Friday, June 26, 2009 1:16 pm
Unbelievable. John Grisham’s first book, “A Time to Kill” turns 20 on Tuesday, June 30th. The story of how the book began its life is recounted in this USA Today story.I read “A Time to Kill” at the beginning of my legal career and it is, in my mind, his best book. It’s closer to what real small town lawyers experience than any of the slicker novels he has written – though “The Client” comes a close second.
Though I loved the book, the movie’s ending was a cop out. But I am sure he got paid well for the rights. I think I read Grisham once said that once he sells the movie rights, he doesn’t worry about the film version. A wise attitude since movie makers often “mess up” books in the eyes of fans and authors.
Anyway, Happy Birthday to Grisham’s first book.