Dear John:
Those piercing blue eyes of yours. That confident, but low-key grin. The dazzling intellect as not only a trial lawyer but a novelist. Yes, you are a catch.
But John: what’s with the level of dissing going on in The Litigators? The bad guy law firm, filled with uptight maniacs; the hot, talented, deadly litigator lady whose only concern is monetary; the “good guy” law firm filled with alcoholics and sleazy grumps? AND a dog named “AC,” short for ambulance chaser? Is that really necessary?
Or course, the story is good. The focus on the overwrought panting that comes with a new Multi-District Litigation over a “bad drug” before the scientific work is done. That’s on target, and I know some of those guys you are writing about and you are downright accurate on the legion of private jet plaintiff’s attorneys more impressed with their stuff than with their client’s stuff. And unfortunately, alcoholism is a persistent and growing problem in the professional field of law. The American Bar Association’s statistics offer that as many as 20 percent, one in five lawyers in the U.S., suffer from some form of alcohol abuse or dependence. http://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/alcohol_abuse_dependence.html. It’s definitely worth mentioning and focusing some attention on.
The writing is engaging. Actually, kudos. Because I thought The Litigators had more character development than any of your legal novels in recent years. And as the Washington Post said, all without any character who could possibly be played by Tom Cruise. http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/book-review-john-grishams-the-litigators-a-swerving-stirring-retort/2011/10/19/gIQAEUD81L_story.html
Although, I think Tom could play Wally Figg if he wanted to. (Have you seen Tropic Thunder?)
The Litigators is good. Lots of legal vocab, behind-the-scenes insighty stuff. But John, where’s the love? I need the love. Show me the love. And I’ll come back to you again.
XXX,
Pamela Dae
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In honor of The Litigators’ setting, Chicago, and one of its’ main characters, I would serve Pizza with Fig & Prosciutto
ingredients
- Cornmeal
- 1 1-pound package purchased pizza dough
- 2 cups (generous) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
- 6 small fresh figs, cut into 1/4- to 1/3-inch-thick slices
- 2 tablespoons fig balsamic vinegar, divided
- 8 thin slices prosciutto (from two 3-ounce packages)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 cups arugula
preparation
Preheat oven to 450°F. Sprinkle large rimless baking sheet generously with cornmeal. Roll out dough on floured work surface to 12×10-inch rectangle; transfer to prepared sheet. Sprinkle Gorgonzola over dough. Sprinkle with pepper. Place figs in medium bowl; drizzle 1 tablespoon vinegar over. Set aside.
Bake pizza until crust is golden brown on bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Immediately drape prosciutto slices over, covering pizza completely. Arrange fig slices atop prosciutto. Bake until figs are just heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer pizza to cutting board. Whisk remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar and oil in large bowl; add arugula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; toss to coat. Mound salad atop pizza. Cut into pieces and serve.
And you couldn’t have a book club discussion about this book without having at least one Pearl Harbor each.
- 1 1/2 oz. Vodka
- 3/4 oz. Midori
- Top with Pineapple Juice
Pour over ice in a tall glass. Here’s a video demonstration of making a Pearl Harbor, which is essentially pouring the ingredients over ice, but if you have five minutes: http://everydaydrinkers.com/2012/06/how-to-make-the-pearl-harbor-cocktail/
MUSIC
Lawyers in Love, Jackson Browne
Lawyers, Guns & Money, Warren Zevon
Legal Man, Johnny Cash
I Fought the Law, The Clash
This Side of the Law, Johnny Cash
Chicago, Frank Sinatra
MOVIE CASTING
Oscar Finley — Brian Dennehy
Wally Figg — Donel Logue
David Zinc — Luke Wilson
Jerry Alisandros — Don Johnson
Nadine Gibson – Cameron Diaz
Happy Reading!
daeandwrite 