The Most Popular John Grisham Book, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the book you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 21, 2024 07:15
John Grisham's novels have captivated millions of readers around the globe, making it tough at times to choose which book to pick up next. Establishing a ranking of his most beloved works can serve as a helpful guide for both new and seasoned readers. By seeing which titles resonate most with readers, one can make a more informed decision about which novel might suit their tastes or mood.
The beauty of a live ranking system lies in the power it gives to each reader's voice. Your voting directly influences the list, injecting a dynamic quality into the way Grisham's books are viewed collectively. Engaging with this list not only helps you to discern which books are favored, but it also contributes to a broader community consensus, offering a unique perspective on the author's extensive oeuvre.
What Is the Most Popular John Grisham Book?
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154votes
The Firm
John GrishamThis novel, published in 1991, is often considered Grisham's breakout hit. It follows the story of a young lawyer who discovers that his new law firm is involved in criminal activity. It was turned into a successful film in 1993 starring Tom Cruise.The Firm is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It was published in 1991 and quickly became one of his most popular and highly acclaimed works. The story revolves around a talented young lawyer named Mitchell McDeere who joins a prestigious law firm in Memphis. However, he soon discovers that the firm is involved in criminal activities and becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deception and corruption. As he tries to uncover the truth, Mitchell finds himself in a life-threatening situation where his career and personal life are at stake.- Publication Year: 1991
- Genre: Legal Thriller
- Setting: Memphis, Tennessee
- Protagonist: Mitchell McDeere
- Themes: Corruption, Deception, Morality
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238votes
A Time to Kill
John GrishamGrisham's first novel, published in 1989, tells the story of a young lawyer defending a black man accused of murdering two white men who raped his daughter. It was adapted into a film in 1996 starring Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey.A Time to Kill is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It tells the story of a young attorney named Jake Brigance who defends a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, accused of murdering two white men who raped his young daughter. Set in Mississippi, the book explores themes of racial injustice, prejudice, and the complexities of the legal system.- Genre: Legal thriller
- Publication Year: 1989
- Setting: Mississippi, USA
- Main Characters: Jake Brigance, Carl Lee Hailey, Ellen Roark, Rufus Buckley
- Themes: Racial injustice, prejudice, legal system
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327votes
The Pelican Brief
John GrishamThis 1992 novel follows a law student and a journalist as they investigate the murders of two Supreme Court justices. It was adapted into a film in 1993 starring Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington.The Pelican Brief is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It tells the story of a law student, Darby Shaw, who uncovers a conspiracy behind the assassinations of two Supreme Court justices. As she digs deeper into the case, she becomes the target of those who want to keep the truth hidden. With the help of a journalist, Gray Grantham, Shaw tries to expose the corruption and save her own life.- Genre: Legal Thriller
- Publication Year: 1992
- Setting: Washington D.C.
- Main Characters: Darby Shaw, Gray Grantham
- Plot Style: Fast-paced, suspenseful
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412votes
The Client
John GrishamPublished in 1993, this novel tells the story of a young boy who witnesses a mob lawyer's suicide and becomes the target of both the mafia and the FBI. It was adapted into a film in 1994 starring Susan Sarandon and Tommy Lee Jones.The Client is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It centers around eleven-year-old Mark Sway, who becomes the target of powerful government agencies after witnessing the suicide of a lawyer. Mark teams up with a lawyer named Reggie Love to protect himself and his family as they uncover dangerous secrets.- Genre: Legal thriller
- Publication Date: 1993
- Main Protagonist: Mark Sway
- Setting: Memphis, Tennessee
- Themes: Witness protection, corruption, loyalty
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514votes
The Rainmaker
John GrishamThis 1995 novel follows a young lawyer fighting against an insurance company on behalf of a terminally ill patient. It was adapted into a film in 1997 starring Matt Damon and Danny DeVito.The Rainmaker is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It follows the story of a young lawyer named Rudy Baylor, who is struggling to find clients and make a name for himself in the saturated legal market. When he takes on a case against a powerful insurance company that denied coverage for a dying young man, Rudy finds himself up against a formidable opponent. The Rainmaker explores themes of corporate greed, underdog perseverance, and the fight for justice in a flawed legal system.- Genre: Legal Thriller
- Published Year: 1995
- Page Count: 566
- Setting: Memphis, Tennessee
- Main Character: Rudy Baylor
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621votes
The Runaway Jury
John GrishamPublished in 1996, this novel centers around a high-profile trial against a gun manufacturer and the manipulation of the jury. It was adapted into a film in 2003 starring John Cusack and Gene Hackman.The Runaway Jury is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It was first published in 1996 and quickly became one of Grisham's most popular books. The story follows a high-stakes courtroom drama involving a landmark tobacco lawsuit. The jury selection process takes an unexpected turn when an unknown juror with a hidden agenda begins to manipulate the trial's outcome. The tension builds as the true motives of the jury manipulator and the powerful forces behind the scenes are revealed.- Publication Year: 1996
- Genre: Legal thriller
- Setting: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Main Characters: Nicholas Easter, Marlee, Wendall Rohr, Rankin Fitch
- Themes: Corruption, manipulation, justice
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74votes
The Chamber
John GrishamThis 1994 novel follows a young lawyer defending his racist grandfather on death row for the murder of two children. It was adapted into a film in 1996 starring Chris O'Donnell and Gene Hackman.The Chamber is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It explores topics of racism, capital punishment, and the complexities of family relationships. The story revolves around a young lawyer named Adam Hall, who takes the case of his estranged grandfather, Sam Cayhall, a member of the Ku Klux Klan facing the death penalty for a bombing in Mississippi. As Adam delves deeper into the case, he uncovers secrets from his family's past and must confront difficult moral choices.- Publication Date: 1994
- Genre: Legal Thriller
- Setting: Mississippi, USA
- Main Characters: Adam Hall, Sam Cayhall, F. Denton Voyles
- Themes: Racism, Capital Punishment, Family
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89votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainThe Testament
John GrishamPublished in 1999, this novel follows the legal battle over a billionaire's fortune after he dies and leaves behind an unexpected will."The Testament" is a captivating legal thriller written by John Grisham. It takes readers on a gripping journey through a billionaire's unexpected will that triggers a thrilling legal battle.- Genre: Legal thriller
- Publication Year: 1999
- Number of Pages: 492
- Setting: Brazilian Pantanal, United States
- Protagonist: Troy Phelan, a billionaire
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913votes
The Partner
John GrishamThis 1997 novel tells the story of a lawyer who fakes his own death and steals millions of dollars from his law firm, only to be caught and forced to return to face the consequences.The Partner is a legal thriller novel written by John Grisham. It was first published in 1997 and quickly became one of his most popular books. The story revolves around Patrick Lanigan, a talented lawyer who fakes his own death and steals $90 million from his law firm. However, his carefully constructed plan begins to unravel as his former colleagues start to suspect that he may still be alive. As the FBI investigates and the law firm launches a manhunt, Lanigan finds himself trying to stay one step ahead while seeking redemption.- Publication year: 1997
- Genre: Legal thriller
- Main protagonist: Patrick Lanigan
- Setting: United States
- Themes: Deception, redemption, justice
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109votes
Engraving by E. H. Lee, Chicago · Public domainThe Appeal
John GrishamPublished in 2008, this novel follows a small town lawyer's fight against a corrupt corporation and a biased judge.The Appeal is a legal thriller written by John Grisham. It revolves around a small Mississippi town where a big chemical company has released toxic waste, resulting in the death of many children. The grieving parents file a lawsuit against the company, but they face a powerful adversary who is determined to manipulate the legal system to protect the company's interests. The book explores themes of corruption, corporate power, and the pursuit of justice.- Genre: Legal thriller
- Publication: 2008
- Setting: A small Mississippi town
- Themes: Corruption, corporate power, justice
- Main Characters: Mary Grace, Wes, Adam
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular book
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Reader reviews and ratingsReviews and ratings on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, and other book retailers can provide insights into the readers' opinions and preferences. A book with a higher average rating and the larger number of positive reviews can be considered more popular.
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Awards and accoladesIf a John Grisham book has won any prestigious awards or has been shortlisted for any major literary events, it may be an indication of its popularity and quality.
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AdaptationsIf a book has been adapted into a movie, TV series, or any other form of media, it may indicate a wider popularity. The success of the adaptation(s) is also a factor to consider.
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Recommendations and referencesA widely popular book may be frequently recommended and referred to in articles, blog posts, reading lists, and conversations. Online search trends and social media mentions can also be considered in this regard.
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Bestseller listsPlacement on bestseller lists, such as The New York Times Best Seller list, can indicate a book's popularity among readers. A John Grisham book that has spent multiple weeks or even months on such lists might be considered more popular than others.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular John Grisham book. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or book is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2231 views
- 200 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each book once every 24 hours. The rank of each book is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular john grisham book
John Grisham is a prolific American author who has written numerous legal thrillers and other works of fiction. Born in 1955 in Arkansas, Grisham practiced law for nearly a decade before turning his attention to writing. His first novel, "A Time to Kill," was published in 1989 and was later adapted into a movie starring Samuel L. Jackson and Matthew McConaughey. Since then, Grisham has written over 30 novels, many of which have become bestsellers and have been adapted into movies or TV shows. Some of his most popular works include "The Firm," "The Pelican Brief," and "The Client." Grisham's books often explore themes of justice, corruption, and the legal system, and he is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential authors of his generation. With so many great books to choose from, it's no wonder that fans of Grisham's work are always eager to debate which one is the best.
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