The Summons

By: John Grisham

Narrated by: Michael Beck

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Ray Atlee is a professor of law at the University of Virginia. He's 43, newly single, and still enduring the aftershocks of a surprise divorce. He has a younger brother, Forrest, who redefines the notion of a family's black sheep.

And he has a father, a very sick old man who lives alone in the ancestral home in Clanton, Mississippi. He is known to all as Judge Atlee, a beloved and powerful official who has towered over local law and politics for 40 years. No longer on the bench, the Judge has withdrawn to the Atlee mansion and become a recluse. With the end in sight, Judge Atlee issues a summons for both sons to return home to Clanton, to discuss the details of his estate. It is typed by the Judge himself, on his handsome old stationery, and gives the date and time for Ray and Forrest to appear in his study.

Ray reluctantly heads south, to his hometown, to the place where he grew up, which he prefers now to avoid. But the family meeting does not take place. The Judge dies too soon, and in doing so leaves behind a shocking secret known only to Ray.

And perhaps someone else.

©2002 Belfry Holdings, Inc. (P)2002 Random House, Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House, Inc.

A Winner!

Loved this book! John Grisham always struck me as predictable and formula-like, but for some reason, this one really drew me in. I'm not looking forward to it ending! The narrator is first rate, with a wonderful repetoire of southern accents.

The Summons

Loved the book and the anticipation of the outcome but really didn’t like the ending of “see you in a year “.. Maybe there’s a sequel?

Very dissappointing conclusion

This is a book that has a problem I've noticed a lot recently in newer Grisham books. I'm a big fan of many of his books (The Last Juror, King of Torts, and my favorite The Testament, along with tradition offerings The Firm, Rainmaker, etc.) However, Grisham puts forward a great opening of the book, a good mystery of what the impact of the first few chapters means.. and it moves forward at a snappy pace. In fact, the opening segments of the book are very enjoyable and involving. But as is true of a lot of newer Grisham books, the ending just doesn't hold together at all. Contradicted by earlier elements in the book, it comes across as a very "Scooby Doo" ending with a complete surprise that just doesn't wash. Grisham has run into this lately, a great concept and there just isn't a passable finish. If you can accept all of the contradictions, and forgive the sudden shift in characters in the last two chapters to make up for this effect, it's a good read. Somehow, though, the brilliant beginning being sold out by the conclusion left a very sour taste for me. Such a great intro, a great setup of effects, and a very limp resolution.

Amazing

This story is a great story of brothers. Always love hearing the endings of a John Grisham book.

Great story! Sounded better

Sounded better In my head when I read the book. Performance compelled me to buy the book.

2 Aholes and a bag of money

sometimes his twists are annoying..... and put the money in a Fng safety deposit box lol

Third time reading

The best. So captivating!! I’m sure I will read it again one day. One of his best.

Great moral, Best Grisham book

Loved it. Great story, great moral. What would I do iif I were in Raiy's situation?

Surprisingly good

I didn't think an audio book would be as good as reading Grisham but I was wrong. I read half the book and left it on the beach (with my glasses) when rushing to the airport at the end of vacation. A friend let me listen to the last half of her audio book and I really enjoyed it.

One of the best

I thought this was a great story. Had classic Grisham elements and kept my attention throughout.