The Broker

I first read this one back in 2006 and absolutely loved it. I recently found the unabridged audiobook on CD at Goodwill for only $1, and I couldn't pass it up. Revisiting this book reminded me why it is probably my favorite Grisham ever. Even though it is light on the legal stuff, it's just a fantastic story that pulled me in both times. The beautiful descriptions of northern Italy captivated me each time I've read it and Bologna has been on my bucket list since that first reading. (One of these days!) Joel is a fascinating character, and the plot is compelling, but what I love the most is the atmosphere of the world the author describes. It's rather leisurely paced through much of the book, but it's simply fantastic.

I think maybe John Grisham bought some Rosetta Stone software to try to learn Italian, got frustrated with it, and then spent the rest of the day imagining a situation in which someone would actually be motivated to learn Italian quickly. Presto: you have The Broker, in which a felon is pardoned and whisked off to Italy in a sortof ersatz witness-protection operation, where his life depends on passing for a native Italian. There are pages and pages and pages of description of his Italian lessons and his motivation to learn (he keeps making the tutor start lessons earlier and earlier), and we're inside his head as he recites the Italian word for everything in his apartment.

Now, I like languages and occasionally mumbled some of the words show more out loud to myself while reading just to test my Italian accent, so I enjoyed the weird preoccupation with learning Italian. However, you have to admit it's a bizarrely academic preoccupation for a run-for-your-life thriller--especially when, in the context of the story, it's wholly unnecessary to the point of being unbelievable. Surely if the point is for this American guy to blend in while in hiding, you'd stash him in... Canada, Australia, England? You know, where the language skills he already has will be useful? And since it turns out that the US government us just waiting to see whether it's the Russians, the Chinese, or the Israelis who will find and kill our fugitive first, I don't understand why they'd bother paying a tutor a full-time salary to teach the guy flawless Italian. So I'm back to where I started: all I can figure is that Grisham really wanted to write a story about learning to speak Italian. show less

This was a "good read" for me. The plot was a bit weak, the scenarios often implausible, but I didn't care about that because I loved the premise of the main character being on the run and learning how to (mostly) outsmart the pursuers. I liked the characterizations and I was okay with all the espressos and the culinary details.

I think Grisham must have been tremendously influenced by his enchanting visit to Bologna, and allowed his impressions to occasionally overwhelm his story. Unlike many of his newer books, this is a paperback I'll be saving to re-read in a few years time.

I have read fewer than a half dozen Grishams. This one is quite engaging. The protagonist Joel, Marco, whoever, is likable in spite of the fact that he is a confirmed criminal and a traitor. Lik...e so many people, when he personally experiences the fear he generates, he has a change of heart. Like Playing for Pizza much of the story is set in Italy, giving something of a Ludlumite authenticity to the spycraft. The book is entertaining, though it is nobody's classic. A fun read.

"The Broker," more than anything, was a way for Grisham to expense his trip to Bologna, Italy. Out of 400 pages, there was maybe 100 of story. The rest was a tour of primarily Bologna, and endless translations of dialogue, histories of various cathedrals, and lots of food ordering.

Having said that, the story itself was pretty good.

Spoilers ahead.

The story is that of Joel Backman, a major power broker in DC, who gets pardoned by an outgoing president six years into a 14-year sentence for crimes against the state—he was trying to sell technology that could control satellites. But it was the CIA who pressured and orchestrated the pardon because they wanted to see who would come after Backman once he was freed; the Israelis, the Chinese, show more or the Saudis. The CIA gets him to Italy where he's to learn the language (and get lots of history lessons!) before they begin leaking where he is. After tiring of this, Backman escapes and makes his way back to the States so he can turn over the software that landed him in prison to begin with. show less

This is the first John Grisham novel I have read.and an intriguing mixture it is. After the first three chapters that zip through the plot machinations the book changes pace .We are in an Italian town where our American hero who seems to be on some sort of elaborate witness protection scheme is trying to learn Italian and adapt to an Italian way of life. Grisham captures very well the feel of an Italian town and issues facing a non european suddenly parachuted into it. You can almost smell the coffee. The mystery element is still very much present, however the writers main concern seems to be to make the reader enjoy the experience of Italy and this he does superbely well. About three quarters of the way through the book the plot starts show more moving again at a fairly quick pace and while this is full of suspense the book somehow loses something as it moves away from the Italian scene so lovingly described. The story line has no real climax but everything is wrapped up in an efficient manner, but this last part of the novel feels like it belongs just to those first three chapters and fails to connect with the excellence of what has gone on after them. I enjoyed this (well three quarters of it ) very much. Essential reading for anyone planning to visit Italy for the first time. show less

Though slow in its build up, it does reach the point of engaging and interesting, though I never did like the main character and I rooted against him the whole way. I really enjoyed all the Italian and I'd love to travel to Bologna some day! Lots of pieces in place, lots of characters building up to a nice crescendo! And then? Poop. A horrible ending. Just abrupt and lame. I mean, what happened to Sammy Tin? (just for starters!) Because of that, I'd be hard pressed to recommend this.