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Customer Reviews of The Chamber

The Chamber
The Chamber: Adam Hall is a Chicago attorney who takes on a case that could destroy his life. His racist grandfather Sam Cayhall is sitting on death row for the fatal bombing of an office building in the 1960's that paralysed a man and killed his two children. Adam senses there is more to the story and while the nation waits for his execution, Adam tries to uncover the truth with the help of many people including his own aunt who at first wants nothing to do with him or Sam, but she eventually begins to sense a need for closure and so she begins to talk of life with a father like Sam. As he gets closer to the truth he puts his life on the line. Grisham has tackled racism before, but never quite like this. Here we have a character that isn't sorry for what happened all those years ago. Making the main character someone that we cannot like makes it hard to have to read material like this, but Grisham makes the novel work and doesn't become to preachy. The only problem is that the book is really long and I think that the books content could have been trimmed. Besides that it is still another sure fire hit from the master writer.

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POLITICS ASIDE, THE CHAMBER IS A MODEL OF DRAMA
Grisham, in his usual fasion. has woven together a story that, although predictable, is emotionally drenching and entertaining. It is true that all of Grisham's main characters are essentially the same person ( I've read all his works ) and that his plots are somewhat similar, although I really don't see this as a negative. His subtle humor and clever cynicism make Grisham enjoyable almost regardless of the plot. In this story, there is no need to feel sorry for Sam to like the book. I like the death penalty and despise people like Sam Cayhall and believe that death is too good for them, and I don't think that Grisham necessarily defends Sam in the book either. Regardless of your feelings on the death penalty, the book is an emotional thriller, and Grisham's portrayal of Nungent and his gang as morons merely increases his ability to work humor into the book, rather than turning the book into a political forum. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, especially for people who have read Grisham and appreciate his humor.

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Fascinating and moving
A friend of mine lent this to me saying it's the best book he's ever read. I can see why some people would think this.
After just finishing The Chamber my first thoughts are that it was compulsive read but also that the ending left me feeling a little flat. It was fast paced, and at times moving (re the lynching photo and Halls thoughts about it). You're left feeling how awful it is to spend years on death row but...the alternatives are never gone into in depth-there is only so much one can do with this I suppose, especially if the authors trying to entertain as well as enlighten. It reminded me of Dead Man Walking where it took the murderers pending death, moments away, for him to be truly repentant. Like that movie The Chamber inspires sympathy and forgiveness for the main characters and shows that people can change. I got a little disinterested in all the legal procedures and ended up trying to flip through these paragraphs to concentrate on the plot and emotion. There were some loose ends but you can't often squeeze life into a perfect little package.
I was very happy with the lack of romantic interest to slow the pace down (Grisham uses an alcoholic Aunt for this) at key moments. And happy that I didn't feel preached to by the author. Even now I'm not sure how strongly, if at all, Grisham is anti execution. He certainly didn't hold back on Cayhalls crimes.
All in all a very good book. Very different to my normal fare and one I would strongly recommend.