Sunday Synopsis - The New John Grisham Novel

The Boys from Biloxi by John Grisham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I recently finished John Grisham's latest novel, and while he is one of my favorite authors, and this book was good, it wasn't even close to being my favorite book by him.

In the book blurb, it implies that Hugh and Lance, once best friends, school mates, and junior league All-Star baseball players, are the "Boys" from the title. But when you begin reading, there is so much family history (where the families immigrated from 3 generations back) and so much emphasis placed on their fathers, that you may question if their fathers are the "Boys." The extreme amount of background information really bogged me down. I am used to being punted into the plot and this was an extremely gradual approach to plot. I enjoyed most of Hugh and Lance's combined backstory as it was necessary for the plot to come full circle. I thoroughly enjoyed the courtroom drama, but not so much the politician-trying-to-get-elected parts.

This novel is set on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi where there are beaches, resorts, and fresh seafood. Where neighbors know neighbors, and they go to school and church together. It also delves into the "seedier" side of town in places that thrive on illegal liquor, kickbacks, prostitution, drugs, and other vices. This area was controlled by the Dixie Mafia. Needless to say, the "Boys" end up on opposite sides in a big way. It's a good versus evil theme, and a very long 453 pages.

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