The Broker
by John Grisham
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Book Summary Information
Author: John GrishamEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2006-09-26
ISBN: 0385340540
Number of pages: 374
Publisher: Delta
Book Reviews of The Broker
Book Review: The broker is amongst Grisham's best, though different
Summary: 5 Stars
I am glad I did not let the negative reviews deter me from trying this one out. Now, I understand what exactly has led to so many negative reviews. Readers expect it to gather breakneck speed from no later than chapter 2! It is the artistic depiction of Italy's romantic and rich heritage, with attention to the details of food, architecture and history that must have made people wonder - why am I being made to read a travel guide instead of a high octane spy thriller? Well, Grisham has hidden the answer to that question extremely skilfully in the book itself. Fransesca's words about American tourists describe it all - they have a long list of things to see, and they are so ever ready to scratch this one off their list and move to the next one. They are so worried about tomorrow - where are they going? what is the itinerary? Instead of absorbing the vibes of the present, instead of living in the awe-inspiring history of this building for a moment, they are always so anxious to get a move on. The speed of this story languishes at times within the by-roads of Italian cities, but that has a purpose. It makes us see as Joel Backman is seeing it, and then it serves as the perfect ambush for the next twist in the gripping spy novel that it actually is. The perfect juxtaposition of day to day struggles of an alien trying to master Italian, and a high octane race for life makes this book so very enjoyable, in my opinion. The slow pickup speed does demand a certain degree of faith on John Grisham, and then that faith is repaid back with interest. The intricacies of political power mongering, keeping secrets, government approved killings, negotiating and espionage come beautifully to life in this story, and may I add that Grisham, for once, scores by sticking to the tried and true formula for success by giving us a happy ending. I still remember the frustration of reading "The Appeal" - I could not believe that Carl Trudeau had the last laugh! I felt cheated of my entire night! But with this story, no such anomalies, you get what you want.
Summary of The Broker
In his final hours in the Oval Office, the outgoing President grants a controversial last-minute pardon to Joel Backman, a notorious Washington power broker who has spent the last six years hidden away in a federal prison. What no one knows is that the President issues the pardon only after receiving enormous pressure from the CIA. It seems Backman, in his power broker heyday, may have obtained secrets that compromise the world?s most sophisticated satellite surveillance system.Backman is quietly smuggled out of the country in a military cargo plane, given a new name, a new identity, and a new home in Italy. Eventually, after he has settled into his new life, the CIA will leak his whereabouts to the Israelis, the Russians, the Chinese, and the Saudis. Then the CIA will do what it does best: sit back and watch. The question is not whether Backman will survive?there is no chance of that. The question the CIA needs answered is, who will kill him?
From the Hardcover edition.
Before he was sent to federal prison for treason (among other things), Joel Backman was an extremely powerful man. Known as "the broker," Backman was a high roller--a lawyer making $10 million a year who could "open any door in Washington." That is, until he tried to broker a deal selling access to the world's most powerful satellite surveillance system to the highest bidder. When caught, Backman accepted prison as the one option that would keep him safe and alive, since the interested parties (the Israelis, the Saudis, the Russians, and the Chinese) were all itching to get their hands on his secrets at any cost. Little does he know that his own government has designs on accessing that information--or at least letting it die with him. Now, six years after his incarceration, the director of the CIA convinces a lame duck president to pardon Backman, and the broker becomes a free man--and an open target.
The Broker marries the best of John Grisham's many talents--his ability to immerse himself in the culture of small town life (in this case, Bologna, Italy), and his uncanny mastery of the chase. The first half of the book focuses on Backman's transformation from infamous power broker to helpless victim in his own game. Upon his release from prison, Backman is taken into "protective custody" and whisked off to Italy where he is assigned a new identity, and a tutor to help him blend in. Sure he is on the run, but some readers may feel that Backman's time spent in Bologna is a bit too leisurely--readers join him on an almost cinematic tour through the Italian town, complete with language and history lessons. Impatient readers will be happy to know that the final half of the novel is classic Grisham--a fast-paced, thrilling cat and mouse chase pitting Backman against the numerous agencies that want him dead--as the broker makes a move to take back his life. --Daphne Durham
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