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Socialist Review Index (1993–1996) | Socialist Review 183 Contents
From Socialist Review, No. 183, February 1995.
Copyright © Socialist Review.
Copied with thanks from the Socialist Review Archive.
Marked up by Einde O’Callaghan for ETOL.
The Chamber
John Grisham
Century £15.99
John Grisham’s latest book, The Chamber, is a very good read. In keeping with his other books it is set in the deep South of America. The way it deals with racism and the legal system is reminiscent of one of his earlier books – A Time to Kill.
The plot revolves around the character Sam Cayhall who, after being convicted of the murder of two Jewish children, is sentenced to death. After being on death row for several years he is due to be executed in a month’s time.
It is then that the bizarre legal battle starts in order to save his life.
What becomes clear is that the decision to execute Sam is based more on local politics than any idea of justice. His grandson, who hasn’t seen Sam for many years, is a lawyer and he convinces Sam to let him fight to save him from the gas chamber.
Sam is a racist and a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Through the investigation, and as his relationship with his grandson develops, we find out some of the horrific activities that Sam was involved in as a Klan member.
This is where the contradiction takes place in the book because, although Sam is an absolutely despicable character, at the same time the idea of the death penalty is abhorrent.
Grisham deals brilliantly with the brutality of the death penalty and with life on death row. Just as you find yourself feeling sorry for Sam, you find out what he did as a Klan member, and you despise him again.
What I like about the book is the way it gives you an insight into racism in the deep South of America, and the hype which surrounds death penalty cases and executions. Although it doesn’t have the suspense of some of Grisham’s previous novels, this book is well worth a read.
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