The Brethren
John Grisham
Characters
you will get to know in the story
The Brethren- three exjudges that have their own habits, hobbies, and failings. However, they are united in being unsympathetic criminals, greedy, and uncaring for others.
Trevor Carson- co-conspirator and lawyer of the Brethren. He is a small-time, small-town crook.
Teddy Maynard- working hard to serve his country even though he is in pain and confined to a wheelchair. He sees a great danger looming and and wants to save the United States. However, he is a power-happy manipulative tyrant with little regard for democracy or ordinary citizens' lives.
Aaron Lake- an unknown congressman from Arizona
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Conflicts
Person vs. Society
The Brethren vs. Society
The Brethren put ads in a gay magazine, and then blackmail people that write them back making them send money. The CIA finds out about their scam. However, they get away with it.
Person vs. Person
Teddy Maynard vs. Aaron Lake
Teddy Maynard finds out about Aaron Lake writing letters to Ricky in the magazine.
Quote
"To make matters worse, Teddy handed handed over a sheet of paper. Lake took it, and instantly recognized it as a copy of his last note to Ricky.
Dear Ricky:
I think it's best we end our correspondence. I wish you well with your rehab.
Sincerely, Al
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Setting
Trumble, a minimum-security federal prison camp for the usual variety of relatively harmless criminals. The prison is located in North Carolina.
Point of View
Third Person Objective
Quote
'"He stood behind his flimsy folding table in the prison cafeteria, tapped a plastic mallet that served as a gavel, cleared his squeaky throat, and announced with great dignity: "Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye. The Inferior Federal Court of North Carolina is now in session. Please rise."'
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Plot Line
Exposition: The Brethren gather in their unafficial court room like every other day at the prison.
Rising Action:
-The Brethren black mail people.
-They try to make money buy putting ads in a gay magazine to send them money.
-Teddy Maynard is turning Aaron Lake into a candidate for the President.
Climax:
-CIA finds out about judges' scam.
-Teddy Maynard finds out about Aaron Lake's letters to Ricky.
Falling Action:
-Maynard convinces Lake to marry Jayne because she would make a fine First Lady.
-The Brethren get away with the scam.
Resolution: Teddy Maynard finished his coffee, watched the trafic for awhile, and then left to gather his other colleagues.
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Themes
Today's government in corrupt. All politicians are for themselves and could care less about the people.
Recommendations
I would not recommend this book. If you are familiar with John Grisham's novels you most likely enjoyed his stories in the past. This story, however, was very predictiable and dull toward the end.
Quote
"Teddy finished his coffee as if nothing had happened. He watched the street for a while, then left to gather his colleagues."
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