Amazon.com Review
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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edition.
Readers will find an amiable travelogue to Italy and its charms in Grisham's latest. What they won't find are the suspense and inspired plotting that have made the author (The Last Juror, etc.) one of the world's bestselling writers. Yet Grisham remains a smooth storyteller, and few will fail to finish this oddball tale of what happens to ruined D.C. powerbroker Joel Blackman, 52, when he's suddenly released from federal prison after six years. Teddy Maynard, legendary CIA director, has engineered the release in order to put Joel into a variant of the witness protection program and then see who kills him. Many want him dead—the Saudis, the Israelis, especially the Chinese—because of his role in trying to sell a global satellite spy system that would alter the world's balance of power; that was what got Joel imprisoned, and the CIA hopes that whoever kills him will clue them in to who may have access to the satellites. Joel is relocated to Bologna, and much of the narrative consists of his touring that city, its historic sights and its many restaurants, and learning Italian ways from his male handler, Luigi, and his language tutor, Francesca—a middle-aged woman with whom he falls in love. A major subplot concerns Joel's secret dealings with his stateside son to prepare for escape from Bologna if necessary. Eventually, the CIA leaks Joel's whereabouts to his enemies, who dispatch killing teams. Can Joel broker his way to safety? There's some depth to the troubled relationship between Joel and his tutor, but otherwise the novel reads like a contented afterthought to a memorable Italian vacation, with little action or tension, plastic characters and plot turns that a tricycle could maneuver. Still, anyone wishing to learn how and why Bologna built its famed porticos, why to be wary of most Italian desserts and how to send an encrypted wireless message using a global cell phone will find that information cheerfully given here. (Jan. 11)
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edition.
Saar on July 17, 2009
As someone who hasn’t enjoyed Grisham’s writing since the late ’90s, I really didn’t have high expectations for this book. I don’t think any of us read his novels looking for any kind of enlightment, but instead we only want an intelligent, fun ride. To that end, The Broker is a success.
Unlike some of his more recent books, this one sticks to his old formula – a sympathetic character, intrigue, and a “chase” leading into a good ending. The only thing that drags the book down is that Backman’s time in Italy reads at times like a pastoral novel. I’m all for character development, but we learn more at times about the country than about Backman.
I still look back on early efforts like A Time to Kill and The Firm as being Grisham’s best. This doesn’t reach that level, but it’s certainly a welcome improvement from recent material.
Shobha on July 17, 2009
So you’ve read this is Grisham’s return to legal thrillers after inexplicable diversions like Bleachers. Hate to tell you – it’s anything but.
We shoot off the docks with grand Hollywood-style razzmatazz involving the CIA, the president of United States, and the dubious pardon of a certain high-stakes deal agent sent to Europe as a sitting duck for assassins to get him. Makes you buckle up for some breathless action.
Then just a few dozen pages later this whole sensational setup goes thud as our protagonist (and Grisham) get smitten with Italiana. We take long languid walks through Bologna’s porticoed sidewalks and piazzas. Read ornate descriptions of the city’s basilicas, towers, frescoes, marble crypts. There’s even time to learn the legend surrounding the naked bronze statue of the Roman god Neptune at the Fontana del Nettuno from the 1500s.
Our little broker is savoring the food, the language, the history. Problem is, we’re not because nothing’s happening.
As a storyteller Grisham is in full bloom, which would’ve been super if only he had a story to tell. Recommended for italophiles, rest of us should seek our thrills elsewhere.
Valmai on July 17, 2009
Through a friend in the industry I was able to get a copy of “The Broker” and I think it is Grisham’s best thriller since the Firm! And is also a departure from his legal thrillers – this is more an international thriller- think Robert Ludlum. The basic premis is, During his waining hours in office a lame duck President of the United States pardons Joel Backman from Federal Prison. The Pardon creats a firestorm of controversy as Backman is a notoriuos political power broker who has spent the last half dozen years in prison for his crimes. What is not known is that the president’s hand was forced by the CIA as Backman apparently has secretes that compromise the US satalite surveillance system. The CIA has come up with a plan to get a handle the situation. Once Backman is released with a new name and Identity and home, the CIA will release information about him and his wherabouts to the Russians, Isralis, Suadis, and Chinese. The question now is, not when, but who will kill Mr. Backman? The story takes off from here with plenty of twists and turns, but I wont spoil the story! The author does a great job of mixing action with the suspense and some decent character development – just don’t expect too much! I also enjoyed the international tone of the book.