacular cases and winning huge sums in damages being called "a rainmaker". The book's protagonist dreams of becoming such a "rainmaker" - which comes true, but not exactly in the way he expected.
Rudy Baylor is about to graduate from
Rudy signs two clients. One is his new elderly landlady, who needs a revised
Rudy, having just passed his bar exam, has never argued a case before a judge or jury. He now finds himself up against experienced and ruthless lawyers from Tinley Britt, headed by Leo F. Drummond. On his side, Rudy has several supporters and a sympathetic, newly-appointed judge. While preparing the case in the local hospital, he meets and later falls in love with Kelly Riker, a young
Donny Ray dies just before the case goes to trial. Rudy uncovers a scheme by Great Benefit to deny every
Ultimately, there is no payout for the grieving parents and no fee for Rudy, although Dot was never concerned with the settlement money, because for her helping to put the company out of business is an even greater victory.
During the Black trial, when Kelly is beaten again by Cliff, Rudy helps her file for divorce. While he and Kelly retrieve items from her home, Cliff arrives and threatens to kill Rudy, attacking him with a baseball bat. Rudy wrestles the bat away from Cliff and cracks his skull with it. Kelly intervenes and orders him to leave. Cliff dies from the injuries and Kelly allows herself to be charged with manslaughter to protect Rudy. Rudy gets the charges dropped, but Cliff's vengeful family have made several death threats against them both. Rudy and Kelly leave the state, heading for someplace where Rudy – who has become disillusioned with the law – can become a teacher, and Kelly can attend college. Rudy goes as far as deciding never to register as a voter, so as not to be called to serve in a jury and "never see the inside of a courtroom".
Reception
The Los Angeles Times called the book "an indictment of the legal system from law school to the jury’s verdict."[2] Entertainment Weekly wrote that "if The Rainmaker’s outcome is a bit predictable, Grisham’s vivid minor characters and near-Dickensian zeal for mocking pomposity and privilege are apt to endear him to his many readers all over again."[3] Publishers Weekly wrote that "this bittersweet tale, the author's quietest and most thoughtful, shows that Grisham's imagination can hold its own in a courtroom as well as on the violent streets outside."[4]
The book sold 300,000 copies in its first four days, one of the fastest selling novels in history at the time.[5]
In an interview with
Film adaptation
In 1997, The Rainmaker was adapted into a film directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starring Matt Damon, Danny DeVito, Claire Danes, Jon Voight, and Danny Glover.[7]
References
- ^ "Books of the Times: Chasing Ambulances Before Dreams". The New York Times.
- ^ a b "There's Outlaws, and Then There's Bad Guys : John Grisham's latest novel offers a pretty realistic portrait of contemporary America: The Rainmaker, By John Grisham (Doubleday: $24.95; 434 pp.)". Los Angeles Times. May 14, 1995.
- ^ "Rainmaker". EW.com.
- ^ "The Rainmaker". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
- ^ "Grisham reigns". Variety. May 8, 1995. p. 6.
- ^ "10 Questions for John Grisham". Time. 24 January 2008.
- ^ "COURTING SUCCESS". chicagotribune.com.